Visionaire Photographic

After more than a few weddings, I’ve discovered that almost every one becomes memorable for its own reason. There was the Rolls-Royce that lost a wheel on the way to Eastwell Manor, resulting in an unscheduled visit to the village pub while rescue was arranged.

Then there was the groom who left his suit at home and somehow ended up getting married in his pyjamas; the vicar who became ill 25 minutes before the ceremony, with a replacement arriving by high-speed bicycle with about five minutes to spare; and, perhaps most memorably, the groom and his friends who decided the perfect end to the celebrations was a naked swimming race in the local stream.

Weddings can be elegant, emotional and beautifully planned — but it’s often the completely unexpected moments that make them truly unforgettable.

Creative · Documentary · Informal · Editorial · Innovative

There are quite a few things I’m proud of. Being recognised among the Top 100 Wedding Photographers in the UK, accepted by World’s Best Wedding Photos, and featured by Love My Dress and Shotkit are certainly among the highlights.

I’ve also had the privilege of photographing weddings in some remarkable places — from castles and country estates in Kent to The Ritz, The Savoy, the London Eye, and celebrations across Italy, Ireland and the UK.

Having Nikon select some of our wedding photography for its 100th anniversary film was another particularly special moment.

But perhaps what gives me the greatest satisfaction is still being able to evolve creatively. I’ve never wanted Visionaire to fit neatly into one particular style. The work can move from documentary to fashion, editorial to contemporary, depending entirely on the people, the setting and the moment.

After all these years, that freedom to keep creating something fresh is probably what I’m most proud of.

Prepare well in advance for the day and trust your carefully selected providers to do a stunning job.

One of my favourites was a couple who named every table after a mildly embarrassing moment from their relationship — including “The Missed Flight”, “The Burnt Lasagne” and “The Wrong Hotel”. Each table had the full story on a little card, so by dinner everyone knew far more about them than they probably expected. It was funny, completely personal and had guests talking and laughing all evening.

Communication is everything. Before the wedding, I like to meet with couples and get a proper feel for what they love — and, just as importantly, what makes them quietly shudder.

We’ll talk about the dress, the venue, the style of the day, any ideas they have, and how they want the photographs to feel. I also like to know about the surprises: fireworks, unusual transport, special guests, secret performances, or anything else likely to cause chaos in a photogenic way.

That gives me a clear picture of the couple and the day, while still leaving plenty of room for spontaneity — because weddings rarely behave exactly as planned, and that’s often where the best photographs happen.

On the day, my job is to bring experience, energy and a creative eye, keep things relaxed, and make the very best photographs I can — without turning the wedding into a six-hour photoshoot.

A simple, informal photograph of the couple completely absorbed in the day — enjoying each other, unaware of the camera. For me, those are often the photographs that become the most meaningful, because nothing is being performed or posed. It is simply the couple, in the moment, together.

Probably from a helicopter — long before drones made aerial wedding photography look terribly sensible.

The couple wanted a photograph of everyone gathered outside the venue, so up I went with a camera, a pilot and rather more optimism than common sense. Trying to compose a wedding party from a vibrating helicopter while everyone below waved in completely different directions was certainly memorable.

We got the shot, nobody was blown into the flower beds, and I remember thinking at the time, “There has to be an easier way to do this.”

These days you’d send up a drone. Back then, apparently, you sent up the photographer.

Mega umbrellas, a sense of humour and go with the flow — this is the UK, after all!

Rain doesn't have to be a problem; sometimes it creates some of the most atmospheric photographs of the day. Embrace it, enjoy it and carpe diem. The best thing a couple can do is have fun and let me worry about the photographs.

I grew up in a very artistic family. My father was a professional watercolour painter, so creativity was always around me and I think some of it inevitably rubbed off.

I’ve always enjoyed making things and experimenting with ideas, whether through photography, art or simply putting visual elements together in an interesting way. Photography eventually became the perfect fit because it combines observation, imagination and technique — and, occasionally, a certain amount of controlled chaos.

What I still love most is the reaction afterwards. Seeing someone genuinely excited by an image you’ve created for them is incredibly rewarding.

That feeling never really gets old.