Parkers Pictures is a New York City based documentary-style film photographer capturing events, weddings and engagements. With a passion for unposed images, Parkers Pictures brings a timeless feel to her images, through the use of film photography.
Tell us about your business!
I am a wedding, engagement, elopement and event photographer who shoots on black and white and color film. I love the in-between moments, the authentic seconds that build a story of a day and create a cohesive memory. I hope to continue working with couples who want to enjoy their wedding day, and trust that their photographer is behind the scenes capturing the genuine emotion and feelings of the event.
Where are you based?
I am based in New York City however, I travel for weddings!
How would you describe your style?
I would describe my style as portrait-focused documentary-style film photography. I primarily capture candid images. Because I shoot almost entirely on film, the images all have a timeless quality.
What inspires you?
I am inspired by romance in general. During shoots I want to capture the ambience of my favorite romance films, but I also want to capture the cinematic quality of each couple's individual love story. I melt hearing about how a couple met, fell in love, got engaged, and planned their wedding day - and I remain inspired by every love story I collect.
What motivates you to do what you do?
Growing up, after attending events and weddings, I always felt that the photos I received failed to encapsulate the day. The photos felt static and I wanted to be able to look back at these major moments and remember how it felt to be present there, so I started taking film photography classes in highschool and college so that I could capture my own memories. I loved that using film allowed me to focus on quality rather than quantity. I was so intentional and deliberate with each photo as there were only 36 images per roll of film. As I began to capture events and weddings for friends and family I realized that nothing made me happier than delivering these moments to the people I loved and I am so happy to now be a part of this industry.
How would you describe your working style?
I often tell couples to pretend I am not there, because when a couple feels truly comfortable and are enjoying their time and their day to the fullest, those are when the best images are captured. I typically shoot simultaneously on black and white and color film and try to keep my eye glued to the viewfinder throughout the entirety of the day, in order to best capture those in-between moments. I strongly believe in quality over quantity and once I have found the right angle and lighting I will patiently wait until the moment feels natural and authentic before clicking the shutter.
Do you shoot digitally, on film or both?
I shoot primarily on film. For a wedding I bring 4-5 cameras; 1-2 digital cameras, and 3-4 film cameras including my Canon AE-1, a Canon EOS XS N, a Nikon F3 and a polaroid camera. I shoot minimally on digital, so the vast majority of my deliverables are film photos which allows me to deliver full galleries within a few weeks of a wedding to clients.
Do you have custom packages according to individual needs?
Absolutely! I charge per roll of film and I work with each couple to create a package that serves their needs through their wedding weekend. Packages can include a mix of black and white and color film photography, and include additions such as polaroid cameras, and point and shoots.
Where would you love to travel to for work?
There are too many places to name! My parents live in Idaho and it is my favorite place to visit so I hope to shoot a wedding in Sun Valley someday, as I will always have a soft spot for my home. Apart from the US, I majored in Spanish undergrad - so any opportunity to practice and hone my language skills is something I look forward to. I lived in Madrid for a year and would be incredibly honored to shoot a wedding there someday.
What is your advice to couples getting married?
Find a photographer you trust wholeheartedly, so that you have the capacity to truly celebrate your day.
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