Meet Catherine Hall – Fine Art & Wedding Photographer

Catherine Hall’s breathtaking images have inspired audiences for decades. Devoted to the art form of photography, she has refined both the technical aspects of shooting weddings along with her distinctive style, so the individuals she is shooting can feel confident and look relaxed in front of her camera. A self-described driven perfectionist and unapologetic tech geek, Catherine is a charismatic public figure who loves dancing to electronic music, skiing bluebird powder days, and singing really loudly when no one is around.

How did you get your start in photography?
I took a photography class in high school and became hooked. I then pursued studies in college and never looked back.

Professionally, I started my career by selling all my belongings and jumping on a plane from San Francisco to New York City, with no job or place to live. I pursued my dream of working for my favorite photographer, Steve McCurry, and then Getty Images in NYC.

What type of photography are you shooting and what motivated you to focus on that genre?

Weddings and portrait because working with people is where I excel. I spent an incredible amount of time shooting all genres of photography from landscape to architecture before I discovered that my true talent is people photography.

Did you experience any challenges as a woman entering into the photography market?

No. In fact, I have always seen it as an advantage. I am perceived to be less threatening, less intimidating. This has helped me with everything from remote shoots in 3rd world countries to high end, exclusive weddings.

What has been your biggest achievement or obstacle along the way?

Letting abundance come in. Realizing that I have a gift and it’s not only OK to make a good living at it, but I deserve it! Charging what I am worth and creating a good lifestyle for myself and my family.

Who and/or what inspires you most?

Light – always experimenting with light and pushing myself to try new things and playing with new “toys” (Profoto and California Sunbounce gear being my favorite modifiers).

What is your approach? Is there anything in particular you try to achieve during a shoot (for example triggering certain feelings, etc.) or are there any specific techniques you use?

My approach is to direct my clients in a natural way – pose and light them in the most flattering manner while keeping a sense of spontaneity that keeps the image fresh and alive.

Why is accurate color important within your workflow?

I spend countless hours capturing and retouching images to create art. If I don’t nail the color, then all that time invested is fruitless. Accurate color is essential to illustrating my vision and delivering a professional product I am proud of. And nothing shines more than an Epson Fine Art Print with perfect color!

Any tips or advice for photographers just beginning their career?

Play a lot. And don’t give up.

About the author – Catherine Hall

Catherine Hall is a sought-after San Francisco, Napa Valley and Lake Tahoe wedding photographer known for her elegant, editorial style. Leading magazines like Grace Ormonde Wedding Style, InStyle Weddings, and The Knot (which has named her Best Wedding Photographer), frequently publish her work. Her assignments have included coverage of high-profile celebrities such as Jessica Alba, Nelly, Kenny Loggins, Jason Derulo, Journey and Andy Garcia, along with numerous stars in sports and entertainment.

Her fine-art photography has been showcased across Europe and the United States, and her international assignments have brought her to over thirty countries across five continents. Catherine’s work frequently appears in top editorial publications such as the New York Times and National Geographic Traveler.

Catherine is an in-demand instructor and judge at international photography events with professional sponsors including Apple, Epson, and Adobe. Her commercial work is sought-after by leading commercial brands including Sephora, News Corp, Reuters, and John Deere.