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Ep. 199 - How to Make the Family Feel Comfortable at a Wedding Guest: Brittany Janice Renault
29 Plays2 days ago
✨ Episode Overview
Weddings are so much more than two people saying “I do.” They’re about the blending of families, generations coming together, and creating an environment where everyone — from grandma to the flower girl — feels included, comfortable, and cared for.
In this heartfelt and insightful episode, I sit down with Brittany Janice Renault, a talented Big Island–based photographer known for her warm energy, natural connection with clients, and ability to capture intimate, joy-filled moments. Brittany shares her expert tips on how couples (and photographers!) can make the entire family feel relaxed and at ease on the wedding day — because when the family feels good, the photos feel magical.
💡 What We Talk About:
- 🌿 Energy matters: How Brittany uses her calm, positive presence to set the tone for family portraits and group interactions.
- 👨👩👧👦 Inclusive planning: Ways couples can communicate and plan ahead to ensure family members feel considered and appreciated.
- 📸 Creating comfort on camera: Tricks for helping even the most camera-shy relatives feel natural and confident during portraits.
- 💍 Blending generations: Navigating sensitive family dynamics with empathy so that the day remains joyful for everyone.
- ❤️ Going beyond the shot: Why connection and trust often lead to the most authentic, emotional wedding imagery.
📸 About Brittany Janice Renault
Brittany is a Hawaii-based photographer who specializes in capturing the heart and soul of families, couples, and weddings. Known for her vibrant personality and exceptional eye for storytelling, Brittany doesn’t just take photos — she creates experiences that clients rave about.
⭐️ “Brittany is a phenomenal, exceptional, spectacular photographer. Most importantly, she has great energy! … We LOVED EVERY SINGLE IMAGE! I can’t wait to visit the Big Island again just to work with Brittany!” — Beryl, 2021Her thoughtful approach to every session — from planning to delivery — ensures each client feels seen, celebrated, and deeply connected to their images.
🎧 Tune In If You Want To:
- Learn how to make family dynamics work for you, not against you, on the wedding day
- Pick up strategies to guide and support relatives who might feel out of place or nervous
- Discover why emotional comfort is just as important as the perfect timeline or shot list
📍 Connect with Brittany: www.bigislandhawaiiphotographer.com
📸 Follow her for more stunning work and behind-the-scenes stories from paradise.
Connect with Carissa Woo https://www.instagram.com/carissawoo
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Transcript
Introduction and Guest Announcement
00:00:00
Speaker
happy wu wednesdays i'm here in japan with my family this week and it has been incredible so far but posting this podcast for wu wednesdays and it's a very special one so in this episode of get a heck yes i chat with photographer britney janice renault who we shot a wedding together in the big island and she is just so sweet and so amazing we dive into one of the most important parts of any wedding day making the family feel comfortable and included.
00:00:30
Speaker
Brittany shares how she approaches weddings with warmth, patience, and clarity, helping even the most camera-shy relatives relax and be themselves. We talk about building trust, navigating family dynamics, and creating space for real emotional moments, not just for the couple, but for everyone they love.
00:00:49
Speaker
If you want to deliver a deeper, more connective experience for your clients, this episode is a must-listen.
Podcast Focus and Hosts' Connection
00:01:01
Speaker
Welcome to Get a Heck Yes with Carissa Wu. I'm your host, Carissa, and I've been a Los Angeles wedding photographer for over a decade. I've traveled the world, built my team, and seen it all.
00:01:11
Speaker
I now coach wedding photographers hit 10K a month and build a thriving business. In this podcast, we are going to deep dive into how top wedding creatives get that heck yes from their dream clients. We are not holding back on the struggles of the business and how to push through the noise. Some healthy hustle, mindset shifts, up-leveling your money story,
00:01:29
Speaker
Time hacks because I'm a mom of two, a little bit of woo-woo, and most importantly, self-love and confidence are just a few of the many things we will talk about. I want to give you a genuine thank you for following along my journey.
00:01:42
Speaker
I hope to inspire you every Woo Wednesdays so that you say heck yes to listening to this podcast. See you guys soon.
00:01:52
Speaker
Hey everyone, welcome back to Get a Heck Yes with your girl, Carissa Wu. I have an amazing guest today. Her name is Brittany Renault, and I met her in Hawaii. We can talk about that in a little bit. And her Instagram is Big Island Hawaii Photographer, and she is amazing.
00:02:08
Speaker
Welcome, Brittany. Thank you, Carissa. I'm pretty excited to be here. haven't seen you in so long. yeah But did I've seen you on social media. Yeah, we did Melanie and Jake's wedding together in Hawaii. And I actually just ran into her um at a local park nearby. way. Yeah, they have baby Yeah, they have a baby. now so Oh, baby. Oh, they have a baby. Oh, they have baby.
00:02:33
Speaker
Okay, do you remember how I met you? it just came to my mind like five minutes ago. I think you just reached me i reached out to me on Instagram. because Oh, Instagram. Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay.
