Thierry Joubert is a French wedding photographer, renowned for his ability to construct a story of the day through the photos he takes. We spoke with him to find out the inspiration behind his style and tips for couples getting married.
Describe your wedding photography style in fewer than 6 adjectives.
Human, emotional, artistic, real and honest.
How long have you been photographing weddings for and how did you get into it?
I photographed my first wedding in 2012, but it wasn’t until 2014 when I truly focused on it.
2015 was a pivotal year for me with my first trips to photograph some beautiful weddings, and the honor of being nominated one of the 30 ‘Rising Stars’ by Rangefinder in the United States.
I have always told stories, since my early childhood and wedding photography with me as the storyteller and the director is the perfect way for me to express myself. I find it exciting to compose the photographs with ‘the actors’ using different compositions and lighting techniques to perfectly capture their emotions during this special day.
What do you particularly like about photographing weddings?
You might well think that all weddings are the same, but in all honesty everyone is so different as the bride and groom and their families and friends are all such different characters and it is my human approach to my work that dictates the style of my photographs and helps me to capture the tangible emotions with my camera.
The connection that I have with my wedding couple is fundamental to my work as it helps me to capture their emotions which will be conveyed to me through my camera lens. I love creating beautiful compositions with the couple in special surroundings as these photographs convey their unique and very personal journey to this moment in time.
What advice would you give to couples looking for a wedding photographer?
They must have total confidence in their wedding photographer. They must forget all about him (or her) on their wedding day and concentrate on enjoying their wonderful day with their family and friends.
The connection that we establish is, for me, the key to the success of my photographs.
How would you describe your style and approach?
I will say again that my style is very human and very artistic and that I like to capture and emphasize emotion in every single photograph. Equally my approach is photo-journalistic. I always say that you must know your story first before you tell that story to others.
Before their marriage, I spend time with the couple, finding out about their backgrounds and how they met, their hobbies and what is important to them. Importantly, I learn about their families and friends and who will be of special emotional importance such as an elderly relative who has travelled thousands of my miles to be with them on their day. It is this very special relationship that I have built with the couple that helps me to truly capture their wedding day.
Who, or what inspires you?
Love, life and family are the three most important inspirations rolled into one as one cannot exist without the others. The other, is the unique character of each person I meet which inspires me and urges me to tell their story with passion and makes my work vibrant.
One thing you’d like every bride and groom to know before their wedding?
Your wedding day is the most special day for you both to enjoy.
If there was one place in the world you would love to capture a wedding where would it be and why?
I can write a long bucket list with incredible destinations BUT I prefer to write a bucket list for my heart… full of extraordinary couples with eternal strengths making their commitments to each other.
It is not the place but the spirit of the couple, their story, their love and our connection and together these elements will be turned into a beautiful story which I tell in my photographs…
Best advice you’ve ever received about being a business person?
I have never received any advice from anyone in this industry. The advice I have been given came from my first work in before being a photographer.
Having spent 18 years of my life in the army, I can say that it certainly forged my character and taught me what was important in life.
My unit had the motto ‘Who Dares Wins’ and I took this to heart, understanding that you must dare to be the person you want to be. From the human and artistic side of me, I have dared to be different, to be myself and yes, I have dared to be happy….
What gets you up in the morning?
My family – My wife and two boys. I get up and make their breakfast, get the children to school and then get sporty in the mountains near our home or enjoy a run along the water’s edge.
What are looking forward to most right now?
To continue being happy and travelling to meet all the couples who have honored me with the opportunity to be by their side on the most important days of their lives for the most important aspect of my work.
