A Chat with Photographer Kat Braman

This week we’re chatting with fine art photographer, Kat Braman. Kat’s work has been featured in Martha Stewart Weddings, Inside Weddings, BRIDES, Over the Moon, and many more. Having worked as a top Miami wedding photographer, we wanted to learn a bit more about her, her business, and what makes her tick.

Tell us a little about yourself and your business.

I’m a Colorado girl through and through and grew up in Breckenridge skiing every day. I now split my time between North Carolina and Florida with my husband and two sons. I’ve been a wedding photographer for 11 years and have documented weddings throughout the United States and even as places as far away as Provence and New Zealand. In 2012, I switched to primarily film and still photograph most of the wedding day on my Hasselblad. I’ve photographed over 300 weddings over the last 11 years but now limit it to 12 weddings a year to give my clients the highest level of attention and service.

Coronavirus is really wreaking havoc on wedding plans. What’s one tip you’d give to 2020 brides?

If you’re having to reduce your guest count due to Coronavirus, look at it as an opportunity to prioritize things that might not have been possible with more guests. You have much more flexibility in design choices and your food choices with smaller guest counts. Evaluate what’s truly important to you and what will make your heart sing, and then adjust your plans to focus on what matters most to you. Smaller guest counts give you a real opportunity to craft a very unique and personal guest experience. If you are a 2021 bride, I recommend securing your venue and must-have creative vendors now, as dates are filling up much sooner than normal.

Let’s talk about future weddings and engagements for a sec. What’s your favorite part of a wedding?

My favorite part of any wedding is the celebration of relationships of all kinds – romantic, family, and friend. I love documenting those moments that showcase how you love your people.

What’s your approach to day-of? What does a wedding day typically look like for you?

I approach the day in an unobtrusive and relaxed manner to give my clients photos that truly reflect their day, who they are, and what they value. I want my energy to be joyful, calming, and intentional. I believe it’s important to balance maintaining control of the day and the timeline while also going with the flow and remaining open to the unexpected in-between moments that make your wedding day completely unique. As an artist, I am drawn to movement and subtle moments.

What’s one thing that sets you and your photography apart?

Creating the space and environment that allows my clients to be themselves and be fully present in every moment. You should love the experience of being photographed as much as you love the photos.

What’s does your editing process look like?

I primarily work with film rather than digital, so the majority of my editing process is curating the final gallery in a cohesive way. I’ve worked with my film lab to create a custom profile on how I like my photos to look so I only have to make minor density and color adjustments once I receive the photos from my lab.

What’s one wedding day detail you wish more brides would include?

I had a destination wedding in North Carolina last year where the wedding planner sprinkled fresh lavender under the ceremony chairs. It was such a delightful surprise and an incredible way to heighten all the senses.

What’s your favorite thing to photograph day-of?

The couple. It’s such a small part of the day where it’s just the two of you so I believe in making that part of the day sacred and private. I’m also a big fan of the cocktail hour for the great guest candids and the recessional for that unbridled sense of joy.

Thanks so much for joining us, Kat! For more on Kat Braman, check out her Instagram, website, or her listing on Smitten Co.

Smitten Co. is South Florida’s wedding planning subscription. Our Miami wedding planners will help you plan your perfect wedding all while pampering you with gifts along the way. Learn more here.