00:02:44
Speaker
Yeah, you were looking for a second shooter when you were here, and it's like, oh, yeah, that'd be so fun. Oh, yeah. What was the venue that we shot at? Halualuan. Oh, that's right. Okay, it was beautiful, and you were so awesome to work with, and I wish you lived over here. um But tell the Heck Yes listeners who you are.
00:03:04
Speaker
um so my name is Brittany. I am a photographer primarily on the Big Island of Hawaii, but I do go to the other islands as well.
00:03:16
Speaker
And primarily shoot family photography and elopements, I would say, are like
Brittany's Background and Path to Photography
00:03:23
Speaker
my main things. I do a lot of proposals, couples as well.
00:03:27
Speaker
But those are kind of my meat and potatoes of what I shoot here on the island. Yeah, everyone go follow her. Again, Big Island, Hawaii photographer. You're so lucky to get that handle.
00:03:39
Speaker
I'm sure people find you that way. But your feed is yeah very islandly islandy lee and tropical and bright and airy, colorful, very romantic and timeless. So love it, love it, love it.
00:03:52
Speaker
Thank you. Tell us a little bit about your childhood, where you grew up, what your family was like. So I actually grew up in Chicago, Illinois, in the city. Lots of people will say, oh, what suburb? But I did not grow end up in the suburb. I did go to school in the suburbs.
00:04:09
Speaker
um But yeah, I grew up in Chicago. My one, just one brother, one little brother. And then my parents were like those standard blue collar workers.
00:04:24
Speaker
My mom was actually a Chicago police officer for 37
00:04:31
Speaker
I know you have some family with that too. yeah, um and yeah and then my father actually worked, he was a dockman. He worked for a trucking company. So he drove a forklift and loaded trucks.
00:04:45
Speaker
It was funny because my dad is more like a six to bigger guy. And my mom is, um you know, petite, blonde hair, blue eyes. So everyone always thought that my father was the police officer, but not the case.
00:05:00
Speaker
Wow. yeah, so they actually... They're kind of standard ah standard time. Blue-collar workers, they you know they had their same job for 37 years. Yeah, Chicago is not like not like very – I mean, there's a lot of crime, right, in Chicago? so Yeah, my mom has lots and lots and lots of stories. So, yeah, we just grew up in the time, though, that, you know, yeah, therere Chicago is known for crime or can be known for it.
00:05:30
Speaker
But at the time, it was – just this This is a little safe place. I never felt unsafe where I lived, necessarily. um So, yeah, I grew up in the city.
00:05:41
Speaker
My parents chose to send us to private school a little bit out in the suburbs. So, kind of like a 30-minute drive. and The schools near us were not exactly what they wanted to send us to at the time, unfortunately.
00:05:58
Speaker
so yeah, so i kind of had... kind of two worlds. I had this like city life that I really loved. And then also suburbs. So grew up with kids, definitely like a little bit different socioeconomic status. yeah So it was, it was a, I think it was a good experience for me to be exposed to a wide variety of people.
00:06:23
Speaker
Yeah. What were you into in like high school, high school and college days? What were your hobbies? and What were your interests? High school. You know, it's always fun thinking about high school. I don't have like a negative high school experience. I think back and I think, man, high school, I like had, all I had to do was homework, you know, and like spend time with my friends, like I definitely took advantage of that.
00:06:47
Speaker
yeah like so yeah, my main things in high school, I'd say like, i definitely loved art. i was in a lot of art classes. Surprisingly, never photography. I did photography for fun, but I never took a class.
00:07:00
Speaker
My mother went to art school for a photography a long, long time ago before she became a police officer. Wow. um So she always took pictures when we were younger and we were always really annoyed. um But then later we had all these photo albums that we cherish now.
00:07:15
Speaker
yeah So i was really into art. And then I was also actually a ah rower in high school. I liked volleyball when I was in grade school. So i was like, alright I'm going to try out for the volleyball team. But it was super competitive when I got to high school. And was like, this just is not going to work. yeah So I joined the rowing team and it became a huge part of my life.
00:07:37
Speaker
I got a scholarship too rowing college and the friendships that I formed, the discipline that I formed, it's, it shaped my life for a long time. It was eight years dedicated,
00:07:51
Speaker
early morning wake-ups and three hours. What college was that? I went to the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Oh, Wisconsin. Okay, Chicago to Wisconsin. Yeah, Chicago to Wisconsin.
00:08:03
Speaker
And so then i I studied education in college. Okay. So I became a middle school special education teacher, and I got a job right out of school. So i stayed in the Madison schools for almost 10 years.
00:08:18
Speaker
Oh, wow. Okay. Yeah. And so, yeah, so rowing was really like my main thing. And then once I stopped rowing, I got into running.
00:08:30
Speaker
um I think sometimes ah people don't realize that these extreme college athletes, um I wouldn't say I was extreme, not necessarily because rowing isn't public, you know, more like basketball or football. Like, you know, you kind of become some people.
