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JOURNAL
The Editor's Journal.
a space for inspiration, advice, and stories from my work as a Phoenix wedding photographer specializing in luxury editorial and documentary style photography.


Reception Lighting Techniques Every Luxury Wedding Photographer Uses
Discover the four most common wedding reception lighting techniques—from ambient to artistic flash—that luxury wedding photographers use worldwide. Learn the pros, cons, and how each style can enhance your evening celebration.
gillianerea
Aug 285 min read


Loose Editorial: Between Editorial and Documentary Wedding Photography
There’s a whole new category emerging in wedding photography. It’s not completely documentary (quietly observing, fly-on-the-wall). And it’s not a pure editorial style either (involving heavy direction and strong art direction). It’s a best-of-both-worlds hybrid called loose editorial. Loose editorial takes the more polished, fashion-forward direction of editorial photography and makes it feel more raw and casual.
gillianerea
Aug 274 min read


Will Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's Wedding Reshape the Luxury Wedding Industry?
Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce’s engagement could reshape luxury wedding trends. From moody edits to era-inspired themes, discover how her influence may redefine wedding photography and style.
gillianerea
Aug 263 min read


Let’s Talk About “Documentary,” “Editorial,” and All the Other Buzzwords in Wedding Photography
By an Arizona Luxury Wedding Photographer Who’s Over the Confusion (Lovingly). At some point in your wedding planning process, you’ve probably heard the terms: Documentary. Editorial. True to life. Moody. Film-inspired. Light and airy. I want to help demystify these labels—not because they’re inherently bad, but because they’re being used in ways that honestly just aren’t helping couples make informed decisions.
gillianerea
Jun 113 min read


Film Drop (June - Aug)
All taken on a 35mm, processed through Indie Film Lab... Here to be vulnerable and show that sometimes, the chemical process does not...
gillianerea
Nov 7, 20241 min read


Film Drop (April - June)
These were taken on a medium format (120 vs 35), and processed through Indie Film Lab. Of course, these are just some of my favorites,...
gillianerea
Jun 30, 20241 min read


Breaking the Mold: Embracing Imperfections in Digital and Film Photography for Artistic Expression
Whether you're into editorial wedding photography, luxury wedding photographers, or vogue wedding photographers, this one's for you!
gillianerea
May 8, 20242 min read


Film Drop (Jan - Mar)
I've finally begun my analog film journey, and man, has it been a JOURNEY. These were taken on my Canon AE-1, 50mm f/1.8 lens, and...
gillianerea
May 1, 20241 min read


Words to Describe Different Photography Styles
Does the idea of explaining what photography styles you 'like' vs 'don't like' stress you out? Created a shared language for your photogr...
gillianerea
Jun 4, 20232 min read


Why Your Venue Choice Matters The Most (From Your Wedding Photographer's Perspective)
The colors, lighting, and vibe of your wedding venue will absolutely come through in your gallery!
gillianerea
Jun 1, 20232 min read
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