Parker J Pfister is a destination fine art wedding and portrait photographer based out of Asheville, NC
Hello world, A while back I posted the question “what is wedding photography?” I received an overwhelming response to the question. Emails, comments and calls came in for several days after. Some were mad, some were hurt, some thanked me and some just didn’t see where I got off posting something like that, “I mean…
Just wonderful shots and textures, film is back!
Hello, Mr.Parker, great artistic mood and images in the whole Weddings and Portraiture.
Is it easy to find all this great collection of cameras that you have!!
Great body of work…..keep me posted
Alberto
Very creative way to use shadows, amazing work!
God. Your work makes me realize, I suck. Only scratching at the surface. Totally inspiring in that “you just kicked me in the photo ballz” kind of way!! Thank you.
Beautiful! Such a treat when you guys collaborate.
The jumping shots in particular are killer.
Hey Parker…love these…you and Richard make a great team and each has unique and beautiful images….
Love it!
Paul
Thanks everyone! We just went out and had some fun. Thats what it is all about, right?
They are fantastic, I especially like the 4×5′s That Aero-Ektar monster is unreal. Especially liked the double exposure.
Parker, this is all that needs to be said and this is a biggie, “You are a photographer.”
Your work inspires me. I LOVE the one with the model leaning on the ropes of the bridge.
Cool stuff bro!
killer set bro!
Parker J you are incredible! love these!
I just love seeing what two photographers see, from a sessions shot together. So amazing, so imaginative. Well done, is an understatement.
The shots with the tunnel, and the model jumping are amazing. I would love those somewhere in my home. Thanks so much for sharing!!!
Your shoots with Richard are so inspiring. Just so good.
Love these shots … especially the Xp2′s ! 
Man…. Awesome images!!!
Wish you’d invite me to film you working the shutter sometime, That’d be a real treat!!!
Man…. Awesome images!!
Wish you’d invite me to film you working the shutter sometime, That’d be VERY cool!!
hello world, Today I bring you images from Marilynn & Josh Kaplan’s wedding that I photographed at the Lake Lure Inn, NC. Some of you may know this place from the film Dirty Dancing, but from now on you will remember it from Marilynn & Josh’s wedding day. Shay Brown planned it and killed it…
Awesome couple and wonderful job!
Absolutely stunning!!!
Amazing, I just love the clarity of that first shot.
Your style is all your own and an inspiration, thannk you
Sorprendente, no dejas nunca de innovar.
Fabulous as always!
lovely:) i think that the last one is my favorite…the bird is awesome
Hello world, The term “losing control” always seemed to have a negative connotation in my mind. Loosing control of ones car…Bad. Loosing control of ones temper….Bad. Loosing control of ones bladder….Really bad. Ok, so we have to always stay in control. Right? I am sure that there are some of you that have been through an…
Thank you for your honest and AMEN to loosing control. I’m finding the more I’m willing to give up control and get out of my own way, the more I free my mind to truly see what is around me.
Truly inspirational.
I love the grain of those shots.
that porta film has a beautiful quality to it.
Loving your personal work.
Chris
Execelent work!!!
I miss film 
Keep this magic work of yours
Best regards
Miguel
wow, parker that Portra 400 is Fabulous! ( and your artistry, always so wonderful to see)
I am so happy to learn that you now have a blog!!! These photos left me breathless as your work tends to do to me. My holga pictures NEVER EVER look like these. Will be checking back often.
Gosh, Parker. I was so glad to see you finally on the AP top ten list. Long time coming. It’s also been a long time since I’ve looked at your work. You are a true photographer and artist and it’s wonderful to see you still have passion for it. Gorgeous work as always.
great post Parker, couldn’t agree more. I think that’s really the dark side of pro photography-we tend to spend so much time at the computer photoshopping images, that after a few years go by, we begin to feel that the joy has left the building, and we are still chained like a slave to the production.
Being a pro photographer can really get in the way of the simple joys of seeing and creating images.
p.s. really diggin the double exposure ferris wheel to heaven…
Lara
“Zero photoshop.” That’s my favorite part. 
How are you, buddy?
Amen! I can’t pick a favorite, I love ‘em all. Seriously.
Thumbs up! Winky face.
Seriously, so loving the Holga black and whites!
I have half a roll left in my Holga. Now I want to finish it.
Smiley face.
These are utterly awesome. Drooling over #2/#4.
Just unreal…love the holga shots!
get an LC-A (hell I will lend you mine) you will love it.
Also just got a holga lens for canon SICK!
ST
Excellent, right I’m off to buy some film so I can do my homework
You know Parker, in some states it is illegal to drive and click!! Great pictures, I love the double exposures.
Love all of them-especially the ferris wheel and of course the beach scene. Glad to see you lose control. I mean you wouldn’t have inherited that trait from any of us or anything
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I agree that it’s super important to (sometimes!) let go of our controlling tendencies and just shoot for inspiration. Plus your photos are great.
You freekin’ amaze me every time…. total inspiration!
Thats what i love about film its raw and uncut……No Photoshop!
Gorgeous. I’ve been drawn to film lately and your post make me even more intriuged. Lovely.
The third one is amazing. It would take work in photoshop to obtain the results that you got by just letting go of control. Great stuff. I also like the one with the flag and the seagull.
