Photographer Chris Sansom

—Are you photogenic?

—Hell no!

—How did you get in the photography industry?

—To be completely honest I finished Film School and didn't want to make films, so I looked for a way to make a living from Photography and weddings just made sense. There wasn't a burning desire to be involved with weddings. I learned to build a website and offered cheap photography and within two weeks I'd shot my first wedding. During that time I saw Rangefinder magazine and read American Photo's 'Worlds top ten' list and I was completely inspired. When I shot the first wedding I was totally and utterly hooked, I just loved everything about it. Soon after Verity joined be and we never looked back.

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

—Composition, originality and light

—Do you love traveling?

—Yes, although until recently I've not done much!

—What do you like most about your profession?

—Getting to do what I love with the person I love most in the world. What's not to like!?

—What do you like least about your profession?

—Some of the attitudes we encountered when we first started out, with some people worrying more about what others are doing than themselves.

—What will be the future of photography?

—Who knows! Everything seems to go full circle so I'm sure a lot of the techniques people are using now will still be popping up in the future.

—What is special in the photography genre you specialise at?

—It's a day that is absolutely jam packed with photo opportunities. As photographers all any of us can ask for is a great moment or two and weddings provide a bounty of great moments. Not to mention the fact that everyones cheerful and it's just a flippin' awesome job!

—How do you handle criticism?

—We don't really get much criticism! Certainly not from clients, but if we did we would just try to rectify the situation any way that we could to ensure they still had a great experience. If it's criticism from peers, mentors or each other then we know they have our best interests at heart and try to take it on board so we can improve next time.

—Are there any trends in photography?

—Loads! Too many to list and a few that really wind me up. I won't start on those.

—What should be the criteria for a customer to choose a photographer?

—They have to connect with their photographer and be comfortable sharing their day with them. They obviously have to love the photos too!

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—Over here in the UK we're pretty reserved when it comes to the ceremony. Our officiants don't tend to like us getting too up close and personal so we have to be careful not to overstep any boundaries there. Oh and other suppliers trying to push you out of the way....but that's another story!

—What details that usually pass unnoticed can a photographer notice?

—Intimate moments between the bride and groom,

—What influences the value of a photo? What are its elements?

—Waaaaay to much to write down. From personal connection to technical skill. It all depends on who's judging it, I know most the photos I consider to be valuable aren't technically great, they just have emotional significance. Of course if you can get an emotionally significant photo that is technically sound then you're onto a winner!

—What person can be the symbol of the 21st century in your opinion?

—Haha that's a pretty odd one, I have no idea!

—Who do you want to shoot?

—I'd love to photograph Zach Braff!

—Do you have any professional taboos?

—No

—Who would you like to shoot with?

—I'd love to go on a shoot with Ben and Erin Chrisman, Davina + Daniel, Two Mann Studios, they are all couples who've really inspired us. Oh and I'd love a day out with Emin Kuliyev, every day he posts some new awesome lens creation on Facebook, I'd just love to try out some of his exotic kit!

—What do you worry about, and why?

—I don't really worry about anything, I'm not a worrier!

—What is the most impressive moment in your life?

—I don't know really, hopefully there's lots to come!

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

—Totoro, because he's awesome.

—Who inspires you in your life and why?

—Photographically there are too many awesome people to list!

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

—Are people booking you? That's really all there is to it, everything else in terms of awards etc is lovely but not a measure of success.

—Would you rather be liked or respected?

—Liked

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

—Touch wood I haven't ever made any huge mistakes!

—When you're going to travel, what do you take with you and why?

—A camera because it's part of who we are!

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

—Not really, I love all of my gadgets!

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—By watching films and looking at masters of photography outside of weddings. There's so much to learn from other fields of photography!

—Whose work has influenced you most as a photographer?

—Verity's, I see everything she shoots so that always affects me moving forwards.

—What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?

—The less you see other wedding photographers work, the more you develop a unique style. And not to worry about anyone copying your shots!

—What do you want to say with your photographs?

—Nothing, it's about how the couple want their day to unfold and I want the photos to reflect that. Ok, it's in my style but it's their story so it should be their message.

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—I just love taking photos!

—Should your parents have been more or less strict?

—I really couldn't ask for a better life, so I'd say neither, I wouldn't want anything to change!

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

—I'd worry less about having the best kit. It really doesn't make a difference!

—What about life on other planets?

—What about it? It has to exist somewhere and I'd love to see where!

—Who are your heroes?

—I don't really have any heroes, lots of people I respect, but not particularly any heroes!

—Who do you have no respect for?

—Where I grew up there was a lot of closed-mindedness and intolerance so I don't have any respect for people like that!

—What do you do in your spare time?

—Take photos, train for Ninja Warrior and train and compete in Triathlons.

—What's the side of you that the public never sees?

—The 'sitting at home and watching chick flicks with Verity' side

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—Never! I love what we do but there's always things that you could improve on and that's what makes us strive to continue pushing ourselves professionally.

—Do you believe in the traditional roles for men and women?

—No

—Do you make friends easily?

—Yes

—Where would you like to live?

—I absolutely love Yorkshire, but I would like to live in the Lake District one day, or possibly America!

—What's the stupidest thing you've ever agreed to do?

—I have no idea!

—Is there life after marriage?

—What an odd question! I love life after marriage!

—Do you have a favorite joke? Tell us.

—Not really!

—Do you like dogs or cats?

—Both, but I prefer dogs!

—Who or what do you hate?

—I don't really HATE anything!

—The best thing in life is:

—My wife!

—The most annoying thing in life is:

—There only being 24 hours in a day during wedding season

—Is there anything around you that you would like to change?

—No

—What would you like to change in yourself?

—Nothing really, I'm pretty comfortable with my flaws!

—What would you like to change in the world?

—That's a pretty big one! A bit more financial equality around the world would be a good start.

—Can you give a few tips for photographers who are just starting out?

—Concentrate on what you're best at, looking at other photographers is great but you'll never make any headway until you produce something that's truly your own instead of rehashing old work.

—If aliens come to the Earth and you are the first person they meet, what will you tell them?

—Leave, before the government locks you in a bunker!

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

—I'd like to shoot a comedy drama

—Tomorrow I will go and do...

—A triathlon, without any training at all since it's been a busy wedding season.