00:08:48
Speaker
depending on their skill level, will become like the celebrity. And what happens is, is you're used to this extreme workout schedule. And then all of a sudden it's over and you're like, what I so I got into running the half marathons, marathons.
00:09:06
Speaker
um So I had this goal of running 30 half marathons before I was 30. um So I accomplished that. So that was kind of something like,
00:09:17
Speaker
my interest at the time thank you and then yeah photography has always been i was always the person in college like taking the photos when we were out you know have parties and stuff like that at the time really simple little pointed shoots yeah you know or old school cell phone uh but yeah uh so yeah those were my interests at the time um really shaped my life. I wish I would have taken a little bit more art. I took a little bit in high school and, and then um actually more in high school, a little bit more in college.
00:09:48
Speaker
Um, but yeah, those were row pretty much rowing and art. Yeah. Let's talk about, um, starting like your photography business and moving to Hawaii.
00:10:02
Speaker
When was all that in your life? i'm I'm sure that was a big leap for you. It was a big, big time shape shaping of my life. So right around the time I turned 30, just kind of had this huge shift from like 30 to 31.
00:10:20
Speaker
um I was teaching at the time. i loved my job. It was kind of ah perfect scenario. Teaching can get really hard. And it was hard, but I had really great support around me. i had like a great administrator at the time.
00:10:35
Speaker
great coworkers at the time and everything was like flowing really well at the school. So at the time I had to figure out, do I want to get my master's and continue on this route?
00:10:47
Speaker
Um, or do I just like completely leave or like, what i do do? And I ended up at the time getting hired to work on a documentary and the director was actually out of LA and it was a total,
00:11:05
Speaker
whim. i was with my ex at the time. And so it was kind of one of those situations that I was like, all right, I'm going to do this. So I agreed to work on the documentary, which meant that I sold my house. I quit my job. We moved into a camper to travel the country.
00:11:26
Speaker
and I did that for a year and a half. Yeah. I mean, it was a What was like your role going to be in for this documentary? And can you tell us a little bit about the documentary?
00:11:37
Speaker
Yeah, so my main role was ah photographer slash videographer. and So we're doing a little bit of the main thing was interviewing people. So that was really a learning curve for me.
00:11:50
Speaker
um But we got to see a lot of the country. So then that's where I took a lot of photos. And um so the main thing was the documentary was about primarily about religion and ah actually bringing people together based on, you know, so we interviewed for people from all walks of life, all different religions.
00:12:10
Speaker
And we just got to know people, Um, and it just actually flowed very interestingly. Like I would meet somebody and there would be some sort of connection.
00:12:22
Speaker
um sorry, outside of the doc, you know, we would just be like out and about in, society and we'd meet somebody and realize like, Whoa, like we could interview this person. Like this, this person has a very interesting perspective.
00:12:37
Speaker
So I did that for a year and a half and it was great. I'm not sure where doc is at this point. Um, I kind of had a falling out with the humans involved, not necessarily negative, just, you know life kind of goes, goes with the flow.
00:12:54
Speaker
And, um, but I hope it, you know, turned out to be in an interesting spot, but or at least good. The goal at the time was like Netflix, like, let's get this on. Like at first it was a doc. Then it was like, do we do a doc series?
00:13:12
Speaker
Um, so the logistical piece, I wasn't exactly super ah part of, um, but the director, he has a lot of experience in filmmaking and things like that. So, um, I believe now he's in San Francisco.
00:13:30
Speaker
So yeah, he's doing well, but yeah. So I just kind of, um, and Ended up separating myself from that. And then I was like, what do I do now?
Establishing a Photography Business in Hawaii
00:13:37
Speaker
yeah um And so I was in l L.A., still living in the camper. And I was like, what do I do?
00:13:45
Speaker
um Some things had just like gone awry with my ex. We're just like, all right, we're just what do i do Like, where do I go? So there was a program called Teach Away. It's still a program. You can sign up for it as a teacher and you can teach anywhere in the world. right And there was, i was like, okay, let's just try this. And Hawaii was actually on that list because they have a very hard time staffing teachers here in Hawaii, unfortunately.
00:14:13
Speaker
And so I only had one other interview. it was a, I guess, preschool kind of interview, which is not like my I nannied babysat for years and years.
00:14:25
Speaker
um But my most recent work was in middle school. So very different, but it was actually in China. And um the interview was with China and I didn't get the job, but I was almost grateful at the time because i was able to get my job here and then COVID hit. So it would have been a wild scenario for me to be like a foreigner in China during COVID. I, that would have,
00:14:50
Speaker
I think about it now and I'm like, yeah. um So, yeah, everything works out the way that it does. So I was offered offered a job here um in Hawaii. I wanted to have a stable position.
00:15:04
Speaker
um Didn't necessarily. I love teaching, but I didn't necessarily want to go back. But I knew that if I wanted to grow a photography business in a new space, that I would have had to have an income, like support myself. So, so yeah, I applied and I got an interview and, yeah, i received my job here on the Big Island.
