I never wanted any of this.
Not becoming a photographer, not specializing in weddings, and certainly not the emotional insight and wisdom that comes with hearing pastors, priests, rabbis, fathers, grandfathers, mothers, grandmothers, all bear their soul and every ounce of information and advice they’ve learned in regards to love and in regards to life.
This was never part of ‘my plan’. I graduated from the University of Waterloo at 21 and jumped right into audio engineering at Metalworks. Creating music and working inside a studio was ALWAYS the plan – ever since I was 16 and fell in love with hip-hop.
Since randomly getting my hands on a camera at 21/22 after a quick YouTube career failure with friends, I knew immediately I had to be real and honest with myself. I was a terrible audio engineer however this was something I knew and felt I had a connection with. I dived all in and since then photography has taken me all around the world. Iceland. Mexico. St. Lucia. St. Martin. Dominican Republic. United Kingdom. All across the United States. And of course every back alley, side street, and nature spot in my hometown of Toronto and Southern Ontario.
I actually still can’t believe it and honestly can’t picture my life without photography at this point in time. It’s crazy to think that wedding photography is one of the main driving forces in my life now. The opportunities and experiences I’ve had are things I’ll always be truly grateful for.
One of my biggest hurdles in the beginning was learning that the technical side of things doesn’t really matter that much. It’s crucial to know everything like the back of your hand and be able to change settings on the fly to adapt to any environment and situation, but that’s really really just the beginning.
The real skill of a good photographer is the ability to genuinely connect.
What’s the use of having the best camera and the dreamiest lense but yet you can’t create a comfortable environment for your subject or you can’t convey your idea for a particular image?
I struggled with this for years. Years, literally! As someone who’s naturally introverted and quite reserved around strangers, this was hell for me to learn and hell for me to get better at. Every weekend I need to spend the morning and afternoon socializing with 2 families that are complete strangers to me and possibly each other? I need to make them feel comfortable, relaxed, but not too relaxed as I also need them to know and to follow my instructions? Oh and there’s a bridal party of possibly up to 18, 19, 20 people? It’s happened more than a few times. Oh and there’s wedding planners, venue co-ordinators, caterers, videographers, and other event staff to work with? Then after an entire day of juggling personalities just as I head into the home stretch I need to spend the night being in a room with 100 to 350 guests and also mingle with them, capture their candid moments, their portraits, all while never missing a beat on what the bride & groom are doing?
*inhales & exhales to catch a breath*
If that sounded physically and emotionally exhausting, it’s because it is. Luckily I’ve gotten pretty darn good at it over the years. Flip the switch and I’m on. Cracking jokes, raising my voice politely to instruct large groups of people, and managing all the aforementioned personalities to guarantee I capture and deliver the best work and also making sure the day goes as the bride & groom envisioned.
*inhales & exhales to catch a breath once again*
Finding good light, deciding on the camera lens, and actually taking the photograph is honestly the easier part of the day for me at this point. When you’ve been photographing full-time over the past 6 years with over 150 weddings under your belt the process itself can’t help but make it the easier part of the day to be honest.
This was definitely a long winded way of introducing myself and a bit of what I do but I definitely hope it gives you some insight into things – that is if you made it this far into reading.
After running my personal business, Derek Hui Photography, for 6 years it was such a great relief to find Andre, a close personal friend and a business partner, who is just as talented as me in capturing and creating moments but also understands just how to be a great guy to everyone on a wedding day while also keeping a tight leash on the schedule and objectives.
Thus… The Mariner Agency is created. And I’m SO. EXCITED. TO. BEGIN : )
