Wedding Photographer Amsterdam Anastasia Gaasenbeek (Fotosolo fotografie) shoots a wedding at A boat on the Amsterdam canals, The Netherlands

Tell us a little about yourself??

Former TV journalist and creative producer. Currently a full-time photographer, storyteller, mom of 2 very cool sons, happily married.

How do you think or would like people to describe you?

Funny easy-going person.

Tell us a little bit about the wedding day?

The couple like Amsterdam a lot. The groom's hobby is sailing; he owns a boat. That's why they decided to make the ceremony on a boat which was floating on a canal in Amsterdam. The 'Yes, I do' moment was planned to happen passing the iconic 'Skinny Brige' (Magere Brug). Following the tradition, if you kiss your beloved under the bridge, your family life will be long and happy.

How did you get into wedding photography?

Converted my hobby into job 3 years ago.

How long have you been a wedding photographer?

3 years since the 1st and the last wedding I've did for free.

Can you share how you've made your wedding photography business a success? Any mistakes you made along the way?

I'm not sure if I would consider myself a success yet. I'm in process. My whole life I have one recipe for success in any business: I do only what I like and it gives me power to work a lot more and harder than working for other people.

My biggest mistake so far was underestimation of my clients spending power. Now I see that they are happy with high-end Fine Art wedding books. They are comfortable with the expenses if it's worth it.

What do you think a bride or groom should be looking for and not looking for in terms of wedding photography packages?

Looking for: personal approach
Not looking for: discounts

How do you advertise yourself and what for you has really worked?

100% online: my own website; FB-page, popular web blogs and websites for brides- and grooms-to-be. I can control and compare it: how many clicks and visits I get from every source. That's why Ive never tried some printed stuff such as wedding magazines. Nobody knows what happens with your ads there.

Why do you think people hire you?

They can't resist my X-factor and charisma! (LOL)

No idea, there are so many talented colleagues around me. Maybe they see that I treat them like my best friends from the 1st moment I meet them.

How many weddings do you average per year?

4 per month – it's my own barrier to stay creative. The wedding season in The Netherland is mostly from April to November. So, it's about 24-28 weddings.

Whose wedding would you love to shoot?

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

If you were asked to shoot a destination wedding, where would you hope it would be?

Bhutan. I've heard that the most happy people worldwide live in Bhutan. They even have a Ministery of Happiness! Would be nice to check it out.

What equipment do you have for a typical wedding day?

2 Nikon 700, lenses: 50mm, 35mm, 28-70mm, 70-200 mm. 2 speed-lights SB900. I also borrow different equipment for special occasions.

What is the most challenging thing about a wedding.