The Dirty Dozen with Carissa Uribe – Dulce Photography

The Record Rebellion: What’s the story behind the name “Dulce Photography”?

Carissa: I [thought] about what I wanted my business to represent. I strive for romantic, classy, and fresh pictures… which got me to thinking, what’s more romantic than a night in Paris or an evening in Rome? (Don’t answer that. Just roll with me.) That’s when I knew I wanted to incorporate a different language. For a while I couldn’t think of anything but amore, which would be the second most cheesiest name ever [ed. - after the name “Fine Photography” – based on Carissa’s maiden name].  But, well, I love dessert.  Like, LOVE it. Soooo the word sweet came to mind. At first it was Italian dolce, but my husband is Colombian so I decided to go with the Spanish word. Hence, Dulce Photography was born. Maybe a little lame, but I love it

Was there any event or moment in your life when you knew you wanted to be a photographer? How did that realization come about?
It’s funny, when I was younger I absolutely loved taking pictures. I have hundreds of terrible and hilarious pictures in a drawer in my room from my attempts as a kid. But I never considered it as something I could do for the rest of my life. So I actually started college pursuing a degree in graphic design. (Which I still love, by the way. Just not as much…) However, my sophomore year I took a required intro photography class, and that’s when it hit me, when I realized I couldn’t imagine doing anything else for the rest of my life. I switched the next semester and haven’t looked back since.

What draws you to wedding photography?
Ha, I guess you could say the girl in me. Honestly, I’m totally a hopeless romantic. And photographing people is my passion. So when you combine people and love, I’m pretty much happy as a clam Seriously though, being with two people on the most important day of their lives, and knowing that they are allowing me to tell their story through my eyes, the way I see it, is like nothing else I’ve ever experienced.

What are you looking for when you’re shooting a wedding?
To put it simply, the story. But there’s a lot more to the story than people think. Of course it’s the rings and the flowers, walking down the aisle and the kiss, cutting the cake and the first dance. Yet there is SO much more than that. It’s the fist pump between the groom and best man before the ceremony. It’s the ring bearer stealing a cupcake. It’s the groom kissing his bride’s neck when he thinks no one is watching. It’s grandma and grandpa dancing softly, still in love after 50 years. It’s those little moments that would normally go unnoticed, along with the big events, that truly make up a wedding. My goal is to capture the first look all the way to the last kiss, and everything in-between.

Do you have a favorite piece of art? If yes, what is it?
Oh boy. I don’t think I can pick a favorite. There are so many things that inspire, some well-known and some not so well-known…but I guess you could say the crayon picture I got last week from the kids I nanny.

You live in Park City, Utah home of Sundance Film Festival. Has that played into your development as an artist at all?
You know, I’m slightly ashamed to admit it, but I’ve never been to a Sundance film. I know, I know! So lame. When I was younger, all I cared about was trying to find famous people.  Haha.  And when I got old enough to appreciate it, I went away to college and was always gone during Sundance. That being said, I do think Park City in general has played a part in my development, mainly in how I see and interpret things. It is a very artsy town, not to mention beautiful (I am partial to the mountains), and I was definitely surrounded by a lot of art growing up. Side note- I have full intentions of making my first appearance at Sundance this February!

Do you do any photography just for fun? Other than weddings, is there anything else you particularly like to take pictures of?
Honestly, there isn’t anything that I think is more fun to photograph than a wedding. But I just love taking pictures in general. I take lots of pictures of my dogs. Haha. Seriously though, I try to bring my camera everywhere (ok, not when I go to Costco), just to document life in general. I don’t do it enough though. If I’m not taking pictures you’ll probably hear me say “I should have brought my camera…”

What role does music play in your life? Does it inspire you, soothe you, help you focus, pump you up, etc.? What’s your favorite type of music and why?
How can I put this? …Yes, yes, yes and yes. I don’t think I could live without music (laughs). Silence was never my thing. I can’t edit without music. Pandora is constantly playing at my house.

Do I have a favorite type of music? I don’t think so, because for me it totally depends on the situation (but I’ll never be into screamo, no offense). I mean I’d never listen to Iron and Wine if I’m going on a run, just like I’d never listen to the Black Eyed Peas if I was going to sleep. But I love them both. When I edit I like more chill music, like Meiko, Priscilla Ahn, KT Tunstall, Imogen Heap just to name a few. But I have playlists for everything! A workout playlist, a pump up playlist for before weddings, a road trip playlist, a dance around the house in your underwear playlist….kidding. But I do love music. A lot.

What are your aspirations for your photography career?
To be the best that I can be. Obviously I would love to be wicked successful, and I hope that will come with doing the best I can. Sure, I dream of being hired for weddings all over the world and shooting weddings where every detail is melt-in-your-mouth beautiful. But as long as I am bettering myself every day as a person as well as a photographer, and as long as I am making people happy with my pictures, that will be enough.

What’s your favorite movie and why?
Yikes. Tough question. As you can probably tell I don’t like to pick favorites… but I might have to go with Moulin Rouge. I can never watch it without crying, and normally I don’t like movies unless they have a happy ending. (I’m a hopeless romantic, remember?) But there is something about the pure and raw emotion in that movie, the intense love, that gets me every time. Just brilliant.

What’s the most breathtaking place you’ve ever been?
Ugh, another hard one. Haha. I’ve been blessed enough to have seen many of breathtaking places, at least in my book. If I have to choose, though, I think I’d have to say Venice, Italy. It’s a different kind of breathtaking than say, the beautiful mountains in Park City or the lush foliage in St. Lucia. And maybe I’m a bit partial, because it had been my dream to visit Venice since I was a little girl. So when I was able to go two years ago, it was one of the most amazing adventures I’ve ever been on. It was everything I had hoped it would be and more. I just hope I can go back again.

Favorite quote?

“I love you.” – Jacob Uribe

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Connect with Carissa and Check out her work here:

Dulce Photography Portfolio & Blog: http://www.dulce-photography.com

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/carissauribe

Dulce Photography on Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dulce-Photography/101272059141

By Alicia Inman