This month—the unofficial peak of wedding season—we’re profiling a diverse set of wedding photographers across the ONA community. Today: Caroline Logan (@carolineloganphoto), the Lancaster, PA-based photographer who shot her first solo wedding at 14, and whose photography hints at the optimistic, highly-relational approach she takes to her work. Read her full Q&A and see selections from her portfolio below.
Caroline carries the Capri satchel (currently sold out) and the Leather Bowery.
Name: Caroline Logan
Hometown: Lancaster, Pennsylvania
Go-to gear: Canon 5D Mark III and my favorite lens: 85mm 1.2 (I’d throw a toddler tantrum if you took it from me).
ONAs you use: The Capri for sessions/wedding days and the Leather Bowery for personal travel.
Describe your aesthetic in five words or less: Light, airy, happy, and heartfelt.
Biggest creative influence: Am I so cheesy to say my family? I think my overly sentimental and nostalgic (sometimes verging on clingy) nature, paired with the love I have for the people in my life, fuels the way I shoot: striving to capture those meaningful moments and irreplaceable relational dynamics I see around me.
What motivates you: I built my business somewhere between algebra tests and homework assignments, photographing my first solo wedding at age fourteen. And though it's been eight years since that day, I can still remember the butterflies of excitement returning home knowing in my heart this job was something special. One of my favorite quotes is “How you treat someone usually lasts longer than the time you are in their life" (Carrie Grace) and at my core as a photographer, I feel this is my greatest motivation and purpose. At the end of the day, this business has to not point to me. I’ve lost myself in that pursuit before and it never satisfies… there’s so much more to life, business, and using your gifts than using it to just serve yourself.
On a shallower note, I’m also motivated by good interior design (specifically a really good Craigslist or antiquing find), an Anthropologie volcano candle burning with a good playlist playing, dining al fresco all summer long, and eating Talenti Sea Salt Caramel Gelato straight out of the container… just hand me a spoon.
Biggest challenge: I still remember what it was like balancing algebra homework by day and editing by night as a teen entrepreneur: having my mom drive me to and from sessions because I didn’t have my license yet (bless her) and working so hard for a dream that some days felt so far off. It wasn't a walk in the park by any means, but it's been one of the most rewarding journeys I'm grateful every day for.
Mistake you’ve learned from: Too many to count. I think we as photographers (and human beings, at that) fall into a trap of believing mistakes are the end of the road. But I’m here and my business is still breathing. And looking back, I can see now that the mistakes I’ve made along the way are really what drove my growth.
My best remedy to mistake recovery?
Face it. Criticism without grounds is one thing. But if there’s truth to what they’re saying, you have to acknowledge the review. Even when it isn’t what you want to hear.
Define the difference-maker. Ask: “how can I make sure this doesn’t (ever) happen again?”
Apply it. My pastor always has said that “implementation matters more than intention.” Sure you intend to make it better. But you have to find a practical way to implement the change in order for it to truly be a lesson learned.
One piece of advice that stuck with you: Someone told me early on that the best business advice they'd ever received was to simply love people. Sincerely and without hesitation. I've read countless business books from incredibly successful entrepreneurs, and yet that single piece of advice remains my favorite of all.
Time of day are you most creative: I’m a recovering night owl so these days I’d say I’m most creative mid-way through my work day… unless golden hour counts.
One thing most people wouldn’t expect about you?: You’ll find me in the nosebleeds at a Justin Bieber concert.
One piece of work you are most proud of: When my parents celebrated 30 years of marriage last year, I shot their anniversary session. I may have teared up while taking the pictures because their thirty years of loving each other (for better and for worse) is one of my greatest earthly gifts.
Thing you can’t live without: Goat cheese.
Most recent “a-ha” moment: My second shooter and I started using earpiece walkie talkies on weddings days (yes we really are that extra… and proud of it) and it’s been a game changer for stronger communication. Now I’m just wondering why it took me eight years to figure this out?!
Dream project: I started The Light & Airy Photographer with my best friend last year. Helping other photographers create beautiful work by sharing our preset collection has for sure been a dream project… and one I’m so thankful we get to do together!
Goal for this year: My sister and I have another backpacking trip in the works. Last year we hit Southeast Asia so where to next?!
LIGHTNING ROUND
Cats or dogs: DOGS 100%
Sweet or savory: Savory for sure.
Childhood celebrity crush: Indiana Jones.
Favorite album: Anything by Novo Amor or Sleeping at Last.
Most used phrase: I’m pretty sure I start nearly every other sentence with “AWH” …
Favorite book: Satisfy My Thirsty Soul by Linda Dillow changed my whole life.
Biggest fear: Loss.
Hidden talent: Greased pig catching contest. I won at our local fair at eight years old. The winner received their choice of a $50 prize or got to keep the pig. I chose the pig.
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