Jenny Fu Studio.
Aisle + Vow recently caught up with one of our favorite New York City based photographers, Jenny Fu, who mixes the aesthetics of fashion editorials with the candid qualities of photojournalism. We love the way Jenny perfectly captures the love and energy of fabulous weddings of all sizes and locations. We chatted about how she started, what inspires her, and what’s coming up. Read what she told us below!
What is photography to you? Tell us how you fell into wedding
photography specifically?
Photography is not only a visual form of art but a way to document a moment in time for a person as they are, where they've been, and where they're going. When I look at old photos, I can almost feel, hear, and smell the memories. I started out assisting a fashion photographer who taught me studio lighting to compose beautiful editorial images and the importance of attention to detail. While assisting her, I began to dabble in wedding photography, and it was then I realized that shooting weddings fed my soul. When a wedding is over, the flowers have dried, and the cake has been eaten—the only thing couples have left of their special day is their photos—and it's an honor to be able to bring these memories back to my clients years down the road.
How would you describe your photography style?
I would describe my style as editorial and photojournalistic. My approach to photographing a wedding is to document the event as authentically and beautifully as possible, with an editorial, high-fashion spin. There isn't much direction most of the day, except during the formal portraits. I'm always searching for "moments." My ultimate goal is to deliver my clients a seamless, professional experience with consistent, stunning images that they'll be proud to pass down for generations to come.
How do you work closely with your couples in such a short time to make them feel confident and comfortable? Do you have any advice for those who might be shy?
Generally, before booking any couple for a wedding, we have already met on a video call to begin building trust and a relationship from the start. I firmly believe that getting you to know my clients as people beforehand helps with the ultimate goal of stunning photos that feel both comfortable and candid. We connect anywhere from 5-10 times before the wedding, so they feel there is a friend on the other side of the camera. For the camera-shy, my best advice is to take a deep breath and "take in the moment." The wedding day goes by so fast, and if they enjoy it genuinely, I can guarantee that will reflect in the photos and their memory of the day. I also promise to be quick and guide them through with my years of experience and happy personality.
How do you work closely with your couples in such a short time to make them feel confident and comfortable? Do you have any advice for those who might be shy?
Generally, before booking any couple for a wedding, we have already met on a video call to begin building trust and a relationship from the start. I firmly believe that getting you to know my clients as people beforehand helps with the ultimate goal of stunning photos that feel both comfortable and candid. We connect anywhere from 5-10 times before the wedding, so they feel there is a friend on the other side of the camera. For the camera-shy, my best advice is to take a deep breath and "take in the moment." The wedding day goes by so fast, and if they enjoy it genuinely, and I can guarantee that will reflect in the photos and their memory of the day. I also promise to be quick and guide them through with my years of experience and happy personality.
You're based in New York, which is a popular destination for weddings. How do you capture the city and the couple and make it unique to each couple?
The great thing about getting to know my couples as people beforehand is that we get to dive into what is important to them and how they want to tell their love story. The city offers so many different backdrops, and it's a playground for creating stories unique to the couple. Coming from a fashion background, I like to have conversations about the style/theme/direction of their venue, wardrobe, hair and makeup look and plan out locations accordingly. It all comes together after brainstorming ideas that we agree upon together in a collaborative effort from both sides.
Professionally or personally, what inspires you?
I'm an incredibly visual person, and I have always wanted to be creative since I was a child. Photography is the primary way I express my creativity. Both professional and personal inspiration is intertwined and go hand in hand. I find inspiration from major and minor things. I love watching movies to see how they frame and tell a story. I look at lighting a lot and try and guess how it was lit behind the scenes. My husband is a fashion photographer, and being on set with him on shoot days keeps me motivated. I listen to music to set a mood when editing. I follow the work of iconic fashion photographers from the past like Peter Lindbergh, Patrick Demarchelier, and Richard Avedon, and it helps me appreciate photography without "weddings" attached. Even the change of seasons and exploring the vibrant streets of New York City inspires me.
I look forward to traveling around the world again to get inspired by other unique cultures. Some of my favorite destinations are France, Italy, Japan, Bali, and Iceland.
Has COVID changed the approach to your work?
As awful as COVID is, it gave me the time I needed to pause. When I first decided I wanted to be a professional photographer in 2010, I focused hard on building my career. I didn't get a chance to slow down until 2020 when everything stopped. I took that time as a blessing to reflect on my work, my approach, and myself as an artist. Looking within, asking the hard questions like why I love what I do and why I do it has helped me understand myself better and put me in the right direction with the type of art and work I want to produce. This pandemic has only solidified that I am on the right career path for myself, and my clients are everything to me. Making their wedding photography dreams come true is my ultimate goal, and it satisfies my soul.
What advice would you give couples looking for their perfect photographer?
Couples looking for a wedding photographer should find one whose portfolio speaks to them. Wedding photography is about more than just photos. It's about the people, the celebration of love, the joining of families. Find a photographer who listens, cares about your story and supports you throughout this special time. If your photographer knows and understands you, they'll be able to capture your wedding day the way that you envisioned through their artistic eye.
What's next for you in 2021 and beyond?
I am so excited for all of my upcoming weddings in 2021 and 2022! After over a year of big wedding postponements, I am so thrilled for my couples who have waited this out to celebrate! Now that I've understood myself better as an artist and photographer, I'm so ready to share my renewed passion for wedding photography with my clients and the wedding world.