On a sunny and warm afternoon in Gainesville, we spent some time discussing Ivy's view of the art of photography.

"Ivy, what is special about your approach to photography?"

"Well... professionally, I am an artist... As an Artist, I strive to bring out the beauty and the charm of the subjects I photograph. I strive to turn each photograph into a work of art that represents not just the likeness of the subject, but provides a glimpse into everything that is beautiful and attractive about the subject."

"How do you photograph a wedding?"

"Wedding events must be continually photographed as they unfold. The photographer must be constantly watchful with a keen eye, taking photographs at the exact moment when a face shows its most beautiful, most interesting, most telling, expression. The photographer must be constantly aware of the ambiance and the flow of feelings, love, excitement, and pride, to create an enduring record of our deepest experiences.

         In addition to recording the natural flow of events, we include (at no extra cost) staged photography sessions during wedding events. These include family portraits, portraits of the bride, the groom, the parents, and other participants, as requested. The staged photography sessions are organized at convenient times immediately before, during, and immediately after the wedding events.

A typical wedding results in more than 1000 high quality photographs. I then edit and manually retouch each one of these photographs to turn each one into a true heirloom. At the end, an album can be assembled from the wedding photographs to journal and retell the story of the wedding, to allow the bride, the groom, their families, and their friends to relive the emotions of one of the most exciting days of their lives (albums are at extra cost)."

"What is your professional background?"

"I was born in New York City and have been interested in art since childhood. During my High School period, I received a one year scholarship to study Painting and Composition at the Arts Students League in New York City. Thereafter, I studied Painting and Composition at the Tyler School of Art, Temple University, in Philadelphia, PA, where I received a Bachelor's degree in Fine Arts.

Over the years since, I have been active in art circles, but concentrated mostly on raising a family with three children. Our children are quite grown now, so I have more time to devote to my professional practice of photography and art."

My photographs have appeared in The Chronicle and in advertisements and brochures.

"What would you say is most characteristic of your photographs?"

"In my photographs, I strive to reveal all that is beautiful and enchanting about the features and the personality of the subject. I promise that your photographs will be as beautiful as your memories."

"How long have you been living in Gainesville?"

"We have been living in Gainesville for more than 20 years... We moved to Gainesville in 1987, when my husband joined the faculty of the University of Florida."

 

Please contact us for more information...

Phone: 352-870-3808
email: info@ivyhammerphoto.com

Member, Wedding & Portrait Photographers International (WPPI).

Colleague, Society of Photographic Excellence and Achievement.

Member, Professional Digital Imaging Association.