Wedding photographers in Malta

—What should future newlyweds pay attention to when looking for a wedding photographer?

—The photographer's style for sure. I have encountered many couples who simply ask for a quote without even checking the photographers' websites, and for me that is insane and quite frankly disrespectful for the photographers. Being chosen for a cheap quote is not the right way of choosing a photographer, especially when one considers that the wedding will happen only once and the photographer has no other time to re-take shots. So couples please, visit the photographers' websites, browse through them carefully, get to know your photographer. Useless hiring someone who's work you like, and then when you meet them, you do not connect. You have to connect with the photographer since he/she will be with you all the day on your wedding day!

—How did you start working in the wedding photography field?

—I started working 7 years ago in weddings and not out of choice. A gentleman contacted me after a common friend recommended me. I had not done a wedding yet so I was reluctant to accept to shoot his wedding. This client did not take no for an answer but gave me a couple of days to think about it. I did my utmost to recommend others, to get away from it, but it was all futile, this client wanted me. So there I was all shaky on the wedding day, not knowing what to do. Once I got to the bride then, I somehow flowed and instinctively knew what to do. I haven't stopped since, and I am grateful for this client to have shown such trust in my capabilities because it was the start of my wedding photography!

—How do you deal with criticism?

—Since a young age I was trained to accept criticism since one stands to learn. At first I found it tough to take criticism in, because each and every photo was my 'baby'. Nowadays I am better able to accept criticism, and realised its ok if people do not like your style, since there will be others who will. You can't please everyone in life and that is ok too. Focus on the good stuff I say and recognize which battles to loose to win the war. So critique is always welcome. I stand to always gain!

—Do you shoot wedding photos only?

—No. I don't do weddings only. I am currently reading an MA in Cultural Heritage and in my thesis I am researching how photography can capture the spirit of a place (not about ghosts). So my research has lead me to fall in love with places. My fave genre is actually street photography and photographing places.

—What is there in your work that brings you joy?

—Love. Plain and simple, its love that brings me joy. Not only the love which I witness in front of my eyes from my clients, but the sheer joy I feel when I capture these treasured once in a lifetime moments. Wedding Photography is tough, but if you flow with it, you get the greatest joys too!

—What would you have preferred to learn before becoming a photographer?

—I think I came a long way. My training in drafting and working as a draughtsman for 19 years before going freelance has helped a lot. For 8 years, I juggled full time drafting post and freelance photography. Now I part time lecture and freelance photograph, which suits me better

—Do you like travelling?

—Is this even a question? I sure do! One of my most popular destinations is Bordeaux in France, where I also shoot destination weddings, however a summer festival is mandatory and love travelling outside Europe. So far I have been to Cuba, and next trip is Nepal....

—How do you improve your photography skills?

—By looking at other photographers' work and doing workshops by said photographers. They inspire me to get out of my comfort zone and try other things, and make them my way by inputting my personal style in the image making.

—What makes wedding photography different from other photography genres?

—I suppose what makes weddings different than other genres is the fact that it happens once, you can't rewind therefore your shots have to be great since you can't re-shoot. Not only that, one has to also be a people's person and be able to mix and be friendly with the couple and guests, as well as be focused to get the right shots. There is a lot of dirty work in wedding photography which few people appreciate. The sheer stress of driving and finding parking, the backing up of work, the equipment which can fail, thus you have to have a back up...ultimately the finished product has to reflect the day too.

—What makes you continue shooting?

—My love for the mundane and my country's culture makes me want to keep on shooting forever. I can shoot the same street over and over again. Life happens, so there are many different photos happening at the same time too.

—Can you imagine what wedding photography will be like in future?

—Since I started 7 years ago, weddings have evolved considerably with more and more things to attract clients. Photography changes too. Photographers try new styles, have better equipment to work with, nowadays wedding couples even order a drone for their big day....that surely is one to mention. I suppose in the future it will be more and more of this. Thus I just keep working on myself and my photography, so I keep evolving my style and not remain stuck in the early 2000s, but move along with the years to be better able to give what my clients deserve!

—What are the key elements that make a photo attractive?

—LIGHT! For sure light is how photos are made. A keen eye for detail, composition and framing are a close second. The rest is up to the moments captured, the emotions felt and translated into an image...

—What details that usually pass unnoticed can a wedding photographer capture?

—It all depends on the photographer's way of shooting. If a photographer follows a traditional way then the photos will show mainly the wedding. However it is always interesting to shoot other aspects of the day like for eg; the cat at the bride's house lounging in the flower box, the venue decorated and how it looks from afar. All these photos will be appreciated by the couple since they would have thought about these tiny details too, and would love to see that their thoughts did not go to waste.

—What is absolutely unacceptable when taking photos?

—During weddings, the absolute unacceptable is having someone else shooting with professional gear without asking your permission or at least letting you know that they wish to shoot the event too.

—Give some advice to a wedding photographer who is a beginner.

—Become friends with a professional photographer and be willing to learn even without shooting, that is, even to just carry around the photographer's stuff. Respect others, they have more experience from you, so you stand to learn if you are open to learn.
Stop being a know it all. You won't learn that way. You learn by doing the hard work, the dirty work behind shooting weddings and ultimately gain the trust of the professional photographer and start shooting slowly slowly.

—When are you totally satisfied with the results of your work?

—Never. I always strive to shoot better, differently etc. There are many moments where I love my work, but once shot, I am always falling in love with the next photograph...

—What's better – when you are liked or are respected?

—Respected.
Like is for teenagers and for those who want to influence social media.
Respect you have to earn it, and behind that there is a lot of hard work!

—Who would you choose to try taking photos with?

—Jonas Peterson. I admire his work, and follow this wedding photographer constantly. I wish to be his second shooter one day!

—What would you prefer to change around you?

—Reduce traffic. Stop over development. Allow for more nature around the towns we live in.

—What key message are you trying to convey with your pictures?

—Simple life can be extraordinary!

—Whose works made an impact on you as a wedding photographer?

—Jonas Peterson...yes again!