You ask who the hay-eck are the “San Diego Wedding Rock Stars?” Brideys, they are other San Diego wedding pros I’ve done weddings with here in the 619 or have networked with–awesome, talented, friendly wedding pros…you know, the kind of vendors you probably want for your big day. Drum roll please…let me introduce you to Jennie Edwards from Guided By Imagination Photography.
DJ Staci asked, and Guided by Imagination Photography answered…
How did you start doing weddings?
My cousin asked me to photograph his wedding, which was a bust for me creatively. His bride was so nervous and self-conscious that she didn’t want me to do any bridal portraits. At that time, I was not yet skilled in directing the wedding party to have more fun and let their natural personality shine through.
The wedding was at a church in Ohio, and they didn’t want any photos taken outside. I was using a small digital camera and my 35 mm. During the bride’s procession down the aisle, the film started rewinding! Aaah! To make matters worse, there was no alcohol served and the reception was held in the church’s basement. That resulted in most guests sitting around (no dancing) and just eating. After that experience, I had no desire to do weddings again.
Six years later when I moved to San Diego, a friend was running a yacht charter company and offered my services to some of her clients who were having a small wedding (12 guests) on one of the yachts. My decision to say yes led me to start my own photography company and leave my cubicle at a downtown advertising agency.
Most interesting thing that ever happened at a wedding you worked?
At the Love Burn festival in Miami, I photographed a superhero-themed wedding. During the ceremony, the favors were LED bubble guns & ray guns. Half the guests were dressed as superheroes and half were villains. They participated in games and feats of strength to test each other and determine which group would reign over the event…with prizes, of course! Toasts were given with megaphones, not microphones, and it was a very memorable event.
What is your professional background? Do you attend workshops to improve your craft? Have certificates/degrees?
I have a Bachelors in Fine Art with a specialization in Visual Communication. I regularly attend WPPI (Wedding and Portrait Photographers International conference in Las Vegas), which features various speakers sharing what’s cutting edge in the industry. I also actively participate in local San Diego groups like WICP (Women in Creative Photography) and PPSDC (Professional Photographers of San Diego County), which give me a creative outlet for personal work and improving my craft, as well as doing portfolio reviews and getting feedback from mentors and masters in photography.
Favorite wedding blog & why?
San Diego Style Weddings; they are simple and elegant…and also responsive.
When you are not at a wedding on any given Saturday, what would you most likely be doing?
On a non-wedding weekend, I am likely enjoying a family adventure with my husband, Ryan, and our daughter, Jenaveve, who is 2 years old. We love outdoor events, music in the park, beach time, ecstatic dance, and rock star karaoke.
What are your top 3 wedding accomplishments you are most proud of?
1. Receiving kudos and positive feedback from past clients turned friends who request me to photograph their expanding families & pregnancies. 2. Being asked to travel to destination venues in Cancun and the baja to photograph and video weddings. 3. Remaining in love with photographing & video-ing weddings after 11 years!
You as a wedding professional in 5 words or less…
Fun-loving, heart-centered, creative
If you could tell the wedding industry as a whole one thing, what would it be?
Play together, have more fun, and love what you do. Be your Best Self and breathe when situations get tough. I’ve learned these skills more than anything while raising a toddler.
If you could tell engaged couples everywhere one thing, what would it be?
Focus on the love (why you are together), choose the right people to capture the day, then celebrate being present in each extraordinary moment with your favorite people on the planet.
Dish about what was important at your own wedding?
We created a “happening” so that many of our family and friends, including me and my husband, could perform their talents. We chose a venue, Queen Bees Cultural Center, that had a stage. We wrote an original song that was performed during our ceremony. The band I’m in played 3 songs during the reception…including a guest performance by my uncle Dick on guitar. My mom sang 2 songs. The groom’s mom and her friend did a performance of “Dancing Queen.” The best was our “Thriller” dance (including our zombie wedding party) with my husband’s MJ montage solo dance. Many guests played interactive costume games & did improv. We ended the evening with karaoke so everyone had the opportunity to PLAY at 100%!
And anything else you’d like to throw in!
Hire a wedding coordinator so that you get to be a guest at your wedding too (and never have to check the time/schedule).
CONNECT WITH SAN DIEGO WEDDING ROCK STAR GUIDED BY IMAGINATION PHOTOGRAPHY
Owner :: Jennie Edwards
Website :: www.guidedbyimagination.com
Facebook :: facebook.com/GuidedByImaginationPhotography
Instagram :: instagram.com/magnificentmoderngoddess
Pinterest :: pinterest.com/guidedbyimg
Twitter :: twitter.com/GuidedByImg
LinkedIn :: linkedin.com/in/jennieedwards
Post by DJ Track Star Staci
I'm DJ Track Star Staci, an international DJ, MC, turntablist, & producer for 14 years. My clients have included: Lamborghini, Victoria's Secret, Reebok, and many more. My performances are trusted at A-list events like Comic Con, Entrepreneur of the Year, and movie premieres. I've rocked Sr. Frogs in Cancun, music festivals, the Vegas strip, celebrity events, & 500 weddings. Check my availability, get an instant fee estimate, or listen to some of my DJ sets or my original remixes & mash-ups.
