What is your most memorable wedding?
Dan & Eve's wedding, at Swallows Oast in East Sussex. They were two of the nicest people Ive ever met, and so hugely in love, childhood sweethearts who had been together for seven years, since they were sixteen. Everything was perfect, beautiful location, gorgeous day, lovely guests and everything was so relaxed but totally perfect, and everyone was just incredibly happy.
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Beautiful, stylish, modern, natural, relaxed.
What about your business are you most proud of?
People say Im a very happy and relaxed person, and blend in effortlessly, and they barely notice me taking pictures and are surprised by how many shots Ive taken that they really love. Couples really love my Bride & Groom shots, described as 'magical' 'stunning' and 'like a fairy-tale'.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Don't get stressed out by details not being perfect, or not being on schedule. Nobody minds if things are not perfect, they just want you to be happy and enjoy your day. So if anything goes wrong, don't worry about it, let someone else deal with it!
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
Doing all their own flowers, which were all grown in the Bride's mothers garden. Personal, and really charming and beautiful.
Describe your typical process with a couple.
An initial meeting, to hear the couples plans for their big day, and to find out what they like, what is important to them, how much time they are happy to spend taking Bride & Groom portraits, and family / group portraits, things like that. Around a month before the wedding, I like to meet up again, ideally at the venue, to go over the final schedule, and have look around to decide where would work best for the portrait shots. During the wedding, I'll typically take around 2,000 photos, which I'll edit down to 450 - 550 of the very best shots. Then I spend about three days working on these images - each image is individually worked on and adjusted, to make them look their best. The finished photos are delivered on a bespoke USB stick, set in walnut, and engraved with 'Our Wedding' which comes in a matching engraved presentation box, delivered around three weeks after the wedding.
What is the No. 1 photo that you think every couple should take?
Just the two of them alone, somewhere beautiful and quiet, having a private, romantic moment together away from everyone else, even if its just for a few minutes.
What is the most original photo you’ve been asked to take at a wedding?
Bride & groom, plus Bridesmaids and Groomsmen being chased by a T-Rex! The final shot came out great!
What do you recommend for a rainy day wedding?
Rainy days can be wonderful, the lighting is very flattering on skin tones, and moody skies can be very atmospheric too. I would wait for a moment when the rain has stopped to get some shots with dramatic skies, and work fast, before the rain starts again. And if the rain continues, I would make a feature of it, without asking the bride to get wet - unless she was happy to!
Describe how you got into photography.
Ive been passionate about photography since I was ten years old, I used to take my camera in to my primary school! Ive been taking pictures ever since.