00:15:26
Speaker
Oh, my God. Congrats. Thank you for their their thorough answers. You're really deep. But I just have to ask just one more question before a hot topic. But yeah just explain to the audience like your business now, today, like what it encompasses, what it means to you, anything about that.
00:15:46
Speaker
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00:16:02
Speaker
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00:16:17
Speaker
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00:16:29
Speaker
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00:16:41
Speaker
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00:16:52
Speaker
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00:17:04
Speaker
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00:17:17
Speaker
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Speaker
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00:18:09
Speaker
back to the
00:18:13
Speaker
Well, so you had asked me about starting the business. So just um real quick. So when I was here, I was teaching and then i had run into, started working with a writing officiant.
00:18:24
Speaker
She had kind of helped guide me in directions of like how to get connected. i ended up just going out on a whim. said, all right, she said, make a website. get a good name.
00:18:36
Speaker
And so that's kind of where that went. um And still need some work on my website. and But I do get inquiries that way. My name is, you know, I think if I would give advice, like,
00:18:49
Speaker
having a name that people can find you at is just important. That's what she told me. She said, you're very good and you just need people to find you. And that's kind of the world we're in. um wow So I get a lot of inquiries um through my website and Instagram. Those are kind of my two mains.
00:19:08
Speaker
I get a lot of families that are coming to visit the island, which is really fun. And I've done now with like kind of five or six years under my belt, i have returning families, which is really great. Um, and then also, you know, I have met officiants on the Island too, which has helped. Um, I really love doing elopements, um, either, you know, small family elopements or, um couples just who don't want anybody a around.
00:19:38
Speaker
Um, I would love to get into more of larger weddings. Um, but that, uh, that industry is very saturated with great photographers here on the island, but have been in it for a little bit longer. yeah So we'll see over time about doing that.
00:19:59
Speaker
But yeah, that's um my main thing. I i could get to work on the beach primarily, which is really wonderful. And there's specific beaches that I probably work at more, but I've tried to get a few different locations for people um There's a few non-beaches that some people prefer to go to that we have here on the island.
00:20:21
Speaker
The Big Island is pretty amazing. You've been here. um There's so many different um like weather climates.
00:20:32
Speaker
So you can in the winter here, you can go and enjoy some snow on the top of Monagia. And then also... get down and surf at this on the same day we also kind of have more of that tropical climate on the helo side where the waterfalls so it's just like a true island girl yeah i know right it's kind of funny okay so this is a perfect segue but britney what is your hot topic today and why is it so near and dear to your heart
00:21:07
Speaker
So my hot topic is
Client Comfort and Cultural Nuances
00:21:09
Speaker
building relationships with clients and good communication. i think for me, ah making your clients head comfortable is so important. And i don't want to try to ah boost myself up in any type of way, but I do think that comes slightly naturally for me.
00:21:30
Speaker
So it's not exactly something that you know, I could say I'm an expert at teaching people or like, I wouldn't necessarily be able to help guide somebody ah hundred percent on how to do it.
00:21:42
Speaker
Um, because I think that each person is individual, has individual characteristics that really help them too. um and I do, the thing that I've learned primarily is the clients that are for you are the ones that are going to reach out to you. So,
00:22:02
Speaker
I don't necessarily, I've had referrals from other photographers, which is really wonderful. um And I still click with them, but I have been able to tell certain things of like, I can tell that this was somebody else's client and that's the beauty of it. You know, everybody's interested in um they're not exactly interested in the same type of photography.
00:22:21
Speaker
You know, they see your photos, they see my photos, they see someone else's and they're like, Oh, I really like this style or this style. And that's what's beautiful is like, if you want this style, then I don't necessarily want you to be my client, like love from afar, you know?
00:22:35
Speaker
Um, so yeah, so I just think though, that having people feel comfortable is the absolute key. I was telling you earlier, like there's, there's not too many people.
00:22:47
Speaker
i mean, yes, people get excited for photos, but But it's not exactly something that they are super pumped to do, especially not everybody in the group, right?
00:22:58
Speaker
So like if a couple plans a shoot, it could be one or the other that's like a little bit more into it or the ones that planned it The other one's going along with or the ride.
00:23:09
Speaker
um Or sometimes people are just more introverted and and not necessarily, you know, the person who wants photos, but they do in the long run. So I think it's important to just make them feel comfortable and make them know like, we're just hanging out.
00:23:24
Speaker
I'm just here capturing like your love pretty much, you know, whether whether that be a family love or a couple or, maybe a love for your business, you know, just anything like that.
00:23:36
Speaker
Uh, I think that, I mean, one thing I learned on the, along the way, like it is about communication. Like for example, um, you know, if I start directing maybe a family, maybe the parents, maybe like just a cute little couple that's at the wedding.
