Metropolitan Weddings Podcast
Metropolitan Weddings Podcast
Meet The Weddig Pro - Julie Davison of Davison Visuals
Discover the magic behind wedding photography with Julie Davison of Davison Visuals. Julie shares how her unique "editorially candid" style captures genuine moments with emotional depth through the artful use of shadows and vibrant colors—steering clear of those washed-out trends. Picture yourself in the midst of those delightful events where Julie's creativity shines, from capturing spontaneous dance floor antics to crafting memorable shots while guests are seated for dinner.
Learn the secret to building effortless connections between couples and their photographer, as Julie reveals insights from her boudoir photography days. With humor and thoughtful prompts, she eases any camera-shy nerves, ensuring comfort and authenticity. Together with her partner CJ, they form a dream team that coordinates seamlessly, backed by open communication and even walkie-talkies, to capture the perfect wedding story. Listen to anecdotes of heartwarming family interactions, and understand the importance of communication to create a harmonious atmosphere amidst the wedding hustle.
Immerse yourself in the energetic and fun consultation process with Julie, where mutual likability is key. From initial phone calls to engagement sessions, Julie’s infectious personality and flexible approach to creativity shine through. She discusses the value of printed albums as timeless heirlooms and shares tidbits about her favorite photography equipment without ever losing that bubbly charm. If you're a fan of wedding stories or a bride- or groom-to-be, this episode is brimming with insights and inspiration that remind us of the significance of capturing life's treasured moments.
Welcome to Metropolitan Weddings. I'm Meg, I'm Dawn, and we are here to educate couples with information from wedding professionals in the industry.
Speaker 2:Our goal is to make the wedding planning process as seamless as possible by providing you with insight from industry professionals.
Speaker 1:Okay, couples, let's get this party started. So, couples, we are ready to introduce you to one of the area's photographers and videographers.
Speaker 3:Would you like to tell everyone about your business and introduce yourself a little bit there? Julie Sure, my name is Julie Davidson. I own Davidson Visuals. I have owned it now for three years. We've done over 50, but I've lost count of how many weddings we've done in that span. We originated in Kansas City and we moved back home to Springfield because we loved it here and we loved all the couples we had from here, so we figured it was the best place to be. We do documentary style, like most people do, and we really focus on moments that are going to mean a lot to you in the future.
Speaker 1:So those moments with, like, grandparents, parents, anything small, all that kind of stuff. So I think that's very sweet that you've basically just called the area couples the best couples, they're the sweetest ones, and you move back because you love them so much. I think that's darling. I also want to specify um, it's not Davidson, it's Davidson just one d just one d at the beginning. Yeah, no double d, no double d the big d at the beginning and that's it excellent.
Speaker 1:I just don't you know when people are looking you up after I want to make sure that they get it right, davison. So you, you took a, took a minute to move to casey and then loved it here so much that you guys came back and you've been here and since then you've shot around 50 or more.
Speaker 3:You can't. No 50 since the end of 2021 oh, wow, okay.
Speaker 1:So yeah, you guys have definitely been seasoned. What is your favorite uh thing about this area that you like to shoot?
Speaker 3:oh, it's so. Up in Kansas you get a lot of industrial weddings, you get a lot of bars. There's such a big mix down here of you know the different types and styles of weddings. They're much more intimate and I love that part. We did a lot of huge weddings up in Kansas City which were great, but we loved how intimate it is down here.
Speaker 1:That makes sense. Love how intimate it is down here. That makes sense. There's definitely like a more close-knit vibe sometimes in those intimate weddings. That I'm sure is. It's really fun to capture, like those connections and different things. Oh yeah, For sure. So tell me a little bit about how you describe your style. I know that's such a hard question Every time we ask a photographer that they're like ah, but we've got to start somewhere with describing it's so hard, though I know. I know, but we've got to start somewhere.
Speaker 4:Yeah.
Speaker 1:So if you were to describe your style, what would it be?