These are awesome. I’m now ashamed to own a Holga!
Hello world, So a couple of weeks ago I donated a bit of time to the Lake Eden Arts Festival (LEAF). They had planned a benefit fashion tribute for their LEAF Outreach Program and asked me to photograph the hand made designs by Brooke Priddy of Ship to Shore. Together with local uber-talents including but…
Incredible portraiture, I admire your work and talent, Bravo!
Beautiful images that illustrate an “Asheville” vibe!!
Thank you for being such an important part of this event. The memories have been created and the pictures have cataloged all of our hard work for this wonderfully deserving event and organization.
Incredible pics. Love that you got to do this!
Even with the lighting mishap, these are still gorgeous! It obviously takes talent to not even remember the shoot and to still have shots like these
by Parker J Pfister
Been photographing weddings for 10 years. I’m now 61. It is in my blood. What is wedding photography to me? . . . everything that is real, honest, transparent. They’ll have to carry me away in my walker before I’ll ever stop. Lorraine
I loved reading your blog post from 8.23.11, “What is wedding photography? part two” but I noticed that only the first several images are displaying. Are the remaining images available elsewhere on your site? Judging from the glowing comments that followed, I’d love to see them!
Thank you!
Christine
One of the best blog posts from a single wedding I’ve ever read. So inspiring by all means…
very insightful . I’m amazed
Thank you.
Absolutely stunning images! You nailed it on what wedding photography is all about and your right, the key is to get to know your couple very well to see through their eyes. These are very beautiful. If they make me feel emotional, then I can only imagine what it does for this couple.
Someone linked me to your site today, I am blown away by your images. You have an incredible eye!!!
An absolute awesome job. I don’t think people realize how awesome an outdoor wedding can be. I love your black and white and tints you use in your photographs.
Need anymore be said? I think not. I create portraits for families. It’s the same really, “so much more than we can ever see.”
This has to go on a book, definitely! love the poem, it’s all true, as a wedding photographer you get to feel all these emotions through the lens, it’s like there’s a string from your shutter to your heart, every time you see a moment, your heart does a little skip, I’ve got it!! or did I? oh, what the heck, I know I got it!!LOL, it’s so exciting. I love weddings, photography is becoming emotionally part of your client’s beautiful day!!
God! I love your work Parker. Amazing imagery, fantastic words your work is just so inspiring.
Simply beautiful Parker!
Parker, I never cease to be amazed and inspired by your eye your shots and your true love of capturing every moment’s heartstrings. It’s always a gasp and a tear when I am compelled to visit your site and see your work.
BTW I am compelled to come her a lot! Rusty Clyde says Hi….and has a new sister named Jellybean Bonanza…she’s cute
Susan Chancey
beautiful. thank you for sharing, and so eloquently!!
Mr. Pfister, you are so very real and honest and just happen to be an excellent photographer.
Wedding photography is not always only wedding photography, it´s something more subtle, like your vision and your work. You´re a master of it.
I loved that gown! Beautiful. Let me know if you would like a print of one!
Thank you for sharing! I’m sure I’d have to put down the camera on such a hot day, but you captured the joy and love of this family and the beautiful bride. And of course we love how you photographed the bride’s Modern Trousseau gown, veil & sash!
Parker,
The photos of Rachael & Peter’s wedding are absolutely phenomenal! Every detail you captured is breathtaking! I had the joy and pleasure of getting to know Rachael during her gown selection process and seeing her so happy in her gown and veil on the day of her wedding with Peter brought me to tears!
STUNNING!
Stacy Fork
The Gown Shop
Brilliant! Inspiring! Heart-Felt! Like a Hallmark Movie! A beautiful expression as seen through the eyes of the artist! Once again I have been reminded as to why I do what I do as an artist. That you Parker!
Beautiful, poetry in images and words. Thanks for opening your heart again about this beautiful pasion that we call wedding photography.
Beautifully put! They were lucky to have you there to capture it all!
love this, keep it going !!!!
Brilliantly put and brilliantly captured friend!
THAT is Wedding Photography – rephrase – That is AMAZING Wedding Photography
You are such an incredible artist, I’m inspired every time I visit this site. Stunning.
What a way to sum it all up! SPECTACULAR!! Absolutely SPECTACULAR!! xo
Well put Parker. I would personally add one more sentiment to all those wonderful ones that you have penned here so eloquently. “Wedding photography is not the reason I photograph. The people I meet, and share with and whose special moments I help keep, is the reason I am a photographer”
Wow thank you all for such beautiful words. Its crazy after all these years clicking that I still get all choked up by unfolding moments at weddings.
All so true.
These images are stunning, and your words… perfect!
Love this post, Parker!
Tears, you make me cry with your heartfelt words. Thank you for teaching us all.
Beautiful.
I particularly love the Wisdom frames.
Parker,
That is one of the most beautiful blog posts I have read. The sentiment expressed perfectly in the images. The story told and recorded for generations to come.
As everything else fades and diminishes the importance of these images will only continue to grow.
Thanks,
Chris
Yes Parker. It’s all that. I knew I wanted to shoot weddings with Jerry when after our first one was a couple I’ve known for a long time. The groom his entire life! Once we loaded the images on the computer I cried like crazy. They were the most beautiful images I had ever seen.