Brent Kuhlmann of Brent Kuhlmann Photography, Inc

Coffee Talk with Brent Kuhlmann of Brent Kuhlmann Photography, Inc

According to Brent Kuhlmann, owner of Brent Kuhlmann Photography, wedding photojournalism is the art and craft of capturing the details, the nuances, the emotions of your day. And that is exactly what he does! We had the pleasure of speaking to Brent Kuhlmann over a little Coffee Talk.

WC: How did you get started in photography?

BK: My earliest experiences with photography go back to Jr. High days in the late 60's, but it wasn't until the early 90's that I really committed myself to pursuing a career in professional photography.

Along the way I took a multitude of classes, hung on every word spoken by my instructors, became proficient in the darkroom and later with computers.

I was advised to obtain critiques from working professionals, so I called studios, made appointments, and showed up at the appointed time with my meager portfolio, thinking, "maybe they'll offer me a job". Instead, most of those early critiques were brutal, and I almost gave up. But each time I came away with something to work on, something to refine.

WC: What inspired you to get into the field of wedding photography and what type of photographic style are you known for?

BK: My "break", if you want to call it that, was being hired as a shooting assistant, at a long established St. Louis wedding and portrait studio. The weddings were big and elegant. The studio owner utilized a very fast paced approach, watching and reacting to every new turn of events.

From the very first wedding, I was given the opportunity to shoot. First, a few rolls, later hundreds of shots. I learned that my images were making it into couple's albums when it came time to place their orders.

I found wedding photography both challenging and invigorating! All of your senses seem heightened when covering a wedding, and you have to be anticipating at least your next half dozen decisions.

So I moved away from the more deliberately planned product, food, and scenic shots of my art background to a very spontaneous "catch the moment before it's gone" style of shooting.

It's strange. I wasn't anticipating making a career in wedding photography, but with the unique opportunity I was given, it just felt like the most natural fit in the world. I was hooked.

After a couple of years I went out on my own. Now I get to do something I love and people seek me out from across the country to record one of the most significant 8 to 10 hour periods of their lives. I feel extremely blessed being in this field, and I hope my work has both a visual and emotional impact for my clients.

WC: Do you photograph in black-and-white, color, or both? Out of the two, which one is your favorite?

BK: Just looking at the numbers, I shoot about 75% color and 25% black and white at weddings. For bridal and engagement sessions it's about 60/40 in favor of black and white.

I have a preference for black and white images, myself, but I don't try to talk people into that choice. Black and white has a very strong attraction, visually. I find that couples are drawn to it quite naturally. It (black and white) captures the essence of the subject, and for weddings it just proclaims "this is an elegant affair!"

WC: What advice do you offer to couples searching for a wedding photographer?

BK: I think it can be instructive for a couple to separately do some research on photographers and photographic styles. Gather information and view sample work via the internet or magazines, then compare likes and dislikes, seeing if there is some common ground as far as a style preference they'd both like to incorporate into their wedding. Then it becomes a matter of finding the photographer who they feel is most able to capture their wedding with that preferred style while still remaining within their price range.

WC: In your opinion, while planning their wedding, what can the couple do to help maximize the value of the photographer at the wedding?

BK: Try to meet with your photographer several times prior to the wedding day. Talk about the "when and where" aspects of your wedding day, ask questions, find out if what you have visualized will really work depending upon location, time of day, weather conditions, etc... Then on your wedding day relax and let your photographer put his/her talents to work for you.

WC: Do you photograph outside of Missouri?

BK: I have photographed a number of weddings outside of Missouri, and I always welcome the opportunity to do so. Capturing a familiar event in new surroundings is always exciting and keeps me fresh!

Read other interviews at the Club Cafe.