Spotlight | Studio 6.23

Mindy & Ben Peterson of Studio 6.23 are not new to the Pearls Events blog, however you may remember them at This Photo Story (post one, post two, post three...you get the idea!) Mindy & Ben have gone through a rebranding process and I'm totally diggin' their new look! How can you not smile when you see a colorful logo like that?!

Mindy and I sat down for lunch at Marie Catrib's last fall, followed by a bit of antiquing around Grand Rapids. Although I wanted to feature her on the blog a long time ago, Ben & Mindy wanted to wait until Studio 6.23 was ready to flaunt, and I'm SO glad they did - don't you love their new logo? I did a little Q+A with Ben & Mindy, which I hope you enjoy.

What inspires your work?

M: everything! there is not much that does not inspire me.... my surroundings, design, colors, textures and of course, PEOPLE!

B: the people we're working with! i can have all kinds of thoughts about the shots i'm hoping to get, but people have a way of giving you things you never expected. those shots are always the best.

How long have you been shooting weddings?

M: i shot my first wedding three years ago. i LOVED the whole experience...the emotions, the details, the commitment and all the love...fabulous!

B: i started shooting weddings with mindy last year. before that, i hired a lot of photographers and was used to being in charge...oh the good ol' days. :)

If you could photograph any wedding, what bride & groom would you pick?

M: wow.... given a blank slate, i'd say a bride and groom that are not only deeply in love, but willing to be adventurous with their details, colors, venues (greece, anyone?!!!) love + fun + retro + sincere + stylish= my dream wedding to shoot!

B: original people that want to create an original day! i'm inspired by brides and grooms that take risks with their details and moments and create a day that is genuinely "them!"

what's in your camera bag?

M + B: a new canon 5D mark II (love it!!!), canon 5D, 24-70 mm 2.8L, 15 mm 2.8 fisheye, 70-200 mm 2.8L, 50 mm 1.4, 100 mm 2.8 macro, 17-40 mm 4.0, lots of memory cards, extra batteries, a 580 EXII flash and 420 EX flash.
M: you will also find a pack of gum in my bag for the cotton mouth that creeps in halfway through the day and of course, my trusty, no-kiss-off lipstick! go ahead and try, ben!! :)
B: a big black hole that always wants to be filled with new lenses and widgets. :)

What's your signature shot?
M: i would say detail shots with flair (dresses, rings, shoes, etc...) and cool rockstar shots of brides and grooms.... LOVE those!
B: straight lines with edgy crops. i know it's a signature shot when i have to explain "why i took it that way" to my grandma.