Oh how I love the story of how Christa and I met! Christa saw some pictures I did with Sarah e. Evans Photography, and asked that I email her about her sister’s wedding. Upon doing so we kept in touch through our good friend facebook and quickly realized our love of vintage, unique and antique furntiure was mutual. We decided to meet one day in Houston for a little shopping and became quick friends! We recently worked on a shoot together that I mentioned in Natalie Dawley’s interview and can NOT wait to share that one with yall, but for now that must continue to remain under wraps!

Grab some coffee and meet Christa!

Christa Elyce Neal, owner of Christa Elyce Photography

Hi Christa! Thanks for visiting with us! Let’s start with how you decided to go into the wedding industry?

In the beginnings of my career I photographed anything and everything. Senior portraits, cats + dogs, and I even had the opportunity to exclusively photograph the Governor of Texas, Rick Perry. I enjoyed it all the same. Through my first wedding I was instantly intrigued. I think it’s the love story and the details that I fell for. The challenges of spontaneity of event photography kept me trying to raise the bar within myself. I felt as though I had learned so much through weddings. I learned about people, romance, cherishing time, and being at the right place at the right time. I soon found myself in love with weddings.

Can you give us a little history of Christa Elyce Photography?

Christa Elyce Photography is every bit of me. My little company has been photographing weddings for 6 years now, but this story can go a little further back. I was a yearbook nerd in high school. I attended school abroad in Mons, Belgium. A digital camera – this is when they first came out – at the time I had no idea how to work it so I stayed in my comfort zone – film. I love the look film! That still stays with me. I shoot all digital these days. I have Nikon D700. D300, and D7000 (for cinema). Back to the story, I moved to Houston met some great photographers who showed me how I could make my love and talent a career. My style still keeps the film look alive

When did you decide you wanted to capture such a significant time in a couple’s life?

Two years ago as I started recognize my big love for weddings I started to see I that because I myself have found love, my darling husband Brandon, that I could closely relate to the romantic details of a wedding. That the feelings that a bride and a groom hold on their wedding day – I’ve been there. I know what that is. I know what I want to pull from it and put it on a beautiful canvas.

What has been your most important lesson as a wedding vendor?

Get to know as many people in your industry. Be willing to work together and make trades. This will benefit your company so much. Lately I’ve become obsessed with styled shoots. I’ve been lucky to have so many people in the industry be supportive to my work. Florists, wedding designers, rental companies, and cake bakers all participate in creating beautiful tablescapes and scenes for their portfolio! Through this I’ve been able to have the creative reigns and photograph and style the shoot in a way that would be beneficial to my branding and also to others who share the same vision.

What kind of experience can a new client expect when they come to you for their photography?

When I sit with a potential new client I want to get to know the couple and find out who they are and what they’re all about. I aim to build a comfortable and trusting relationship with my bride + groom. We’ll meet at my home studio office so they are able to see my vintage French country style and let that speak to them. Hopefully they fall in love with all the canvas prints hanging on the wall. They’ll make jokes because they notice my very type A client board that keeps track of each client and what what’s next on the schedule for them. In that they are able to find relief knowing that they won’t just sign a contract and never hear from me again until the wedding. I really show a commitment to my client relationships. We talk about all the details of their wedding day. And have some great laughs. They will leave with a free copy of Get Married magazine. They know they just made a new friend…and that friends is photographing their most precious of days.

Christa, Thank you so much your time on answering our questions. We can’ wait to work with you again! Please head on over to Christa’s facebook and website and check out some of her work!