00:23:52
Speaker
And then you start like directing them like nose to nose or kiss on the cheek. Like they get really uncomfortable. obviously some are better than others but then sometimes they just like if you start saying something like that they'll just they go like this they they turn their head and then they they like little literally peace out i'm like oh shoot what did i say know and then um it happened to me when i was a guest at a wedding where photographer was um set photographing me and my mom and then she starts directing us and saying like look at each other And I'm like, we're Chinese. Like, we're not super affectionate. Like, we don't really look at each other like that. Or like, you know, kiss on the cheek. We don't really do that. So it felt really uncomfortable. So now I try to preface it with like, hey, do you mind if I take like direct you for like a couple poses? And then they'll say yes or no. So just like yeah asking for permission is a big tip.
00:24:41
Speaker
um what are your what What are some of your tips for like helping with communication? Yeah. You brought up such a great point. I literally had an elopement once with Chinese family and the couple was so sweet. they're like yeah They loved each other, but they were in no way going to kiss in front of their parents. It just wasn't going to happen.
00:25:06
Speaker
So reading the room, it's definitely something, but those are things you, like you said, you learn over time. Like this is, the it's ah kind of impossible to know every culture, but You know, to just take it in, to be observant.
00:25:19
Speaker
um But, you know, i reading the room is important. There's definitely, like you were talking about, I have couples that are very, I call them like very fluid with each other.
00:25:31
Speaker
They're very comfortable. they get very snuggly. And then I have other couples that are a little bit more stiff, not that they don't love each other, but they just are a different kind of form fitting.
00:25:42
Speaker
So just taking a little time in the beginning of your shoot to get to know somebody um and just kind of figure out. I've definitely also guided people into poses and they say like, oh, we don't want to do that. and I say, that's perfectly fine. you know ah So having you know a toolbox, you know having different, a wide variety of shots,
00:26:05
Speaker
check out, you know, Pinterest is great. Instagram is great. Like look at different, you know, shots that people have different body types fit a little bit more comfortably together. You know, if somebody is really tall and short, or you know, you really kind of have to just have a variety of things, but I think getting to know somebody, I, I don't offer mini shoots. Um, I know that people do my, my shortest session is 30 minutes. Um, I've I won't typically go under that.
00:26:33
Speaker
and You know, i'm I'm flexible. So there are times that there have been moments, but it's because it goes by too fast. And the type of photos that I want to produce and typically try to for families, couples, anybody, um i just can't do it in a short time. And that's kind of one of the reasons. Yeah, it's kind of one of the reasons I I need to get to know you a little bit. I mean, even 30 minutes with somebody is so short anyway. i feel like like when I do the longer sessions, like they tend to book me again because we built like that connection.
00:27:07
Speaker
i feel like many sessions, like you're in and you're out and you feel like you almost like they're being kicked out or something or like the marathons. And like these they're like, someone's waiting. and I just feel like so much pressure. and like What if the kid is crying and then you have to like kick them out? It's so horrible. So I hate that feeling.
00:27:23
Speaker
and Even if you have like a five minute of buffer, like sometimes it just doesn't work. Yeah. Yeah. And I also feel like there you lose a little bit too of your own personal creativity. Like if I'm doing like 10 minutes, then I'm just like this shot, this shot, this shot. And then I miss, you know, a beautiful moment that could have occurred yeah if we just had, like you said, that five more minutes.
00:27:45
Speaker
Yeah. Yeah. Especially with kids. I was you have one tip. Oh, sorry. I have one little tip um before a shoot. Like I, I mean, I didn't start doing this like in the beginning, but these days I just say, Hey, can we take like a couple minutes to talk about this shoot?
00:28:01
Speaker
when I get there and then like, they're kind of like just ready to go, you know, they're like, Oh, okay. Oh yeah. Let's talk about it. I'm like, you guys know I have a lot of experience and like, I've been here, I've been shooting at this area, but like, are there any things that like, you want to tell me that you like have to get or um you know, um areas that you have to go to.
00:28:21
Speaker
And they'll be like, oh, I really like brick or, you know, like, i'm like okay, like, good to know. um and be like, is it okay if we spend an hour here and then we go to the beach for the last 30 minutes, like stuff like that.
00:28:33
Speaker
And then just to like pick their mind, pick their brain so that like we're all on the same page. um Stuff like that. Like, are you good with like changing in your car or do you have to go to the bathroom?
00:28:45
Speaker
um Just little questions like that make them feel really comfortable. And like um I just shot this um Orthodox um Muslim couple. So I was and then they brought the Bible, their Bible. And I was like,
00:28:58
Speaker
are you guys good with kissing? You know, like I'm kind of reading the room and they said, yeah, sure. I was like, yeah, it's right on. A hundred percent. There's, I've thought about doing like a questionnaire,
Handling Various Photography Sessions
00:29:10
Speaker
which I, I don't do at this time, yeah but the, I've, I've thought about it. Like, as you know, when you do more things, you run into different situations where you're like, okay, like how can I communicate that better? Or how can i understand that better?
00:29:26
Speaker
Um, I do send out like a pre-photo email and it has like 10 or 12, just like kind of little notes, just, you know, about what to wear, comfort being the most important um and feeling confident.
