Do you ever wonder what working as a wedding photographer is like? We thought it'd involve pre-ceremony jitters, dodging flying confetti and snapping cute pics of couples doing cute things – but what if we told you that it was so much more?

Enter Brooke of Brooke Arte Studio and Rachael Khoo – two wedding photographers armed with a camera and an eye for detail and all things love. They dedicate their time to capturing the most beautiful and intimate moments of a couple's special day and gave us some insight into what life is like behind the lens.L: Rachael Khoo. R: Brooke Arte Studio

LOVE IS A CELEBRATION To photograph a wedding is to understand how important the event is. There’s nothing more beautiful than seeing love right in front of you – and for Brooke and Rachael, love is one of the most adorable things a wedding day can have. “In Western culture, we don’t have many traditions or things that really connect us but weddings are one of those things,” Brooke says. “People would not go to work and would inconvenience themselves to attend a wedding. I feel like that’s important because so often we’re just all about convenience and what suits us. It’s a day of love and that’s pretty cool.”

“There’s something magical about being part of someone’s best day, seeing them surrounded by love and kindness,” Rachael adds. “Weddings are such a beautiful celebration of connection, and it’s incredible to witness how two people come together to navigate life as one.”

IT’S ALL ABOUT CONNECTION AND INTIMACY As a wedding photographer, your main goal is to compile a gallery that feels honest and intimate, and that reflects the couple’s love – but to really hit the jackpot, you’ve gotta build a relationship with the couple first. “I can’t fully capture their essence unless I get to know them first,” says Rachael. “We spend time together before the big day – chatting, planning and ironing out details. By the time their wedding comes around, we’re not just photographers and clients; we’re friends, and that connection shows in the photos.”

Brooke agrees. “True intimacy requires real observation – you need to really feel seen, known and vulnerable,” she says. “Throughout a wedding day, I’m focused on a couple and their interactions with each other, like a hand on the knee and the glances… All those little moments are a call for intimacy and I feel like that’s so special.”

BUILD MEMORIES, NOT A FOLIO Sometimes the story behind the photos is worth more than capturing the ‘perfect’ shot. Brooke is all about creating memories and understanding how to make a pic feel authentic. “I hate when there are multiple people all trying to capture the couple or tell the couple what to do,” she says. “Like we’re all missing the point here: this is not a styled shoot, this is not some sort of campaign or commercial event – this is someone’s wedding.

“It’s all about creating moments for these photos. This is the foundation and first day of their marriage, their commitment and the legacy that they’re going to build.”L: snap by Rachael Khoo. R: snap by Brooke Arte Studio.

LOOK BEYOND THE CHALLENGES There are times when weddings can be a tad stressful for photographers, especially when things don’t go as planned. It could be an annoying creative block, a tight schedule, or the sun deciding to be your worst enemy. But the important thing is to not let these issues affect the day and your couple. “It’s a constant dance – balancing spontaneity, time and the unpredictability of light,” Rachael says. “I adapt as I go, making sure I capture the day in the most authentic and beautiful way possible, no matter what comes my way.”

As for Brooke, no creative idea should be more important than the couple. “You’ll always be thinking bigger, like ‘we can do this’ or ‘we can do that’, and that generation of ideas is so exciting,” she says. “But it also can be frustrating if you don't know how to hone that in… Now, I’ve realised that if I can just capture the couple, and they feel good and feel like themselves, that is my number one priority.”

BE PATIENT WITH YOURSELF Creativity always has room to grow, even if you think there’s no room left. Discovering more about yourself has been the ultimate game-changer for Brooke and Rachael. “Allow yourself room to fail,” Rachael says. “Your style will emerge in the most unexpected places if you give yourself permission to feel, grow, and experiment. Don’t be afraid to try new things – that’s where the magic happens.”

“Learn more about yourself because I think everyone has something beautiful to bring to the world,” Brooke adds. “Explore what resonates with you and see what your core values are. You’re a mirror for these people but through photography. So I feel like if you don’t know yourself, then how can you know them?”

For more small-business stories like this, visit frankie.com.au/strictly-business, or sign up to our monthly e-newsletter. Have a small-business story you’d like to share? Pitch it to us.