Meet the Photographer: Andy Bowlin of Burlap & Oak Wedding Photography

From surf shoots to wedding vows—Andy Bowlin, 805 local, started behind the lens documenting waves and now runs Burlap & Oak Wedding Photography, serving all of San Luis Obispo County and beyond.

Photo of Andy Bowlin owner of Burlap & Oak Wedding

Hello!
My name is Andy Bowlin and I own and operate Burlap & Oak Wedding Photography. I do engagement and wedding photography on the Central Coast, covering all of San Luis Obispo County and beyond. I started Burlap & Oak Wedding Photography to strictly focus on weddings and engagements, but I also operate under Andy Bowlin Photography, which is more family and portrait-based work.

I first picked up a camera in high school to document my friends and I surfing and skateboarding. I later minored in photography at Cal Poly SLO and haven’t looked back. I’ve always known that I wanted to work as a photographer in some way. I am so glad I landed on wedding photography because it’s all aspects of photography jammed into one day.

Do you have any tips for couples to relax and enjoy this precious moment?

A lot of people, including myself, say they don’t like their photo taken or don’t know what to do with their hands. But once our sessions are going we are just having fun taking photos. You have to forget about the camera and just have fun with it. I like to start with easy posing and something playful to break the ice. After that, people usually start to let their guard down and have fun.

What specific theme or style do you want to reflect in your photoshoot (e.g., vintage, modern, romantic, playful)?

I’m never sure how to answer this question. I just take photos the way I see things. I don’t have a style name for it. I just like to call it photography. But if I had to, I’d say it’s more on the classic side with a touch of artistic flair. It’s definitely not vintage.

How can we incorporate unique lighting techniques (e.g., natural light, backlighting, golden hour) to enhance the mood of your photos?

Lighting is everything. All photos depend on some kind of lighting. I like to use what’s in front of me and if I can, I will enhance the scene with flash in some way. But not always. If the scene is light and airy I will go with it, and if it’s more dark and moody I will lean into that. You have to be flexible.

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From surf shoots to wedding vows—Andy Bowlin, 805 local, started behind the lens documenting waves and now runs Burlap & Oak Wedding Photography, serving all of San Luis Obispo County and beyond.

Do you have any tips for couples to relax and enjoy this precious moment?

What specific theme or style do you want to reflect in your photoshoot (e.g., vintage, modern, romantic, playful)?

How can we incorporate unique lighting techniques (e.g., natural light, backlighting, golden hour) to enhance the mood of your photos?

Are there any particular locations or settings that hold special meaning for you as a couple and could serve as a unique backdrop?

What angles or perspectives do you prefer for your photos (e.g., aerial shots, close-ups, wide shots)?

How can we use props or personal items to add a unique touch to your photoshoot?

Are there any cultural or traditional elements you’d like to include to make your photoshoot distinctive?

What post-processing or editing style do you envision for your photos (e.g., bright and airy, dark and moody, vibrant colors)?

To add depth and uniqueness, do you want to incorporate special effects or techniques, such as lens flares, reflections, or shadows?

How important is capturing candid, spontaneous moments compared to posed, structured shots in your photoshoot?

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