Creativity isn’t a gift; it’s a muscle you build through practice and patience.
Erich McVey
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Erich McVey never imagined he’d end up in weddings. He was studying business at university – more interested in marketing strategy than memory making, when a photography class he took for an easy grade turned into something much more. There was a moment with a friend’s engagement shoot, a borrowed camera, and a few surprised compliments that changed his course. Suddenly, this thing he had dismissed as a hobby became the foundation of a life’s work.
Today, Erich is one of the most sought-after wedding photographers in the world. But what’s striking in conversation is how little ego comes with that title. He talks candidly about the long learning curve, the burnout, the trial and-error of pricing, branding, and learning to balance creativity with client needs. His images may live in the pages of Vogue, but he’s refreshingly open about the hustle behind the scenes.
In this episode, Erich shares the full arc, from his early backyard shoots and Craigslist ads to the international editorial work and multi-day destination weddings he does now. He also reflects on the deeper side of it all: what it means to witness love for a living, how he recharges creatively, and why, after 15 years, he still finds the work meaningful.
Here’s some of what we get into:
- How Erich stumbled into wedding photography (and why he almost didn’t pursue it)
- The business decisions that helped him grow from solo shooter to in-demand brand
- Why medium format film still plays a huge role in his process
- Honest talk about burnout, balance, and the emotional side of documenting weddings
- What keeps him creatively energized after 15+ years in the industry
No matter where you’re at in your photography journey, you’ll absolutely find something useful (or at least relatable) in this chat. Enjoy and happy new year! 🙂
Q: What surprised you most about wedding work early on that drew you further in?
Erich: Honestly, the dark answer is that it paid the best. But I also learned that I really enjoyed photographing people and working with natural light. There’s endless variety in how you can use a subject, light, and environment. Plus, weddings are happy, high-energy days-and the business side is fascinating. There’s no ceiling. Every year you can grow creatively or financially, and that keeps it exciting.
Q: What did shooting medium format film teach you about photography that you still carry with you?
Erich: It taught me how to be precise, disciplined, and locked in. You had to meter properly, focus manually, and nail your settings because if you messed up, you could ruin a whole wedding. There was no room for error. That kind of shooting made me a more thoughtful photographer. Even though I shoot mostly digital now, I still think that film background gave me an edge in understanding exposure, composition, and how to be intentional.
Q: Why do you think wedding photography has changed so much, for example, going from glamorous, highly curated images to couples just wanting to see what really happened?
Erich: I think part of it is the shift in wedding publications. Ten years ago, it was all about hyper-curated fine art, publications like Style Me Pretty, Wedding Chicks, Martha Stewart. Now it’s Vogue and Over the Moon setting the tone, and those editors come from fashion. They’ve pushed wedding photography in a more fashion-driven direction. That shift, along with people getting bored of the old style, has led to this trend toward authenticity and grit.
🔗 Connect with Erich McVey
🧭 What We Talked About
🎼 Early Journey / Origins
- Erich got into photography through a darkroom class in college while studying business – an elective that unexpectedly sparked his creative passion.
- Originally on a path toward real estate finance, he had no artistic background growing up and didn’t even own a camera until college.
- A key turning point came when he photographed weddings for friends, discovering a love for storytelling and human connection.
- He and his wife Amy built their business together from the ground up, navigating the challenges of being young entrepreneurs in a fast-moving creative field.
📖 Philosophy / Vision / Storytelling
- Erich views photography as an emotional translator – his goal is to make people feel something.
- He’s drawn to the in-between moments: the gestures, glances, and unspoken intimacy that often go unnoticed.
- Believes that connection and presence are more important than perfection.
- Uses his own vulnerability and awkwardness as tools for building genuine rapport with clients.
- Emphasizes the power of images to become timeless, emotional touchstones for people.
📷 Tools, Gear, and Behind the Scenes
- Known for his hybrid approach – shooting both film and digital, using Contax 645 and medium format as well as digital cameras.
- Uses gear intentionally to slow down and become more present, especially with film.
- Prioritizes natural light, often shooting outdoors or near windows to enhance mood and emotion.
- Keeps things simple in terms of gear to reduce barriers between himself and the people he photographs.
🔁 Practice, Teaching, Platforms
- Erich has taught photography for over a decade, including hosting his own workshops and mentoring one-on-one.
- He believes that the best teachers are honest about their own struggles, and that vulnerability creates space for learning.
- Hosts educational retreats with Amy focused on community, mindset, and sustainable creative practices.
- Values personal growth as much as technical growth, helping other photographers redefine success on their own terms.
💬 Advice, Creative Strategy, or Challenges
- Encourages photographers to build businesses that reflect who they really are, not what the industry says they should be.
- Recommends slowing down, paying attention, and allowing yourself to be awkward or imperfect.
- Talks openly about seasons of burnout, self-doubt, and the pressure to constantly evolve in a social media-driven world.
- Advises creatives to create margin in their lives to protect their mental health and creativity.
🌍 Influences, People, Brands, or Places
- Inspired by classic portraiture, fashion photography, and cinema that emphasizes subtle emotion.
- Has learned deeply from his wife Amy, whose strength in writing, connection, and strategy helped shape their brand.
- Influenced by photographers who care about people first, who aren’t just technicians, but emotional storytellers.
- Finds daily inspiration in small moments: sunlight on the floor, a quiet look between partners, or the feeling of place.
🔮 What’s Next for Erich
- Focused on deepening his education work with more personal, intentional experiences for creatives.
- Continues to evolve his style and business to better serve both his clients and his own creative growth.
- Open to what’s next, but grounded in a mission to stay connected to what matters – people, emotion, and storytelling.
- Committed to creating space for other photographers to feel seen, heard, and supported in their own journeys.
