Editor's Circle Spotlight: Gruber Photographers

Terry Gruber is the owner of Gruber Photographers, a New York-based company grounded in the art of documentary-style photojournalism. Gruber and his esteemed team of photographers have been expertly manipulating techniques such as lighting, perspective, and framing to capture memories on film since 1989. He has had the honor of shooting many celebrity weddings including those of Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Billy Joel, Jon Cryer, and more. Learn about Terry through our EC Q&A, followed by images from a few of his featured weddings.

How old were you when you began your profession?
"I was shooting photographs with a Box Camera and 2 1/4 film at age eight, processing and printing pictures of the neighborhood kids and my dog in a darkroom. It wasn’t until I was a junior in college that I was hired to shoot photographs of Vassar seniors receiving their diplomas. After college I was a photo assistant for the greatest photographer of women ever: Francesco Scavullo. Technically, though, the answer is that I was 25 years old when I went out on my own, rented a daylight studio, made business cards, and shot beauty and fashion."

What's the most eccentric request you've ever received from a bride?
"I have told this story before! I refer to it as the Tale of Two Thongs. It was printed in the New York Times in an article that coined the term "bridezilla," so forgive me if you know it.

I was in the bride’s dressing room doing the 'getting ready' shots. She looked stunning as she stood immodestly in her stockings, brassiere, and thong. I caught some of the most beautiful photographs of her long adventure getting into her dress and buttoning about 40 buttons in the back.

As she eyed herself in the full-length mirror, she ran her fingers through her hair, turned to me and said, 'Can I ask you a favor? Can you leave the room, I have to put on my real underwear.' Apparently she had been wearing stunt underwear!"

What’s your favorite aspect of a wedding?
"My favorite aspect of a wedding is the time I have with the couple right after the ceremony and before they join the cocktail hour. The pressure is off and they are euphoric. I see, feel, and absorb while they experience their first twenty minutes of marriage."

What other industry would you be in if not this one?
"I would be writing & directing teen comedies in Hollywood."

Which famous wedding in history would you have most liked to work on and why?
"Hands down it would be Grace Kelly’s wedding to Prince Rainier III of Monaco 1956. It featured the most beautiful actress of the 20th century; it was in Monaco on the exquisite French Riviera where I have a special connection; and it had the backstage drama of an American actress marrying a monarch. It remains the biggest thing ever to happen in that country. It was over-the-top, beautiful, and full of pomp and circumstance. The couple had a long, rich photo opportunity when they slowly drove through the streets of Monte Carlo in an open-top car, waving to thousands of well-wishers. I know many photographers will say one of the English Royal weddings, but I am more of a Casino Royale type!"