Wedding photographer Joy Zamora is a creative and educator with a huge amount of gasoline of passion that drives him to keep improving and exploring. In the interview with Bride Lifestyle, Joy shares his inspirations, his principles for growth and success, as well as how he started his journey as an educator.

Joy Zamora

Facts about wedding photographer Joy Zamora

Wedding photography style:

Showing the naturalness of the moments but with a dreamlike and mysterious aura.

Inspiring filmmakers and photographers:

Terrence Malick, Denis Vileneuve, Cartier Bresson.

Biggest influence:

Travel.

Principles for success:

Resilience and curiosity.

How has your photography style evolved throughout your career, and what factors have influenced those changes?

My photography has always tried to show the naturalness of the moments we live, but always with a dreamlike or mysterious aura. In the beginning, much of my work was influenced by very sought-after compositions and guided by the basic rules of composition. Certainly, in the early years, in my mind, it was important for the couple to appear dramatically in as dramatic a landscape or environment as possible. Much of the picture depended on the location being spectacular.

Over the years, I have developed a much more organic approach. Focused on details and small gestures. In the last three years, I have tried to bring more life to my photographs. To create movement and actions so that nothing seems static or forced. Almost as if you were watching a movie through my photos. Now, I look more for simplicity, the subtle, that each photo speaks for itself independently, without the need to force the situation. A mix of cinematography and editorial, making my clients look elegant but keeping the essence and authenticity of their relationship. My photography has to be real, and I don't want it to be pretentious.

Are there specific photographers, filmmakers, or artists who inspire you in your approach to wedding photography?

Without a doubt, although the truth is that during my career, I have looked a lot at other colleagues, and now I am trying to be inspired by creators from other sectors in my work. I would say that Terrence Malick is one of the directors who most influenced my work, his way of approaching the actors and the landscape has always made me fall in love with him.

Cinema is my biggest influence, and to name another creative that has marked me a lot, I could say that Denis Villeneuve would also enter into the equation. As for photographers, I will always be inspired by Cartier Bresson and his search for the decisive instant. A photo that can tell a whole story by itself, even when you take it out of context.

Outside of photography, what interests or hobbies do you pursue that contribute to your creative process? How do you stay inspired?

I have always said the same thing. A photographer is often only as good as the inner world he has cultivated during his life.

I have been a curious person all my life and have embarked on many hobbies. Some have stuck, and some have faded over time. Reading, movies and travel are my greatest source of creative inspiration. In recent years, I have added podcasts. A whole new world of creative conversations has opened up in front of me, and it's wonderful to bring that knowledge into design.

But without a doubt, travel is the biggest influence on my work. It helps me to keep looking at the world with a fresh and curious eye. To notice those details that go unnoticed. To observe the light and how it behaves and above all, to keep me curious.

Can you share a moment from your wedding photography journey that significantly impacted your growth as an artist?

Sure enough, that would be my first destination wedding. Which was none other than Shanghai. I remember perfectly how I felt walking the streets of the old part, photographing a couple of my dreams. It was a turning point, and I learned so much. Above all, realizing the possibilities we have to create things that, for a long time, we only had in our heads.

As someone who has likely witnessed countless love stories, do you have a stand-out wedding moment that you've captured?

I would say too many. Being around couples makes you hear stories that you would think are just from movies. But I remember one couple with special fondness because of how hard they fought for their love, with an illness in between, because they both suffered from a fairly high degree of autism.

To be able to capture their love with all its particularities was a challenge. But without a doubt, they showed me there are no limits to a relationship that wants to move forward. Even when your genetics, family and whole environment don't trust that anything will work out. I have the image engraved in my head of one of the last photos I took of them on their wedding day. Both of them lying on the ground, playing like children with some dry autumn leaves. It made a huge impact on me, and it certainly made me believe that love is an unstoppable force.

Are there particular moments during a wedding day you enjoy capturing the most?

Before I would tell you it was the session with the bride and groom. But now, it has certainly been expanding more and more. I love the preparations because I have time to create the storytelling of what the day is going to be like. Little by little, everything is taking shape, like an animal starting to wake up. The personalities of the guests and the couple begin to unfold, and everything slowly falls into place.

