Sophie Lin Berard is a Destination Wedding Photographer serving Paris, New York, California and locations worldwide. With a background in visual art and fashion photography and an editorial meets street photography style, Sophie Lin Berard documents the human connection in all of its beauty.
Where are you based?
I am based in Paris, France. The city of love, light, and baguettes!
Do you travel for weddings?
Absolutely! At this point I travel for almost all of my jobs and love exploring and photographing places that are new to me.
Who is your dream client?
My dream clients are always kind humans who aspire to have an atypical celebration focused on their love and guest experience, think post-wedding nightclubs, Havana beach parties, multi-day celebrations or cocktail hour on the Seine. They’re fashion forward, with a love for design, unique experiences, and above all a genuine love for one another and their guests. They dance a beautiful line of loving candid images, while also sharing the excitement in creating beautiful, editorial portraits.
How would you describe your style?
Editorial meets documentary photography meets Chiaroscuro. I have an editorial approach for portraits, which can also lean into being laid-back, as long as there is a willingness to be photographed. I use a documentary style for candid images, as I want to capture laughter, hugs, in-between moments of raw humanity. Chiaroscuro, or strong contrasts between light and dark, applies to it all my work, because light is the most important tool to creating a powerful image.
Do you shoot digitally on film or both?
I shoot an even mix of film and digital. However, I am always happy to learn further into film for couples who love the medium.
What advice would you give your couples?
The best way to ensure you enjoy your day is to hire a planner at least six months before your wedding. I also advise my couples to actively work on being present in the moment and to not sweat the small stuff. The day will pass, so be sure to enjoy it with those you love. Hiring a vendor team you trust wholeheartedly will ensure you can move through the day with ease, as you will be confident that you are in good hands.
What would you like your couples to know about your business?
My business is rooted in connection, vulnerability, and trust. I speak to each of my couples prior to booking to ensure that we make sense stylistically and that our personalities align. Since I started my journey in weddings, those elements have remained integral to the foundation and longevity of my business. It's imperative that my couples feel comfortable being themselves with me.
What is the most memorable moment of your career?
I think my most memorable career moment was from the second wedding I ever photographed. That wedding that made me think that I could possibly do this job full time. There was so much laughter at the ceremony and the people present were so kind and warm. The Brides grandmother insisted I call her by her first name Mimi too, and by the time the best man gave his speech we were all in tears, because it was so clear how well they all loved one another.
I left Caroline and Ben's wedding on a high and that feeling remains with me to this day. A love like theirs reminded me that it is one of the most powerful forces on our planet. I think it’s a truly remarkable thing to be able to be around love and to be able to document it.
How would you describe your working style?
My working style is fairly relaxed and go with the flow. I find myself embodying calm energy throughout the weekend.
I am consistently mindful of light and only provide guidance into beautiful light for portraits. I’ve never been the kind of photographer that insists couples run away from guests and family for hours at a time. It’s more important to me that my couples enjoy their time with their loved ones. While I do love creating beautiful portraits with my couples, I would much rather pull them aside for five minutes at a time throughout the day, when I find interesting lighting or a beautiful backdrop. My couples willingness for portraits always translates through the photos. The last thing I want to do is to impede on the way they hope to enjoy their day. However, if a couple wants to dedicate an hour to portraits, I am more than happy to accommodate my couples wishes.
I also generally engage with guests. Getting a sense of who people are is important to me and ensuring that guests feel comfortable around me. That is how I’m able to document every person at a wedding, without it feeling invasive. I’m incredibly empathetic and constantly anticipating moments as they’re unfolding. Despite being relaxed in demeanor, I am typically tuned in all day, honing in on the moments that tell the atmosphere of the day and the connection between the guests.
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