Artistry and Artisantry
Today I found myself thinking about artistry and artisanry—two very similar words with distinctly different meanings.
Artisanry refers to the skilled, hands-on craft of creating functional or decorative objects. It’s rooted in tradition—mastery of technique, attention to detail, and the use of quality materials to produce something tangible and well-made, often by hand.
Artistry, on the other hand, is about creative expression. It’s the ability to elevate technical skill with imagination and instinct, transforming something standard into something meaningful, expressive, and uniquely personal.
So where does that leave us as photographers?
Many of us like to think of ourselves as artists—and in many ways, we are. We create moments, shape images, and craft mood. But if we’re honest, there are times when we fall back on habit, relying more on learned skill than on inspiration. After years of shooting weddings, that’s almost inevitable.
Personally, I always strive to be in that artist space—to create something meaningful every single time. But if I borrow from a music analogy, sometimes I’m just jamming. It sounds good, it works, but it’s not the song. The song is something else entirely. It comes from a moment of inspiration—when something shifts, takes over, and gives you an idea you didn’t have before.
I live for those moments.
They happen often, usually sparked by the couple—their energy, their connection, a fleeting expression. It’s not always about elaborate or complex compositions. Sometimes it’s a subtle emotion, a spontaneous reaction, even a brief, imperfect expression. But it’s intentional. It’s something I see, feel, and choose to shape. In that moment, I have full creative control, and that’s what makes it mine. That’s what distinguishes me from anyone else.
To me, that is what artistry truly is.
And if I’m being completely honest, while I aspire to bring that level of artistry to every session, the reality is that I’m also an artisan—someone who has learned the craft deeply enough to consistently deliver strong, reliable work. Both sides exist, and both matter.
With Stephanie and Michael wedding I felt that both sides melted together pretty well.
