PHOTOGRAPHY & FILM | Harper Pictures

Harper Pictures is a wedding photographer specialising in film, located in Upstate New York, devoted to the art of paying attention. She is passionate about capturing genuine, candid, and quietly extraordinary moments. Her style is natural, colourful, authentic, and whimsical. Harper Pictures  captures weddings across the US and internationally.

What would you like couples to know about you? 

That I genuinely care about your day, not just the photographs of it. I want you to feel at ease, to forget about the camera, and enjoy the experience. I’m on your side, I am watching you through a loving lens all day long, even when I’m being quiet or I’m far away from you. I'm not there to execute a shot list,  I'm there because I love documenting your particular day, and it’s so special to get to be present and notice all these wonderful elements. 

Where are you based? 

I’m originally from California, I now live in upstate New York.

Do you travel for weddings? 

I do, I am lucky to have been all over for work, it’s always fun and amazing to be somewhere where the light is a little different! I’ve worked in California, Martha’s Vineyard, Montauk, Florida, Arkansas, Rhode Island, France, Massachusetts, New Orleans, the UK, NYC, and all over the Hudson Valley & the Catskills! I love a little adventure. 

How would you describe your style? 

Documentary, candid, whimsical, colorful, natural, with a little sense of humor. I love in-between moments, knowing looks, real laughs, what people are doing with their hands and eyes, and cheeky kids! I love seeing the magic in what really happened. I shoot a lot on film, which gives each frame a significance and the weight that this happened and it was special and worth remembering - and these moments can range from romantic, to bittersweet, to insanely silly and fun.

What is your most memorable career moment? 

I’ve said it before, but, the first time I was in Vogue. I was in a little town in Wales with my best girlfriends and their kids and we had a champagne toast in the backyard and it was such a special moment. 

What inspires you? 

I just love Agnes Varda, she is the most unique and whimsical and resilient and talented and poignant. I love Sofia Coppola, Frank O’Hara. Currently obsessed with both Molly Prentiss novels, I’ve been passing them around to all my friends. (Sorry Molly, I should just buy extra copies! I will!) Some photographers - Madeleine de Sinéty, Dafydd Jones, the most wonderful Martin Parr whose exhibit I just saw in Paris. All my grandmothers (I had 3 and I think about them all the time!) Marseille, France - I just love how everybody’s like topless, smoking, and reading a book half in the ocean any chance they get. Good friendships - I’m obsessed with my girlfriends, they’re the coolest women I’ll ever be lucky enough to know. Craftsmanship, the devotion and effort of making something WELL. I love folk art. At weddings, I love the details that are so specific to the couple, like a handpainted sign, your grandma’s earrings, your friends’ efforts to make your day nicer, the personal elements that get included and help your guests learn something more about your world. 

How would you describe your working style? 

Intuitive and playful, I always say I’m unobtrusive, I’m not trying to dictate how things need to be or look. I watch and wait for things to unfold, I want your day to feel like your day and I am diligently noticing and documenting things I think you’ll want to get to see, be reminded of, and have reflected back to you. And sometimes we steal a little moment here or there to make a fun, epic, iconic photo that you’re going to want to print out and have on your fridge.

Do you shoot digitally, on film or both? 

Mostly on film, with digital as well. I always love the film photos the most, for sure. The air looks different on film, the space in the room, and the nostalgia, and just the direct pipeline of a real experienced moment time stamped directly onto hold-it-in-your-hands film. Each frame is a little considered commitment (and a hope and a prayer!) and obviously don’t actually hold exposed film in your hands unless you’re in a pitch black room. 

Where would you love to travel to for work? 

France, I’m only human! I love London, Scotland, all of the UK is very special to me. Bolinas in California, I’m obsessed with. The Madonna Inn! Maine. Montauk. Pt Reyes. I guess I love towns by water? I might just be hot right now. I love NYC, I grew up there and it always makes me feel like a lady in a movie to be in town there for work. 

Who is your dream client? 

Creative, fun, thoughtful people! I really have the best clients, I’ve loved them all and am so grateful that they show me a sliver of their worlds and I get to spend time documenting them on some very happy days. I get to watch all these special, beautiful people being themselves. Feel like Parker Posey would be a dream client at the moment. 

What is your advice to couples getting married? 

The day moves fast and I don’t want it to feel like a photoshoot. It's easy to get swept up in the logistics of it all, so I’m always just gently encouraging people to breathe, to go have fun, enjoy, soak it in, look around!

Harper Pictures 

Website: www.harperpictures.com

Instagram: @harperpix