Capturing Intimate Moments: An Exclusive Interview with Dawn Browne of Degrees North Images
Dawn Browne, the talented photographer behind Degrees North Images, specializes in capturing the magic of intimate elopements and heartfelt moments. With a keen eye for detail and a passion for storytelling, Dawn’s work beautifully reflects the love and connection between her couples. In this exclusive interview, we dive into her journey as a photographer, her insights on elopement photography, and her favorite moments working with couples on Galveston Island.
Branding images of Dawn by Callie Walker Photography
Dawn, we'd love to hear more about your journey to becoming a photographer. How did your background as a veteran and athlete shape your approach to photography, especially when capturing such personal moments?
When I left the Navy, I was actually continuing my marine biology education. I ultimately decided that despite loving the profession, I didn't want to be working with the government any longer. It took me a few months, but I decided that photography would give me a great outlet to be creative, while letting me be my own boss.
Being so in love with the water, I knew I wanted to focus my energy on serving clients drawn to the coast. I think I probably also need to credit the time I was stationed in Charleston, SC and Saratoga Springs, NY with my deep appreciation for historic communities and all their special character. I love Galveston's personality!
I can't tell you how many weddings and special events I missed while I was in the military. So I mostly saw these moments in photos. When photos are all you have, they become invaluable. Even with my crazy endurance swimming hobby, sometimes no one can be there, but family and friends still want to experience it in some way. Photos are a way to include the people that are cheering from afar. This is a very common thread in weddings. So many of my couples have family scattered across the globe. Choosing a convenient location for everyone is nearly impossible. It's the photos that bring everyone together.
You specialize in elopements and micro weddings - a style that resonates with many couples looking for a more intimate experience. What drew you to this niche, and what do you love most about photographing smaller, more personal ceremonies?
With elopements in particular couples are more relaxed because they are truly focusing on each other. I find that couples who choose this route place a high value on presence. They've decided to strip their day down to allow for truly raw moments, lived fully, and with intention for their future together. They've cut away all outside expectations and are essentially planning a day with maximum flexibility and peace. It's a customizable day that lets them live a true dream of their own creation. I think of it as a couple's most ultimate date.
With micro weddings, the top characteristic that stands out to me is that couples are cutting their guest lists to their most important people. There are no "obligation invites" on their list, which is a major issue in large weddings. It's the politics of "well if I invite this aunt, I have to invite that one even though I haven't seen her in 10 years" that micro wedding couples are not entertaining. When a couple does this, it truly puts the focus on themselves and what will mean the most to them, and that drastically changes the planning process in their favor, both emotionally and economically.
In terms of photography, their wedding photos will be better for a multitude of reasons: we get more time together which allows for more variety and creativity, they'll be more relaxed and honest in their expressions, and none of us need to (for lack of a better word) perform to appease intrusive family members. Instead of being a chaos director with a camera, I have a couple and guests that are so present and joyful, I become a fun third wheel that feels like a natural part of the group.
As a competitive swimmer, you have a unique perspective on discipline and endurance. Do you find any parallels between your athletic background and the demands of being a professional photographer?
Boy do I! Photography is an endurance sport if you're doing it right!
The main element that stands out is time management. There isn't any kind of wedding day that doesn't require a timeline. Even with elopements I provide my couples with a timeline because they don't know how long things take, or where buffer time should be added. It's a guide and tool that gives them the power to ask questions, get advice, and add, remove, or rearrange elements of their day. Putting on a dress seems like a 5 minute process, but I can assure you it is not. That drive they think is 10 minutes will take 22 minutes at the time of day they plan to do it.
Getting an updated timeline for their day throughout the planning process gives them confidence in their planning and in me. It ultimately gives me the power to make decisions throughout a couple's day, while allowing them to zone out a little bit and just take ques from me.
You're based in Galveston but also travel to capture couples' special moments. Can you tell us about your connection to Galveston and some of the other areas you frequently serve? Do you also take on destination weddings, and if so, are there particular locations or settings you love to work in?
I've loved Galveston since I first visited in the late 90s. We moved here from Virginia Beach in 2008 and love being on the island. I used to photograph a lot more in Houston, but in 2017 I decided to really focus my efforts on serving couples eloping or marrying in Galveston. I can't help it, I'm drawn to palm trees and old buildings.
