Preston Utley: Blurred Lines, Messy Love, and Finding the Soul of a Wedding

Weddings aren’t about perfect pictures—they’re about the in-between moments, the blurry edges, the unscripted, beautiful chaos. And no one captures that better than Preston Utley, a photojournalist-turned-wedding photographer who sees beyond the surface. In this episode, Preston takes us deep into his philosophy of shooting from the gut, anticipating emotion, and embracing imperfection. We talk about his early days covering ski races and crime scenes at the Vail Daily, why he left news photography for weddings, and how his daily meditation practice makes him the calmest person in the room. He shares why one honest frame can say more than 1,000 perfect images, the myth of timeless wedding photography, and how the best moments aren’t found—they’re felt. If you’ve ever wondered what makes a truly impactful photograph, this episode will change the way you shoot forever.