Speaker 3:For ease of description, most people would call us dark and moody. Um, I never liked using that just strictly, because I mean, don and Adam know dark and moody is more of a lighting style than an editing style. So I'm always like, sure, you can call us dark and moody, but we are more what I would say Editorially candid. Editorially candid, we use a lot of shadows to create emotion and dramatic effects in those candid moments. I guess is the best way to describe it Interesting.
Speaker 1:So you really like to shoot in an editorial and like candid and you don't like to like set up the shots necessarily, but you do like to use the lighting and surroundings to create a very dramatic look yeah, okay uh, I think that's that's fair, and so your editing style. Is there a separate description for that?
Speaker 3:um bright colors, um bold, not muted, I would suppose, is the best way to put that you want.
Speaker 2:You want the full colors involved. Yes, yeah, the muted drives me nuts too. I'm like why? Why are you taking those colors out of there?
Speaker 3:they're so pretty yeah especially when people paid a lot of money for those floral like pop. I'm like make those floral pop.
Speaker 2:Yeah, exactly, I'm right there with you. So just there's like some trends going on with photography right now that I've noticed um, like you know, getting the couples out to the day, getting the couple on the dance floor and then having everyone do like photo bomb stuff. Have you seen, seen?
Speaker 4:that happening.
Speaker 2:Have you guys been doing that?
Speaker 3:We haven't done it yet, but I have about oh, probably five of my weddings in the next two months who have requested that.
Speaker 1:So we will be doing it here soon. How funny.
Speaker 2:I could see it being actually fun and I know that there I've seen like the whole photo bomb thing, which is a little bit more fun and energetic. And then I've seen where they're like having each table come out on the dance floor like so that everybody gets photographed, and I actually wish we would have done that with Sierra's wedding. Right Because you end up missing guests and I'm like, oh, but of course you know, a little too late the trend came out after.
Speaker 3:But I'm like what a great way to get all the guests too. Yes, that's. We've been, uh, telling people that we should do it as a way to dismiss tables, too for dinner. That way, everybody's definitely going to still be there oh yeah nobody's in the dinner, so I like it, I like it, I like that too.
Speaker 1:Uh-huh taking notes yeah like it, I like it. Um okay, so let's talk about, like, just what, what you do to build, like that connection with the couples. You know, as we know, a photographer is, they have their style, but being able to interact with a couple and create that, um, comfortability level for them Cause they're not models, these are just, you know, regular old people. They don't necessarily, uh, want to be in front of the camera all day, so sometimes it takes a special kind of photographer to help, like, ease those moments. What, what do you guys do in in that arena?
Speaker 3:so I started out doing boudoir only and in boudoir I pose people very hands-on, so I will basically get into the pose first and that translated over to weddings.
Speaker 3:So when we do portrait times, um, I will pose withj and a lot of times like it's people laughing because cj is not the most photogenic person ever and has no idea what I'm talking about whenever I'm trying to pose him. But we do that and that usually helps ease people's nerves, knowing, oh okay, I know what to do with my hands, I know what to do with my body. And then we guide their facial expressions too, um, by doing a lot of prompts, prompts, a lot of cheesy stuff. Like you know, today's your wedding day and you're about to go do your first dance in like an hour. Go ahead and pretend like your first dance is happening now, and all that kind of stuff. We do a lot to kind of ease the nerves and get people laughing and we're naturally funny, so it works out great, that is good and people like, if you're good at like prompting people, that's like a gift.
Speaker 2:Um, because everybody's always like what do you want me to do, what do you want me to do? And being able to prompt them, and you know, do it from a distance, where you're not like touching them, because you don't really want to touch people, move their hands or do whatever.
Speaker 1:So that's all right, yay yeah, I'm definitely one of those people that has to be prompted. I don't spend a lot of time in the mirror figuring myself out, and it shows in all of my pictures. I'm like oh, I definitely am the girl that needs someone to be like Meg, lift your chin, stick your booty in the back, so anyway.