Since I'm a born and raised Michigander with strong ties to Florida, I also love photographing in both of those states. Mackinac Island in northern Michigan is one of my favorite locations on earth. I love the historic character and charm, and the views of Lake Huron and the Straits of Mackinac are unmatched.
Another favorite is anyplace Disney. I'm normal, I swear, but I'm also a bit of a Disney adult. I worked at Walt Disney World for a little over two years in the early 00's. In 2008 when our San Luis wedding had to be canceled because of Hurricane Ike, my husband and I moved our wedding over to Disney's Yacht and Beach Club Resorts at Walt Disney World. I would love to shoot more events and sessions there, Disneyland and on the Disney Cruise Line, which just happens to port out of Galveston in the winter months!
I've definitely got some other wishlist locations like Dry Tortugas National Park, Paradise Canyon in the Texas Hill Country, and New Orleans, to name a few.
How do you approach photographing an elopement or micro wedding differently from a larger wedding?
Elopements and micro wedding have a much more streamlined schedule which allows me to shoot them alone or with only an assistant.
With larger weddings I always have a second photographer because inevitably there will be a few parts of the day where I need to employ a divide and conquer system. Bigger wedding parties and more family dynamics require a team to manage everyone, so multiple things can be happening at once and still move along smoothly.
Your work captures not only the big moments but also the in-between, candid ones. How do you stay present to catch these moments, and what is your creative process like on a wedding day?
My overall approach is that I am shooting for the album. I think a professionally designed and printed wedding album is the final product of wedding photography. Computers/phones are where photos go to die. Sitting around the kitchen table with your family looking at an album and prints is a completely different experience than passing a phone around. ICK!
A wedding album is a film in stills. I'm going to get my standard shots, but I am constantly looking for images that are place setting, transitional, detail focused, and emotional, so the full story can be laid out into a tangible expression of the day. I want the full scope of a gallery to look how it felt. This is how I'm able to let my brain go to work every single moment, and if I see a unique shot possibility, I'm not afraid to explore it.
Are there any special memories from weddings or elopements you've captured that particularly stand out to you? Any favorite locations or unique stories that made a lasting impression?
Definitely one of my favorite locations was a motoryacht elopement. Like with any outside elopement or wedding, you're taking a chance with the weather, but they really love the water and this was the perfect scenario for them, and we all had a blast.
I'm also not ashamed to say I love a beach wedding. Any beach, anywhere. I had a beach elopement couple that cut the bottoms of their outfits off after the ceremony. I was in tears laughing.
The moments that really stand out to me are the ones that couples do for themselves, or that are unique to their relationship. A few examples are, I've been having a lot of micro and large wedding couples do a first look with private vows before their official ceremony. Not everyone is comfortable reading their most intimate feelings in front of a crowd.
While I don't do a ton of large weddings, I had a really cool Lutheran couple this fall get married at Garten Verein. They served communion during their ceremony, which I have never seen done outside of a church. The outdoor setting with the sunset gave it this very peaceful, ethereal feeling.
Lastly, what advice would you give to couples planning an elopement or micro wedding who want to make the most of their photography? Are there any specific tips you recommend for creating a smooth experience and lasting memories?
First I want to say, don't believe anyone telling you the way you're choosing to get married is "less than" or not special. Traditions can be beautiful, but they can also just be peer pressure from dead people in cases where those traditions don't mean anything to the couple. So many couples will get flak from family and friends and it will affect how they plan and experience their day. It's not less than, and it's not just a ceremony and some portraits. It's not an errand you run on the way to dinner. This is the day you'll make very personal promises to each other with no knowledge of what the future holds. This is the day you'll celebrate all your future anniversaries. It's a big deal, no matter how or with whom you choose to celebrate.
To get the most out of your photography, I recommend thinking about your day as a story and then deciding what parts are the most important to you, photography wise, and planning according to that. This is something I work on with my couples so we can arrange their schedule accordingly. Like I said earlier, couples don't know how long things take and where to add buffer time, so having an involved photographer, and in some cases a planner, is the best way to ensure the day unfolds the way you envision.
Dawn's passion for capturing love in its most genuine form shines through every image she creates. Her ability to blend artistry with authenticity makes her a standout choice for couples planning their elopements on Galveston Island.
If you're dreaming of timeless photos that reflect your unique love story, explore Dawn's stunning portfolio at Degrees North Images. Ready to make your vision a reality? Reach out to Dawn today and start planning the elopement of your dreams!
