Photographer Spotlight :: Pamela Marie Photography

Our last (but certainly not least!) photographer in our 'New Faces Photographer Spotlight' is Pamela Sodini, owner of Pamela Marie Photography. I've had the pleasure of working with Pamela on numerous weddings, and have even worked with her one-on-one when she shot my business head shots last spring. I can tell first hand how much Pamela truly loves what she does! Pamela's passion and unique artistic style is clearly evident in every single image that she takes! To learn more about Pamela, check out her Q + A session below: 

1. First off, tell us a little about yourself:

I like to think I'm fun and refreshing. I stay open-minded and have the highest respect for others who do as well! I'm the kind of person who buys her jeans at Marshalls but will spend a grand or two on a camera lens. I like lying diagonal on the bed once in a while, just because. I smile a lot, think a lot, and take a lot of pictures. I'm curious about the world. I laugh at myself- I laugh a lot period!

2. How did you get started in photography?

I have a tendency to plan out my life. While in college I tried really hard to pick the perfect career for myself… through lots of interviews and about a million career path questionnaires. All along roaming the streets with my SLR camera and spending all of my extra cash on countless rolls of film! But photography just didn’t seem like a viable career path at the time, a very clear plan, and so I ended up with a very practical business degree.

Wasn’t it John Lennon who said life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans? Living in New York City and later in Los Angeles, I kept up at my photography “on the side,” enrolling in college courses and shooting actor headshots and sports coverage. Business grew, mainly from word of mouth, and I moved on to family portraits and formal events. But it was the photojournalistic-style event coverage that grabbed me. In particular, weddings. How exciting!! From there, the decision for me to resign from the corporate world and devote my career entirely to photography was relatively easy for me.

So I guess my photography business evolved all on its own, rooted in a simple passion for the art. And I’m ever so grateful!!

3. Describe your wedding photography approach and style.

I approach photography the way I approach life- with my eyes and ears wide open. Every wedding is different and reflects each couple’s uniqueness, and so it’s incredibly important that I get to know the couple and how they work together. Our engagement session is a big part of that, getting prepared for the big day.

On the wedding day itself, my biggest goal is to keep it fun! I understand that people sometimes view photography as the least exciting part of the day, and I challenge myself to change that view. :) The actual events of the day I cover in an artistic photojournalistic style, making sure to capture all the details. Then when it comes to the photoshoots, I encourage setting aside time so that we can create beautiful fine art images! Ultimately it’s your day and your schedule, but I can make recommendations within that framework to maximize time for your photography investment.

4. What do you like best about your job?

I love the excitement, the emotion!! Being able to create memories for my couples is such an honor! And one I don’t take lightly. How lucky am I to share one of the most important days in my couples’ lives??

5. What keeps you motivated?

I don’t overcommit. Limiting my workload to one wedding per weekend is critical! It keeps me excited about each and every wedding I shoot. I also keep up on my personal photography work and stay in touch with other wedding professionals. Ultimately my brides inspire me each week, because they are each unique and bring their own personalities to their wedding days. How fun to discover how they do this firsthand!

6. If you weren’t a photographer, what would you be?

I always thought I’d do well in a career that gave me a creative outlet, a certain amount of independence, and lots of helping people in tangible ways. So that said, if I were to have to give up my camera <*cringe!*>, then I think I’d enjoy counseling or perhaps being a nurse practitioner.

7. What is one thing you absolutely cannot live without?

It’s too obvious to say my camera, right?? ;)

Okay well then I’d have to go with my GPS. Which is odd, because I really do have a good sense of direction. It’s just that I bought the darn thing as soon as I moved to Pittsburgh about 2 years ago, and I’ve gotten so used to just following the directions. Now it’s completely crippled me- I still haven’t learned my way around!!

8. If you could photograph a wedding for anyone, who would it be?

My absolute favorite brides are lots of fun, vibrant, and full of creativity. They’re a bit offbeat, and they really care about their wedding photography. That said, I think Ellen and Portia’s wedding would have been a blast to do, or Julia Roberts, or maybe Gwen Stefani's. Wish I could have shot my sister’s but as MOH that would have been difficult! :)

9. Please share a few of your favorite photos with us: 

For more information about Pamela's services, check out her website and blog.

All images courtesy of Pamela Marie Photography.