Lisa Nordmann of Nordmann Photography

Coffee Talk with Lisa Nordmann of Nordmann Photography

It doesn't take much to see why Nordmann Photography is one of the top photography studios in the St. Louis area. This family-owned and operated studio offers couples beautiful wedding photography and a friendly, service-oriented atmosphere. We had the pleasure of speaking with Lisa Nordmann, the matriarch of Nordmann Photography and a gifted wedding photographer, over a steaming cup of tea.

WC: With a successful professional career in sports photography, what made you decide to switch creative gears and delve into the realm of wedding photography?

LN: When I first started out in photography, the action of sports photography fascinated me. I love sports, my children played sports, and I come from a family that is very sports-oriented. I loved the fast pace of the game which helped me tremendously in my style of wedding photography. It is all about capturing that decisive moment. The transition was very simple because the action never stops at a wedding or sporting event.

WC: How would you categorize your photography style?

LN: I don't really put us into a single category. I think we do a lot of photojournalistic photography. We are always looking to capture things that are taking place. We're looking for interaction between the bride and groom, family and guests. We photograph a lot of details at the wedding. Brides spend so much time and money on the small details that we feel it is important to have a lasting memory of them.

We also have a lot of fun with the bride and groom by giving simple directions like "run towards us" or "just talk to one another". It is amazing the natural expressions that you get with a simple direction. We are always pushing to expand our creativity.

WC: Which style is your favorite?

LN: We really don't have a favorite style because we photograph each moment according to what is appropriate at that time. However, I love to show a lot of movement and ambient light to capture the mood.

WC: Do you photograph in black & white, in color, or both?

LN: We photograph in both mediums. Both are situation appropriate. Black & white photography reveals more emotion. Color photography reveals more of the beauty of the day.

WC: Nordmann Photography is a family-owned and oriented business. Can you tell us a little bit about the photographers working for Nordmann and what each brings to the company?

LN: In 2000, my son Paul took over the sports photography and it is now called Nordmann Sports. (www.nordmannsports.com) He is extremely talented and, being an athlete himself, always knows the decisive moments in a sporting event.

My other son, Timothy, is our videographer and his company is called Nordmann Productions. His background is in sports and wedding photography. His videography is very innovative and creative.

Nichole Halbert, our other wedding photographer, has been with the company for four years. She has a background in fine arts with an emphasis in photography. She has brought a different perspective to our wedding photography. She constantly looks to push the envelope, which gives a certain edge to her photography, and has helped bring Nordmann Photography to where it is today. She also designs all of our albums, which our clients love.

Read other interviews at the Club Cafe.