refining my lighting for a sunset shoot... a selfie of sorts!
About Larry Stanley photographer
I got my first camera at 5 years old. That was the beginning!
My father gave me the gift of a German 120mm roll film camera and a small black and white enlarger. With great patience he would help me process and print the images I captured. By the time I was 7 I was making photos on my own, capturing my friends and family. (That's me with my first camera)
Out of the basement darkroom came small glimpses of my emerging future; prints that showed an appreciation for the constantly arising visual world around me. My life long passion for capturing the beautiful and poignant moments of life had been born.
Interest continued to emerge in photography and art throughout my youth. Through a circuitous route of living, studies and travel in Missouri, Colorado, California, Hawaii, Australia, the Philippines, China and Tibet, I have made my home in Livingston, Montana; still constantly in search of "beauty... as it occurs naturally".
Today, I travel around the United States and beyond, photographing for wedding clients that value my unique style of imagery. Recent destination weddings include New Hampshire, California, the Island of Grand Bahamas, and the beautiful Hill Country near Concan, Texas. Of course the list of destinations would not be complete without mentioning the weddings all over the "Big Sky Country" State of Montana from Glacier National Park to Yellowstone National Park.
That's me with my first camera near Colorado Springs, CO. I have changed a bit but I still carry a camera or two.
Thoughts about wedding photography
- Technical skills are learned in a relatively short period of time. Creative and intuitive skills are a gift and often take years to accumulate and require conscious practice. I have over 25 years of professional experience, photography and seeing is a way of life. I am constantly in search of "beauty... as it occurs naturally".
- I have photographed life since I was 5 years old. I attended UMKC in Kansas City, Missouri and the Art Center School of Design in Pasadena, California. I have mentored many fine photographers in southwest Montana, namely my daughter Jennie Lynn Stanley, my good friends Lauren Brown, Lynn Donaldson, Cali Frankovich, Amelia Anne, Becca Boylan and Carlie Breen.
- I would love to photograph your lifetime event and capture the naturally arising moments of beauty... it's what I do!
Videos of Larry at work
What's it like to work with me? It's relaxed, natural and fun. It's a 'piece of cake'!
I give a little direction to start the process and then I observe how you naturally hold on to each other and be together, always reminding you to look at each other not at the camera. Then I run with it, giving little prods and comments to compliment your natural beauty and shape, constantly evaluating light, shadow, emotion, feeling and background. It's fast!
I always like to shoot with a couple before the wedding day. It's a sort of a photographer's meet and greet. I get to see who you are, and you get to see how I work. This makes the wedding day photography much more comfortable and productive. You will forget about me on your wedding day which means you will be less camera aware, just being yourself enjoying YOUR wedding day!
So, the end result are authentic, beautifully truthful images all about YOU, not about the photographer.
Take a look, watch me work and see the results.
