Memories by Candace: Phoenix Photographer

What is your full name, business name, and list of services? 

I am Candace Weir, owner of Memories by Candace. Memories by Candace is a family + wedding photographer. I live to do it all. Yes, that wasn’t a typo.

How long have you been in the wedding industry?

 I did weddings years ago and swore I would never look back. I secretly hated them. But hello, that was like 18 years ago?? I didn’t have a wond All I had my husband as my second shooter with the camera. I was so inexperienced then. It wasn’t until late 2020, I decided I was going to give it another shot at photographing weddings again and marketing them. It went very well! And now weddings are a favorite thing to photograph.

What inspired you to start your own wedding business?

Well, when deciding to take on wedding photography again, I realized that my long lost enemy became a HUGE love affair. Weddings became a secret passion that I thought was long gone. Couples, love stories, and weddings! I truly do love them now. And I want to book more! I love telling couples’ love stories. 

What’s even more cool is photographing a couple during their engagement session, getting to know them, and then showing up to the wedding and hearing everyone else’s stories about them, whether I am sitting at a table for dinner with the guests or hearing it from toasts. It’s amazing and makes my little heart sing a song.

What services does Memories By Candace Offer?

With my couples, I include an engagement photography session with EVERY wedding package. It doesn’t matter how big or how small the wedding package is. I have learned with my experience (and I am a quicker learner) that it truly makes a difference to get to know each other during an engagement session. I get to know them, they get to know me. We talk about how they met, learn their love story, they learn how I photograph, engage, and direct. 

Then, on the actual wedding day, it’s like I’m just one of their best friends with my camera in hand. Comfort with a person behind the camera can really show in photos on their big day. I used to have couples that would hire me and some not even really talk to me and it always felt so awkward.

So now, having time together with an engagement session is a MUST so we can get to know each other, because it honestly helps with the photos on the wedding day. During the engagement session (or even after), we stand around and talk about some wedding details and what my clients may be looking for on their big day. And I am theirs to message or call anytime for any thoughts that may be bouncing around in that head of theirs up until the wedding day.

Then, I send a wedding guide helping my clients prepare for their big day and my biggest resource that couples use is my wedding timeline guide. I do help with timeline assistance. While this helps with the bride and groom in the planning of the day and flow of their wedding, it also helps me to get the best lighting for the photos that matter the MOST on the wedding day.

Can you walk us through the process of hiring Memories by Candace for a wedding? 

I try to make the process of booking very simple. Couples go on my website and inquire with me about the date they are looking to set for their wedding day. I’ll try not to waste their time if I am not even available. I know that the task of planning a wedding can be time-consuming, so that is a goal of mine. So, I try to communicate back very quickly to couples that even inquire. Once I have approved the date and show them it is available, they complete their booking with a questionnaire so I can learn more about their day.

What sets Memories by Candace apart from others in the industry?

What sets Memories by Candace a part. Hmm…that’s a good question. I’ve been told it is our energy, ability to flow with anything, also even the fact that I do take charge especially when it comes to keeping to the timeline we have set with the bride and groom already. The bottom line is, I want to help keep things running smoothly, but also not stress too much when things fall behind. We quickly adjust well if things need to be changed at the drop of a hat. I’ll easily ask a vendor to get the bride and groom a drink. I’ll easily put them into a room alone if they need a moment to just take in the fact they are married. 

Really I let my clients speak for me in what sets me apart, but these are the many things I try to achieve and it’s more than just clicking a button on the day of. 

What is your favorite part about working in the wedding industry?

My favorite part is meeting all the people involved and the family and friends. It’s hearing the stories of the couple and sometimes I’m literally crying behind the camera at beautiful moments during the wedding ceremony. Wedding days are so joyful! And that’s truly something amazing to be a part of. Wedding days as a photographer can also be so fast paced and by the end of the night, you don’t realize you worked a full day until it’s done. Time flies when you are having fun.

How do you keep up with the latest wedding trends?

I keep up with wedding trends by being on social media and I’m a part of some Arizona Bride groups. Trends are always changing for sure and you need to make sure you are on board with those changes or open to new things. That’s what also makes wedding photography so fun! I adapt to change pretty well.

Can you share some valuable tips for couples planning their wedding? What are some common FAQs for Memories by Candace?

1. Planning a wedding is no joke and also trying to plan while sticking to a budget can be overwhelming. Prioritize your non-negotiables. Try to get this down to 3 things. What are the 3 most important things to you for your wedding day? Whatever it is, make sure those are the things you REALLY care about and spend the money on those things first. Invest in what matters.
2. Tune out the noise that says you should invite people based on social obligations! This is your day, you should stay true to how you want to do it.
3. As much as it seems that an “Unplugged wedding” is a trend, it is a TREND that I believe is here to stay. And as a photographer, we are ever so grateful when we see this. An unplugged wedding is not only an amazing opportunity for your guests to disconnect from their devices and to connect to the present moment but they also help me get unobscured shots of you and the rest of the ceremony.