00:29:40
Speaker
And then things like, you know, take your, you know, bring a bag, small bag. If you have one, let's throw all the cell phones in there, all the keys in there. You know, there's just these things I've learned over time. So I have kind of a 10 point list. um But the other thing,
00:29:56
Speaker
oh, is have learned I, with weddings specifically, even elopements, there are certain things that I think people want to focus on.
00:30:08
Speaker
For example, like the dress, right? If somebody really wants more photos of their dress or really wants to make sure I get those photos, it's just impossible to get everything. I mean, just by yourself anyway, you know, with a second shooter, it's a little bit easier.
00:30:21
Speaker
So i am trying to figure out how to ask even just like those five questions to the, you know, to the bride and groom. You have a lot more experience with, with weddings.
00:30:32
Speaker
Um, but yeah, I just realized like the other day I did a wedding and I have like so many, so many photos, but she wanted like a few specific of her dress.
00:30:44
Speaker
And so I could, I went back and like, I found a few more that I think that she really liked, but if I would have known that in the beginning, then I would have been able to get that for her. So same thing with families, too. You know, I think um I do get families that say, like, we're kind of more of those that candid family or whatever, you know.
00:31:02
Speaker
So I just make sure, you know, to know that before I go to that specific shoot, too. Um, sometimes people are more communicative ahead of time than Do you have any tips? Um, I remember shooting, we shot the Melanie and Jake sweating the first look like at the bamboo area at the venue. And then we, you were amazing with the family photos and just like very good with them.
00:31:24
Speaker
Can you give a any to tips and tricks for family photos and how to communicate with like the parents and the siblings and, and to them? Yeah. You know, uh, This is, I think this just comes with being a teacher for so long.
00:31:38
Speaker
Um, I do take time to talk to the kids. Um, and I do think that I don't know if it's just me, it's not everybody, but the kids want to talk to me most of the time they come up to me, take a few minutes to just chat with the kids.
00:31:52
Speaker
Um, and then also i did send out, like, that's one of the points I added to my pre-photo email. Um, it's just like trying to help guide families like and Most of the times families, parents, they want like a good photo of their kids, you know? sometimes, as you know, with your own kids, baby, kids have those smiles that are natural versus the ones that they give you they're taking a picture.
00:32:20
Speaker
Yeah. So, but you want like a happy medium because you don't want to like then yell at the kid or, you know, do anything like that to then, now you have no smile, you know?
00:32:32
Speaker
Like, I think so. i do try to help families like parents specifically understand, like, we're just going to kind of go with the flow of the kids. So, you know, if one kid is grumpy in the beginning, like, you know, we'll play a game instead, or we'll do our red light, green light game first, or um we'll just take pictures of the parents first. So I try to really, my my suggestion was but to be other than just read the family, you know, if if somebody and just grumpy, even if it's a parent, you know, kind of maybe go with the more candid shots first before you get any of the posed in there. yeah
00:33:13
Speaker
Or especially sometimes with families, I do suggest like the little ones. um I do suggest booking a little bit of a longer session. Sometimes typically, i say sometimes typically, but Sometimes I get families that are like, oh, my kids just, they can't do longer than 30 minutes. But if they're like under five, they probably need a little bit longer.
00:33:35
Speaker
Yeah. You know, they just met me. They don't know where they're going, you know. Yeah. You want them to kind of, you know, be more comfortable. so yeah, those few things, like just booking a little bit longer of a session, going with the flow of, you know, the kids specifically is also is very helpful. And then also helping to, yeah.
00:33:55
Speaker
to guide the parents to say, i know you want these shots, but you know, help, you know, let me, you know, trust me to, to get these for you. And yes, at the end, if there's a specific shot that you feel like I didn't get, like we can definitely, you know, fit that in.
00:34:12
Speaker
i just i funny i will try am i um and i shouldn't have done it, but I had to do it, but I took off like a kid's bandaid and then they were crying for like the next 20 minutes. i was like, I'm so sorry.
00:34:23
Speaker
Yeah. Those are those things. Yeah. Like there's some kids that just like are holding onto a stuffy or whatever. And you're like, you know what? We're just going to try the stuffy first, you know, least get the kids smiling.
00:34:37
Speaker
And then at some point, if we can woo away the stuffy, we can, but like, that's the beauty of it. You know, like that's the beauty of the moment. The kid's going to look back at the photo and remember like, you know, they're cute little stuffy yeah instead of them crying, you know, like the situation.
00:34:55
Speaker
You want to capture the moment. Oh, go ahead. No, that's it. like it just like I but try to emphasize that like this is where your kid is at this point. like They're not going to be they're not got to look back and be upset that like you didn't get them to be this perfect you know situation. like This is ah the beauty of it right now.
00:35:16
Speaker
I totally agree. um What is like your elopements like? um I'm sure you've done many at this point. Do you have a very like, I know everything's like custom, but like, do you have a set plan where that we're going to meet like two hours before sunset and then like bring your family or um what is like your little spiel? Because I'm not a elopement photographer at all.
