Each time I am asked to photograph a wedding I feel so, incredibly, lucky…I beam from ear to ear and get a little whoosh of excitement in my tummy. Planning a wedding is like creating a giant, complicated, jigsaw puzzle! Each aspect of the day has to come together at the exact same point at the exact same time to create the perfect vision. Being asked to photograph someone’s day means that not only do they feel that I’m the perfect fit for their puzzle but also, that they trust me to document the final masterpiece in all it’s brilliance!
Being part of a wedding isn’t just about taking images, it’s about being a friend. It’s about calming the bride, giving the groom a pep talk and finding the missing flowers…it’s tucking rogue labels back into dresses, keeping an eye on the schedule and generally being that person that keeps their eye on the ball…whilst photographing it! It’s quite often utter pandemonium and I love it!!
As for photographing a wedding itself, I love detail driven brides because I am a detail driven photographer. I want to know that the shoes have been shipped from Italy, the veil is a family heirloom and the place settings were lovingly made by hand. I love arriving at a wedding and finding “wedding this way” signs, driftwood “Mr and Mrs” blackboards and intricately woven ribbons on menu’s…it’s these personal touches that turn a day into something magical. Every bride I’ve met is different, every bride has a different vision and I am always taken aback by the style and creativity that I am fortunate enough to photograph.
Of course, it’s not just the detail in weddings that I’m drawn to, it’s the detail of the couples I’m photographing. I love knowing how people met and learning about their journey to the altar. The best email enquiries for me are the ones that tell me little about the people, you know, the one’s that read…
“I met (insert name) at University 8 years ago, I didn’t even like him that much to start with but we kept bumping into each other and after I while, he grew on me! Amazingly, we’ve been together for 5 years now and we’ve just got engaged! We’re planning a vintage picnic wedding with lots of lace and bunting! Please say you’re free on our big day because we want YOU to photograph our happiness”.
Ok. Admittedly the example above has received a teensy-weensy bit of artistic licence…but you get the idea! The point is, if you are a bride or groom-to-be and are looking for an artistic photographer with an eye for detail and a cheeky sense of humour…I think I’m your girl!