Behind The Lens getting to know Allie Aszodi
Finding a photographer who matches your style and vision is important to make your images feel like you. But getting to know the person behind the lens, arguably the most important aspect, is often overlooked. Melbourne Wedding & Bride’s Chloe Jaenicke sat down with Allie Aszodi of Allie Claire Creative to discuss bringing her personality to into the profession to create images a couple can look back on for a lifetime.
Written by Chloe Jaenicke
As a hopeless romantic, Allie loves love, making her the perfect wedding photographer as she brings her cameras and most authentic self to each wedding.
“I feel so honoured to be allowed to capture people’s special say,” she says.
Aside from her work, Allie loves weddings. For Allie, picking her favourite part of the special day is akin to asking her to “choose her favourite child.”
“I love the dance floor, I love a cheeky night shot and anything that speaks to the couples personally,” she says.
Allie’s passion for wedding photography started twelve years ago after realising she didn’t want to sit behind a desk all day doing graphic design. She wanted a career that kept her on her toes, allowed her to express her creativity and work with other people. To her, the most important parts of photographing someone’s wedding is making them feel at ease and creating images that help couples relive their special day.
CONNECTING WITH THE CLIENT
According to Allie, the most crucial part of the job is working with right couples. She believes the connection between photographer and couple can make or break the day as with the right relationship, the photos can be magical.
“If you get a couple that resonates with you and feels comfortable with you, they’re going to have a better experience on the day,” she said.
A big part of taking the photos on the day is ensuring they reflect the couple’s personality. Whether it be their first dance or even just “having a laugh together”, she ensures that couples are present in the moment.
“It’s about putting the client at ease and getting them to interact as if their picture isn’t being taken,” she says.
But how does she achieve this level of authenticity you may ask? Allie says it’s through investing time in her couples and getting to know them. Her number one strategy to put a couple at ease before their wedding day and help them through the initial anxiety is by doing an engagement shoot.
“That way, we’ve worked together, and they’ve seen the result of that work, so they feel confident that I’ve got them,” she says.
She also works alongside them to create a timeline and plan that reflects their needs and priorities.
“They also trust then in my ability to assist them with timelines and things during the day to make sure there is no stress because we’ve built in enough time to get around any problems that arise,” she says.
Shooting in a candid and timeless style, for Allie it’s all about observing what’s happening around her and curating a story based on the atmosphere. However, she isn’t afraid to direct guests and couples a little to get the best shot.
“While I don’t like to interfere too much with the narrative of what is going on around, I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t push them into nice light,” she says.
Being able to make these directions often means having to people at ease, as not many people enjoy having their photo taken. According to Allie, the best way to make people feel more comfortable in front of the camera is by bringing a positive friendly attitude that lifts the mood and brings people out of their shell.
“If people are feeling anxious or a bit nervous, and it puts them at ease and you can capture all of the moments in a way that is more authentically representative of the couple,” she says.
RELIVING THE MOMENT
To Allie, every wedding memorable and she feels “blessed” to be part of their love stories. Because of this, she hopes when couples look back at the photos, she’s taken that they invoke the same mix of butterflies, nervousness and pure joy that they felt on their special day.
“I want them when they look at their photos to be transported back to the day, and to feel the same feelings as they felt in the moment,” she says.
“From the slight anxiety of waiting at the altar and overwhelming rush of happiness when they see each other to the relief when they walk to the end of the aisle and are able to have a laugh and good fun with each other, I want them to feel it all.”
Photography courtesy of Allie Claire Creative