We had the good fortune of connecting with John Winters and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi John, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
I always had a hard time being motivated when working for someone else. Nothing seemed to satisfy my desire to create and manage things the way I thought would work well.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My style and brand is centered around capturing moments as they happen – the beautiful, romantic, happy, sad, and inevitably hilarious fractions of a second throughout the day. To me, nothing is more beautiful than what’s in front of us. Blue skies or grey, Rain or shine, all of it is just as special and unique as the couples I photograph. I photograph and edit in a style that accentuates the way things actually are by using bold colors, candid photojournalism, and all topped off with a flare of creative portraiture.

Coming up in the wedding photo world, I was caught between shooting and editing the way I thought the industry wanted me to and how I wanted to see my images and photograph. The best advice I was ever given was to be unapologetically me with my intentions and style. Couples will notice authenticity and I’ll attract people who are actively searching for something different, fun, and creative.

As a business owner, this was a scary risk. I wanted to provide a product that was in demand so I could meet the needs of my clients. However, I’m not selling t-shirts or widgets. I’m giving couples the ability to have one of the most important days of their lives documented. The decision in choosing a photographer is an emotional one, so I pushed myself to pour my own emotion into my work by being honest to myself and creating something I love and am passionate about. My photos are an extension of my personality, experiences, and values. I truly believe couples can feel that in a photo and are attracted to images they can see themselves in.

As a result, I end up meeting people that feel more like friends than clients. Getting along and having fun is the best way to break the barrier between the camera and the couple. This allows for real, genuine connection and interaction that shines beautifully through their images.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m always looking for real culture and experiences. Visiting historic landmarks, old neighborhoods, and experiencing the history of the city is the best way to spend time.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I give an immense amount of credit to my family, friends, and partner Mallory (and let’s not forget our wonderful doggo, Mason!). They are the ones that have encouraged me to go get what I want out of life. They support me even when I think my work or business isn’t good enough and always cheer me on and help me see successes on my life.

Website: www.johnwintersphoto.com

Instagram: instagram.com/johnwintersphotography

Facebook: facebook.com/johnwintersphotography

Other: https://www.theknot.com/marketplace/john-winters-photo-austin-tx-892109

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutDFW is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.