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This week's topics: luxury wedding photography, destination wedding planning, destination wedding photography, building client relationships, managing destination weddings, creating a signature style, engaging with celebrity clients, tips for finding a wedding photographer
For this episode of the Wedding Day Podcast, our hosts Sonja Babich and Lara Burnap—Editorial Director of Iron Diamond Media—sat down with the renowned Los Angeles-based wedding photographer Chris J. Evans of Chris J. Evans Photography, Inc. Chris shared his career's epic journey from a teenage photography enthusiast to a top luxury destination wedding photographer, offering listeners a wealth of insights into the industry.
Chris began this episode by recounting his early passion for photography, sparked by receiving his first camera as a kid. Growing up in Laguna Beach, Chris's lifestyle naturally lent itself to capturing beautiful moments, whether skateboarding or hanging out at the beach. "My mom's very best friend, Roberta—I always give her props—gave me my very first camera for my 14th birthday," Chris shared. This early interest eventually led him to move to Maui in 2010 with his wife and young daughter, where he truly began developing his career. "We packed up everything we had, sold everything else, moved to Maui with eight duffel bags, $8,000 and no jobs," he recalled.
Building his business in Hawaii, Chris quickly made a name for himself. "I was named top wedding photographer in Hawaii for three years in a row by Hawaii magazine," Chris said. However, working at the same few venues on the small island led to burnout. He decided it was time for a change and moved back to California for greater opportunities. "My wife and I decided together that it was time for us to leave Maui, come back to California, where I just have a much bigger playground," he explained.
The conversation then turned to Chris' transition into destination weddings, a move accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. "Two weeks [after we moved in 2020], everything came to a screeching halt. Things kind of changed just a touch," he laughed. Despite the challenges, Chris used the downtime to build relationships with California wedding professionals, setting the stage for his expansion into destination events. This shift allowed Chris to create deeper connections with his clients, often spending multiple days with them during destination weddings, fostering a unique bond and capturing intimate moments.
One of Chris's signature touches is his "ceremony speech," designed to encourage guests to be present and not use their phones during the ceremony. He begins by hyping up the crowd, gaining their attention and ensuring their focus remains on the couple, "not the tiny screens in front" of them—a feature for which his brides and grooms are incredibly grateful. His approach to photography is rooted in his core values. "Style, grace and gratitude. Those are my tenants," Chris emphasized, reflecting on the influence of his mother's career as a fashion designer on his aesthetic and principles. Chris also shared his experiences working with high-profile clients, including TV host Robin Roberts, emphasizing the importance of catering to each client's specific needs. "Reading the room is one of the most important things," he noted, highlighting the adaptability required for different wedding environments.
To wrap up the episode, Chris offered valuable advice for couples planning a destination wedding, stressing the importance of choosing a photographer who fits well with their vision and can seamlessly integrate into their multi-day event. "I think this is one of the most important decisions our couples are going to make on these destination events," he advised. He also shared his dream of shooting a wedding in the south of France, inviting any engaged listeners to make it happen.
Chris J. Evans's blend of passion, style and genuine connection with his clients makes this episode a must-listen. Listen along to hear more about Chris's journey, the incredible weddings he shoots and his safe advice to those planning their nuptials—nearby and abroad.
This episode is powered by Chris J. Evans Photography, Inc and Hotel Figueroa. Special thanks to members Linen Effects, Continental Diamond, Warpaint International.
