In May 2024, Catholic photographers Katzie and Ben Nelson reached a milestone: They have shot 150 weddings together.
The St. Paul couple found their vocation as photography partners while dating and have since brought Christ to the center of their work. Together, their studio is known as Katzie and Ben Photography. Katzie and Ben are parishioners at St. Mary in St. Paul’s Lowertown neighborhood.
Katzie described herself as always being interested in photography. While dating, Ben would help Katzie with her wedding shoots by driving her to locations and carrying her bags. At one wedding, Ben asked Katzie if he could try his hand at photography with an extra camera. Ben then caught a remarkable moment when the groom picked up the bouquet the bride left on her chair and handed it to her lovingly.
Ben told “Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley during an interview that will air June 14 that it was a lucky shot. Katzie chimed in, saying, “There is an art and a science to it, and I was like, ‘He’s got an eye for it.’”
As Catholics, Ben and Katzie understand the significance of the sacrament. Both photographers spend significant time with the bride and groom before and during a wedding. Ben and Katzie said they sometimes help remind both the bride and groom that the sacrament is at the heart of the wedding and that the other details are “just a bonus” to the day.
“A lot of couples, they really want somebody who’s going to be familiar with the Catholic liturgy,” Katzie said. “They want somebody who won’t just photograph the vows and the first kiss, but that they’ll also capture the other moments within the mass that are truly significant theologically happening within the liturgy, within the Mass: consecration, elevation of the Eucharist, bringing flowers to Mary, the nuptial blessing, and then to know when those things will happen so that they can anticipate where they need to be within the church to be able to photograph that and actually capture those moments.”
Ben and Katzie often encourage the bride and groom to remember the Lord during the wedding, but also find themselves reminded of the same. Ben said they’re blessed to work with so many devout couples who have seen marriage as a sacrament.
“It’s a lot about keeping in mind that you’re entering into the sacrament together and that marriage is wonderful,” Ben said. “We always joke that because we get to go to all these weddings, usually one of the petitions is for the couple, then all married couples. So, me and Katzie always look at each other across the church at that point and it’s like, ‘They’re talking about us. They’re praying for us.’ So, we get to be blessed with being exposed to that new, young love every time we’re at a wedding.”
Ben and Katzie told their five-year-old son, Luke, that when he’s older he will be able to help them shoot weddings.
To hear Ben and Katzie discuss the importance of Jesus being at the center of the sacrament of marriage, tune in to the “Practicing Catholic” episode that debuts at 9 p.m. June 14 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and repeats at 1 p.m. June 15 and 2 p.m. June 16.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the program also includes a discussion with Father Michael Miller, who will host the upcoming Rural Life Sunday event at his family farm. Also, Bishop Williams talks about his future in Camden, New Jersey.
Listen to interviews after they have aired at archspm.org/faith-and-discipleship/practicing-catholic or choose a streaming platform at Spotify for Podcasters.
