Wedding Professional Wednesday: Victoria Buus - Elegant Imagery

It's Wednesday!! Of course today is our weekly feature on Central Florida Wedding Professionals. Our Wedding Professional Wednesday series has given you the opportunity to learn about the great professionals in the area. Today's featured professional is the ever fabulous Victoria Buus from Elegant Imagery! I met Victoria earlier this year and she is such a wonderful person. Victoria has a fabulous eye and is a consumate professional.

We were delighted to have the opportunity to learn a little bit more about her and Elegant Imagery. We hope this gives you some insight into the woman behind the lens.


Name: Victoria Buus

Name of your Company: Elegant Imagery Photography

Location: Florida, New York, Worldwide

Number of Years in Business: Elegant Imagery is a fourth generation family owned business and has been capturing weddings for 35+ years.
Victoria has been photographing professionally for approximately 10 years.

Website: www.elegantimageryphoto.com

Blog Address: www.elegantimageryphoto.blogspot.com

Twitter and/or facebook fan page:
Twitter: PhotoQueenV
Business: ElegantImagery
Facebook: www.facebook.com/elegantimagery

Tell us a little about your business and the services you offer:
Wedding Photography with the variety of traditional, modern, photojournalistic, candid, romantic and artistic. We also have a Photo Booth for wedding receptions.

How did you get started in the Wedding Industry?
I have been in the wedding industry my entire life. My father, a 3rd generation photographer, has been capturing weddings for over 35 years and I have been photographing them since I was 14 years old. At a younger age I was always helping out and constantly had a camera in hand taking pictures.

What professional/industry organizations are you a member of?
Perfect Wedding Guide, Professional Photographers of America (PPA), the Knot, and the Association of Bridal Consultants (ABC).

Joie de Vie's additional commentary: The PPA is the world’s largest
nonprofit association for professional photographers. You should always ask your
professionals what organizations they participate in. The PPA sets a high
standard for its members and also helps them increase their knowledge of trends
and creative image making. ABC is also an international association. Like the
PPA, ABC sets a standard of ethics for its members as well.

Any industry awards or recognition?
2009 Best Photographer, 2008-2009 Real Wedding Award from The Knot, we have been featured in several local and national magazine publications, and television shows such as Lifetime Television’s Get Married.

Furthest place and/or interesting place you’ve travelled to while working on a wedding assignment?
I travel all over and the one place that never fails to amaze me is fabulous New York City!

The craziest thing you’ve ever done to get “THE SHOT”? Besides getting in water, stepping on ledges, and pulling amazing balancing acts, I would have to say sneaking up on birds at the beach. I went to one side and my bride and groom were on the other. Instead of walking, they decided to run through the birds. Of course I never thought about what direction they would fly (birds fly up, right?!)….they flew directly at me. Instead of running, I kept taking pictures. I felt like I was in a Hitchcock movie!

Joie de Vie's commentary: Sadly, when Victoria said this…I pictured her doing it in high heels! LOL

What is your signature shot?
In other words if someone saw a particular shot they would immediately relate it to your company. Every weekend, my goal is to create a new signature shot for my bride and groom. However, there is one I took of a couple in New Zealand I have received the most response from. The bride is laughing, lifting up her dress and you can see all her bridesmaids in the background giggling.

What are a few suggestions you would make to couples as they are selecting a photographer/photojournalist for their wedding?
Photography is the most important part of the wedding day as it is all you will have left to treasure forever. You want a reputable, experienced, organized photographer whom offers a variety of styles and dedicates their life to wedding photography... Not a weekend warrior!

Your thoughts on ‘first look’ photos or bride and groom photos prior to the ceremony?
The best idea ever. Take advantage of the day and spend time taking the photos you want. Not only will you have all the pictures you desire, you can actually attend your cocktail hour and relax! It benefits the bride as her hair, makeup and flowers are fresh. We still capture the priceless look on the groom’s face when he sees her for the first time and the pictures are much more intimate and special as you have time together to enjoy that moment.

Having a “first look” before the ceremony allows flexibility for the bride and groom and photographer while allowing more time to capture the photos the couple want. It is becoming the new “tradition”, but if you want to keep things traditional, you must have a photographer who understands how to make the most out of the time given to them.

I have worked wonders in 30-45 minutes with a bride and groom. Of course we love the 1-1/2 hours if possible, but this is a wedding, not a photo shoot where you can get the shot later. You only have once chance to get the shot, so make sure you have a confident and organized professional photographer.

Your thoughts on the importance of a coordinator in the vendor team dynamic?
I LOVE an organized coordinator. I am a very detailed person and it is wonderful to have another person help make the most use out of the time. Best use out of time=Optimum pictures. Organization is key!

Something you would like to see couples do more of with their wedding photography?
Of course “First Look” and more details! Details are eye candy for our cameras.
All of the coordinators and I thank you for this. Brides spend so much time on little details for their wedding. It is a fabulous thing when photographers capture the details!!

What are a few trends and innovations you have seen in wedding photography?
A huge trend right now is having a Photo Booth at the wedding reception. Our Photo Booth allows the guests to take home a souvenir/favor from the wedding and you receive pictures of your guests. This eliminates the disposable cameras as your never guaranteed to get them back or receive pictures of what you want.

Another trend: Shoes! All of my brides are splurging on their favorite pair of designer shoes that they can wear after the wedding. The shoes will also vary in color (their favorite color or their wedding color theme), not the matching white or ivory pair they may never wear again.


Are you a blog reader? If so, what are some of your favorite blogs besides the Joie de Vie blog?
I am very selective in the blogs I choose to read. I read blogs that inspire and enhance my photography skills such as www.photographyblog.com and the Joie de Vie blog.

If you weren't a working in this industry, what field would you be in instead? Why?
Egyptologist. I love the history and culture. However, I would be taking pictures of everything so photography will never leave me.

What would we be surprised to learn about you?
I am fluent in French, Turkish, and I belly dance.

Any hobbies or pastimes?
Shopping, shelling at Sanibel Island, vacationing, trying interesting and new foods.

Describe yourself or your services in four (4 words or less):
Stylish, Unique, Edgy and Ambitious





If you are getting married, definitely consider Elegant Imagery for your photography. Victoria and the team will capture your memories in such a unique way. Selecting your wedding photographer is one of the most important decisions you make as you are plannig the wedding. Consider the advice Victoria has given as you select your photographer.

Until next time,

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