I Know This Is a Partnership
Wedding planners don’t just hire photographers — and as an NYC wedding planner photographer, I understand that completely. You put your reputation on the line every time you make a recommendation. If I show up late, miss a moment, or create drama on the floor, that reflects on you. Twenty-five years in, I take that seriously.
I’ve been doing this for twenty-five years. I’ve worked with some of the best planners in New York and beyond, and what I’ve learned is that the best planner-photographer relationships are genuinely collaborative. You know your couples. I know how to photograph them. When those two things work together, the day runs better and the images are better.
The Theatre Background Nobody Expects
Here’s something that doesn’t show up in most photographer bios: I come from a theatre background. And I don’t mean that loosely — I mean I understand production. Stage management. Run of show. The architecture of how a live event is built, sequenced, and executed in real time.
When I look at a wedding timeline, I’m not just thinking about where to stand for the first dance. I’m thinking about the whole arc of the day — the transitions, the pacing, the moments where the energy builds and the moments where it needs to breathe. I understand what it means to run a show. I understand that the production manager’s job is to make the talent look good and the audience feel something without ever becoming the story themselves.
That’s how I think about my role on a wedding day. I’m part of your production team. I want to understand the creative vision you’ve built — the details, the design, the emotional intention behind the choices — so that my photographs honor it rather than just document it. The best images come from a photographer who understands what the day is supposed to feel like, not just what it looks like.
If you’re a planner who loves talking about the creative process, the back-end logistics, the craft of building an event — I am that person. I genuinely love those conversations. Getting to know planners isn’t just about building a referral network for me. It’s about becoming part of a creative collaboration that makes the work better for everyone.
What Planners Tell Me They Value
I’m easy to work with. Not just professionally easy — actually easy. I’m bright, I’m present, I’m fun on a wedding day without being a distraction. Couples relax around me and that shows up in the photographs.
I’m responsive. Emails get answered. Questions get addressed. If there’s a timeline change at 10pm the night before, I’m the person who responds. Planners who have worked with me more than once know they’re not going to be chasing me down.
I’m collaborative. I’m not precious about my process. If you have a vision for how the day should flow, I want to hear it. I’m here to support the event you’ve built, not to impose my own agenda on top of it.
I know the industry — organizations like the Association of Bridal Consultants exist for good reason. I know who’s in the room. I know how to work alongside other vendors without creating friction. I know when to be invisible and when to step forward. The planner is always in charge of the day — my job is to document it beautifully without getting in the way of that.
Destination Work
This is where I think I genuinely stand out. I’ve shot destination weddings in Iceland, France, Finland, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, the Florida Keys, Colorado, California, Arizona, and throughout the northeast. I’ve climbed a glacier in crampons. I’ve shot in 80-degree Caribbean heat when the venue’s AC failed and nobody missed a frame. I’ve navigated international legal requirements, foreign vendor relationships, and travel logistics that would rattle a less experienced photographer.
For planners who do destination work, the photographer’s travel reliability matters enormously. I don’t fly in the morning of. I arrive early, I orient myself, and I show up to your event ready — not jet-lagged, not scrambling, not figuring things out on the fly. You can see the full range of my destination work in my destination wedding portfolio.
The Practical Stuff
I work cleanly and quietly on a wedding day. I don’t need hand-holding or a dedicated point of contact to babysit me through the timeline. I’ve been doing this long enough that I know how a wedding day moves and I move with it.
I’m insured, I carry backup equipment, and I deliver galleries on time. These should be baseline expectations for any photographer — I mention them because I know they’re not always met, and I want you to know they will be with me.
I work primarily in New York City, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, the Hudson Valley, New Jersey, and Connecticut, and I travel extensively for destination work. If you’re a planner working in any of these markets and you’re looking to add a photographer to your trusted vendor list, I’d genuinely love to connect.
What I’m Looking For
I’ll be honest: I’m actively looking to build relationships with more planners. I’m well-established in the New York market but I’m always looking to expand those partnerships — particularly for destination work, luxury weddings, and anything that requires a photographer who can handle complexity without making it your problem.
If you want to see my work, my wedding galleries are the best place to start. If you want to talk, reach out directly — I respond fast.
Frequently Asked Questions: Working With Susan Stripling
Do you work with planners on a preferred vendor basis?
Yes — and I take those relationships seriously. If we work well together, I want to be someone you feel confident recommending. That means being reliable, communicative, and excellent at the job every single time.
What markets do you cover?
New York City, Brooklyn, Philadelphia, the Hudson Valley, New Jersey, Connecticut, and destinations worldwide. For a full picture of my destination work, my destination wedding portfolio covers the range.
Do you have a second shooter available for larger weddings?
Always, and I can bring a third and fourth as needed. This is worth discussing during the booking process so we can build it into the scope from the start.
How do you handle timeline changes on the day?
I adapt. Timelines shift, ceremonies run long, cocktail hours get compressed. I’ve been doing this for twenty-five years and I’ve seen everything. My job is to make sure the photography doesn’t add stress to your day — it should be one less thing you’re managing.
You mentioned a theatre background — what does that mean practically?
It means I think about a wedding the way a stage manager thinks about a production. I understand run of show, pacing, transitions, and the architecture of a live event. I want to understand the creative vision you’ve built so my photographs honor it. Those conversations — about intention, design, the emotional arc of the day — are genuinely some of my favorite parts of this work.
What’s your turnaround time for galleries?
Outlined in my contract and consistent. I don’t disappear after the wedding. Galleries are delivered on time and couples are kept informed throughout the editing process.
How do we get started?
Reach out here — tell me about your business and the kinds of weddings you work on. I’d love to have a conversation.
If you’re a wedding planner looking for a photographer who will make your job easier and your couples happier — and who genuinely loves talking about the creative process — I’d love to hear from you.
