Genevieve “Gigi” de Manio became one of Boston’s preeminent wedding photographers within a few years of opening her business in 1997. But that doesn’t mean she’s restricted her storytelling prowess to New England; she’s documented big days in some of the most magnificent venues around the globe.
De Manio’s path to this vaulted position began in a college darkroom as the portrait of her friend began to magically appear in the developer. She stared back at the two-dimensional face in fascination, something she’d been told not to do as a child in the three-dimensional world. What began out of simple necessity—she was a psychology major at Hollins University who needed to fulfill an art requirement to graduate—launched both a lifelong passion and a new career.
After receiving her bachelor’s degree from Hollins and graduating from the Portfolio Center in Atlanta, de Manio became an assistant to famed New York-based fine art, commercial, fashion, and portrait photographer Albert Watson and then to Boston lifestyle photographer Bill Miles.
A personal celebration refocused de Manio’s photographic direction. “I discovered the beauty and passion for storytelling after photographing my twin sister’s wedding in 1996,” she explains. “Photographing her wedding transformed my perspective on wedding photography, which I felt at the time was very contrived formal images, but I quickly saw the potential for creativity, emotional depth, and storytelling. There is such a wide range of the types of images that need to be captured to fully tell the story—portraiture, editorial, documentary, landscape, still life, and architectural. It is all there in one day and needs to be done well to tell the story accurately.”
“WE ALL FEEL IT”
De Manio is acutely aware that there are no reshoots in wedding photography. “I either capture the moment or it is gone,” she says. While documenting candid moments forms the basis of her photography, de Manio brings an artistic eye to composing images and the creative use of light, whether it’s the soft, diffused light of a morning preparation or the dramatic shadows of an evening dance. She cites her background in commercial photography for her ability to use light not just for illumination, but as a tool to add mood and depth to her images.
“My goal is to support the couple’s vision while bringing my own expertise and creativity to capture the day beautifully,” de Manio explains.
“Building a connection with the couple before the wedding is crucial,” she says, which she does through consultations and engagement portrait sessions. “I get to know their personalities, preferences, and the story of their relationship. This trust and rapport allow them to feel comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera, leading to more natural and expressive photographs.” After the wedding, she carefully selects and edits the images to ensure “each photo not only looks its best but also contributes to the overall narrative,” de Manio adds.
This approach is evident in her new book “Silver: Moments into Memories” (Goff Books/ORO Editions), a retrospective of her first 25 years as a wedding photographer. “I have photographed the stories of over 400 weddings, and as a true romantic, I believe that love is the universal language we all share,” she says. “We all feel it, or at least long for it, no matter the language we speak, what gender we are, whom we choose to love, or the culture we are from. To love and be loved is essential to our human existence, and it is my mission to capture images that are genuine in their expression of love and connection.”
The book beautifully presents de Manio’s black-and-white and color work. “Both have their unique strengths and serve different purposes in storytelling and emotional impact,” she explains. Black-and-white photos have a timeless quality and draw the viewer in to the emotions. When color is removed, the focus becomes composition, lighting, texture, and emotional depth. “Black-and-white photography is often associated with a sense of nostalgia, evoking a connection to the past,” she says, “and can be particularly powerful in portraiture, abstract, and street photography where these elements are crucial.”
Color photography lends its own strength in storytelling, de Manio continues. It sets the tone of an image, elicits specific emotions, and highlights details. It offers a vivid portrayal of reality, capturing the richness and diversity of the world around us. Color can indeed inform the viewer about the time of day, season, and even the temperature of the scene. In genres like landscape, travel, and documentary photography, color can be essential in conveying the authenticity and vibrance of the subjects.
In digital photography, clients can decide at any point in the creative process whether to present an image in color or black-and-white, according to de Manio. “I guide my clients in making this decision,” she says, “but in the end if they prefer one and I prefer the other, we each can be happy with the result.”
HARNESSING PSYCHOLOGY
Included in the book is de Manio’s coverage of the wedding of Chelsea Clinton, daughter of former President Bill Clinton and former U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton, and Marc Mezvinsky in July 2010 in Rhinebeck, New York (see photo at top). How does de Manio deal with the pressure of photographing such an event? She admits that the Clinton wedding was one of the most stressful due to extra-high expectations. “It is very easy to get in your head and let your thoughts take over: Oh my gosh, if I don’t get this, then I will let so many people down. It is a difficult path and vicious loop to go down,” de Manio says. “Instead, I try to harness the stress and nervous energy as a positive force for focus and attention to detail. Stress is actually a huge motivator for me. It helps keep me sharp, alert, and on my toes, ready at any moment.”
Regardless of who is walking down the aisle, de Manio does her homework to make sure the day runs as smoothly as possible. “I like to take some quiet time by myself and visit the wedding site to envision potential shots and movements before the wedding begins,” she explains. “It allows me to prepare for various scenarios and think creatively about how to use the space and lighting to my advantage. This pre-visualization not only boosts my confidence but also enhances my ability to adapt quickly when plans change.”
De Manio’s undergraduate study of psychology has informed her approach to photography, providing her with a deep understanding of emotions and enabling her to read nonverbal emotional cues. “This insight allows me to anticipate and recognize genuine moments of joy, nervousness, love, and other emotions that are so pivotal in weddings,” she says. “I can capture fleeting expressions that might be missed by others but are cherished memories for my clients.” It also informs her own behavior; she knows the importance of showing empathy, being an active listener, and building rapport. “These skills are crucial when interacting with couples, their families, and other guests, and by establishing a connection with them, I make them feel comfortable and more natural in front of the camera,” which leads to authentic photos that capture genuine emotion, she explains. “I have learned to be very observant and patient to pick up on the subtleties of body language and group dynamics. This helps me predict where meaningful interactions may occur, positioning me to capture the compelling shots that tell a deeper story.”
And then there’s the psychology of stress. “Understanding stress response mechanisms gives me the tools to better manage my own stress as well as that of my clients and their guests,” she says, adding that her goal is to be a calming presence. “Also, understanding various personality types and communication styles helps me tailor my approach to meet the needs and expectations of each couple, ensuring a positive experience.”
Mark Edward Harris is an award-winning photographer and writer based in Los Angeles.
Tags: wedding photography