00:35:41
Speaker
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00:35:54
Speaker
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00:36:05
Speaker
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00:36:23
Speaker
So elopement wise, I always typically suggest 90 minutes at least for an elopement. um Sometimes people want something shorter and that's fine. But I try to ah emphasize to them that, you know, the officiant is typically going to take 30 minutes. Yeah. You know, they always say, oh, 15 minutes.
00:36:44
Speaker
But like the time goes by fast, as you know, you know, with doing weddings, like holy moly, like a whole eight hour day will go by. And I'm like, where was I? um So the hour and a half goes by very quickly.
00:36:57
Speaker
um So I really like to make sure at least at least 30 minutes. So so sorry, 90 minutes, 30 minutes for that ceremony, 30 minutes before to potentially take some photos. yeah Get in a first look if they want one and then post ceremony to get the sunset. Yeah. So typically my shoots are in the morning at sunset.
00:37:20
Speaker
or at sunset Oh, okay. Yeah. I mean, I would think 90 minutes is pretty short. so It is. It's very it's very short. thought it would be like at least three hours. but Yeah. Yeah. No, it's very short.
00:37:32
Speaker
A lot of the beaches here are pretty close to like where you park and things like that. So it's a pretty quick kind of way down to the beach. The officials usually pick a really nice little spot to have the service.
00:37:47
Speaker
And yeah, the ceremony is typically, again, typically, it's it it depends, you know, if people are writing their own vows, it's going to be a little bit longer versus if they don't.
00:37:58
Speaker
um Sometimes they include, there's a few different things with ah Hawaiian ceremonies. So, you know, sand blending is one of them. um The water blessing is another one.
00:38:10
Speaker
So some people choose one, two, some people want all of them. And so that kind of depends. So that's why I always say like, um gonna at least suggest you know this time um but yeah with the elopements I would say the other thing that I've tried to do it's very it's kind of fast so you may have to make sure that you're you're getting all those shots I definitely use my zoom for those photos because I'm just like I can't always i want to be able to capture all of those moments uh
00:38:44
Speaker
So yeah, I try to get just most of those little details in the beginning, try and get any, if they have family members, you know, to have them there. of the time the family is there. um it just depends on how present they want them to be. So either they want them closer or they want them farther away. or yeah, sometimes it's just the two of them and no one's there at all. And don't know, it's kind of nice. It's like, you know, it just, it just gives people comfort in knowing that's like it's a more acceptable thing to do you know your wedding should really be for you yeah not for everybody else and you probably know this more like it just turns out to be oh I'm doing this for this person or and it's just ah you know in the long run the two of you are going to be living this life together so it can be a beautiful moment yeah so
00:39:40
Speaker
Yeah, typically it's, it goes by really, it's like a shotgun type of situation. Yeah. Okay. So last question, um make it good. So I would say like you adapted to island life pretty well, I would say.
Advice for Aspiring Photographers
00:39:55
Speaker
um You got married, had had a kid and started your business and are thriving um speak to the what the hearts of wedding pros out there just trying to get started and just feel like they're struggling um they feel like they just can't get bookings what would you tell them today to get started or to get all the fun ah Well, don't give up on yourself, number one. Working for yourself is the best thing ever, but it's not easy.
00:40:25
Speaker
um So it's okay if it has not been easy. ah Yeah, when I got to the island, I was in a really sticky situation. I was ending a situation, and I had to rebuild everything. So um i would say...
00:40:42
Speaker
If I could do it, anybody can. Another piece is take advice from the people around you that you either casually just happen chance run into or reach out to people that are professionals in the area. I got a lot of assistance from, for example, like from the wedding officiant that I worked with, um with my name and just being like, okay, this is how you know, think about those ways.
00:41:08
Speaker
I'm not an expert, but there definitely are experts in how to get your name out there. um My website, she just said, get up a website.
00:41:19
Speaker
Doesn't have to be fancy. yeah Just do it. Just do it. um And yeah, find a name if you can. I know some people have their own names like you do. um I'm a little bit more timid to do that. But, you know, if anybody choose whatever you feel comfortable with, but choose something that people can search and people know. You know like you are ah more well-known wedding photographer at this point where you are.
00:41:45
Speaker
But for my love that yeah for me, I had an original a different name for my business, and I was like, how are people going to find me? there's that. Also...
00:41:56
Speaker
um also You have to try. There's photographers that do this part time and then do it full time. And at first, definitely, if you need a a job like a the standard job.
00:42:12
Speaker
to support yourself, do it. But then you also have to dedicate that extra time that you have, or even some sleep time yeah to, to really build what you want. So just, but do it step-by-step. You know, when I got to the Island, um, I got a camera off Facebook marketplace. It was the same camera that I had had before, Nikon, um, mirror camera. Like it was not mirrorless at all.
00:42:39
Speaker
and And then over time, you know, now I shoot Sony wire, like mirrorless, totally different style, but just give yourself some time, you know, at first do what you feel is comfortable that you know that can produce good photos.
