Vendors Unveiled: MereMatt Studios

In our latest edition of Vendors Unveiled, we get the opportunity to learn more about Reina McCuskey of MereMatt Studios in Westport, CT. I met Reina approximately 5 years ago when I was in the process of finding a photographer for my own wedding. I found her online and instantly fell in love with her work. After I contacted her and assured she was available on my wedding day... I hired her on the spot!

Reina captured the most cherished memories of my wedding. From an artistic photo of my neglected shoes as I danced away in the night in the background, or the image of my brand-new husband and I kissing when we didn't realize anyone was watching... she truly told the story of the best day of my life through her lens. On top of being an amazing photographer, her personality really put me at ease. As I was getting ready the day of the wedding with my bridesmaids, I felt like Reina was just another member of my bridal party. That is a VERY important attribute that certainly helped this camera shy chick!



Name: Reina McCuskey

Website: http://www.merematt.com/

Blog: merematt.bigfolioblog.com

Where are you located, and what geographical area(s) do you service?
I'm based out of Westport, CT and cover the NY Metro and New England area.

How long have you been in business?
Just over 5 years.

What drew you to photography as a profession?
I can remember being very young and looking through my mother's photo albums filled with images of her youth and her family and friends. There were beautiful b&w images - some dating back to the early 1900s - that were so expressive and filled with meaning and family history. When I had children of my own, I felt compelled to recreate the look of those early albums for them. I began studying the art of photography, and learned to develop and print my film images, which were viewed by family and friends. Before long, I was asked to photograph christenings and weddings and I suppose you could say one thing led to another...It was also the perfect lifestyle choice for me given that I had young children at home. I was able to work and still be at home with them while they were babies.

What do you feel sets you apart as a photographer?
That's a difficult question to answer. I really believe I have to leave that for others to judge. My style of photography has evolved over the years from a purists' love of developing and printing the black and white candids I captured on film to embracing the digital culture and the possibilities it has opened for my creative expression... but I suppose the one constant is that I view my work in terms of whether it will stand the test of time... Technically, did I nail the exposure and composition? Will it evoke a sense of the day or moment in time when it's viewed by my subject's grandchildren 30 or 40 years down the road? Have I captured and presented something I myself would treasure and pass on as an heirloom?...these are the ultimate goals for me.

What do you love most about your job?
The feeling I get when I know I've captured something special. You know, it really is a privilege to be asked to photograph a wedding. You're being entrusted with the task of documenting a very special moment in time, and I absolutely love it when, at the end of the day, I know I've captured the essence of the day, and all of the special moments and details that go into making their experience unique among all others.

If you had to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?
Observant.

As always, if you have a vendor you would like to suggest for a future installment of Vendors Unveiled, please email us!