Meet Stephanie Bachle: Eden Grey Photography

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

Hi Stephanie, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
I am terrified of open ocean water as well as heights, however I will do just about anything (safely) to get a shot that I’m envisioning. I’ve been in both situations quite a few times and it wasn’t as hard to push myself past limits I’ve set for myself for the sake of the picture and wow factor from my couples. I have been up to my shoulders in the waters of the Great Barrier Reef as well as hiked to locations that I normally would steer away from just because I knew the payoff would be rewarding. As for risks with the techniques I use, I try not to paint a box around myself and try new things with my couples on a regular basis. They hired me for a reason, so I have to remember to trust myself and take the creative risks as well as the classic shots.   

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I’m primarily a wedding photographer based in the Houston area and available worldwide. I think the thing that sets me apart from others is just that – me. I focus solely on my couples, their comfortability and their happiness. I’m not in this business to book a high volume of couples at a low rate and then hand them off to a random associate photographer; they deserve better than that. I take time with them. I don’t ask the typical meeting-for-the-first-time questions. I dig a little deeper. I hide nothing…and I ask them not to hide from me, meaning that if I put them in a pose that they aren’t about, I want them to TELL me! I’d much rather move on to something else that they feel represents them in their photos than just have them going through motions.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Yes, let’s do this! First things first, I’d take them for a pick me up. If we’re inside the loop, we’ll go to Common Bond. If we’re on my side of town, we’re swinging by Pearland Coffee Roasters for a lavender latte. We are definitely spending some time outdoors. Maybe Discovery Green since there’s always something happening (and because Grizaffi Coffee has a pop up there!!) Can you tell I love coffee? Next we are gonna check out the Cistern in downtown because I’ve never seen it and also because it’s something super unique. I may take them to the Galleria just for the experience if they are wanting some shopping, but I also love the little shops in Rice Village….and if you’re in Rice Village you can’t NOT stop at The Chocolate Bar! Another place I’d like to have them experience is the Texas pool at the Marriott Marquis. I stay every chance I get and love the atmosphere there. We would definitely stay a few days so we could relax and also check out Xochi. I’d swing by Sugar Room for the best Old Fashioned I’ve ever had before walking around downtown. Just experiencing the beauty, the music, the breeze. One evening we would hands down go for steak at Killen’s Steakhouse. I’d make their last few stops in EaDo. You can’t come to Houston and not experience Ninfas on Navigation, followed by a few drinks on the Ferris wheel at The Truckyard.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
As long as I’ve been in the wedding photography business, Joe Cogliandro Photography has been a staple of excellence and vision among our community. In 2014 I reached out to him and asked if he would be willing to mentor me and he agreed. We spent 6-12 months refining my client experience, improving my composure, discussing the politics of the business with other peers, critiquing my images and overhauling my office meeting space. I still maintain this relationship with him and when I have a question that I think could use a neutral point of view, I still reach out to him. He’s truthful and unbiased with his answers, which I appreciate.

Website: www.edengreyphotography.com
Instagram: @edengreyphotography
Facebook: www.facebook.com/edengreyphotography

Image Credits
(didn’t have a horizontal of myself). All images (C) Eden Grey Photography