From City to Country, by Tiarra Sorte [Rf Wedding of the Week]

November 8, 2015

By Laura Brauer

Wedding photographer Tiarra Sorte, a self-described “city girl,” traveled from Seattle to Spokane in September for the woodsy wedding of Bryan and Alyssa. “They were the last wedding on my books for this season,” Sorte says, “and they wanted a quiet, open location where they could get married in the trees.” The wedding and reception took place in Newport, 45 minutes outside of Spokane, at Quail Run Ranch.

Franklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte Photography

All Photos © Tiarra Sorte Photography

Adds Sorte, “When I think of the day, I think of thrifted vases, succulents and a lot of DIY projects. The theme for them was more about family and friends celebrating and enjoying themselves than anything else.”

Franklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte Photography

When asked about her favorite parts of wedding coverage, Sorte says, “Getting ready photos are always great, but as soon as the ceremony is over, I steal my couple away. One, just to give them a chance to catch their breath…but also to capture their first moments as husband and wife. Really tender moments are always some of my favorite portraits.”Franklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte Photography

Sorte says that while it was a very cloudy day initially, the sun came to visit now and then. “The challenge is to stay on top of changing light. Editing these conditions can be a challenge. Different light, shadows. Grey overcast turning to bright golden rays. For me I hand-edit each image, meaning my eyes are on every single photo. I don’t just batch-edit with one preset. I also ask myself, what does this photo need? What is the feeling I want to show?”

Franklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte Photography

“The mother-son dance actually moved me to tears,” Sorte recalls. “Mom sang a song to her son during the dance, whispered in his ear how proud she was. I think everyone was silent during this time. It was really beautiful.”

Franklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte PhotographyFranklin Wedding Quail Run Ranch Tiarra Sorte Photography

Sorte says that almost all of her business is referral-based, and that a photographer in Spokane recommended her to Bryan and Alyssa. “He [the photographer] was originally referring out as he was a close friend to the groom and was going to be in the wedding. He ended up booking a wedding for himself that day and had to miss it all. It is an honor to be referred by a past client, but even more a fellow artist. It’s a continued story when a session is connected to another in some way.”

Tiarra Sorte’s Gear
Camera: Canon 5D Mark II, Canon 7D Mark II
Lenses: 25mm f/1.4 and 45mm f/2.8 tilt-shift, Canon EF 135mm
Accessories: BlackRapid strap

Check out more Weddings of the Week, and email Libby Peterson or Jacqueline Tobin with submissions.