Speaker 3:See, I have a problem with that too. Whenever we first transitioned into doing solely weddings, I would forget a lot of the times where I was at and I'd be like, oh, that looks way too sexy, that's too much boudoir, we've got to tone it back. This is a wedding Hold on.
Speaker 1:So do you still do boudoir?
Speaker 3:I still do. Usually it's only when somebody requests me that they've known I've done it before. But being pregnant, it's really hard to start bending and moving in those ways, so I've taken a break for a little bit.
Speaker 1:That's an interesting. Yeah, that would break for a little bit.
Speaker 2:That's an interesting yeah, yeah, yeah, that would definitely, uh, be a little bit of a hindrance. That's funny. I'm sitting here on your Instagram looking through some of your pictures right now. They're very very pretty. Yeah, I know I was like oh, there was I just saw you and CJ in a golf cart too we've been known to chase people down a few times. You know you got to do it, so do you. So you guys do um photo and video correct. Yes, okay.
Speaker 1:Tell us about the video.
Speaker 3:So we actually started off doing just wedding video. Um, that was kind of our big interest is. We thought that wedding videos were cool and we were like let's just dive on into it. Um, and it was kind of a starting for our whole business. Uh, cj took over the video side. He is super into it. He even volunteers for the honor flight out of kansas city and he goes and films their documentaries up there.
Speaker 2:That's awesome.
Speaker 3:And we've just we've loved it so much we kept it, as you know, might as well do it as a team, and we've seen a lot of people this year specifically saying they want photo and video teams, so that's helped us a lot.
Speaker 4:It probably is nice when it's one team, because you guys know how to work with each other.
Speaker 1:If there's anything that I hear on the back end not being a wedding merchant specifically, but like hearing everyone talk about it the photographer and the video team are in each other's way sometimes and by sometimes I mean a lot, apparently when they don't work together, often as a as a team.
Speaker 4:I think the issue is, when you're creative, you have a vision and whether that's through photo or through video, you have a vision and everybody wants to get their specific shot right, you know so it's. Sometimes people can get so wrapped up and being like I have to deliver this certain product, photographer, videographer and if you don't have a good working relationship, there's going to be some bows being thrown through the day.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 4:That's just what happens. So you guys are so lucky, but you can just train him.
Speaker 3:That's the luck.
Speaker 4:Now you guys, still you guys probably still throw bows though, right?
Speaker 3:so, yes, we, we have walkie-talkies now with your pieces and at any given time, if you were to tune in at that, you might hear me going off on him nice I'm like that is so smart, though, to be able to communicate in that way with each other.
Speaker 2:I would have loved to have had an earpiece with a videographer once or twice in my past. I bet Move out of the center of the aisle.
Speaker 3:I get a lot from CJ of like, when is it going to be my turn? I'm like, oh crap, you're right.
Speaker 1:Sharing's not my favorite.
Speaker 2:Oh my gosh, that is awesome. So what is like your favorite part about a wedding?
Speaker 3:I love the beginning of the day. I love the getting ready. I love specifically I love mother and bride or mother and groom interactions. I think they are the sweetest things on earth. That is my favorite thing.
Speaker 2:So, like the family portraits and stuff are probably super important to you too, then yeah, I mean posing, you know, 60, 70 family members.
Speaker 3:It can get difficult just a little. My biggest thing is that I try to get everybody's names, whether it be the bride or groom. Make the list for me so I can call grandma out by name. That's helped a lot.
Speaker 2:But I like the more the unposed things, the Like the moments between family members more than the lineup that you're required to do as a photographer.
Speaker 3:I'm really good at herding sheep.
Speaker 2:How about CJ? Is he good at herding sheep?
Speaker 3:He's usually my name caller, so this is funny. We actually tell couples this. Growing up, CJ's grandpa had sheep and that was CJ's job on the farm was to get the sheep to where they needed to be. So that's why we call it herding sheep is just because it's like yeah, CJ used to herd sheep. He knows how to do this for a living.
Speaker 4:Literally.
Speaker 1:Oh, cj, he's a complex man. I love it. That's crazy.
