What is your most memorable wedding?
I shot a wedding, Melanie and Dave in Hertfordshire a while ago. The ceremony was intimate and beautiful and the couple were amazing to work with, the sweetest couple. The views were breath taking out in the country side and it was a warm evening. The wedding went brilliantly however I was pulling some ninja moves taking photos, and I heard this riiiip in my pants! Luckily I had a longer top on over my trousers but the rest of the trip back, I got a cheeky breeze!
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Documentary, natural, raw, unobtrusive, art.
What about your business are you most proud of?
I'm proud I get to work with passionate people and I get to document love in it's purest form. It's the most satisfying feeling being able to do what you love.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
But a planning book or create a spreadsheet and make a list of all the details. It helped heaps when I was wedding planning - We got married last year. Once in New Zealand and once here in the UK.
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
On of my brides, Melissa, her now husband Tony works away a lot as part of the forces. As she was prepping for the wedding, she made multicoloured paper cranes which were used as part of the decor at the wedding reception. I thought it was amazing as she had spent so many hours doing this and it's so personal to them on the day.
Describe your typical process with a couple.
So the process normally starts with an enquiry, after discussing some details via email we will either arrange a Skype meeting depending on their location, or we will meet in person to discuss further and make sure we get along. This is the best way to make sure the bride and groom are a right fit for me, and also if i am a right fit for the bride and groom. A wedding day is important and a long day if you don't get on with one another when you are working closely with one another. From here, bride and groom will generally go ahead and book and a deposit is processed to secure the booking. Communication is kept up via email or text on the lead up to the day and wedding is shot. Sneak peaks are delivered within a week and photos are back with the newlyweds within 6-8 weeks from the date of wedding.
What is the No. 1 photo that you think every couple should take?
First look can be such a great shot because generally, the groom is blown away and taken aback at how his bride to be looks. It's so emotional and its as if it's just really sank in that they are about to get married. It's crazy beautiful!
What is the most original photo you’ve been asked to take at a wedding?
Hmmm I'll get back to you on this one
What do you recommend for a rainy day wedding?
Maybe incorporate wedding umbrellas into the attire where possible as a backup, or have a backup plan for any formals you may wish to shoot. This is just as sometimes, the venues may not have indoor space to allow for a nice backdrop for formals.
Describe how you got into photography.
I had always been around cameras from a young age with my dad having this film camera, I went to a lot of music gigs as a teen and even now I photograph for publications / agencies / record labels regularly. If you're a huge music fan you can see the music work at www.pshikotra.com. Proud to say I have shot for NME / Jack Daniels / Skinny Magazine / BMG Records along with others. I worked at Apple for a while and picked up a camera, everything was self taught but I fell in love with it and here we are.