We are chatting with Paris wedding photographer CHYMO & MORE today. This fine art wedding & editorial photographer tells stories through organic, delicate, romantic and emotive photographs. She tells us, "My approach to photography is a mix of honest documentation and fine portraiture. Natural and light-filled images are my signature, while preserving authentic emotion, timeless simplicity, and organic beauty."
Currently based in the Netherlands, she serves an international clientele around Europe and Asia. "Passion for travel and experience in destination weddings, I’m able to always see things with a fresh perspective and seek inspiration in a place old or new. My Asian origin gives me a unique eye for tranquility and harmonious imagery, and allows me to capture the tenderest of emotion revealed."
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BECOME A PHOTOGRAPHER? I’ve always been inspired by art growing up, having painting as one of my hobbies. At the age of 18, I moved to the Netherlands for collage study. A DSLR camera (Canon 500D) was gifted from my parents to document my life here. Everything was new and inspiring – I fell in love with the European culture and atmosphere immediately. I would plan trips to a different European country during school breaks and capture it all with my camera. It got a bit more serious after purchasing my first analogue camera, as I started to really learn how to see light, composition, the technical stuff and how to communicate my thoughts through visual story-telling. After graduating from college, it came naturally to try to do something with photography, starting from local events, friends’ portraits, and eventually a good-friend’s wedding.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR PATH TO GET THERE. Travelling has played a huge part in my photography path, which is funny that I actually started to become more serious about photography after losing the first “serious camera” during my graduation trip to Morocco and Italy 6 years ago. It was just the beginning of a 3-week trip; to be able to continue documenting the journey, I picked up an analogue camera (Pentax K1000) at a local camera shop as soon as landed in Florence, Italy. This new way of shooting really changed how I see things and how I document life. The fact that there are only a limited number of frames also forced me to be more thoughtful, learning to telling stories in a comprehensive way. I’ve been shooting film as a source of inspiration ever since.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? My style of photography is a mix of honest documentation and fine portraiture, with a delicate, romantic, and emotive touch. Natural and light-filled images are my signature, while preserving authentic emotion, timeless simplicity, and organic beauty.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WEDDINGS? It inspires me to capture the pureness of raw emotion and intimacy. That unique affection a couple shares for one another, how YOU smile, touch, hug, and kiss – it's so personal and special. Getting to witness, preserve and document these memories on one of the most special days in people’s life is utterly precious. It's what fuels me as a wedding photographer and what drives me forward.
SHARE YOUR FAVOURITE IMAGE WITH US AND TELL US WHY. One of my recent favourites has to be this photo taken in Tuscany, Italy. The sun had set and the couple was taking in the serene beauty of the Tuscan hills. Next second he leaned down, had his arms around her and gave her a gentle kiss. It was a tranquil and intimate moment, full of emotion, shared between them two.
CAN YOU RECALL YOUR FAVOURITE WEDDING EXPERIENCE? This is a hard one! As a destination wedding photographer, I was fortunate to experience so many special moments with my couples at the most gorgeous places. A few months back I got to photograph a traditional Sicilian wedding, with families of the couple coming from Sicily, Mexico, and the U.S. It was a celebration combining multiple cultures and full of surprises. One highlight was when the wedding party danced all way along the main street of the town with traditional music and singing, following the couple after the church ceremony. It was as if the whole town was turned into a huge feast.
ASIDE FROM FAMILY & FRIENDS, THREE THINGS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT? Travelling, music, good food and coffee.
WHERE WOULD WE FIND YOU ON A SUNDAY MORNING? Normally I’d be sleeping in after a wedding weekend, or packing my bags getting ready to fly back home, depending on where the wedding is located.
HOW WOULD YOU SPEND YOUR IDEAL DAY OFF? I’d dream to spend my morning having a hike along some beautiful coast with my boyfriend, coffee and brunch at a local café, afternoon strolling around vintage market, then watch the sunset by the sea. And it wouldn’t be complete without some good food and wine to finish the evening off.
Paris wedding photographer CHYMO & MORE is a valued member of our VENDOR GUIDE. Based in The Netherlands, Chymo is a fine art wedding & editorial photographer who tells stories through organic, delicate, romantic and emotive photographs. "My approach to photography is a mix of honest documentation and fine portraiture. Natural and light-filled images are my signature, while preserving authentic emotion, timeless simplicity, and organic beauty." Constantly travelling the world, Chymo documents weddings wherever you are! You can see more of her portfolio in our vendor guide and you might also want to check out this Grand & colourful Sicilian destination wedding blending Mexican & Italian culture.
