Andrea Salinas: Lulu & Petunia Photography

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Andrea Salinas, the owner and photographer of Lulu & Petunia Photography, lives and works in Miami, Florida. Her stunning images have won her many awards, as well as the hearts of the brides she works with. See samples of her work as well as what she has to say about weddings, photography, and special advice just for you!

How did you get into the business of taking wedding photographs?

Before opening Lulu & Petunia in 2004, I mainly shot product and editorial portraits. I was asked by a friend if I would be willing to travel to Jamaica to photograph her wedding. I was terrified and excited all at once. I had been to many weddings in my life, but the thought of working one was pretty scary. I had an amazing time! That was March of 2005. I’ve been shooting weddings ever since.

How long have you been working in the industry?

I’ve been photographing for as long as I can remember. My sister was mainly my subject and she was always eager to oblige. My parents had many albums of photos my father had taken and I was always in love with the images he created. That’s where my love for photography began. I free-lanced for editorials and many businesses here in Miami since 1998 and then opened L&P in 2004 when it became my full time business.

Do you offer engagement photo sessions and/or post wedding pictures?

Absolutely, engagement sessions are a great way to get to know the couple on another level. Post wedding sessions are great too. Most weddings are on a pretty strict schedule and I don’t get to be alone with the couple for as long as I would like to get some fun shots. I find that venues are pretty good with allowing us to go back and have a run of the place for a little while a couple of weeks after the wedding, to get those special shots I love to create.

Do you have any awards or recognitions for your work?

Some of the recent ones are Wedding Wire’s Bride’s Choice Awards 2011, Moment Ville’s 2011 HOT LIST as well as others for photography other than weddings.

What is your favorite part of a wedding to photograph?

That’s an extremely hard question! There are so many beautiful layers in a wedding day. I love to document every little detail and emotion. But if I had to choose one, it would be the first dance. At that time the stress all seems to have melted away form the bride and groom, they are the center of attention but seem a million miles away as they take it all in…. “We’re married!!!” I love it!

In your opinion, what qualities make a beautiful wedding shot?

Location is one, it’s always great to be able to have different elements in one location. Knowing the venue before hand is also very important if it’s possible. It gives me an idea of where I want the special shots done before hand. Documenting the day candidly as it comes is the best quality. I love when they see their proofs and are excited about a photo they had no idea was being taken of them or family and friends.

Being in Miami, I’m sure you take a lot of pictures on the beach. What’s your favorite part about taking pictures on the beach? What makes a beach shot special?

Believe it or not, cloudy days make for the best beach shots in my opinion. Clouds add a beautiful dramatic effect to any background, I particularly love shooting outdoors and how you can never predict the weather. I’ve captured some gorgeous shots when the bride thought her day was ruined with what she thought was a horrible day.

What advice do you have for brides looking for a photographer for their wedding?

Study their portfolio, if you like the style then the next step is meeting them. Personality is key, you have to make sure you’re going to get along with your photographer. Relax and take it all in! This is your day and it only happens once… no pressure!