"there's a tangible sense of something classic about his work. Flip through Brad's portfolio and that elegant, old-world sensibility is evident in every frame" - Spoken Bride
About:
Hello, welcome, and thank you for your interest in my work. My name is Brad Burckel. I am a husband, father, and photographer. I have been married for 13 years, and my lovely wife and I have 6 beautiful children. I love learning languages, the mountains, traveling to Europe, old film cameras, college football and oyster po-boys.
Photography is a passion of mine, and I consider it an honor and a privilege to capture your most important moments. I strive to provide my couples with the best collection possible - one that you and your loved ones will treasure forever.
I’ve been inspired by living in Europe, with all its history and beauty - especially in its cathedrals. My work is inspired by photographers such as W. Eugene Smith, Sebastiao Salgado, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Rodney Smith, and Steve McCurry. My goal is classic, elegant, natural, and authentic.
I chose the name Du Castel to honor my Grandmother, and pay homage to the beauty and elegance of her French heritage. Roughly translated, "Du Castel" means "of the castle."
The Process:
Every wedding I try to view as if it were my first while drawing on my experiences and inspiration in Europe and all across the United States. I want to have fresh eyes and a clear mind to discover the unique beauty of each wedding. I think of weddings as having a personality and as if I were photographing a person. I want the personality of the wedding to come out in the photographs. This requires a flexibility and ability to quickly respond and react to conditions that create uniquely beautiful photographs. I also want you to enjoy your wedding day! The process should be natural and relaxing. I understand that most people are not used to being photographed and it is very important to me that you feel as comfortable as possible in front of the camera. Let’s discuss your wedding and start developing a plan to bring out its personality and create a uniquely timeless photography collection.
The Experience:
There are hundreds of photographers which may make it difficult to determine just what makes the difference. How does one choose a photographer? I want my brides to think differently about their photographs and what will matter most to them and their families years from now. I want to work with couples who think this way and understand that their photographs are not only for themselves, but also for future generations. What sets my work apart is the sheer elegance of the photographs with a view toward the long term. I have worked very hard to think through the types of photographs your family will want to see in 10, 50 or 100 years devoid of the “latest trends” that will look dated over time. I combine the knowledge of the last 10 years as a photographer to bring you my very best. Each wedding is a very personal project for me and one that I want to make a testament to your marriage. Each is a labor of love, because I love photography and I love creating family history.