Photo by Cassandra Kendall

Carolynn Shelby[Photographer/Owner] -
I am an International Award Winning Photographer for both Wedding and Fine Art photography. My approach is to capture what is put in front of me and look for those key moments, not to force them. I have been known to nudge on occasion, but really prefer to capture more natural moments rather than posed. I carry this even into the family photos sessions I shoot as well as the artistic photos. I read the people I shoot and let them tell me who they are or would like to be seen as. I do also enjoy the art of posed formals, but try to keep some element of a natural moment in those when I can. I have been doing photography for over 12 years, and wedding photography for over 5 years. I am a member of www.wpja.com , (the wedding photojournalistic association). I am passionate about what I do and love art in all forms. Photography is one of my passions in art.

This last year (2007) I shot many weddings and learned a lot in one year by shooting that much. One is not to do it again. I usually shoot between 25 to 35 a year and plan to limit myselft to that from now on. What this means for you is more attention to your wedding. I didn't have a problem shooting every weekend; it was the time with the clients that suffered and the timeliness to get edited pictures back. I give a lot… 110% the day of, time before and after as well as 11 by 17 print quality files of all the images with each going through some editing. With that being said, I think you will find that what you pay for from me is worth much more than your final price. I also provide high end leather albums and designed coffee table books for those that wish to have a quality album to keep. These albums are time consuming and need my attention to produce the final book you wish to have. I also believe in the digital age, you deserve the files of your images, so some are content to go without the albums. I cater to both wishes. I like to get images back from a wedding within 3 to 6 weeks, preferably closer to three or four...I really try not to go over the 5 week mark. Every photo goes through basic editing and some more than basic editing. I usually give well over 1000 images per wedding on a portable hard drive. If you choose to have two or more photographers, there are sometimes over 2000 images. I give all of these to you with rights to print them for non-commercial purposes at high resolution. You can print your wedding photos where you would like as well as purchase books or albums from me. I am completely flexible.

My approach to shooting your wedding is unique as well. I shoot with three cameras which each having a different effect by the lenses I use. One is infrared black and white; the other two are high end Nikon. I believe in giving you variety, capturing what would usually take a couple of different photographer's styles to accomplish what I give. My style may vary, but I would say the best thing is I am adaptive. I cater to what you want. Photojournalistic is one of my fortes. So is Artistic, I love to use light in my favor for these. I am good at posed photos with a more natural feel. I try my hardest to avoid too stiff of a feel in the formal portraits (unless this is deliberate for the artsyness of it), trying to find how people stand and look best for each person by observing their movements and more about who they are. I also try to make the posed family formal photos as painless as possible and hurry through them to some degree, while maintaining quality. Some people want a variety of styles. I can give that. Photojournalistic, Classic and Artistic are all within my capabilities and if you only wish to have one or two, I understand. If you want only minimal posed or no posed at all, I can do that. If you want all your aunts, uncles and cousins photographed as well as your immediate family, I can do that. I believe this is your wedding. Let me know which you prefer. If you are not sure which is what you want, I will find out by asking the right questions. This day is about you. If you look at my featured weddings or the portrait secton

I have taught fine art for over 12 years, went into the web design field during the dot com rise and fall for over 5 years, survived it, then went back to teaching and my photography in 2002, which is my true passion. My BFA is in Multimedia with and emphasis on Interactive Art, My AA is in Fine Art (2D) and I am finishing up my Masters in Cross Cultural Education. I currently teach (varies per semester/quarter) Photography, Multimedia, Web Design, Graphic Design and/or Fine Art for UCSD, Sweetwater Adult School and I teach one period of Yearbook at Olympian High as well as Wedding Photography. I am happily married and have one child who you will see in many of the photos in the portraits gallery.

I am a graphic designer as well as a photographer and can custom design your pages, and photos and/or build you a website as well (my husband and I built this one together). My resume is here if you are interested, RESUME