Photographers in London: wedding photography portfolios

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

—I don’t think there is anything specific. A good wedding photographer will have an eye for a moment or an interesting composition or great light that most won’t have, but the key thing is that when you’re employed to shoot a wedding you approach it from a different angle to a friend or family member who is there to enjoy the wedding. I am paid to be observant. Plus, I see what the common people are doing. I’m there to photograph everybody, not just the couple.

—Are there tendencies in wedding photography?

—Always somebody doing something that everybody else copies until something else comes along. Trends get old quickly (see ‘couple in rain with flashgun’, etc.)

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

—For me it’s all about the genuine moment, captured without any intervention by the photographer. A moment that would have happened even if the photographer wasn’t there. A moment of action, emotion, great light, etc.

—Who is the 21st century symbol to your mind?

—For me, whoever does the most to increase education and encourage the use of reason and logic in decision-making from the top to the bottom of social and political hierarchy.

—What devices that you own you regret you bought and why?

—A Panasonic GF1 that I barely used and that my wife dropped and damaged after I’d had it for a couple of weeks. I don’t get on with cameras without viewfinders.

—Is it easy for you to make friends?

—I really don’t. I’m friendly and approachable and I get on with most people, but I’ve been burnt too many times so I keep most people at a few arms’ length.

—Imagine that you can travel back in time. What would you do differently?

—I would make better use of my enquiring mind and study science or engineering, so that I could be of more use to the world and future generations.

—Cats or dogs?

—I prefer cats to dogs, but I don’t like the damage they do to your house, so am currently resisting my family’s desire to own one.

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

—Approach is key for me. They either want to just get on and enjoy their wedding and have a record of it, or they want to spend the day modelling for pieces of art or fashion photography (or somewhere in between). A connection with the photographer’s portfolio, and a desire to see themselves in those images, is a good guide.

—Where would you prefer to live?

—In a huge warehouse apartment in NYC, or in a cosy old manor house surrounded by a few acres, or on top of a hill in Scotland.

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

—Nobody specific, but seeing in 2004/2005 that a documentary approach was a viable option for wedding photography was the push I needed to start doing it myself.

—Is there anything in your work that you don't like or even hate?

—The assumption by some that I’m at the wedding to take control of everything and to take boring, posed photos of the guests.

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

—The old story of the couple with no money, an old uni friend with a decent camera and a firm agreement that there’d be no posed photos.

—What mistake in your professional experience you treat as the biggest one?

—Running up the stairs of Marylebone Town Hall with a zoom lens precariously perched in a jacket pocket didn’t end well.

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

—Not sure I even know what the ‘present’ of wedding photography is. I just do what I do and hope enough people each year want that.

—What would you prefer to change in the world?

—I’d like to ensure everyone gets a quality education and eradicate dependence on myth, legend and violence.

—The most troubling thing in life is:

—Procrastination. And people constantly changing speed on the motorway when I’m using cruise control.

—Is there anything in your work that you treat as prohibited "tricks"?

—I won’t work for people or companies that I perceive to be helping to make the world a worse place.

—Do you look good in pictures?

—Not really, mainly because I pull stupid faces when I find myself on the wrong side of the camera.

—Is there life in the Universe?

—Presumably, but we’ll wipe out life on our own planet before we make contact with life on others.

—Do you shoot wedding photos only?

—Mostly. I also photograph the odd birth, the odd commercial job and not enough personal photos.

—Have a best-loved joke? Share it with us!

—“Some people like cats and some people don't. Apparently the Pope's a cataholic.” Milton Jones

—How do you spend your leisure time?

—I do DIY, or I play my ukulele, or I go to (mostly metal) gigs or I do a crossword.

—What cartoon, film or book character would you become if you had a chance?

—Butthead from Beavis & Butthead, because he.. he… he. You said would. He.. he…

—Is there anything that worries you? What & why?

—Time and money and my misguided perception that I have a shortage of both.

—Do you like travelling?

—I do, but in comfort. I’m more of a city person than a wilderness person.

—Whom can you name as a person/people not deserving respect?

—Those who promote fear, intolerance and lies to feed their own greed.

—Do you believe in the traditional gender roles?

—Like most traditions, best left in the past. Live and let live.

—Whom can you name as people you respect and admire most?

—I don’t really have any. They’d only ruin it at some point.

—Can you specify whom would you love to shoot?

—Anybody that trusts me completely and who will ignore me.

—How do you deal with criticism?

—Depends who it’s coming from and how constructive it is.

—Life is great thanks to:

—Freedom. And Five Guy’s Bacon Cheeseburger, All The Way.

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

—Take your own (decent) food, and wear comfortable shoes.

—Do you believe in life after wedding?

—It’s just a certificate and a great party. As you were.

—What person in your life is your muse & source of inspiration?

—I’m not good at absorbing or recognising inspiration.

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

—Working for myself and (kinda) gatecrashing parties.

—What makes you continue shooting?

—People keep paying me to come to their weddings.

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

—Depends who is doing the liking and respecting.

—What side of you do you never show to the public?

—Most of my sides. I’m a fairly private person.

—When travelling, what do you usually take with you & why?

—Clothes, money, phone, a camera of some sort.

—Imagine aliens come to our planet. You are the first human they meet. What would you tell them?

—That I want a ride in their spaceship.

—In your opinion, should your parents have been more or less strict to you as a child?

—My mum got it pretty much spot on.

—What would you alter in yourself if possible?

—I’d like to have more self-belief.

—If you have a chance to shoot a movie, what genre will you choose?

—A very dark and gory horror film.

—What are your plans for tomorrow?

—…something less boring instead.

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

—Dunno, it hasn’t happened yet.

—Who would you choose to try taking photos with?

—Nobody. I like working alone.

—What moment in your life you treat as the most significant one?

—Completing this interview.

—How do you improve your photography skills?

—Take more pictures.

—Do you hate anyone or anything? Who or what?

—Overuse of hate.

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

—The truth.

—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.

—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.

—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 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!

—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.

—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!

—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!

—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 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.

—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 among your gadgets that you wish you haven't bought? Why?

—My TomTom. Thanks Apple!

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—Never, ever.