The Talented Dave Getzschman

To say Dave Getzschman is a talented photographer is like saying Motzart is a good composer. A drastic understatement. Maybe even a petty crime.

But I don’t need to tell you that. Nor do you need to hear he’s been named one of the top 10 — and top 5 — wedding photographers in the world. All you need to do is look at his photos, and you’ll immediately know he’s good. Really good. The type of good that leaves your jaw cemented to the floor.

At least, that’s where mine was the first time I flipped through his portfolio.

I’d been looking through photographer after photographer for 8 hours straight, and my eyes had glazed over out of sheer boredom. I’d seen ring shots and bouquet shots. Table setting shots and invitation shots. Kissing shots and lineup shots. What I hadn’t seen was a wow-me shot.

Reading the defeat on my face, Brent slide in next to me. “Let me show you something. I think you’ll like it,” he remarked with a wink.

And that’s when my jaw hit the floor.

In a world of cookie-cutter wedding photos where the story of the day is told through pretty accouterments and awkward set-up shots, Dave’s photos stand out like a beacon in the night for one very simple reason. He focuses his lens on what truly matters during the day: the people.

You won’t find a single flower shot in his entire portfolio. Instead, you’ll feel as though you’re reliving the day. The smiles. The tears. The awkward expressions. The laughs. He captures it all in stunningly beautiful, artistic detail. Detail so crisp and raw and honest, the emotion is palpable.

And that’s exactly what we wanted. Of course, there is one problem with Dave’s style of photos. To get the most beautiful shots, you, the subject, must wear your heart on your sleeve. And if you’re like me, that’s not the easiest of tasks — especially when you have a camera in your face.

Fortunately, Dave’s the kind of guy that can calm a raging sea of nerves. Kind and easy going, with a sense of humor. Case in point: When I complimented his work, he cracked a joke and then credited his associates Ben and Erin Chrisman — whose portfolios will also make you weep — for his talent.

How many best in the worlds have that much modesty?

I can’t imagine many. But we’ll see if his holds true when I meet him for the first time tomorrow before our big day. I’m guessing it will.

To see Dave’s entire portfolio, visit Chrisman Studios. And be sure to scroll to the bottom of this post. In addition to being a wedding photographer, Dave’s also an accomplished photojournalist and landscape photographer. In fact his landscapes are so beautiful, you’ll want them on your wall. To see his non-wedding work, visit his photojournalism portfolio.