Chi-Chi Onungwa (Chi-Chi Ari Photography)

Chi-Chi Onungwa takes a “people-centric” approach to wedding photography, she says. Her “natural, honest and unassuming” style creates space for her couple’s personality to come through in the photos. She observes closely the “emotions and interactions” of everyone involved and works to document the “many different experiences” that make up each wedding day.

Onungwa’s background in fashion design informs her understanding of how to draw inspiration from her couples “and the experience they want to create on their wedding day.” Onungwa says she constantly challenges herself to continue growing as an artist, studying other art forms and “bringing these influences into my photography.”

Check out the official announcement of this year’s 30 Rising Stars of Wedding Photography, along with the editors’ observations on the list of 2020.