Today we shine the Coterie Spotlight on international destination wedding and portrait photographer Courtney Cobb of Eliza Jane Photography. Based out of Los Angeles, Courtney has been pursuing her passion for portrait and wedding photography since 2008. With a degree in history she brings a documentarian’s eye to her compositions, capturing not only the subject matter but a feeling of time and nostalgia as well. Through the camera lens Courtney is having a direct conversation with future viewers – so well captured that you may even hear the atmosphere.
Read all about MunaLuchi Coterie member Eliza Jane Photography below in this informative Spotlight interview.
Tell us a little about your background and how you got started in the photography business? I became interested in photography after graduating from the University of Kansas with my Bachelor’s degree in History. What I love about history is what I love about photography: preserving moments in time. The idea that years from now, people can look back on a photo that I’ve produced and be transported back to that particular time is so incredible to me. I had the opportunity to photograph my first wedding in 2010 and I’ve been photographing weddings ever since!
Describe your wedding photography style in 5 words or less. Candid, fun, relaxed, intimate, creative
What part of the wedding is your favorite to photograph? I actually have two favorite parts: my first favorite part is photographing when the bride is getting ready and all of her family and friends are with her. My second favorite part is seeing the groom’s reaction when he sees his bride for the first time.
What do you shoot – film, digital or both? Digital
What keeps you inspired? Watching Bollywood movies and looking at some of my favorite photographers’ blogs are a couple of things that help to keep me inspired. Also, the couples that I get to work with really inspire me to be the best photographer that I can be.
When you’re not shooting weddings, what do you like to do? Learning new languages. I studied Spanish for a while and am learning Hindi now. I also like to do a little creative writing.
What advice can you give to couples looking for that perfect photographer? Choose a photographer that you actually enjoy being around. Your photographer is going to be the person that will be with you from the beginning of the day until the very end so it’s important that you like them. It will certainly help in making the day less stressful.
Tell us a location that you’d love to shoot. It’s a toss up between Santorini, Greece or Salar de Uyuni in Bolivia.
Based on your experiences, what would you like every couple to know before their wedding? Remember to have fun! And allot enough time for each part of the day. You’d be amazed at how quickly time passes on the wedding day and how easy it is to fall behind schedule.
Fun stuff!
What’s in your handbag right now? A couple of notebooks, portable charger, hand sanitizer, Bible, pens
iphone, blackberry or android? Team iPhone!
Mac or pc? Mac
If you could travel to any location right now, where would it be? I really, really, really want to go back to India. I’d love to revisit Agra and this time I would like to visit Mumbai and Goa.
Favorite song? book? tv show? My favorite song changes with the day, but today it is: Ojuelegba by Wizkid. My favorite book is The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald. My favorite TV show is The Golden Girls.
Guilty pleasure? Listening to One Direction. I’m also a little sad that they are no longer making music, but shhh—don’t tell anyone. :)
Something that recently inspired you? My recent trip to Israel. It’s such a beautiful country and being there both motivated and rejuvenated me spiritually in my faith and professionally with photography.
So beautiful!
Love your work and I’m so proud of you