Meet Coliene Belle | Photographer

We had the good fortune of connecting with Coliene Belle and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Coliene, is there something that you feel is most responsible for your success?
Photography is really a saturated field right now, almost everyone knows someone who is a photographer. I think the reason we have great repeat clients is because we honestly trying to get great pictures for them. It honestly is my priority, to make them happy. We are out there trying to get real smiles, real laughs. We are trying to have an honest connection with the people we are photographing. Sometimes that means I’ve spent extra time to get it right, sometimes that means that I’ve gotten what I needed right away. We have a pretty good repertoire with kids, so that doesn’t hurt either.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
We really focus on inclusiveness with our business, we have been lucky to be a part of a great community where we are photographing families and weddings for all. We have been really open about our inclusiveness for LGBTQ+ families and couples, and I’m really proud we have stuck to that. Im also really proud that we have clients with kids with special needs, and I will always do what I can to make a good environment for anyone.
I also really focus on a lot of natural
light and true to color photography… I know there are some editing techniques that have their moments on Pinterest and social media, but I like to keep it true. If that means some of my photo sessions are more lighter, because it was bright and sunny, and another photo session might have a moodier vibe because it was darker, than that’s what it is. I don’t want to edit all my photos the same. My portfolio is diverse in its editing and I like it that way.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oooooh! I love questions like these! I would absolutely head to the city for a stroll around Oakland cemetery; and then get a po boy across the street at 6 feet under. I love downtown Decatur too, having a walk around there is always fun. Methane studios is always great to find some great art prints. If it’s a little chilly, or if I’m feeling not the best, my fave is going to matzoh ball soup and bagels at the general Muir. I live north of the city, so in my area I would love to take my friends to a drag show with the house of Laveau, which is so fun! And then some brunch at Good Word brewing and a pop into my fave store, Personify, in downtown Duluth.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My husband, Aldo Nahed, is instrumental in making things happen behind the scenes. He’s jingling keys at babies, he’s telling jokes to kids to make them laugh. He’s making sure ties are straight and no one has cell phones in their pocket. Sometimes he’s doing all that and reflecting light for me. He’s also my second shooter, and even got ordained so we can work together for elopements. He’s one of those people that literally everyone likes, and I couldn’t focus on getting shots without him.

Website: Sweettoothphotography.com

Instagram: Sweettoothpics

Facebook: Sweettooth photography

Image Credits
Our photo headshots (first pic) are done by Colleen Elsie photography All others are sweettooth photography