Today we’d like to introduce you to Britain Paulk.
Britain, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My husband bought me a simple DSLR for Christmas years ago and I was elated! At the time, I don’t think either of us realized I wasn’t just unwrapping a beautiful gift, but I was unwrapping passion, creativity, and sparking a fire that would turn into my career. For the next couple of years, I would find my niche, discover what I was good at, and perfect my craft until the day came that I knew it was time to take the leap and begin my own business, Willow & Pine Photography.
I photographed small weddings and elopements here and there over the last couple of years under Willow & Pine Photography and I realized how much I truly enjoyed seeing these beautiful events actually come together as a whole. There is something really special and magic about the intimacy of an elopement or small wedding.
The crowd is full of people you genuinely are connected to. There is emotion so thick you can cut it with a knife, there is joy and smiles and not a dry eye. It made my heart overflow to see every single time.
To see your closest people all gathered around one candle lit rectangle table, face to face, sharing stories, music playing, the bride and groom swaying in the background. I mean, you can feel it right? It’s timeless.
Sometimes, it was a young couple starting a new life. Sometimes, it was the second marriage. Sometimes, it was a vow renewal. Every time, it was worthy of love and time.
My heart realized one day that I wanted every couple to have this feeling of enjoying in every moment- from planning on day one until you walk away as Mr. & Mrs. I wanted couples to be able to afford these stunning moments and to be able to come to one place and see it all happen so that it is an effortless event. We make that all happen for our couples. Photography by Willow & Pine, florals, venue selections, officiants, makeup & hair artists, styling and creative coordination, and day of coordination. This is all coordinated by me and pulled off by my incredible team of creatives that have the same passions I do. Not to just do a job and make a buck, but to curate something timeless that lives on forever in stunning images and the memories of everyone involved.
Welcome to The Elopement Co.
Simply put, we curate intimate elopements and small weddings and handle everything from the big ideas to the tiny details and pull off stunning events that live on forever. We’re honored and proud to be a part of the Houston community and look forward to every idea, couple, and dream that comes our way.
Has it been a smooth road?
I think one of my biggest struggles was finding who I am as a photographer and finding my style. The “thing” that set me apart and made my work special. The “thing” that drew people into my work and made them want me, at any cost, to photograph them.
I took a good few years of new techniques, new posing, new editing styles, etc. to finally sort of nail down my style. It does vary from my senior photography to families to elopements, but for the most part, everyone knows that I love earthy tones, emotion, movement, really capturing the moment and not just the people standing in front of my camera.
My advice is to seek out artists you love, find what draws you to them and their art. Emulate that. Practice it. Combine the styles you love, add your own twist and spark, and in the end find something that screams your name. Create something that when people say it they say, “Oh, that’s __________’s work. I can tell just by looking at it!”
That feels good. You feel like an artist- like you’ve reached the stars.
We’d love to hear more about The Elopement Co. and Willow & Pine Photography.
I specialize in emotional and candid photography. The kind that tells a story and one that you can look at and identify what they are feeling. Sure, I do a few pose-y images of my elopements and small ceremonies because, well – that’s what your grandmother wants to frame and we love grandmas.
All kidding aside, I really do a few of those images because they are timeless and beautiful in their own way, but the majority of my craft is real interaction. That’s what drew me to weddings and why people hire me to plan their day and photograph it.
I take that day and make it something extraordinarily special to each couple and the pouring out of hearts, the new life they are stepping into, their first moments as “one”- I’m there to capture it all. It’s so powerful and makes my heart feel like it’s on fire.
I’m most proud of the relationships I cherish in my clients. I am not a “show up, take your pictures, and deliver a gallery via email” kind of photographer. I pride myself on getting to know people and finding out who they are and what makes them tick. We, as a human race, were built for community and I feel like God really built that deep into my bones. I’m friendly, love to give hugs, love to celebrate with people, enjoy laughing with friends (old and new). I’ve been so proud over the years that the reviews of my photography say how gorgeous the images are and how I’ve captured people perfectly as they are, but they also always mention my heart and how I treat people. It’s important to me. People, all people, matter to me.
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
None that I could really pinpoint or direct you to specifically. I follow SO MANY creatives that I admire and I read their blogs, study their images or work, take their random classes online, etc.
And this isn’t just photographers. It’s florists, designers, entrepreneurs, #bossbabes, writers, speakers. They all bring something unique and special to the table. Whether I love their eye for something, the colors they work with, the way they treat people and interact with people, to how funny they are or inspirational they are- It all comes together to form this magical creative community that I’m so excited to be a part of.
Pricing:
- Elopement & Small Ceremony Packages (including photography) begins at $2,000
- Lifestyle Photography pricing sessions are $250 with prints and products sold separately
- Wedding Photography Packages begin at $2,000 (including full digital gallery)
- Additional Specialized Photography pricing is listed on our photography site
Contact Info:
- Website: www.theelopementco.org & www.willowandpinephotography.com
- Phone: 713-315-1236
- Email: willowandpinephotography@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/elopement_co & www.instagram.com/willowandpinephotography
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elopeco & www.facebook.com/willowandpinephotography
Image Credit:
Handlettering by Danielle Williams, Venue- The Carriage House
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
