In Conversation with Wedding Photographer Rae Marshall
Fifteen years into her career, Rae Marshall still photographs weddings with genuine excitement and instinct. Her work moves fluidly between softness and edge, fashion influence and raw emotion, always led by light and feeling rather than formula. Each image is approached as an artwork, considered, alive with movement, and rooted in the real moments that matter most.
THEODORE Mag: When did you start wedding photography, and what inspired you to become a wedding photographer?
Rae Marshall: It's been 15 years of wedding photography for me, which is crazy because I would say I love it even more now than when I started. I love the art of photography. Looking for magical light, catching a loving look in someone's eye, and high-fiving myself when I catch the crazy flip by a guest on the dance floor, it gives me a thrill. Creating artworks out of some of the most meaningful parts of someone's life is just the best job I can imagine.
THEODORE Mag: How would you describe your style in your own words?
Rae Marshall: My style has shifted over the years to lean more fashion-forward, a little edgy, mixed in with a beautiful, soft look. I'm not afraid to mix dreamy light and airy portraits with direct-flash shots because a wedding day includes both energies. I like clean, film-inspired colours and have started incorporating film photography into my work as well. I'm focused more on the great shots and less on just a bunch of mediocre ones, and I like when my images feel like they have movement.
THEODORE Mag: What inspires you outside of photography and weddings?
Rae Marshall: I love poetry and music, and I love matching the music I'm listening to with the vibe of the event I'm editing. I think viewing life in a romantic, poetic way has inspired me as a person, and that effortlessly comes out in the work I produce. I also love to look at fashion editorials for inspiration when I'm more involved in the design of what I'm photographing.
THEODORE Mag: What can couples expect when they book you for their wedding?
Rae Marshall: I have extensive experience on wedding days and know what I need beforehand to do a great job, and I will guide you along the way so the process is easy. On the day of, I'm a confident force that can hang out in the background looking for moments, or step up and help guide things along when needed as well. Then afterwards, you can expect a reliable turnaround time with great results, no matter what happened on the day of.
THEODORE Mag: What’s your favourite part of a wedding day to capture?
Rae Marshall: It used to be couples portraits, but now I'm growing more fond of the unplanned moments like first looks and crazy dance receptions. That's when the images are produced that are the most interesting to me now.
THEODORE Mag: How do you approach telling each couple’s unique story?
Rae Marshall: Well, I first ask what's important to people, which gives me a basis for what to look for in intimate bonds between people and places. Then I can get a sense of the vibe of the day from the moment I walk in, and look to accentuate it and tie everything together with the senses. How does the day feel, taste, smell, sound, look, and how can I show that with my directing choices?
THEODORE Mag: Has your work changed or evolved since you first started?
Rae Marshall: I started a long time ago, and so yes, it's evolved drastically. But I would also say my underlying interest in showcasing a dreamy, elevated form of the world has always stayed the same.
THEODORE Mag: Looking back, what’s a moment from a wedding that really stays with you?
Rae Marshall: I was living in Hawaii during the pandemic, and weddings became illegal ONE day before my couple's big day (because group gatherings over 5 people were banned). My couple decided to get married anyway, no guests, with just an officiant and me as the photographer to capture it and streamed live on iPhones for guests to watch. It was a devastating turn of events for them, with no warning at all, and yet they had the most kind and sweet attitudes about it. I remember capturing the two of them walking along the beach in Hawaii as the sunset, their day completely different from what they imagined, yet feeling their love and peace in the moment was a reminder of what a wedding is all about.
Visit raemarshall.com
Instagram @raemarshall
DISCLAIMER: We attempt to credit the original photographer/source of every image we use. However, in most circumstances, the images we use are provided by the brands spoken about, and we rely on them to inform us of the image source. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@theodoremagazine.com
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