00:42:54
Speaker
And then once you have a little bit more money, maybe, or a little bit more time to try something new. then do it. But maybe don't put so much pressure on yourself, but just dedicate that time to you.
00:43:07
Speaker
i learned that most of the time, like people have asked me, like, what do I, like, I had somebody ask me once a friend, like if I could invest in something, like what would you suggest? And I told him you like invest in yourself. Like right now, like I do think that in life, a lot of people expect you to prioritize them. Uh-huh.
00:43:29
Speaker
And I've learned over time that I only expect somebody to prioritize themselves. Like wow to to expect somebody to put me in front of everything else in their life, everyone else in their life, like is kind of ridiculous. yeah I know like we we we just have been acclimated to do so.
00:43:49
Speaker
So if you're taking some extra time and maybe you're not spending time with friends or If you really are invested in doing something that you want and have goals for, like don't feel guilty about that. um And yeah, I think that that's kind of.
00:44:06
Speaker
I hope I answered that question. Oh yeah. does Yeah. Yeah. Just, just give yourself some time step by step. Um, but it's, it's definitely, it's worth it in the long run. i think that you could probably vouch too. Like it's, it's the best thing in the world to work for yourself, but it's not for everybody too. So if you run into a situation where like, you know, maybe this is something you want to do more part time, then do it part time. That's okay too.
00:44:33
Speaker
That's beautiful. Okay. Rapid fire questions. These are like one word answers. Okay. Okay. Best social media. ah Instagram stories. Oh, okay.
00:44:44
Speaker
um Best heck yes sales technique.
00:44:52
Speaker
Having most of the information in my initial email. So if somebody contacts me, um having most information, so they have less questions to ask me.
00:45:03
Speaker
in their next email. um Best thing or lesson you learned from rowing?
00:45:13
Speaker
Time management.
00:45:16
Speaker
What's the best or the biggest lesson you learned from the past year of being a mother, year and half?
00:45:25
Speaker
That it is ah very selfless act.
00:45:30
Speaker
Very. And then do you still see yourself in Hawaii for the rest of your life?
00:45:37
Speaker
I can't say the rest of my life, but I can definitely say for, for most of the near future, it's really hard. You know, um we talk a lot about, you know, the mainland is different. You know, you're in California, you want to go somewhere, you can drive hours, hours, hours, hours hours days, and get see um and get to see It's different states and all these things. yeah You know, on the island, this is a big island, and you can drive a few hours and still not you know still see a very different place.
00:46:08
Speaker
um But it's a little bit harder to get anywhere. yeah um You know, you got to get on a plane, and it's at least six hours. you guys are closest to us than anywhere else. And then you traveled a lot for that documentary for a year and a half.
00:46:23
Speaker
And then interviewed a ton of people. What was your favorite like lesson that you learned from that?
00:46:32
Speaker
To, I mean, the standard, never judge a bush but book by its cover. and And genuinely, most people are really good. And they have like very good intentions. Yeah.
00:46:44
Speaker
um I think it's important, especially right now in our society, like there is still this like black and white left, right situation. yeah But i would, ah I would love it. when People just talked a little bit more about the fact like that just because you believe one thing the same as somebody else doesn't mean that you have to believe everything the same. yeah You know, it doesn't make you crazy or conspiracy theorists. Like if you're questioning, like,
00:47:14
Speaker
the world like nobody knows like how we're all here so if somebody like is so sold on one way or the other like you're also a little bit uh egotistical you know so you can have another podcast about that one yeah 100 but thank you Brittany this is a great conversation where can everyone find you and look for you when they go to Hawaii hi well my handles are always big island Hawaii photographer so big on www. bigislandhawaiifotographer.com Instagram is the same, bigislandhawaiifotographer.com website has you know my my phone number as well. my email is bigislandhawaiifotographer gmail.com So that's kind of how you find me. I'm on the Kona side, the west side, but I do travel to different islands and to the Hilo side at times.
00:48:05
Speaker
Yeah, just book me. Come hang out. I can be a little bit flexible too with pricing. I do i am I mean, i am kind of also on the like the lower end of that. I just try to be reasonable for people.
00:48:20
Speaker
just want people to be able to have these memories when they come here. It's pricey enough to get here. um So it's fun. And um I welcome anybody, especially here to the Big Island. I think um a lot of people know Honolulu and they know Maui and things like that.
00:48:40
Speaker
Big Island kind of gets it. ah Not a bad rap, just no rap. ah Come here, experience a little bit. We got the volcanoes and it's a beautiful place.
00:48:50
Speaker
Amazing conversation. Great job.
00:48:56
Speaker
Thanks for joining me this week on Get a Heck Yes with Carissa Wu. Make sure to follow, subscribe, leave a review, or tell a friend about the show. Take a screenshot and post to IG. Tag me. Also, don't forget to download my free guide on how to become a lead generating machine.
00:49:12
Speaker
See you next time, wedding pros.