Podcast Summary: The Heart & Hustle Podcast Episode 428: How to Blend an Editorial Approach with Documentary Storytelling Featuring Grace Torres Release Date: April 8, 2025

Hosts: Evie McLeod & Lindsey Roman
Guest: Grace Torres, Destination Wedding Photographer & Business Educator

1. Introduction to Grace Torres

[00:00 – 05:29]

Evie McLeod and Lindsey Roman warmly welcome Grace Torres to the Heart & Hustle Podcast. They introduce Grace as a renowned destination wedding photographer based on the East Coast, traveling globally to capture thoughtfully designed and emotionally rich celebrations. Grace is celebrated for her signature style that seamlessly blends an editorial approach with documentary storytelling, resulting in timeless and heartfelt imagery. Her portfolio spans luxurious coastal venues in the East Coast to elegant international destinations like Lake Como, Italy, and Mallorca, Spain.

2. Defining Editorial vs. Documentary Styles

[06:07 – 09:24]

Grace delves into the nuances of editorial and documentary photography, highlighting the importance of intentional composition in editorial work while maintaining a natural appearance. She explains that her morning sessions lean more towards the editorial style—“intentionally composed” yet designed to appear candid. In contrast, the latter half of the day adopts a more documentary approach, focusing on capturing spontaneous moments as they unfold.

Notable Quotes:

• Grace Torres [06:30]: “Editorial photography is intentionally composed. It’s carefully composed, but it is meant to read as a more natural image.”
• Grace Torres [08:16]: “It's a mix of everything. I don't know, there's no rules.”

3. Transitioning to a High-End Market

[09:24 – 18:30]

Grace shares her journey from starting in portrait photography to embracing wedding photography as a lucrative venture. She emphasizes the necessity of transitioning from mid-level to high-end markets by rebuilding business foundations, adjusting mindsets, and refining messaging to attract ideal clients. Grace discusses her shift from preset packages to custom quotes to accommodate diverse client locations and needs, ensuring ethical pricing and profitability.

Notable Insights:

• Grace Torres [12:46]: “Image curation on my website really makes an effort to show my portraiture, but also my candid shots. People purchase what they can understand.”
• Grace Torres [18:03]: “Now I custom quote everything in general. I price ethically and stuff like that, but I custom quote everything anyway.”

4. Communicating Style and Branding

[18:35 – 24:35]

The conversation moves to effective communication strategies for high-end branding. Grace highlights the importance of a streamlined website that prioritizes quality over quantity, catering to the trust levels of affluent clients who often work with wedding planners. She advises reducing website verbosity to enhance clarity and appeal, making it easier for clients to visualize their wedding through curated imagery.

Notable Quotes:

• Grace Torres [24:14]: “The mid-level market is doing all their own research, seeking tons of information. The high-end market trusts recommendations from planners and vendors they already know.”
• Grace Torres [24:35]: “A lot of it is relationship building. It’s all about who you know.”

5. Client Interaction on the Wedding Day

[25:06 – 38:18]

Grace discusses balancing her editorial and documentary styles during weddings. She emphasizes the importance of pre-production meetings to understand clients' preferences and allocate time accordingly. Grace shares strategies for maintaining open communication with clients during the event, allowing them to enjoy their day while ensuring they receive the desired photographic coverage.

Key Strategies:

• Taking detailed notes on clients’ priorities and preferences.
• Offering clients the option to pause photo sessions if they wish to relax, ensuring their comfort while safeguarding her professional responsibilities.

Notable Quotes:

• Grace Torres [36:03]: “I protect myself and the client by making notes of what was requested and respecting their wishes during the day.”
• Grace Torres [37:31]: “Understanding when to push a bit more or let the clients enjoy their day is crucial.”

6. Technical Aspects and Gear Choices

[38:18 – 43:36]

Grace shares her preferred photography gear, emphasizing the flexibility required for her blended style. She primarily uses two Canon R5 cameras with a versatile 28-70mm lens for most of the day, supplemented by prime lenses like the 50mm or 85mm for more fine-art portraiture. This combination allows her to swiftly adapt to different shooting scenarios, ensuring she captures both wide compositions and detailed close-ups effortlessly.

Notable Insights:

• Grace Torres [43:36]: “The convenience of a quality zoom lens like the 28-70mm is indispensable on a wedding day.”

7. Getting Published and Building a Prestigious Portfolio

[43:36 – 60:35]

Grace offers valuable advice on securing features in high-end publications. She explains that while some publications may reach out based on the merit of her work, others might involve paid advertising. Grace emphasizes the importance of ethical transparency when engaging in paid features and encourages photographers to build strong portfolios by submitting to selective directories and publications like The Wedding Wire, The Lane, Ruffled, Carats and Cake, June Bug, and Green Wedding Shoes.

Notable Quotes:

• Grace Torres [55:28]: “Strip your business down to the bones and rebuild your foundation, mindset, and messaging to attract high-end clients.”
• Grace Torres [58:08]: “I’m proud to have been part of advertorial campaigns with publications like British Vogue. It elevates my portfolio and brand perception.”

Tips for Getting Published:

• Build a Strong Foundation: Focus on relationships, clear branding, and a curated portfolio.
• Submit to Selective Publications: Target directories and publications that align with your style and brand.
• Leverage Client Relationships: Engage satisfied clients post-wedding to gather testimonials and insights for submission.
• Consider Paid Advertising: Ethically invest in paid features to boost visibility and credibility.

8. Final Thoughts and Future Plans

[60:37 – 62:32]

Grace expresses her excitement for achieving a better work-life balance in 2025. By limiting her travel, she aims to spend more time at home, nurturing personal relationships and focusing on her health. Grace is enthusiastic about collaborating with unique venues and inspiring clients, looking forward to a year of balanced growth and continued excellence in her craft.

Notable Quotes:

• Grace Torres [60:35]: “I’m excited for a year of balance and just enjoying life a little bit more.”
• Grace Torres [60:51]: “I have some venues that I’m super excited to shoot at. It feels very aligned.”

9. Connecting with Grace Torres

Grace encourages listeners to follow her on social media to stay updated with her latest work and insights.

Find Grace On:

• Instagram: @GraceTorresPhoto
• Business Instagram: @GraceTorresEducation
• TikTok: Grace Torres

Conclusion:
This episode offers a comprehensive exploration of Grace Torres' unique approach to wedding photography, blending editorial finesse with documentary authenticity. Grace provides actionable insights on transitioning to a high-end market, effective client communication, strategic marketing, and maintaining a balanced business lifestyle. Her transparent and ethical practices serve as a valuable guide for photographers aspiring to elevate their craft and business.

Notable Resource Mentioned:

• Grace Torres [03:01]: “To download our free resource on setting and achieving goals as an entrepreneur, visit theheartuniversity.com/goals.”