5 Questions for Aurora, Photographer

1. How did you become a Photographer?

I have always been fascinated by stories told through images. My dad was an enthusiastic photography hobbyist and he gave me my first camera when I was seven years old. I still remember the first picture I took, it was of my grandfather sitting in our kitchen! At the time, though, it was not easy to learn about film making or photography in Vicenza, Italy, where I am from. So I moved to Los Angeles after high school to learn film making and then to San Francisco to attend the prestigious San Francisco Art Institute where I pursued my interest in fine art photography.

2. What do you love the most about photography?

I like to take time to create one perfect still frame. I still love film making and I just completed a short documentary film that will premiere on PBS this Fall, but I love the challenge of telling a story with just one image, no sound, no music, no motion. I bring a lot of my film making background to my photography: I plan a lot, I like team work and I use some of the skills I learned as a director when working with couples of individuals in order to help them show with movement and expression what they feel inside. Photography is the art of showing instead of telling.

3. Why "green"? 

I don't think we are ever alone and independent of each other. We live in a community and the planet is our shared space. To me being green means taking care of the environment and of other people. Environmental justice goes hand in hand with economic and social justice. I can't imagine being happy and fulfilled and not sharing that with all those near and far.

4. Do you only photograph weddings? 

Wedding photography is my favorite, but I also photograph families and Bar and Bat Mitzvahs. I like to capture love and the relationships that make life meaningful. Some of us have not been blessed with a healthy family of origin, but we found the love and support of friends and partners. I want to celebrate that closeness.

 5. What is your role in Locally Grown Weddings and how do you work with the team? 

I founded Locally Grown Weddings with Sadie and Stephanie almost 2 years ago.  Since then the group has grown to include Madeline, Angela and Pei-Yee. I, of course, take all the pictures and create most of the visual content for our blog and printed material. The entire team works closely together to create a unique event for our couples and to make each wedding sustainable. I feel so lucky to have the support of these incredibly talented women who have expertise and skills so different and  complimentary to mine.

Locally Grown Weddings Featured Member:

Aurora Meneghello, Photographer