What is your most memorable wedding?
I worked for a really creative couple a few years ago, the groom is a photographer and sculptor and the bride is an illustrator. They bought into the process entirely and wanted very 'hands off' photography. Their day was amazing. It was held at the family home in a circus tent on a high Cornish clifftop, great friends and close relatives and a massive party.
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Documentary, Authentic, Unstaged, Observational, Beauty
What about your business are you most proud of?
Having spent the last eight years creating moving visual narratives that, in time, become part of family history.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Treat your wedding as a celebration and not a photoshoot. Don't get hung up on posing for hundreds of different group photographs. Enjoy your day, talk to your guests, make memories and trust your photographer to create a series of images that reflects the beauty and uniqueness of your wedding.
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
The Bride & Groom arriving into their wedding breakfast on a hand built personalised cycle rickshaw!
Describe your typical process with a couple.
I meet with couples at least twice before the wedding day. If I've not worked at a venue before, I recce the location ahead of time so that I know it like the back of my hand and often combine this recce with a pre-wedding consult with the couple. On the day, I arrive early and stay late. I work hard to put people at ease because, although I don't stage things or direct, having a photographer about can be disconcerting - it doesn't happen every day! My main role is to simply observe. I want to document what I see. Following the wedding I generally spend approximately 10 days editing each wedding and typically deliver photographs within about 2-4 weeks. We then prepare the clients wedding album and work directly with each couple to perfect the design.
What is the No. 1 photo that you think every couple should take?
I don't believe in the concept of a 'must have' photo. I think every couple is different, as for that matter, is every wedding. I think it's more important to treat each individually and photograph it as you find it rather than trying to 'copy and paste' ideas onto a hugely personal event.
What is the most original photo you’ve been asked to take at a wedding?
The bride and groom on a vintage merry-go-round carousel!
What do you recommend for a rainy day wedding?
This is Britain! Smile, grab a brolly and enjoy yourself. In all seriousness, I think planning goes a long way. Factor the possibility of bad weather into your planning and if it does occur, it's impact will be hugely minimised.
Describe how you got into photography.
Via a former colleague I met a photographer who worked for Reuters. He was leaving news photography and moving into weddings and mentored me in my early years. He taught me a huge amount about what makes a great picture.