Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Crystal Bruder. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Crystal, so great to have you with us and thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with the community. So, let’s jump into something that stops so many people from going after their dreams – haters, nay-sayers, etc. We’d love to hear about how you dealt with that and persisted on your path.
I believe persistence comes from focusing on what truly matters to you, not on the noise or opinions of others. Often, we let ourselves become overly concerned with what people think, but when you really sit with that thought, it doesn’t make sense. Why should someone else’s negativity or doubt determine the course of your life? The truth is, people will always have something to say, and it’s impossible to please everyone. Some individuals are just unhappy and seek to tear others down to feel better about themselves.
What keeps me going is remembering that I answer to my own goals, values, and vision. I’m not in this to gain validation from people who don’t understand or support my journey. Instead, I focus on what I know to be true for me—what I’m passionate about and what drives me forward. I’ve learned that the more you embrace your own purpose and stay grounded in what’s meaningful to you, the less power those negative voices have.
One thing I’ve learned along the way is that it’s essential to surround yourself with people who genuinely support you and understand your vision. Having a circle that encourages you, challenges you in healthy ways, and stands by you no matter how tough things get is invaluable. These are the people who won’t judge you for your beliefs or your feelings—they’ll be there for you through it all. If you find yourself constantly surrounded by negativity or naysayers, it might be time to reassess the group you’re aligning yourself with. Who you choose to spend time with has a huge impact on your mindset and your progress, so it’s important to protect your energy and ensure that those around you are lifting you up, not holding you back
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
I’m a wedding photographer, and to me, photography is so much more than just capturing images—it’s about preserving moments that hold deep meaning. What excites me most about what I do is the ability to freeze time and create something tangible that couples can look back on for years to come. Every wedding is unique, and with each one, I get the opportunity to tell a new story through my lens. But one thing that always stands out to me is how you never truly know just how much your images will mean to someone. I’m not just documenting a ceremony; I’m capturing the little moments—those fleeting, everyday experiences—that will eventually become cherished memories.
I was recently at Scout Sunday at our local church, where the community honors the commitment the boys make in their Boy Scout journey. The pastor spoke on the idea of being ‘present,’ and it really resonated with me. It made me realize how in photography, I am able to be fully present in the moment, capturing things that others often miss. A wedding day is a whirlwind for everyone involved, and while everyone is physically there, not everyone is present in the moment. So often, I see guests on their phones, caught up in taking the perfect selfie or checking social media, rather than fully immersing themselves in the experience. This is something the pastor mentioned—how we’ve become a society that is more concerned with documenting the moment for others, rather than truly experiencing it ourselves.
In today’s world, we’re constantly worried about taking thousands of photos and sharing every little moment, big or small, on social media. We’re so caught up in curating our lives for an online audience that we’ve forgotten how to simply live them. The pressure to post every milestone, every meal, every event, and every little moment is overwhelming. We can get so distracted by how our lives appear to others that we forget to just enjoy the good and the bad, to be fully present in the moment and take it all in without feeling the need to document it. But in doing so, we miss out on really being in our lives.
That’s where I come in. As a photographer, I’m in a position to be truly present, to witness the raw emotions of the day and to capture them in a way that allows couples to relive those moments long after the event. The tears, the laughter, the tiny glances—these are the things that make each wedding unique, and these are the moments I’m honored to preserve. I always aim to create images that tell the true story of the day, moments that might have been overlooked or missed, yet are so significant to the couple’s journey. What I love about my job is that I’m not just taking photos; I’m gifting my couples a way to remember not just the event, but the feeling of it—the magic of truly being present. I want them to have the images that help them reflect, remember, and truly live in their most precious memories, long after the flash has faded.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Looking back, I think the three qualities that have been most impactful on my journey are authenticity, resilience, and self-reliance. The biggest one for me, though, is simply being myself. In a world where it’s easy to get caught up in comparing yourself to others or trying to fit into a certain mold, staying true to who I am has been crucial. It’s so important to not worry about what others think or try to please everyone—because you’re never going to be able to. Sometimes, we put pressure on ourselves to be surrounded by a ‘village’ of people, but in my experience, it’s not about quantity; it’s about quality. You don’t need a large group of fake people to have an incredible journey. The people who truly support and understand your path will make all the difference, even if there aren’t many of them.
