Parker J. Pfister: Best Wedding Photographers 2011

A student of spontaneity, Parker Pfister treats each wedding like a new adventure. During his career he’s cultivated a photojournalistic style that’s notable for its personal feel and visual variety. But his quirky eye wasn’t always welcome when Pfister started shooting weddings with his father in the small town of Hillsboro, Ohio. “The way I like to shoot was seen as just playing around,” he explains. “Many brides want that style now, but back then they didn’t at all. Ever.” The disconnect led Pfister to abandon weddings and turn his attention to large-format landscape photography. But when he returned to wedding photography in 1999, tastes had evolved (as had his skills). He says one of the most important elements of his work is getting to know his clients and building a rapport before the event. Just don’t try telling him where to shoot. “I work best from the hip,” he explains. “When the venue’s management says, ‘This is where you can shoot the bride and groom, this is a great spot for the wedding party,’ those places are immediately off-limits for me. I want to give my clients something different. That’s why they book me.”