{Vendor Spotlight} Izzy Hudgins Photography

WOW! It's been awhile since I did a photographer vendor spotlight and so I asked Izzy if she would like to share her images and more about herself. I really like to do this with some photographers who I have recently met and also those who I TOTALLY click with or plan to work with in the future. Izzy is super fun, very smart, witty and talented! Sit back and enjoy our little interview.......

Layla: Which are your 5 favorite images and why?

Izzy: It’s so hard to pick only 5! But I chose ones I felt best represented my style of photography and the experience I give my clients.

1) I really loved how easy this couple opened up to me. Establishing a great connection with my clients is my number one priority. I love catching these laugh out loud moments and I definitely love when my clients have a blast during their session.

2) This image signifies to me the importance of my job as a photographer. I absolutely enjoy my responsibility of documenting some of the momentous occasions in a person’s life but its always most rewarding knowing how much it means to those people. This beautiful girl was unhappy with her wedding photography, which made me so sad, especially with how GORGEOUS she is, her dress is, her man is and her venue was, oh dear! So I promptly offered to photograph her in her dress. Afterwards, she wrote to me saying she was on the verge of tears at how happy just ONE of my images made her compared to the whole of her wedding images. That’s powerful stuff.

3) This is just the magic of pretty pictures. I love the colors, the light, the pretty bokeh (that buttery out of focus background), the happy couple, all of that just fills me with goodness.

4) This is an example of how I like to mix in more fashiony editorial poses with the more natural relaxed images. Fashion photography was always my first love and I continue to draw inspiration from that industry. I love pushing myself in this way and I love when my brides fully embrace how beautiful they are and really bring that confidence out in their pictures. But its OK if you feel shy in front of the camera, I totally am…by the end of a session with me, though, you’ll be having a blast, pinky promise.

5) This image is important to me for two reasons: 1st it shows the other facet to my style. And 2nd, on top of capturing silly fun laughing moments and super fierce editorial poses, what makes me love being a wedding photographer most are these sweet intimate melt your heart moments. Its really what makes the world go round. This wedding was a highlight in my career. It took place in a little town outside of Madrid, Spain in a gorgeous, ancient hotel/restaurant right off of the most quaint plaza. I couldn’t have asked for a prettier location or a better couple.

Layla: How did you get started in photography?

Izzy: I started photography in highschool at the tender age of 14. I immediately fell in love it, with creating stories and fantasy worlds, with connecting with people through portraits, with the magic of film and processing, all of it. I absolutely knew I wanted to do photography for the rest of my life. I continued my education at SCAD, focusing on portraiture and fashion photography, and graduated with honors in 2006.  While living in TN, I discovered that my fashion flair portraiture had a place and I fell in love with wedding photography.

Layla: What has been your most memorable wedding thus far?

Izzy: One of my most favorite weddings was the wedding of my dear friend Julie Roberts. She was actually my mentor in TN and the one responsible for turning me on to the wedding industry. She photographed my own wedding and I photographed hers. It was such a full circle moment for me and a wedding I am most proud of!

Layla: When you’re not working, what do you do with your time? 

Izzy: You can find me neck deep in social media and Pinterest. I swear, every time I sit down to get some work done, hours go by and all I’ve done is look at pretties all day. I also am a complete bookworm.  Favorite books include Water for Elephants, The Book Thief, The Pillars of the Earth, Extremely Loud and Incredibly Close and The Help. I am currently reading Eat Pray Love (I know, I know Im behind!) and next I plan to re-read all the Harry Potters in Spanish. Also, I have a new puppy! So most of my time these days are spent playing with her.

Kahlo

Layla: Something my readers would be surprised to know about you?

Izzy: I lived in Spain for nearly 3 years – I actually walked across the whole country, took 31 days! Also, I still sleep with my blankie.

Layla: What inspires you?

Izzy: The reason that I love photographing weddings is that I am truly inspired by people in love. Nothing makes me happier than to capture that emotion, its just so sweet and beautiful. I’m also very much inspired by traveling. Its what I’ve done with the majority of my adulthood and I couldn’t have it any other way. Its deliciously exciting to see other parts of the world, to connect with people from all over, to eat amazing and strange food and to see sights that would knock you off your feet!

Layla: What’s your current obsessions?

Izzy: Music is always an obsession. My current playlist includes: The Naked and Famous, Foster the People, the XX, Passion Pit, Cloud Cult, Stars, Menomena….I mean the list could go on and on. Also, my most favorite activity is to dance like a fool to 80s music, so if you play any, I WILL dance at your wedding! Oh yeah, and food. I’m totally a fat kid at heart.--- (side note by Layla, um yah right, you are a skinny minnie LOL!!)

Layla: How would you describe your style?

Izzy: The biggest element of my photography is FUN. I really love having fun with my couples, like belly laughing, knee slapping fun. This always makes for amazing photos. I mix these photos with sweet intimate moments and more high fashion editorial poses. I’m always inspired by anything vintage, so often my pictures carry that feel.

Don't forget to check out her website at www.izzyhudgins.com and facebook at http://www.facebook.com/izzyhudginsphotography

Favorite wedding so far!!