Meet Meredith Himmelman

Today we’d like to introduce you to Meredith Himmelman. 

Hi Meredith, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

I took my initial film and digital photography classes at the University of New Hampshire but took many years off before finding the passion and time to shoot again. I was hired at a real estate firm and eventually became the in-house photographer, learning as I went. I became familiar with all of the editing apps and carried around tons of lighting. One day, a friend asked if I could possibly shoot her wedding in Sayulita, Mexico – attend as a friend but also bring the camera to capture all the moments she didn’t want to forget! I jumped on that and then, more friends followed suit – after a while I was shooting more people than homes and left my job at the Re company to capture couple’s full time.

My husband and I eloped in the mountains, on a pass just behind our house at 11, o00 ft, in a November snowstorm. This sparked a much more intentional approach to my business, and I moved toward finding couples who wanted small, intimate ceremonies or elopements – those partners who want a bit of adventure on their wedding day! On top of that, I do love to shoot for small local businesses, as well as maternity and family sessions.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Elopement photography has boomed in the past few years, so making my business stand out has been a challenge. The market is saturated with many outstanding photographers, and also those who are just starting or won’t take on the responsibility of helping the couple intentionally bring their vision to life. It’s shooting more than just the Instagram moments. It’s about the looks across the room, the hands touching when no one else is noticing, the grandparents on the dancefloor! I believe that to find the right person to capture your day, you should discuss more than prices and sit down (or zoom 🙂 with the photographer to see if you’re a good fit.

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m proud of the relationships that I have with couples as it usually will continue past the wedding, to maternity, and then family sessions as their families grow over the years. I enjoy getting to know the people I’m shooting because I know and understand how awkward it can be in front of a camera. I had never had professional photos taken of myself until my own elopement! Building these relationships with clients who become friends makes the job really less “work” and more of a passion. I love to see the raw emotions that couples show when there is that level of comfort, I truly think that connection is visible in the images that I deliver.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
Not at all related to photography but ….my dad built me a lovely playhouse out by the stream on our property in Maine. I made millions of concoctions out there, inventing and creating the best “mud pies” and “sludge smoothies” for my cat Trisha to try…she never did. My friends and I would spend hours playing out in that house. It was close enough to the river to watch the tides go in and out, delivering fresh mudflats when it was low. The bamboo was thick and made for excellent cover when we wanted to ‘hide out’ from the adults. I now live by the Blue River in Breckenridge and can’t wait to see the fun my daughter will have outside when she is old enough to let her imagination run wild out there!

Contact Info:

• Email: meredithaustinphotography@gmail.com
• Website: https://www.meredithaustinphotography.com