Stories

I like to highlight a few images from time-to-time. To share with you some of the details… how there is thought and meaning within the work I create. Here are just a few, so I hope you enjoy :o)

Jam Maker

At first you’re drawn to the lovely, elderly gentleman in the centre. You’ll then probably see the lady to his right, presenting a bottle of something. So you might not immediately notice this as a wedding image, but then you’ll see the bride & groom framing the image (Fiona & Will). I think it’s important to see that a great wedding photograph, or one that you’ll really love, doesn’t have to present the bride and groom smiling happily, looking directly into the camera. Or even if they’re looking off camera. Y’know, they might not be in the photo at all. Crazy, I know. The way I approach photography is to treat everyone individually, and genuinely care about giving them the best images possible – no one-size-fits-all method. Fiona’s grandfather had handmade an extraordinary amount of raspberry jam for her wedding day, which were used as beautiful place-names for the reception. Unfortunately he wasn’t well enough to make the journey to the big day. I think the gesture and effort of visiting him and involving him even more in the day, on the actual wedding day, speaks enormously of the occasion and the people.

The Choir

People tell me they like this image because it’s so interesting. You have the details of the choir, the alter and Bella & Rob all working in harmony. Yet it’s not just about throwing a load of details at you, they have to mean something significant. Bella & Rob both loved the energy that the choir would bring to the ceremony, and once commenced it really did fill the atmosphere in the Church. It’s just one of those small pieces which fit together with everything else to make the events special. At this point, just after the final blessing, they would usually be facing away from everyone towards the alter. If that had been the case here, it would have been a far less engaging image. Yet there was a small moment of uncontained excitement, as they wanted to look back at their families and loved ones, and realise that feeling with them. All this puts a story together, and makes the image far more significant to all involved.

Afternoon Tea

This image usually seems to produce a small chuckle. I think people see the two ladies on the left talking over the man, who is just staring vacantly out into space. You begin to put the picture together inside your head, of them talking away and him probably just wanting a quiet place to sit down! The soft lighting and careful arrangement of space and subjects in the image allows you to explore the details, but not be overcome by them. I love details like this on a wedding day, as it gives us a great impression or memory of a small piece of the day, whilst also giving us some humour and cultural interest – it just makes it all the more warming. It is undeniably English.

Embrace

As an outsider viewing in, I love seeing the generational aspect of a wedding, with families coming together and people of all ages celebrating. There are all sorts of different roles; the bridesmaids who help keep the bride cool and composed, the father of the bride who proudly walks his daughter down the nave, the best man who drops what we thought was a ring down the grates in the church during the ceremony… It’s a big occasion and these important roles give us lots of small, but memorable moments. A loving embrace isn’t at all uncommon at a wedding, it’s almost mandatory! But this one is special. I often see the less prominent roles, like the younger ushers or page boys go unnoticed or forgotten in the day. So this image reminds me how welcoming and loving people can be to everyone. This image doesn’t show us everything about the day… but in what it tells us, it almost gives us everything you really need to know about the occasion and the people.

Win!

Just look at that expression… going for gold! Sometimes an image can throw out such raw emotion that you can’t help but be drawn in by it. I love images that do that. Even as a spectator (or outsider), it evokes the feeling of being there at the event. And for me, that’s what it’s really about. If I can capture some of those real-life moments and put those real emotions into a still image, I’ve made something that isn’t only timeless, but is something of real meaning.