Speaker 2:It is pretty funny. Know, I've heard the expression, but I've never actually known someone to literally have experience with that?
Speaker 4:yeah, no, I mean it is, it is.
Speaker 2:Yeah, I've heard herding cats I mean, but herding sheep, herding sheep is is like way better and it's an actual thing so what did you do before photography?
Speaker 1:oh, let's see or have you always done?
Speaker 3:photography started. What was that?
Speaker 1:or have you always done photography?
Speaker 3:kind of. I started out really young. Um, I started shooting for ozone when I was 20. I did that for a while until we moved up to Kansas City and then, um, I was just a stay-at-home mom for a little bit and was bored and wanted to get back into it. So it took about two years for me to just be like I gotta get back into it and start my own business.
Speaker 1:Nice, and then he herded sheep.
Speaker 3:When he was a child. He's been a teacher for many, many years now, but he's still herding sheep.
Speaker 2:I mean, he really is, that's true, that's adorable.
Speaker 4:He's the shepherd.
Speaker 3:He's got middle school baseball going on right now that he's coaching and he would say it's definitely herding sheep. Yeah, for sure that's funny?
Speaker 1:Yeah, for sure that's funny. So what is your like after the wedding? Do you like to do albums or do you like big prints? Or how do you deliver the photos?
Speaker 3:We love albums. I have an album included in all of our collections just because I think that's a great way. It's a good heirloom piece. We offer big prints because I think those are great too. I have several in my house, so I'm a big believer in printing your photos. But yeah, we do albums. I love the smell of the leather for one, and I think that they just.
Speaker 3:I went to H&H once to tour and they were like here, sniff the leathers. And I always tell everybody I'm like couture. And they were like here, sniff the leathers. And I always tell everybody I'm like when that album comes out of the box, you have to sniff it it is what quality smells like there you go.
Speaker 1:That's funny. I mean, we sniff the magazine still, so we do we do it's.
Speaker 2:It's kind of a strange thing about yeah new there's new, new, everything smell.
Speaker 1:Apparently I sniff everything there's a new.
Speaker 4:Everything smell, apparently. I sniff everything. I get a new pair of shoes and I smell them.
Speaker 2:He actually does. And he'll be sitting there smelling his shoes. I'm like, why are you sitting there smelling that shoe?
Speaker 4:They smell so good.
Speaker 1:I've never thought about smelling my shoes.
Speaker 4:Oh my God, A brand new pair of shoes.
Speaker 2:I mean not new, After a while you're like like how are these doing where?
Speaker 3:are we at with these shoes? Oh my gosh. Well, do you guys like? Okay, so, photographer to photographer, what's your favorite lens? I am a habitual 35 millimeter user, but I have been digging the 135 lately yeah, it's, that's a cool lens.
Speaker 2:So do you now? Do you ever use two shooters? Are you strictly a one shooter or do you do two? How does that all work?
Speaker 3:When we do elopements or smaller, like for our weddings, we do one. When we do our eight and 10 hours, we always have a team of four people running if we do photo and video. Or CJ comes in and second shoots me on photo. If we're just doing photo and video.
Speaker 2:Yep, Yep. That makes good sense. It's always nice having a teammate getting the other angle, I think.
Speaker 3:I think two photographers is is a really good for weddings and I think it's what a lot of people want to say, If it's, if it's in your budget, you want to go for two just because and not even being a photographer, but having been a bride myself and having some of those moments that were missed, it's invaluable.
Speaker 2:Yeah, agreed completely. What other advice would you give to a couple so two photographers About photography? Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah.
Speaker 3:Photography-wise, definitely go with a good photographer. Um, I didn't. I have one photo from my whole wedding day so that's usually what I tell people.
Speaker 3:Um, other than that. I usually tell people I'm like you've got prioritize what's important to you first. Um, for some people that's going to be florals, for some people it's going to be venue. It doesn't matter what it is, but if you want to spend money on it, if you get one chance sometimes you get two, but you know you might as well just enjoy your day and spend money on what you want to spend money on.
