Have you seen The Secret Life of Walter Mitty?
Truth be told, I haven’t seen it in years but what I remember is that he goes on TONS of unexpected adventures.
… and this photographer is who you want if you’re an adventurous soul who wants to capture meaningful, unposed moments.
Basically a much cooler — animal loving, mountain hiking, magic moment – capturing — Walter Mitty-style photographer.
Bobbi Barbarich is a Canadian wedding photographer specializing in documentary-style and adventure photography.
Tell me about what you do and why it’s important.
I’m a documentary wedding photographer, so what that means is I tell the STORY of the day. We photographers talk a lot about moments, but for me, I’m hunting for the perfect way to pull all those millions of moments into a single photograph that explains exactly who these people are, and why, who and how they love. The documentary perspective is SO important because we tend to get really lost in the details–y’know, flowers and invitations and how everything LOOKS. But the reason we’re having a wedding is because we FEEL something. So I make storytelling images because stories allow us to experience all of the feels.
Documentary also means I do not set up, intrude or direct anything, other than for a few short moments during portraits, if the couple decides they even want that. This allows them to be truly present during their day. They’re not fabricating a scenario for a photograph–instead, I’m shooting the actual things that are honest, true and genuine.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE THESE ARTFUL WEDDING IDEAS…
Where are you based out of, and what do you love most about weddings?
I live in a little mountain town called Nelson in British Columbia–its’ a veritable snowglobe–but I photograph all over this beautiful province.
Why do you work in weddings?
I am fascinated by human connection. It drives everything I do, and human connection is what weddings are. Understanding how and why we love, how we uniquely and universally we express that love, and being able to make creative images of that experience, is such a gift.
What are your top 3-5 favorite venues to photograph weddings at and why?
British Columbia is stuffed with mountains and forests and lakes, so my favourite venue is anywhere outdoors.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE PICASSO, THE MILLION DOLLAR NAPKIN, AND LIVE PAINTING…
What’s your wedding style/aesthetic?
This is always tough for me to answer. The style is documentary, photojournalism. But the aesthetic ends up being whatever the couple has designed. I shoot it as I see it, and try not to impress my aesthetic onto it.
What’s one trend in the wedding industry we should pay attention to?
Documentary! I feel like photojournalism is FINALLY getting some cred. It’s been a long time of poses, then ‘unscripted’ poses and now, slowly, couples are seeing how beautiful they are without needing to be told what to do. They just ARE.
You’re photographing a wedding in Banff – what are three things you must do?
Check the weather app! Mountain weather changes fast. Bring clothes for all possibilities.
Location scout for the schedule. Like the weather, light changes quickly in the mountains so knowing where to be when is critical. And have a back up location if the schedule is off.
Wear comfortable shoes. Heels sink in the dirt, there’s ungulate poop everywhere, and the ground is uneven. Flats with some grip are a MUST.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE THE MOST ICONIC WEDDING DRESSES…
What’s your favorite thing to do in your spare time?
Trail running! I aim to do a couple trail ultra marathons every year. But on shorter training days, I run in the mountains with my dogs, Harlan and Linda, and it is always a joyful, gratitude-filled experience.
Words to live by?
Whether you believe you can or you can’t, you’re right.
What advice do you have for couples planning a wedding in 2023?
This goes for not just 2023 but any wedding…. Start by writing out a dream day–separately. Each person sits down with a journal, and writes out the entire day, from start to finish. What happens, who’s there, where they go, what they eat, every little detail, every little feeling. Then compare. Where those two stories mesh is what your wedding is!
It’s easy to get really swayed by what other people are doing before you even know what you want. So doing this gives you a place to start, a vision that you know is true to you.
Drink of Choice?
Mezcal and club soda.
What’s one thing you’re most excited about for 2023?
Adventure. Always adventure. I love disappearing into the mountains for a few days when things are busy, and I’ve got a couple big trips planned!
What’s one word to describe 2022 for you, and if you have a word for 2023 please share that as well!
2022 was growth. Intentional, impactful growth.
2023 is purpose. I have a purpose, and I’m intent on sharing that with the world.
Bobbi is an uber-talented photographer in Canada with an amazing documentary style — she captures the moment just as it was and you will LOVE the result. And if you’re up for an adventure? You can bet that Bobbi will be ready for you.
Contact Bobbi with Bobbi Barbarich Photography at info@bobbibarbarich.ca
