My Style | How I shoot
My Style | How I shoot
As the saying goes, 'A picture speaks a thousand words'. Having a look at my portfolio and collections will explain my style of wedding photography better than I could ever write it. But for the sake of trying to keep things simple, in a couple of words, I would say I shoot in a 'creative documentary' style. Namely, photographing natural moments (the document part) in an artistic way (the create part).
For me, wedding photography is about creating images through being an observer. As much as I can, I like to photograph a wedding...as it is. I try to observe, interpret and create, rather than interrupt and engineer.
Allowing things to happen as they are.
Seeing people as they are.
When it comes to choosing a photographer. I think you need to trust in your photographer's vision. Trust their skill, style & approach. Trust how they choose to interpret wedding photography. Whenever you trust your photographer, you are giving them the space to be & create their best for you.
Whether it's breakfast, going for a morning surf, milking the cows, cutting labels off your dresses, removing stickers from your shoes, having a hot towel shave, getting your hair done, applying your lippy, watching a youtube video on "How to Tie a Windsor Knot?", decorating the venue, or going on a boat trip (which I did before my wedding)....these are all part of your wedding day and I like to be there to tastefully capture and document as much of it as I can.
This, I believe, is an intimate and very special part of your day. I have no desire to have a camera in your face as you exchange vows and make promises. My hope is that you and your guests forget I am there. I like to get a good spot and only move when the moment warrants it.
I love photographing guests. I try to get as much of this as is possible. Capturing their personalities and letting you see what they got up to at your wedding!
When it comes to creating portraits of my couples, I like to see it as slowing down the pace of documentary photography. Continuing on with the story of the wedding, but perhaps telling it a little more slowly. Reducing the noise of the day by carving out time for couples to breath and savour the stillness of just being together. It is in this space I believe that great portrait images can be made.
Whilst I love to create portraits with my couples, I have no interest in taking you away for half the day and returning you just in time for your meal. Usually I take a few small windows (approx 15/20mins) with my couples. One at some stage during the day and the other (if the weather permits) as the sun goes down...to get some of that delicious golden sunset light. It's usually also nice for you to have another little breather alone!
Family | Bridal party
Family | Bridal party
I will of course photograph your family and bridal party. Whilst it is my aim to get as many candid / natural / unposed images of them as possible. I do think there is a time and place for getting you all together. When I do this, I like to make it quick, but not rushed, natural, but not disjointed. Groups is a time to get together and be together - like family and friends - not like soldiers on parade.
If you are having speeches, consider it photographed.
I'll be there for the belly-laughs, the wincing embarrassment, the cringe joke reactions and the tear-jerking moments.
When it comes to the dance floor, there is nothing more I love than to be in the mix, weaving through a tightly knit crowd of shape throwing, dance floor enthusiasts. It's about much more than just your first dance, which is why I like to stay to make sure I don't miss the jives, dives and slides.