Wedding photographers in London

—Whose work has influenced you most as a wedding photographer?

—Fer Juaristi and Jeff Newsom. Both for completely different reasons, but these guys have helped shaped a part of me to who I am as a wedding photographer.

—How did you get into wedding photography?

—It all started when I was thinking of moving away from Graphic Design and into something new. I had used camera's before but to take photo's of stock images, and then one of my friends thought I'd be good at weddings, and introduced me to a wedding photographer whom I assisted for two years, before venturing out on my own.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—Although as I said above the amount of freedom this job gives me, I think missing out on weekends over the summer with my wife and daughter, is probably what I like least. Especially as my wife works full time, so not being able to spend time with her, is my least favourite thing about this profession.However the positives and all the time off during the quiet months far outweigh the above point. Contradictory I am. Hahaha.

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—Recently with rise of Snapchat and Instagram Stories, I see so many photographers taking images or videos for social media, that they're missing genuine moments. Stay away from social media, when the action is happening....thats my rule for me!

—What do you like most about your profession?

—Ever since the birth of our daughter, I love the freedom this job gives me to spend alot of time with my daughter, being around her, and watching her grow is amazing, and this job gives me the freedom to do that.

—Are you fond of travelling?

—Yes! I've backpacked across Thailand and also with my wife along the East Coast of Australia. I'm so lucky that this job has allowed me to travel to countries I would never thought of visiting before too.

—Who do you want to take photos of?

—Musicians and Footballers (anyone at Man Utd)! I had a press pass for Michael Jackson at the O2, but sadly he had passed away before the concert tour began, he would have been amazing to photograph.

—Who would you like to shoot with?

—There are so many photographers i'd like to shoot with Mario Testino, Mark Seliger, Steve McCurry, Joey L just to name a few. I like shooting with wedding photographers I like and respect too.

—How do you handle criticism?

—It hurts. Ofcourse. But I handle it well. If i'm being critiqued by a peer, then I take it well, as it helps me to grow as a photographer. And believe me, I've had some super harsh critique!

—What will be the future of wedding photography?

—I have no idea! I don't think much will change in terms of the foundations of making a good wedding photo. But if things change with the way we shoot or the way images are presented or whatever else, I hope I can change with it too.

—What is special in wedding photography?

—Everything. Capturing moments, people, emotions, something that my couples can look back on in years to come that brings them back to their day, or reminiscing about someone....thats special.

—Who inspires you in your life and why?

—My dad. He came from Africa to the UK with nothing, and made a life for himself, and raised a family! I could write an essay about this, but he's one person that inspires me.

—Are there any trends in wedding photography?

—There's always trends. There's always some new preset, go pro, drone, filter happening in wedding photography. I try to stay away from gimmicks and focus on whats important for my couples.

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—By taking lots and lots of photo's and understanding why I like some over others and figuring out how to make the photo's I like by analysing them.

—What do you do in your spare time?

—I like to mix on my decks when I get the chance! It's rare, but if I get the chance I love to turn the music up and just mix up some records.

—What is the biggest mistake you have ever made at work?

—At one point I would've said letting my work take over my life. I'm slowly getting the work / life balance right....kinda.

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—Every wedding I challenge myself to be better than the last and try to take an amazing set of photo's.

—What are the most important components of a good photo in your opinion?

—Moments over everything. Composition and light play a big part, but moments always win for me.

—What should be the criteria for a bride and a groom to choose their wedding photographer?

—Go with whoever's style or vision you like and that you feel most comfortable with. Thats it.

—Where would you like to live?

—The grass is always greener.....but I'd love to live in the far east.

—What do you worry about, and why?

—Everything. All the time. I'm a worrier. I can't help it.

—Do you believe that you replicate the soul of the person you are shooting?

—Thats what I try to do when i'm photographing someone.

—Are you photogenic?

—I don't think I am. But thats my opinion. Hahaha.

—If you were a cartoon, book or movie character, who would you be and why?

—Foghorn Leghorn.......cos i've got a loud mouth!

—Would you rather be liked or respected?

—You have to like someone to be respected.

—What is the most impressive moment in your life?

—The birth of our daughter.

—Do you have any professional taboos?

—I don't think so.

—If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

—Buy less gear!

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—Never.

—What should be the criteria for a bride and a groom to choose their wedding photographer?

—Good chemistry is key. You don't want negative energy near you on your wedding day, however subtle it might be. Also, choose a photographer who photographs the kind of pictures you're looking for. Asking them to change their style to fit other styles that you've seen may be creatively inefficient!