Resilience has also played a big role—being able to push through setbacks and challenges and keeping your eyes on the bigger picture. And lastly, self-reliance has been key. I’ve learned that no one can define your journey but you. You have to trust yourself, your decisions, and your vision.
I’m also not influenced by trends or what everyone is doing or saying on social media. I’m not driven by the need for attention from random strangers or worried about validation online. I don’t live my life by posting every little thing on social media, and I don’t feel the need to share everything. What I do share is more personal and private, for those who love and support me. The pressure to constantly be visible online is something I’ve learned to let go of. I focus on living in the moment and connecting with those who truly matter to me, rather than trying to please an audience.
You should never mirror your life, beliefs, or expectations based on someone else’s. What works for one person is not going to work for you. You need to be YOU. Don’t let the power of social media turn you into something you’re not or make you feel like you have to fit into someone else’s mold. It’s easy to get caught up in the comparison game, but remember: your journey is unique, and it should reflect who you truly are, not who others expect you to be.
For those early in their journey, my advice would be to focus on building self-awareness and confidence. Take time to understand who you are, what you want, and what drives you. Don’t feel pressured to follow someone else’s path or expect instant success. Keep pushing forward, stay authentic, and remember that setbacks are just part of the process. Surround yourself with people who genuinely believe in you, and never feel like you need to conform to fit in. Trust that staying true to yourself will bring the right opportunities and people your way.
How would you describe your ideal client?
My ideal clients are the ones who aren’t looking for perfectly edited, filtered, or masked perfection. They want the raw, authentic beauty of their wedding day to shine through—the good, the bad, and the beautiful, real moments that make their day unique. Weddings are not perfect, and that’s exactly what makes them special! I don’t alter or Photoshop anyone’s body to look different than it does in real life; I capture everything just as it happens, and that’s what I love most. My clients aren’t trying to mirror someone else’s wedding or follow trends—they want to celebrate their own love, their own way.
I’m not the photographer for clients who spend months and months pinning photos of other people’s weddings, trying to recreate someone else’s life or someone else’s vision. My ideal clients are those who create their own vision—who want the real moments of their wedding day, without the pressure to be anything other than themselves. They’re down-to-earth, fun-loving, easy-going people who have beautiful hearts and are genuinely in love with each other. They’re the ones who are more excited to be present in the moment than to worry about how things look on social media.
My ideal clients are also people who value the experience of the day over perfection. They understand that not every moment has to be perfectly staged to be meaningful. It’s about the laughter, the tears, the little unexpected moments that make the day theirs. They want to create memories with the people who matter most, and they trust me to capture that journey with authenticity and heart. They embrace who they are and who their partner is, and they don’t feel the need to live up to someone else’s expectations or style. They understand that life—and weddings—are messy and imperfect, and that’s part of what makes it so beautiful.
It’s also important to me that my clients are aligned with my style of photography. There are so many photographers out there, and it’s crucial to find the one whose vision matches yours. The relationship between photographer and couple should be a natural fit. I’m not the photographer for clients who want to create someone else’s story—I’m the photographer for those who want their own story told, their love captured just as it is. My ideal clients are the ones who appreciate real, unfiltered moments, the beauty in the imperfections, and the magic in just being present with the ones they love. They want to enjoy their wedding day without worrying about looking perfect in every shot, and they trust me to capture the moments that matter most to them.
And let’s be honest—I love cake, I love tacos, and I love clients who bring the fun, laughter, and joy to the day. I want to work with couples who are excited to be themselves, who love life, who are ready to celebrate their relationship in an authentic and joyful way. Whether that means a spontaneous dance-off with your wedding party or just a quiet, intimate moment between the two of you, I’m there to capture it all. If you’re someone who’s down-to-earth, easy-going, and all about enjoying your wedding day to the fullest, we’re going to be a great fit. After all, your wedding day is yours, and my goal is to capture it in a way that is just as real, beautiful, and meaningful as your love.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://awaveofthewandphotography.mypixieset.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awaveofthewandphotography/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awaveofthewandphotography
Image Credits
A Wave of the Wand Photography
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