Gold Sponsor | Sarah D’Ambra Photography

If you are more of a sunset over sunrise type, love to travel, appreciate Scandinavian design, and love little pups named Stanley, then you may be just the right client for Sarah D’Ambra (or you may be her?) 

Sister-duo, Sarah and Madeline D’Ambra, are the gals behind the lens that make-up Sarah D’Ambra Photography. Their creative process consists of never having enough golden hour shots and to have their subjects feel totally relaxed and natural to capture the perfect moment. 

Meet Sarah and Madeline at the OBXWA Wedding Weekend + Expo on March 5th and 6th to get to know them a little better to see if they would be the right fit for your Outer Banks wedding.

Get tickets for the two-day show here. Read more about Sarah D’Ambra Photography below in our Q&A.

When did you begin photographing weddings? 

I began photographing weddings in 2010. 

What inspired you to take a hobby and make it your full-time job (if it wasn’t already)?

I began shooting my friend’s engagement sessions around my college campus. At the beginning (when I really didn’t know what I was doing!) I was one of the few people on campus who had a DSLR camera. Word spread, and I started shooting a lot more couples and families who lived in the area as I finished up my last semester. I always enjoyed the artististic and creative side to photography. As I continued to work with different subjects, I began to realize how much I enjoyed working with people. Photography gave me the unique ability to shoot the things that I liked and at the same time, I could build client relationships.

What would you say is the most difficult part of your job? 

There’s a couple of things within wedding photography that can make my job more difficult at times:

1. Specific to the OBX, anytime it’s insanely windy on the beach, my job gets 1,000 times more complex. I would almost take rain over wind anyday. This is why I think it’s SO IMPORTANT to hire a photographer who is local to the area who’s accustomed to those elements.
2. Another big one is when a client or couple chooses not to hire a professional Day-of-Coordinator. Weddings are a machine of multi-faceted moving parts. Regardless of your wedding size, your guests, family, wedding party, and vendors NEED a command center. Photographers spend the majority of the wedding day with the couple, so when there’s no coordinator present, that responsibility by default falls to them (or will fall to the couple which is almost worse!) Oftentimes our job is compromised and we miss something because we’re too busy connecting with the DJ on what comes next. Long story short, hire a planner, you won’t regret it and your vendors will love you!!

How does a photographer stand out amongst dozens of other local photographers, and the many more that people may want to hire from out-of-town?

We are a sister team, meaning I shoot primarily with my sister Madeline. That in itself is a pretty cool dynamic that sets us apart. If you follow our work, there is a pretty specific pattern of golden hour. Whenever we post to social media, I try to make sure we’ve emphasized golden hour or a golden warm hue in some way. Our subject posing is intentional with a “hands on” specific direction and instructions method. We are very involved with telling our clients what to do when being photographed. Our edits are warm, and bold, high in contrast with a subtle grainy texture that give us a kodak film appearance. We make room for romance and emotion, all while making sure our clients look like their most vulnerable and natural selves. These elements definitely set us apart. 

The Outer Banks are beautiful, we all know that. Name the top three hidden gem locations that you love to shoot at. 

Anywhere along the Cape Hatteras National Seashore, morning or evening! Coquina Beach is a personal favorite! The Town of Duck boardwalk at sunset. 

Off of that question, what are your favorite places to travel to for photos? 

I love NYC, Paris and anywhere in Scandinavia! I’ve been to all three numerous times and never get tired of shooting in those locations! 

Where have you traveled to for destination weddings?

I’ve traveled up and down the East Coast pretty extensively for weddings and have been as far as Astoria, Oregon. 

For a couple looking for a photographer for the full day-of, from getting ready in the bridal suite, to that grand exit, how much are we talking?

That’s such a tough question because it’s so relative to geographic location. On the OBX, a full day of photography coverage (which is a minimum of 8 hours that includes two photographers) should cost roughly between $3,000-$4,000. We fall right in the middle at $3,500. 

Describe your dream couple. 

Dream couple: Lovers who connect with my work. And I mean REALLY connect in a, “We don’t care how much you cost we have to have you!” way. Not afraid to step out of their comfort zone. Trust me 110%. Must share the same obsession for red/orange sunsets and golden hour. Chill. Respect my time. And they hired a planner, haha!

Are there any trends in wedding photography that you are tired of seeing?

I am done photographing donuts in lieu of a wedding cake. I’d much rather see a cake paired with a diverse dessert bar. I don’t know if I’m allowed to say this, but I hate the shoe game, the dollar dance, and any form of group choreographed dancing. Songs like cupid shuffle and wobble, make me cringe. Haha! Regardless of my personal taste, I’ll be there to serve our couples and make their sweet little hearts happy. So, you do you!! 

Are there any trends on the rise in wedding photography that you are excited about?

I’m loving the absence of greenery and the neutral trend that’s hitting the entire design industry right now. 

Favorite things to do when you aren’t behind the lens.

Sounds cliche, but I love being a mom to my daughter Fjord. Parenthood has really brought a level of fulfillment to my life that I never imagined would be so wonderful. Spending time with my husband and daughter is a huge priority. I’m also usually doing something with one of our Airbnb listings. Redoing our ‘80s beach box, and designing pretty spaces for guests to stay in has really become a helpful creative outlet for me so I don’t get burned out doing weddings all the time.

Header Image | Kasey Powell Weddings

All Other Photos | Sarah D’Ambra Photography