The last time I visited Nan, I witnessed the uninhibited joy of a bride who
was picking up her wedding album. You could see the delight in her face as she
leafed through the pages, reliving her Wine Country wedding. Ever since we first
met, I have admired this exceptional artist who is a master at capturing the
entire wedding. Nan did the heartwarming pictures on the back cover of the
1999/2000 edition of this guide. They showed the joy of the bride dancing with
her nieces, the bridesmaids helping the bride with her dress as they walk
through the meadow, the little girl admiring the cake.
As soon as you enter Nan’s studio, you know at once that this photographer is
special. You won’t find many large portraits on canvas, nor will you find
pictures adorned with awards. What you will find, though, are candid
photographs, so artistically done that you can almost smell the flowers, taste
the cake, and hear the laughter. But there’s another sense of which you’re
immediately aware: you know that you’ll be well taken care of.
With a BA in fine arts, Nan began her career with a studio of drawings and
paintings. She explored the possibility of adding photography in the
'
80s and fell in love with it. Her natural
series of photos tells the story of the day. The photos can be realistic or have
a touch of magic in the subdued sepia colors of the 㤜s. In her kind, quiet way
she brings out the natural beauty of her subjects, makes them come alive, and
creates a special mood using available lighting. She prefers to remain in the
background but, at the same time, misses nothing. Nan usually works with three
cameras: one with film for normal lighting, one with black & white film, and one
with 1,000 ASA film. Her great talent has been recognized beyond the Bay Area;
she has shot weddings as far east as Tennessee and west to Hawaii. Clients and
colleagues comment that Nan is an incredible photographer and rave about her
artful photographs. Her clients hire her again and again for their children’s
photos and other family events. Nan Phelps was the photographer for the feature
Story:
A
Weekend to Remember