Speaker 2:Right, yeah, and actually having a priority and a budget that does definitely help out a lot. Knowing like this is what's important to me. This isn't so much important to me, and every bride is, you know, or a couple is different. Yeah, you know, there's some where photography is like number one and there's some that are like I don't really love pictures of myself. So it's really not that big of a deal to me. Which, to those people I always say you should get a really good photographer because you might love the pictures of yourself. Sometimes getting low-end photographers might be the reason why you don't the pictures of yourself. Sometimes getting low end photographers might be the reason why you don't love pictures of yourself, because they don't understand how to shoot you correctly exactly, yeah, and finding a photographer who's willing to discuss those things.
Speaker 3:I mean, people are, you know, it's kind of a touchy situation to talk about. What are you insecure about? But I think it's so important to know because, once again, at the end of the day, these are their photos that they keep forever. They don't care if it's magazine quality, they just want to know that they look good, they felt good and that's what matters.
Speaker 2:Yeah, yeah, absolutely. And you're right sharing those insecurities because you don't want to be shooting someone from a profile that they hate all day, someone from a profile that they hate all day. You know, if you know, like I really prefer pictures straight on, not so many just from the side of my face because I don't like my chin, you know, whatever it might be, those details could really make a difference in how your photographer shoots that day.
Speaker 1:And just reminding them how to stand, knowing that, yeah, like their chin's going to bother them. So let's help them move into a position in which it's not as prominent.
Speaker 2:Yeah, and helping Julie to know, oh, that bothers them. Like pop the chin out a little bit. Yeah, such a great comment Because I would say most couples don't really well.
Speaker 1:I take that back because younger people do spend a lot more time analyzing themselves and how they look good yeah, but not everybody still does. People do spend a lot more time like analyzing themselves and how they look good yeah, but not every, you know, not everybody still does, and so just having someone that can see what you look like and giving you some direction, I think that's a good thing absolutely, and you know, what's funny is what I may think is like beautiful on another person might be one of the things that annoys them.
Speaker 2:Adam, when he laughs really big, I love the way it looks. He doesn't.
Speaker 3:Right.
Speaker 2:You know, so it's funny. I do because I see joy, but for him it annoys him the way, like his teeth or gums or something I don't know. So yeah, I mean it's such an important thing to communicate.
Speaker 4:We say it all the time what you see is not what everyone else sees, yeah, exactly, and what everyone else sees loves.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 4:And that's the hardest part about loving how you look.
Speaker 2:Mm-hmm, mm-hmm Boy, we could turn this into a therapy session.
Speaker 4:All right, break out the candles.
Speaker 1:Everyone. Write down your top five things that you don't like about your body. Time for group Time for group.
Speaker 4:Julie, what is your biggest fear?
Speaker 3:Oh, julie, what is your biggest fear? Oh, let me tell you, I have several of them. I love her because all the time.
Speaker 1:If I were to try it because I don't like small talk and I just like to get let's get down and dirty. What's your biggest fear? She just was ready for it most people would be like, oh my gosh, are you kidding?
Speaker 2:do you want the long list or the short list?
Speaker 4:so, julie, have you had the photographer dream that every wedding photographer has?
Speaker 3:Are you pencils? Where my cards go missing or where they go corrupt real quick or my camera breaks?
Speaker 4:Yes, my dream was always showing up and it was the end of the ceremony.
Speaker 3:You know I've had that happen where on a wedding day I had a dream that my alarm was going off and for some reason we just didn't wake up. And then I woke up and it was like an hour or two into the wedding and the couple was pissed and thankfully I woke up when my alarm actually went off and it didn't happen.
Speaker 2:But I was like sweating mine is always that I pull up and they're walking out the front doors of a church.
Speaker 4:Yep.
Speaker 2:Like before we go to the reception, like a Catholic church. Oh my gosh, you've missed it. It is.
Speaker 1:It's a horrible dream because you're, yeah, you have those dreams all the time Now um, let's see what is this process like with you guys? Like, how do you go? Do you sit down and do a consultation, usually with the couples first, or do they just hire you? Are you all day shooting? Do you do an engagement session?
