In This Moment | Expressions

July 24, 2014

I love this image. It's so fun and really captures the spirit of a wedding reception. That said, I'm probably even more fond of it as I know just how rare a moment like this is to document.

Looking through my files this is one of two frames taken of the scene, the first showed the baby with a face mixed with elation and fear and didn't quite work! The second, though, was perfect - with faces at (almost) polar opposites.

I find walking around during the drinks reception highly productive, it's the perfect time to produce documentary wedding photography of the family and friends in attendance.

Camera and Lens Info:

Camera ● Canon 5D Mark 2 Lens ● 50mm 1.2 Aperture ● F4 ISO ● 640 Shutter ● 3200th

In This Moment | Party!

June 27, 2014

I'm very fond of this image. Produced during the later stages of the day at one of my favourite Somerset wedding venues - Orchardleigh House on the outskirts of Frome. For me, the early evening can be such a rewarding part of the day to photograph, all the nervous anticipation that has been building up for months has gone, the ceremony and speeches are now in the past and it's time for the couple to let their hair down. It is always a (very) merry atmosphere.

Essentially, the first dance symbolises the day evolving from wedding to party.

I love shooting from a low angle with certain subjects - a perspective that often gives people much more confidence in the frame and subsequently produces images with that extra wow-factor, the technique has worked perfectly in this instance.

The dress falling the way it did was incredibly lucky and really finishes this reportage wedding photography.

Camera and Lens Info:

Camera ● Canon 5D Mark 3 Lens ● 16-35 2.8 @ 16mm Aperture ● F2.8 ISO ● 4000 Shutter ● 200th

In This Moment | Happiness

May 2, 2014

I know, I know, it’s hardly a documentary wedding image is it? I’m afraid the couple didn’t just happen to fall perfectly onto that patch a beautifully back-lit grass during their drinks reception. I almost always take my couples for a quick photoshoot during their drinks reception in order to create a handful of portraits of just the two of them. I do these portrait sessions in a very relaxed fashion, for instance, I wouldn’t dream of setting them up in an awkward, unnatural pose. These shoots are really a simple walk around the grounds nattering and the natural bride and groom photos are a bi-product of this walk and talk. This sort of portraiture works effortlessly in my documentary coverage without any risk of clashing with wedding reportage produced before or after this portrait session.

Can I really class this as ‘a moment’? Yes, absolutely. And a stunning moment at that as for me, and I’m almost certain for the couple, this image is able, to sum up the entire wedding.

It was such a happy occasion, in fact probably one of the most infectiously positive atmospheres I’ve encountered at any wedding. You could feel the admiration for the couple throughout the day, which was immense.

Next week I'll post a 'real' documentary wedding photograph but for now, here's one of my favourite images of recent years...