Today we’d like to introduce you to Drew Willow.
Hi Drew, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My first photoshoot was with my parents point-and-shoot film camera at around 8 years old, with my favorite stuffed animal as my subject… I’m sure the guy at CVS got a kick out of a whole roll of film dedicated to my little stuffed bunny in different outfits and backdrops, as he proceeded to tell me they were “fantastic” and to “keep up the good work”. Funny enough, 20 years later, here
I am, with photography as my full-time career!
I always loved taking photos, and when I got my first DSLR in high school I started taking more intentional, artistic portraits of my friends. When I would show them the photos, they’d always say how pretty they felt in them, and I realized how happy that made me, to make people see themselves in a different way from the everyday.
I was eventually introduced to wedding photography by a mutual friend six-ish years ago. At first it was very daunting, but as I got over the nerves, I absolutely fell in love with capturing such beautiful occasions. From the formal portraits that make my couples feel like models, to the small things like grandma wiping away a tear during the ceremony, and all the crazy dancing at the reception, it’s something I love doing while also making a meaningful, positive impact, capturing moments that will be passed down for generations.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The wedding photography industry is extremely saturated, it’s scary stepping into it trying to figure out how to stand out, but you don’t really have to, not in the traditional sense. Initially, I felt like I needed to be ultra-professional, clean-cut and put together, but eventually I found my niche by, as cheesy as it sounds, leading with authenticity.
If I’m going to be a part of one of the biggest days of my couples’ lives, the last thing I want is it to feel cold or corporate. I want it to feel comfortable, low stress, like I’m just your friend taking cute photos and hyping you up, and I try to reflect that in my photography, focusing on candid moments without interrupting the genuine experience for everyone during the wedding day.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m a wedding photographer based in the DMV.
I love capturing candid and emotional moments throughout the wedding day, guided by my couples’ personalities. I reject the idea of branding first, it’s not about “my style”, what’s most important to me is that my couples feel their photos reflect and represent them, so I get to know who they are and what they love to guarantee I can do that the best I can.
I believe it’s important to handle such important moments and occasions with care and intention, so I edit everything myself. No A.I. editing or outsourcing – just me, picking and choosing each photo and editing them all by hand.
What does success mean to you?
Being someone who can bring joy to others while simultaneously creating happiness for yourself.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://photographedbydrew.zenfoliosite.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/photographedbydrew