Speaker 3:Yeah, we do a consult first. We sit down and we usually do it over the phone, because most of our couples are an hour or two from Springfield. So we do a phone consult, we talk with them, we let them decide. We usually tell them that it's important that you like us as much as we like you. Otherwise there's no sense of having this random stranger at your wedding day that you hate. Then they come back and say, yes, we actually do love you. We go great, we sign contracts, then we do engagement session. We do that for all of ours except for our elopement one, and from there we just kind of get your engagement session. We do pre-wedding communications that are pretty standard. Yeah, pretty easy process Okay.
Speaker 1:That sounds like an easy process.
Speaker 2:I'm ready to hire her.
Speaker 1:You're like, I love her.
Speaker 2:She's easy, simple, she likes color.
Speaker 1:And reality TV.
Speaker 4:I just want to take her husband to a sheep farm. I want to watch him shepherd.
Speaker 3:I mean, we've got two kids so you can come over anytime.
Speaker 2:It's as good as a sheep farm.
Speaker 4:Is it less wooly or more wooly?
Speaker 2:Less wooly, more toys. If you go over there to watch them, do that, they're going to be like bye, see you.
Speaker 4:Thanks for babysitting this is how you herd sheep. You teach one how to lead, see ya.
Speaker 3:Learn by doing oh my gosh.
Speaker 1:That's awesome, yep For the goodness. Okay, julie, what? What is specific about your business that no one else knows about you guys, unless you just tell us right now?
Speaker 3:Ah well, I mean, my business includes me and I'm too special, you are special and you have cute glasses.
Speaker 4:Sure.
Speaker 3:I usually have a deep answer for things. I don't have one for that, okay.
Speaker 1:I'm just trying to make sure I don't miss anything, is there?
Speaker 3:anything. I mean, we can get you naked on your wedding day. It doesn't bother me, that's something special about us.
Speaker 2:I mean, she is a boudoir photographer too. Gotcha so she doesn't care, she'll get all of it.
Speaker 1:Boundaries are very wide.
Speaker 3:Is there anything that you want any of these couples that are listening to know about you, specifically me? I am very fun, energetic. Nothing bothers me. You can do whatever you want on your wedding day. I can photograph whatever you want me to do on your wedding day and I'm just along for the ride. I have a blast at every wedding I'm at and think that the more unique the better yeah, awesome yeah, yay, we love that dig it.
Speaker 1:I've enjoyed getting to know you, julie, in the in the industry. I think you do bring like a nice fun, bubbly personality, but with no pressure, you're like an easygoing bubbly. I know she is Like I don't feel the need to like match your energy or else you're going to like think I don't like you type energy. You know what I mean?
Speaker 2:Yeah, like she just leads with fun, yep, and your work is really good. There was one day I went up to her and was like I don't know if I told you this over socials or if I told you in person. I was like I've been seeing your work a lot lately and it is really good.
Speaker 3:that's always a fun compliment always down for a compliment yeah, yeah.
Speaker 1:So, julie, if, uh, if a couple is interested in knowing more about you guys and your process or your price points, um, how do they get a hold of you guys?
Speaker 3:We have multiple ways. Um, my phone number is on my Google business listing. Um, my website is davidsonvisualscom. Um, my email is julieatdavidsonvisualscom. Pretty, pretty easy to find us. All you gotta do is type in that Davidson with big D, no second.
Speaker 1:D. I love it. I want to make so many comments right now.
Speaker 4:Big D, no, second D.
Speaker 1:Just one D.
Speaker 4:That's awesome.
Speaker 1:One big D.
Speaker 4:I like it.
Speaker 1:Thank you for hanging out with us today. Of course, thank you for having me. It was fun. We'll do it again in six months. Yes, alright, take care of all your children. Tell CJ we said hi. Have fun editing photos.
Speaker 3:Oh, thanks, all right.
Speaker 2:Bye Talk to you soon. Bye.
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