We are big fans of the luminous imagery of South Carolina wedding photographer CLAY AUSTIN – it's not hard to see why looking at this gorgeous collection of images. Grab yourself a cuppa, make yourself comfy and read our short and fun little interview with the man himself.
WHAT MADE YOU WANT TO BECOME A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER? It sort of happened organically. Like a lot of wedding photographers it all started when I was asked to photograph a friends wedding, and from there, I was totally hooked! To me, wedding photography is the ultimate challenge. You have to be a portrait, lifestyle, documentary, landscape, fine art and product photographer all within an 8 hour day!
TELL US A BIT ABOUT YOUR PATH TO GET THERE: I was fortunate enough to have gone to a high school that had a darkroom and offered photography classes, so my passion started pretty early. From there I went on to make it my major in college, internships, studio gigs etc.. and now feel so blessed that I can call it my full time job.
HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR STYLE? I try to be as authentic with my imagery as possible. Finding little nuances that make each couple unique and honing in on them. I want my clients to look back through the photos with the overwhelming sense of ‘that is us’!
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WEDDINGS? I love that I get the opportunity to share such a monumental day in a couples lives and provide them a way to relive those memories for a lifetime!
SHARE YOUR FAVOURITE IMAGE WITH US AND TELL US WHY: For me that changes all the time, but right now, this is the one I keep coming back to. I LOVE the getting ready part of the day! The nerves, the excitement, the emotions, its so raw. Especially right before the ceremony when you visibly see the bride have that ‘this is really happening moment’! This shot was taken right as the guests were arriving and you can almost see the butterflies.
WHAT DO YOU LOVE MOST ABOUT WEDDINGS? I love that I get the opportunity to share such a monumental day in a couples lives and provide them a way to relive those memories for a lifetime!
CAN YOU RECALL YOUR FAVOURITE WEDDING EXPERIENCE? The first time I shot a ‘first look’. It was a fairly new trend at that point so I really had no idea what to expect, but it was by far the most powerful wedding moment I have ever been a part of. Literally everyone involved was sobbing. It was amazing!
ASIDE FROM FAMILY & FRIENDS, THREE THINGS YOU CAN'T LIVE WITHOUT? Mexican food, a guitar, the ocean.
WHERE WOULD WE FIND YOU ON A SUNDAY MORNING? Trying to make my kids laugh.
HOW WOULD YOU SPEND YOUR IDEAL DAY OFF? On the beach with my wife and two beautiful daughters.
Charleston wedding photographer CLAY AUSTIN is a firm believer in true love, and documents it in its most raw and authentic form as these images attest to. "Shooting film allows me to be completely in the moment, patiently waiting for windows of honesty and those sparks that make each couple unique. It gives me overwhelming joy to provide my clients a way to relive such a meaningful occasion for the rest of their lives!" You might also like to view this shoot with Charleston bridal designer EMILY KOTARSKI.
Be sure to check-out more of Clay Austin's wedding photography work here.
