Harper Pictures is a New York-based documentary style wedding photographer shooting in both analogue and digital formats, as well as Super 8 film. Her artistic vision is based on the belief that every wedding is a unique story waiting to be told, and she approaches each event with the intention of documenting the genuine interactions and heartfelt connections between couples and their loved ones. With a passion for colorful, natural, fun, and meaningful photos, Harper Pictures focuses on the emotional aspects of the day, encapsulating the love that fills the room and the joy that surrounds each wedding.
Tell us about Harper Pictures!
I’m a documentary style wedding photographer. I shoot both film and digital, I love colorful, natural, fun, and meaningful photos. I really love creating a time capsule for my couples, so I can show them what I saw at their wedding, and how beautiful they looked in a room full of all kinds of love!
What would you like couples to know about you?
Usually when I meet with clients, we go over the fact that I’m a documentary wedding photographer for 95% of the day - I really enjoy quietly circling the room, I don’t need anyone to act for me. I love people watching, and getting a feel for personalities and energies. I am so lucky to be a professional people watcher. I’m trying to create photos that feel really authentic to each couple, so there’s nothing that I need to force anyone to do, I really want my couples to enjoy the day, and it’s an honor that they trust me to observe and document.
Where are you based?
I am based in upstate New York.
Do you travel for weddings?
I do travel for weddings - work has taken me to California, England, France, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Florida, and more. However, I also shoot a lot of weddings close to home, around the Catskills and Hudson Valley, and in NYC.
How would you describe your style?
I think people are a bit tired of the word candid, but I’m not! I’m obsessed with candid photos. That also means uncontrived, honest. I genuinely love to watch people when they’re in conversation, when they’re feeling things, hugging, crying, dancing, laughing, experiencing. So posed photos are the minority in my finished galleries. Weddings are big, fun events, but there are a lot of special, significant, and little moments happening that I am trying to watch for too. Things the couple may not see on the day, and things people are going to want to remember. My hope is that you print out my photos and put them on your fridge with a cute magnet, because it’s something that brings you joy to see!
What inspires you?
At a wedding - I’m really watching for how everyone shows love in different ways, through their actions.
In life - I really liked the movie La Chimera, I love Agnes Varda, I love Lee Friedlander’s portraits of his wife, I love animals, I love country music (like George Jones & Waylon Jennings). I love linen sheets, thick cotton sweaters, gin martinis, beeswax candles, and I love small replicas of things like dioramas or dollhouses, and butter sculptures.
How would you describe your working style?
I’m really calm, I’m really unobtrusive, but I’m really tuned in. I have to stay so present the whole day, and I’m trying to capture lightning in a bottle. I’m really trying to give people space to be themselves, while knowing they have my support and attention.
Do you shoot digitally, on film or both?
I shoot both digital and film. I usually come to the wedding with about 8 cameras, 2 are digital, the rest are film, and there’s different parts of the day that I like to use different cameras for. I also sometimes shoot super 8 video, which has that real 60s home-movie feel to it.
Do you have custom packages according to individual needs?
I can make custom packages for people, we can add on rehearsal dinner coverage, more hours, more film, an additional photographer, a super 8 video, etc!
What is a favourite product or service that you offer and why?
I think shooting on film is really special - you don’t have an unlimited number of exposures, so what you get really feels more like a real snapshot, pure documentation. It has an extra element of nostalgia and specialness.
Where would you love to travel to for work?
I’d love to go to Ireland, Italy, Maine, the Madonna Inn in California, and always anywhere in France.
Who is your dream client?
It probably would have been Kirsten Dunst, but she’s already married.
What is your advice to couples getting married?
My favorite advice is to incorporate elements that really make the day feel like you - some of your favorite things, some of your favorite activities. Spend the morning getting ready with your friends doing what you like, whether that’s walking your dog, or playing a card game. And having those unique details makes your guests feel like they’re being invited into your world. As a documentary photographer, that really helps me get pictures of you experiencing and enjoying something, not feeling self conscious like you need to model.
Harper Pictures
Website: www.harperpictures.com
Instagram: @harperpix