Meet Ciara Cusseaux | Wedding and portrait photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Ciara Cusseaux and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ciara, what matters most to you?
Love & people are what matter most to me. I really enjoy contributing to the the joy of others.

As a wedding and portrait photographer, I get to be there for one of life’s biggest milestones. It is such a gift that I get to make a career out of serving people during moments that are so rich in meaning and significant in the course of their story.

My services celebrate and honor the value of marriage and the wedding day. When photographing weddings, I get to spend my day documenting the couple’s love for each other surrounded by the people that mean the most to them, many times with heirlooms that have been passed down and traditions that they have held onto over the generations or in some cases rekindled.

I feel so honored to be there at the beginning of their journey and always look forward to being a part of the milestones that follow, as I photograph their pregnancies and see their children grow.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
My goal is to work with sentimental, fun-lovers who want to have a good time with their people. I take an eclectic approach with each session. Individuals are all multifaceted, so I want to show that in the way that I cover anything that I’m photographing. I strive for work that is joyful and alive, candidly capturing spontaneous and rich emotions and moments. I’m also mindful not to abandon traditional portraiture influences and make sure my clients have stylish and beautifully posed moments that capture the beauty of them.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The list of amazing things to do in San Diego is vast but a short list of musts have experiences and foods are:

•A stroll through Balboa park with a pitstop at The Donut Bar. While in Balboa I never miss a stroll down El Prado and a visit to the Japanese Gardens. These also happen to be some of my favorite places to do photo shoots.

• Breakfast in La Jolla at Harry’s Coffee Shop then say hello to the seals at Children‘s Beach. Afterwards a hike in Torrey Pines with lunch or dinner at La Valencia Hotel.

• Start the day at Breakfast Republic downtown and then head out sailing on the harbor ending with Maí Tais at Bali Hai.

•Breakfast, lunch or dinner in Kensington at Blue Boheme for French dining then swing into University Heights to shop at Verbatim books and peruse the boutique Pigment. These are fun hip spots but aren’t in Kensington itself, though they are close by. Dunedin is another great spot right up the street. A New Zealand restaurant with great ambiance.

And of course as a photographer light is all-important to me. I think that watching the sun set over the Pacific is one of the most iconic things you can do here. My two favorite spots are at the Sunset Cliffs or Windandsea Beach.To make it a truly spectacular experience

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I first learned love and compassion from my family and family friends. Once my younger brother and children came along, they took it to a level beyond what I could imagine.

Throughout the years, supportive, encouraging and enlightening friends have come into my life. They have been my counselors and advisors with beautiful hands that have held mine tight through any personal and professional challenges I’ve needed guidance through. Really, they too are family, including an amazing sisterhood like no other. Generous with their time, wisdom, resources and honesty.

Website: www.ciaracusseaux.com

Instagram: @ciaracusseaux

Facebook: @Ciaracusseauxphotography