Wedding Photography
Courtland Wilson
Sacramento
Hi I’m Courtland, a documentary wedding photographer based in California and photographing weddings worldwide.
After serving in the U.S. Army, I found my purpose behind the camera, documenting real moments and genuine emotion. Over the past 13 years, I’ve photographed 300+ weddings. My super power at weddings is connecting with people quickly, helping couples stay fully present and comfortable on their big day, while creating something they’ve never seen before.
When I’m not photographing weddings, I’m either golfing, exploring a new country, or hanging out with my dog.
Skills
Lightroom / Natural Light / Off Camera Flash / Photojournalism / Photoshop
Curated Galleries From Courtland Wilson
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Curated Videos From Courtland Wilson
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FAQs
What inspired you to become a wedding photographer?
I always carried a Sony point-and-shoot camera with me during my combat deployments to Iraq. After leaving the military, I wanted to become a war photographer. I loved documenting stories and searching for beauty amongst the chaos of war. While honing my skills, I picked up random photography gigs and wedding photographer was one of those side gigs. I had a blast during my first wedding. I realized I could do photojournalism on people’s best day of their lives and not their worst. It’s still documenting beauty within chaos, but a different kind of chaos. That hit home for me.
How would you describe your photography style?
My style is a mix of vibrant art mixed with human connection. I love environmental portraits and using off camera flash to create an epic landscape shot of “big world, tiny people”. When people view my work I want them to laugh, to cry, or to take their breath away.
How do you ensure that your clients feel comfortable and relaxed during the photo shoot?
If it’s the first time we’ve worked together, I like to meet an hour prior to me even touching the camera and just hang out at a wine bar, brewery, or coffee shop. This helps get the butterflies settled before the session.
How do you ensure that you capture all of the important moments on the wedding day?
My coordinate with my couples multiple times leading up to the wedding to ensure we’re all on the same page. I also have a few questionnaires my clients fill out throughout their entire experience with me. And lastly, I coordinate with key vendor such as the wedding planner to makes sure our couples are taken care of properly.
What is your favorite part of the wedding day and why?
I really enjoy the getting ready and first look portions of the day because you can see the transformation from nervousness to pure joy. That transition really helps tell the whole story.
