What is your most memorable wedding?
Natalia and Kristian at the Master Builders in 2017. Their wedding was charming, beautiful, and welcoming. She was nervous and realistic, and very aware of what loving her partner and what marriage truly meant to their future. She honoured her family traditions and heritage, and both of their unique personalities were beautifully present through the personal touches she styled into their day. The light on the coast that day was AMAZING, and we had a ball at the end of the day capturing stunning sunset shots of just the two of them. Romantic, beautiful, fun and gentle. I LOVED IT.
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Elegant, Stylish, Beautiful, Gentle and Memorable.
What about your business are you most proud of?
My personal "gentle touch" thoughtful service. I believe in natural, heartfelt storytelling, creating images rich with love, comfort and complete authenticity. Images with a vibrant tone, invoking the memories and emotions from your wedding day. I love that I have been able to create this in a business, I have built on my own. It has been the most amazing journey I have ever taken, this is what makes me proud.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Trust your wedding suppliers, engage and consult the knowledge they possess. Don't try to do it all on your own, enjoy being engaged and take time to have fun with your partner. It should not feel like an uphill battle, and it should not be stressful and unsettling.
Quoting Annabel from Love My Dress -
"They work way past what would be considered a safe/healthy/acceptable level of working hours – evenings and weekends are a constant work/life challenge. But they do this willingly and lovingly because they adore their jobs and they love weddings. Suppliers like these, that is, folk who will go out of their way and walk that extra mile to make your wedding day experience unforgettable, are worth their weight in gold".
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
OMG - it can only be this:
A groom of mine at a recent wedding creating something so gorgeous and poignant for his bride, it gave me goosebumps whilst photographing it. You can see it here on Instagram -
https://www.instagram.com/p/BTtBYrnFeGL/?taken-by=ikonworks
A small wooden box containing carefully carved wooden hearts, each with a reason why he was saying I do.... Just perfection, a treat to every romantic soul and well a romantic gesture like no other I have seen for quite a long time #seriousgroompoints
Describe your typical process with a couple.
My service is bespoke to each and every client, yet it remains always friendly and personal. My couples do not book me and then simply wait for me to turn up on the morning of their wedding not having hear from me in between those key times. I like them to know that I am there for them every step of the way, I am happy to advise and support, I create a beautiful and reassuring service - hence the term "gentle touch".
I take on a limited number of weddings a year, ensuring that my clients receive this gentle touch service that I pride myself on.
I ask each couple to tell me as much as possible about their wedding plans at the point of booking. I love hearing all about their ideas, their venues, what is important to them for their big day and any styles they have chosen. At this point I can usually tell if I am a good fit for them as a wedding photographer.
For me building a relationship and taking the time to get to know my couples is very important, it ensures they feel totally at ease on their wedding day, especially when they have their photo taken. I can blend into the background, ensure they laugh when needed, and have the bridal party feel the comfort of my approach via the bride and grooms easy interactions with me on the day.
What is the No. 1 photo that you think every couple should take?
I don't think its about one image, I focus on the day as a complete story, and ensure I capture as much as possible to ensure when you look back you remember everything. I would say some of the most important images are those of you two together, looking back at how blissfully happy you were in that moment, and how AMAZING you looked is something very special. This is after all the day your family starts...
What is the most original photo you’ve been asked to take at a wedding?
Natalia and Kristian married at Master Builders, the reason they picked that venue is because Mel Kristian's dad) has a boat moored there, and has for decades. All day Mel asked me to make sure I got a picture of the boat, I did - but not in the way he was thinking. In the album I have carefully selected for my profile there is a picture of the tiny flowers (hydrangeas) Natalia selected for Jo Hicks (the florist) to place in tiny vases outside on the tables. If you look at the bottom of the vase, reflected in the water is a tiny boat... you can make out the masts, and the water, amongst the trees of this incredible venue. That is Mel's boat.
I love this shot, and it made my day capturing it.. Something truly special indeed and a perfect momento. The family spend a lot of time on it, and I know it will have been wonderful having it as part of the images from their gorgeous day.
What do you recommend for a rainy day wedding?
Ensure you have a wet weather plan, talk through all of this with your venue and your photographer. Grab some pretty brollies, and try to relax as much as possible. Again trusting your suppliers to look after you on your day, will hugely come into play should this happen, and the heavens open. Even with all of our experience we can't make the sun come out, but we can effortlessly make sure you still have a fabulous day and amazing pictures.
If you have not seen this blog post - then do take a look! It is a clear demonstration of what is possible when you engage and book professional wedding suppliers.
http://www.s6photography.co.uk/blog/a-beautiful-disaster/
Describe how you got into photography.
After a sixteen year corporate career as an executive PA, I decided there had to be more to life. I retrained, whilst still working for a Chief Exec. I started my business in 2009, shooting 6 weddings in my first year. Since then I have refined my niche, practiced every hour possible and fallen completely and utterly in love with the diverse, amazing, brilliant world of weddings. I am proud to be part of one of the most incredible industries, I love being part of my couples wedding days, and my romantic soul finds complete happiness simply doing my job. Its not often you can say that, is it?