I would say that I am also enjoying the cocktail party and all those in-between moments more and more every day. Managing well the atmosphere of the space and how the guests relate to it.

With your focus on Mediterranean weddings, are there specific cultural or regional elements that you find particularly inspiring?

I love the Mediterranean lifestyle. That's why I love to focus on the way we celebrate weddings in this part of the world. For me, the Mediterranean culture carries over into weddings in so many ways: the way people relate to their surroundings, the love of good food and good drink. That subtle way of celebrating every little act, of celebrating life above anything else. The light of the Mediterranean and the gastronomy are two points that have always hypnotized me, and that guide any self-respecting wedding. That's why I love photographing weddings here so much.

It doesn't matter that it is a couple and guests from this part of the world, but they make the concept of "carpe diem" their own. Bringing family and friends together. Put aside bragging and boasting to focus on the human relationships that make us who we are.

What piece of advice would you give to couples planning a Mediterranean wedding?

Find a place that allows you to do what you want to do for as long as you need to do it.

I've said it before, but I appreciate it when people can celebrate without restrictions. So if I could give one piece of advice, it would be to find that corner of the Mediterranean where you can enjoy yourselves without restrictions of noise, hours and so on.

Also, of course, that you have outdoor spaces to enjoy the wonderful Mediterranean light and the breeze at sunset. And I also have to mention something that makes this area of the world unique. Look for a location with local architecture because it will always add a lot of value not only to the experience of the couple and the guests but it will also be a differential factor for the photos we can take there.

With your recent focus on education and coaching, what inspired you to share your knowledge with others in the photography community, and what do you find most rewarding about this aspect of your career?

Education has always been a backpack that has accompanied me throughout my career. When I started, I had many doubts and few answers. And there were not too many people who were willing to help me in those moments.

For that reason, when I started to make a living from this profession, I decided that I had to give that assistance to all the photographers or videographers who were in a situation like the one I had gone through. I had this need to contribute to the community and create a safe and fun environment where we could share everything we are and what I have been learning.

Without a doubt, seeing that a person you don't even know writes to tell you that you have helped them book their first wedding or that they have been able to connect better with their clients thanks to you, is the biggest shot of energy you can get.

As someone who has evolved from a renowned wedding photographer to an educator, how do you balance your time and energy between capturing weddings and mentoring others?

I would tell you that I have no idea how I do it, and that would be the most honest answer.

I lived for many years doing things that didn't fulfil me. So when I discovered wedding photography and education, I dove in head first with all my energy and determination.

I'm pretty chaotic in the process. If I have something I want to do to improve my photography, I focus as much as I can and don't stop until I get it done. And the same goes for education. The best thing is that they are two inter-communicating sectors. When I learn something for my own photography business, I apply it as fast as I can to my education.

When my students ask me about something repeatedly, I see that there is a need there, and I try to answer it. So sooner or later, that has a positive impact on my photography business as well. I am passionate about this sector. So I am always analysing new trends and how to offer a better service to my clients, whether they are partners or students. And that makes everything integrated in the same focus of interest.

Are there specific principles that you believe are essential for achieving success in wedding photography?

Well, the truth is that resilience and curiosity are the keys to keep progressing. If you are resilient, you will be able to sustain your business when bad times or trend changes come. In the end, it's about adapting to change and not having an ego that prevents you from changing when necessary (something that will happen often).

On the other hand, the curiosity of wanting to keep growing and learning. No more settling for what you already know. I see it as fundamental that we are constantly questioning what we see, trying to learn something new, whether we implement it or not. That will always make us much more prepared than the rest, and our work will stand out.

If you want this business to be your source of income for a long time, you have to have the gasoline of passion behind you every day. Strive for excellence in every aspect of our business and understand that the clients are the most important thing, not us.

Wedding photographer: Joy Zamora

Interviewed by Renāte Berga

Photo Credits:

Planning & Design: Peony Moments

Venue: Chateau Devarennes

Flowers: Lilas Wood

Rentals: Joli Bazaar

Dress: Lovella Bridal, Berta

Make up: Afton

Hair: Anna Rose