Martine Beher & Vania Stoyanova - Love & Story Collective

These two wonderful humans were such a joy to talk to. The joy in meeting new people never ends for me, and these two were definitely special. A lot of laughs and a lot of fun all around. You'll enjoy this!...

Martine Says…

So to explain how I worked my way to the place I am in in my life, it actually starts with my mom. My mom loved photography, but with a family of 5 children, she really didn’t have much time to delve into it more than she did. What my mom did do was pass on a love of taking pictures down to me. Before I could get my hands on a camera, I used to try to draw the things that I found interesting and beautiful. But I wasn’t the artist that my sister is. So when I was 14, I asked for a SLR for my birthday (this is back before the days of digital and even cell phones and I can’t tell how old that makes me feel, lol). My parents of course obliged my request with a Canon Rebel G and thus begun my love affair with capturing everything around me and my Canon cameras.I started out working on the yearbook staff, took a photography class or two, went to college and started out with a degree in Arts Sciences, BUT I quickly discovered how hard it is to make it in this business. So, since I was marrying the love of my life and moving into our first house, I decided to go for something more practical, a business degree. I fell into being a paralegal working at law firms, and then had my first child, my amazing daughter. When I started taking pictures of her and sharing them on social media, it wasn’t long before my friends were asking me to take pictures of their children and so on and so forth. And thus began my business of taking pictures. It’s a deep rooted love of the art. And I love sharing it with others. I love shooting people and seeing those connections in images. That little glimpse of their own story. My style was truly inspired by one of my favorite movies, Pride and Prejudice with Kiera Knightly. The cinematography, the romantic affair with light, and the way it’s used throughout the film sent me on my own journey to “find the light”. Photography, the art of photography, working with families, working weddings; it’s always fun for me, trying to get just the right angle, in just the right light, with just the right settings, and waiting for THAT moment. And you can bet, I’ll do what it takes to get the best possible images I can for you. I crack jokes, make faces at you, laying on the floor, and do my best to make you feel comfortable so I get the real person. I am honored to be chosen on whatever wedding, session or project I am working on. I know that there is a wealth of talent and it means a lot to me to share my talent. I want to put my best out there and provide you with treasure memories that you will keep with you for your entire life.

Vania Says…

I love stories. I have loved stories since I was a child—and not just the ones in books. My favorite stories were the ones my grandfather told us, as he thumbed through old family photo albums. I fell in love with photography as a child from first time my father took black and white photos of us with his 35mm camera to the summers I spent wasting rolls of film with my point-and-shoot. I decided to major in fine arts photography in college, and I have shot everything from weddings and families to author photos, events and book covers for New York Times bestselling authors. Some of my fashion has been published but that only means that I like to get creative and think outside the box.

I have a major sweet tooth I have no hopes of ever getting under control because I love wedding cakes too much. I am Bulgarian by blood, energizer bunny by night, and dream of traveling the world both for pleasure and for your weddings and events. Whether you have an intimate gathering, an adventurous elopement or a large affair, I am your girl. I am passionate about capturing lasting moments but also taking the time to create images that you’ll want to hang on your walls and treasure forever. I am a romantic an an adventurer and I love nothing more than the chance to create with you!