In the world of wedding photography, there are artists who create visual stories, and then there are those who capture love and consciousness.
Wildfolk Photography, founded by a small-town girl with a big vision, falls into the latter category. In this lovely feature, we sit down with Lauren, the founder of Wildfolk Photography, as she delves into her journey and philosophy on photography.
“Wildfolk was born from a collision between a blossoming passion for photography and growing up on Waiheke Island, one of New Zealand’s most popular wedding destinations.”
Armed with just $500 and a desire for a more meaningful life, Lauren decided to put two and two together and has since ventured into slowly growing her own storytelling brand. It is this origin story, born from a passionate heart that values commitment, love, and purpose, that sets Wildfolk apart.
“I value commitment, love, and meaning, and I had no idea at the time that my early vision would lead me to a life and career so deeply involved in these exact things. It’s why I love what I do and no day feels like “work”.”
When searching for someone to capture your wedding, it’s easy to get swept away by one’s photography style. However, Lauren believes that style is only part of the equation. What’s equally crucial is finding a photographer whose values align with yours. In the end, your photographer is your storyteller; make sure they tell it your way.
“Your photographer will be the person you spend the most time with on your wedding day. Out of any other vendor and the majority of your family and friends! That’s no small detail. So choose someone who also finds important the things you find important, whether it be a candid or posed flow. Silly or serious personality. There’s no wrong answer.”
Wildfolk Photography finds inspiration in consciousness – the deep awareness of love’s commitment, intimacy, vulnerability, and joy. It’s not just about capturing love but the conscious act of loving and being loved. As such, Lauren’s work through Wildfolk proudly reflects this awareness.
“It’s these kind of couples, interactions, and value that inspires me not just in my photography, but in my everyday life and my relationships.”
When asked about her thoughts on where wedding trends are heading in the future, Lauren sees editorial-style wedding galleries standing the test of time. This approach captures weddings in a truly captivating manner. Furthermore, an intriguing trend on the horizon is content creation. While it’s a fun and modern way to narrate your wedding story, there’s a word of caution: foregoing a professional photographer or videographer might be a missed opportunity. As technology evolves, Lauren thinks it is fascinating to witness how content creation can further integrate into the wedding world.
The future holds exciting prospects as Wildfolk Photography continues to spread its wings. Lauren shares with Together Journal her plans to venture into Australia, particularly South Queensland and Northern NSW, to capture weddings in these stunning locales as well as across New Zealand. Her passion for travel, adventure, and variety is evident in this expansion. Alongside this journey, Lauren also hopes to further develop her film photography skills and incorporate videography and content creation into her packages.
Truly, Wildfolk Photography continues to be conscious of its values and goals, and the future promises a thrilling blend of art, heart, and adventure.
See more: Wildfolk Photography on the Together Journal Directory
To learn more, visit wildfolkphotography.com or @wildfolkphotography.
