Ella Otranto Photography specialises in making women look and feel their best. Ella prides herself on her ability to get epic pictures, while being quick and fun so that the photoshoot doesn’t drag on. “We are known for being laid back while also being bossy when needed, making everyone feel comfortable and look their best,” Ella says. “I love making people feel at ease and helping out on what could be a stressful day without the right guidance.”

Ella describes her photography style as classic, clean and crisp, with a touch of “moody epicness.” Having done weddings of all sorts, from the most Disney princess-like to gothic tattoo artists, Ella is experienced in a range of styles. “I love that each wedding and each couple is unique, it keeps it interesting and fun,” she says.

THE GAME PLAN
Finding the perfect balance between a structured shoot and allowing those special interactions to occur naturally is a task faced by all wedding photographers. “I always say that as a photographer, you should plan as much as possible, and then on the actual day go with
the flow,” Ella advises. “You need to be organised but at the same time you need to be adaptable and on the lookout for amazing moments and images to capture.” Part of preparing for the big day is getting to know the couple. “I meet with my couples before the wedding to get a good sense of their style and what is important to them,” Ella explains. It also ensures that they are more comfortable in front of the camera on the day.

Ella advises that having the ability to capture those blink-and-you’ll-miss-it moments is something that comes with the job. “I have friends that are newborn photographers, and I could not do that job, but then they tell me they could not do my job!” she says. Wedding photography in particular requires a lot of energy and mental awareness. “You need to be ready for anything, always listening and always watching, to capture those moments perfectly.”

Ella is always on the lookout for the perfect scene or light to get that amazing shot that will be printed nice and big in her couple’s house. But listening on the day is just as important. “During speeches, it’s all well and good to get some shots of the speaker and the couple listening, but if you actually listen to the speech they might mention something like a heartfelt thank you to a parent or something like that,” Ella explains. “That signals to me that the parents are going to react, so I am ready to get a photo of their reaction as well.”

THE UNEXPECTED
Sometimes, it’s not the big moments that become the most treasured shots. “One of my favourite shots is the bride putting on her earrings,” Ella admits. “I don’t know why, but it is always just a beautiful, elegant and candid moment.” Throughout the day, Ella will often show the couple photos on the back of the camera as they go, which makes them feel more comfortable and confident. “The ones that surprise my couples the most when I do this are my signature night time shots,” she says. “We are quick and in the dark you can’t really see much of what is going on, so when they see the picture on the camera, they can’t