Paris wedding photographer MOLLY CARR creates timeless and evocative images that are known for their romantic feel and painterly-quality and we're delighted to have her as a valued member of the Magnolia Rouge Vendor Guide. We think it's a great idea to get to know a little more about your photographer before making a decision – having a bond with them is important and helps you get the most from your photography on the day. So with that in mind, here's a little more about Molly.
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BECOME A PHOTOGRAPHER? For me, becoming a photographer was a progression that happened naturally over the course of my life. I grew up shooting film, and at an early age understood the impermanence of life and the importance of documenting those beautiful yet oh so fleeting moments and memories. I have always found that one of my biggest strengths is my ability to see the beauty in the smallest, and seemingly most insignificant little details and moments, and through photography I found the ability to capture the magic I see in the world and share it with others, in hopes of encouraging them to appreciate our wonderful planet and seek out the beauty in the every day.
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR PATH TO GET THERE. Six years ago, I spent two months traveling through Europe alone, an incredibly empowering and inspiring experience that shaped the artist, the wife, and the woman that I am toady. Not only did I learn more about myself in those two months than I had in all my previous years, but I felt so incredibly empowered knowing that I could truly do anything that I set my mind to. I followed my heart and didn't look back. I learned to make croissants. I spent entire days simply getting lost strolling through winding cobblestone streets, charming courtyards, and enchanting gardens. Everyday, I wiled away my afternoons sitting in cafés, sipping tea, writing in my journal, and simply soaking in the beauty of my surroundings. I shopped at outdoor markets, a feast for the senses, and cooked dinners for one in my tiny European kitchens. And, perhaps most importantly, I found my true calling in life – photography.
I came home with my heart on fire, knowing, in my core, what I was put on this Earth to do. Slowly but surely, I began to build my photography business – a business that has allowed me to meet some of the most amazing people, travel across the world, and to wake up every morning feeling an overwhelming sense of purpose.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? My greatest sources of inspiration have always been Impressionism, classical architecture, and the soft, glowing light of Paris, and through medium format film I have found a way to translate those inspirations into every single photo I take. My work is romantic, timeless, and ethereal, and most importantly to me, it is solely focused on documenting the beauty in the moments, in people, and in relationships.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WEDDINGS? It's hard to pick what I love most about weddings, but for me, there is something so incredibly inspiring and humbling about bearing witness to true love. When photographing a wedding, I often reflect on my grandparents love story, and how even though they are no longer with us, their love lives on through their wedding photos. Knowing that I am creating something that will become a couple's legacy, an heirloom that will be passed down for generations to come, is a true honour and privilege that I don't take lightly.
SHARE YOUR FAVOURITE IMAGE WITH US AND TELL US WHY. Sometimes the completely unplanned photos turn out to be my favourite of all, as is the case for this image. As I was walking up to Kimberly & Scott to grab them for their couple's portraits, I noticed the way that Scott was casually leaning over and having a conversation with his best man (who also happened to be his teenage son), with his arm draped around the back of Kimberly's greenery-adorned chair. I pulled out my film camera to snap a quick shot of this little detail, but as I snapped the photo Kimberly turned around and gave me the most authentic and content smile, which clearly makes the photo that much more special. To me, this image perfectly represents Kimberly & Scott's entire wedding day at HammerSky Vineyards – relaxed, genuine, and so full of love.
CAN YOU RECALL YOUR FAVOURITE WEDDING EXPERIENCE? It's impossible to pick a favourite, as I truly have loved each and every wedding that I have had the privilege of being a part of. However, at my most recent destination wedding in New York City, the couple and I snuck away to Central Park the day before their festivities to spend a few hours documenting their love story. It was a cold March afternoon, and as we were wrapping up the shoot I asked them if they would be up for snapping just two or three more photos under the beautiful Bethesda Terrace. While the bride and groom were both freezing, they agreed, and as we walked under the terrace we noticed a violinist softly playing in the corner. As they embraced each other to stay warm, they looked up simultaneously and realised that he was playing none other than Elvis Presley's "Can't Help Falling in Love" – their first dance. They took advantage of the moment and quietly danced together, both realising that in just two short days they would be husband and wife. There wasn't a dry eye present (including my own). It was one of those beautifully serendipitous moments where they just knew, deep within their hearts that it was meant to be, and a moment that I will personally forever cherish having witnessed.
ASIDE FROM FAMILY & FRIENDS, THREE THINGS YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT? My passport, yoga, and my Contax 645 film camera.
WHERE WOULD WE FIND YOU ON A SUNDAY MORNING? On a typical Sunday morning you can either find me strolling through a Parisian antique market, croissant in hand, or hiking in the woods with my husband, Ryan, and rescue dog, Yoga #adoptdontshop.
HOW WOULD YOU SPEND YOUR IDEAL DAY OFF? My ideal day off would be spent exploring one of Europe's great cities with my husband and my camera. I am forever a student of classical art and architecture, and there is nothing that makes me feel more creatively inspired than experiencing a new culture. We would wake up at sunrise, walk hand-in-hand for miles on end and watch the city change as people begin their day, visit an outdoor market and an art museum, and finish the day at a romantic little candlelit bistro. La bonne vie!
Paris wedding photographer MOLLY CARR is a valued member of our Vendor Guide. If you're planning a destination wedding in Paris, be sure to check out more of her portfolio here.