—Are there any trends in wedding photography?

—There are broader trends such as a popular move towards informal photography which reflects society and is likely here to stay. Then there's the mini trends such as fake sepia and the naff photoshop effects of the noughties. Right now, I think extreme 'Instagram style' grading is a trend thats days are probably numbered. I reckon if I can create an image in the darkroom using traditional techniques, then it'll probably stand the test of time. There's no substitute for good images that don't need trendy embellishments.

—Are you photogenic?

—There's a question to make a photographer blush so I shall turn it around... Most people who think they're not photogenic are actually not happy with the way they are reacting to the camera. I find my approach to photography is a good fit for people who don't like having their picture taken because while they're having a real life moment, I'll often have the chance to capture them before they make a contrived reaction to my camera. I try to take my own advice and stay in the moment while I'm being photographed but I must admit, I'm not a fan of being scrutinised by a lens if I become aware of it!

—Is there life after marriage?

—I hear of post wedding blues but that's understandable after all the work and effort that's been piled into the one day. I'm regularly told how pictures are a nice comfort during this time! As for life after marriage, I absolutely think there is if you're content for life to continue as it was before marriage.

—Do you believe that you replicate the soul of the person you are shooting?

—I'm not that spiritual but I do believe that photographs allow the viewer to project far more of themselves onto the subject than moving images. When you view old pictures of long gone people, you can imagine rich lives and full characters. Who knows if the soul is responsible for that?

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—By looking at other photographer's work. When you reach a certain level of technical proficiency, it's quite easy to reverse engineer how a picture was taken but the ideas and inspiration you can harvest from your peers is invaluable. Hopefully the reverse is occasionally true!

—If you are called to shoot a movie, what genre will it be?

—I have been! I used to shoot films and commercials when I started out as a photographer. I am usually drawn to atmosphere and suspense! I haven't completely closed that door but the networking and uncertain lifestyle doesn't really suit me.

—What do you worry about, and why?

—I'm a worrier but I think that's quite good at a wedding, provided you're able to hide it well and use the energy positively. If you don't worry, it's very easy to relax and not be on your game. A bit of worry makes you conscientious.

—Who are your heroes?

—Politicians who are in it for the right reasons. I think the media is very good at lumping them all in together and I think there are some real heroes there who will never be appreciated, from left to right.

—What is special in wedding photography?

—It's a privilege to be granted such access to a private and very intimate day, otherwise reserved for only the closest of friends and family. The heightened emotion is quite tangible and really makes for some potentially great photography. I often liken wedding photography to street photography in the 50's, before people grew cautious of unsolicited cameras pointing at them!

—How do you handle criticism?

—Gracefully and with a keen interest. I should say that with 300+ weddings under my belt, issues are extremely rare because I'm good at pre-empting and you really need to be!

—What will be the future of wedding photography?

—I think that photography and videography will remain distinct because they require real attention to do well. I think wedding photographers will take on promotional agents in the future to make introductions, particularly when they start out.

—How did you get into wedding photography?

—My Art teacher asked me to photograph his daughter's wedding when I was 17. I was given 5 rolls of films and £50 cash so I was very happy. My third wedding was at the British embassy in Geneva!

—What do you like most about your profession?

—The variety of my work. People sometimes ask if I ever get bored of photographing weddings and I would, if they were ever the same wedding!

—What things that common people don't usually see can a wedding photographer notice?

—Wedding photographers should regularly try and find unusual positions from which to photograph. There's much to be said for seeing the world differently.

—Do you take nothing but wedding photos?

—I also shoot events and some portraits but I try to approach my photography reactively rather than proactively where feasible.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—Some of the technical marketing and site optimisation! I think most self employed photographers say that?

—What do you do in your spare time?

—I'm a huge movie buff and often go to film festivals. I enjoy food and cooking and I love animals.

—How do you define success? How do you measure it?

—Happy couples. Everything else is background. Happy couples lead to more happy couples!

—Do you like dogs or cats?

—Both. Have 2 cats. Would love to have a big dog. One day I will, oh yes!

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—Negativity. Rudeness. Lateness. Inappropriate behaviour in general.

—Who do you have no respect for?

—People who have loud voices but risk nothing.

—What are the most important components of a good photo in your opinion?

—A magnetic point of focus.

—Is there anything that you wish you hadn't bought among the gadgets that you own? Why?

—My TomTom. Thanks Apple!

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—Never, ever.