DECO AURORA: Capturing Your Unique Story Through Her Photography

Still looking for a wedding photographer? Look no further!

Name: Janet Wheeland

Occupation: O.C. Based Wedding and Portrait Photographer

Company: Wheeland Photography

How did you get started?

I stepped into Photography a little backwards than most. I studied Graphic Design at Cal State Fullerton and started a job as an image editor for a high end photography studio, LaNeve Photography. The two photographers at the studio bought me my first "real" camera right before I left to study in Italy for a summer. I learned a lot working at the studio and started taking Photography classes at CSUF. The classes and the studio drove my passion into a career. I then sough out Wedding Photographers that I could second shoot for and learned all I could. I also began shooting at the OC ShootOuts, and any workshop I could find, growing my network of Photographers and meeting a lot of great people.

How do you describe your artistic style as a photographer and has it changed?

I love bright, vibrant images and love to capture laughter. I like to have a balanced mix of Portraiture and Photojournalism. I shoot wide and tight to express the fullness of each couple's story. I will give direction but always want the shots to be natural and full of their unique personalities and real moments.

Weddings are great to photograph because there is always something happening so you don't always have to give a lot of direction. That's when I get to be a "ninja photographer" and just capture the moments as they happen.

What training or schooling did you go through to become a photographer?

Learning the technical side of Photography was one of my biggest hurdles to get around. I learned the basics at CSUF, researched on my own, and learned from having great mentors and life experience. I am very grateful to Matthew Saville and Scott Robert Lim for all their instruction and inspiration.

Where would you like to see yourself in 5 years as a photographer?

I am very excited to see my Photography business grow and over just even the past year I have almost tripled the amount of Weddings I have photographed. In 5 years I'd like to focus on shooting more exclusively Weddings and take on a third photographer to my team so I can be sure to give my clients the best coverage.

Any advice for those interested in pursuing photography as a career?

Camera equipment can be expensive so it's good to know where to invest. The thing that really makes your images look crisp and professional is having a good lens, so bite the bullet and invest in a quality lens. My 50mm 1.2/f is my rock. I named my lens "Rafael" - both a fighter and an artist.

Second, practice, practice, practice! Take your friends and family out and do Photo shoots. Constantly be shooting and it will help you learn and find your own style. Three key ingredients that I use to capture unique and creative photos are: interesting angles, unique focal points, good lighting.