The wedding season is upon us and in full flow now. As we sit here editing a lovely Jewish wedding that took place in Park Lane central London from last week, and another from Theobalds Park in Hertfordshire, we got to thinking what motivates us most about the work that we do. Other photographers specialising in different areas of our profession sometimes ask us “why wedding photography?” It’s almost as if it is some kind of lesser genre to them! Well as people who have been photographing professionally for just over ten years now, originally in portrait, commercial and fashion photography, weddings are where we see the most creativity and satisfaction. It is also the most demanding kind of work because there are no second chances, it is literally a case of once only moments that must be captured beautifully every time. Light conditions, weather, subject matter and venue change constantly and that’s just on one day. But that’s the thrill, and creating images that will be shown to generations to come is a lasting reward for us.
But if you had to ask what the best bit of being London and home counties wedding photographers is, we would have to say it is the people we get to work with. First and foremost that means some really wonderful couples, but also it’s great to meet their friends and family too. Every other wedding these days whether that’s in the capital or further afield, it seems we run into someone that has seen us working at someone else’s special day. A great deal of our commissions come from personal recommendations and that too is a very satisfying feeling.
The featured image here is from Julie and Ed’s wedding at Vinopolis and Southwark Cathedral. These guys were a perfect example of a great couple who made the day extra special for us too. Sadly Vinopolis ended it’s fantastic run as a wedding venue just a few short months later. But now we all have fantastic memories of both the place and the day. Love was the drug that brought them together, and our love of what we do and the people we work with is what keeps us fresh and motivated every day!
To take a closer look at Julie and Ed’s wedding check out the blog link here: Southwark Cathedral and Vinopolis wedding
By David Green
We always look forward to a big day as it is a creative thrill to capture and help create images that are going to be looked at and loved for generations.
So 7am on a Sunday morning our alarm clock rings, and it is time to grab a quick coffee and toast, and head into Marylebone for Barbara’s wedding prep at the aptly named Marylebone Hotel.
As Asia House was the venue for the civil wedding ceremony and it was only literally a few hundred yards around the corner, I improved my fitness levels by jogging between there and the hotel. I wanted to capture Andrew and his families arrival, but also keep an eye on how Barbara was getting on back at the Marylebone. I was definitely the best dressed jogger that chilly Sunday morning!
The ceremony took place on the first floor in what the venue calls “fine room 2” and it certainly was a very fine affair too! Barbara and Andrew during their marriage vows were what I would describe as a “photographers dream” in the sense that they were expressive, looked at each other lovingly, but also found time for laughter and interaction with their wedding party during the vows. Having said that, in terms of photography it still takes discretion experience and skill to capture unrepeatable moments well.
A special mention for the registrars, as we have consistently found with all central London wedding officials, that they were relaxed friendly and very good at what they did. It really does makes a big difference to the feel of a wedding ceremony to have sensitive and aware registrars conducting the proceedings.
The wedding party now made the fairly short journey across the centre of the capital past Oxford Circus to the reception venue Sketch on Conduit Street.
Sketch, what a venue, quirky, classy with a real variety of internal locations. Yet another fine example of an eighteen century classic London building. Speaking to the staff inside they say they are always trying to keep the look fresh and ever evolving. The venue is Time Out Recommended like ourselves. In fact Sketch is as much a gallery as a restaurant, and has the most amazing toilets! Now I don’t think we have ever mentioned toilets in a wedding day blog post before, but these are a series of white pods in a wonderfully futuristic space that we just had to photograph the couple in.
Food and service at Sketch was magnificent, and was a wonderful way to round off a lovely and memorable wedding day. Special mention to Barbara and Andrew’s friends and family who were delightful to work alongside and spend time with.