I have another interview with a photographer for you today and this one is a lot further North. Based in York, the awesome Annemarie King is here to share her photos and thoughts. Enjoy!
Annemarie King
Location: York
The interview
When and how did you fall in love with photography?
My dad had a love of photography. He had a 35mm Zenith camera. When I was 10 I borrowed it and took some pictures in our garden. I still have that very first picture… it was my first attempt at creative photography. It was a disaster!! So I picked up that camera and I tried again and again and again because I wanted to be good, I wanted to be the best. I’m still trying!
Have you had any formal training?
Yes. While still at school I took a night class and from there I built a portfolio which won me 2 years at college where I studied for an HND in Photography and Design. After that I was offered an opportunity to work as an assistant with a well known social photographer in the Midlands where I was trained for a further two years.
How would you describe your photography style?
Dramatic, romantic, fun!
What inspires your work?
The old masters, music videos, true love, fashion magazines, films, beauty, nature: I cant resist a blue-black stormy sky, I think it’s the most romantic thing in the world.
When did you first shoot a wedding?
In my second year as a studio assistant back in 1992.
Where in the UK are you based and how far would you travel to shoot a wedding?
I am based in the beautiful, ancient city of York. On my blog I say that I cover ‘Yorkshire and beyond’ which always makes me laugh because I sound like Buzz Lightyear, from the film Toy Story! Seriously though, for a couple that loves pictures I will travel anywhere. The furthest to date? Uganda.
How many weddings do you shoot per year?
35-40.
What has been the best wedding you’ve captured so far, and why?
That’s a really tough question. I have been lucky enough to have shot almost 1000 weddings. I’m truly always in love with the last wedding that I shot. In this case it happens to be Lou and Rashed’s wedding at a hall owned by her cousin. An amazing venue, a great couple and great styling that brought two different cultures together with a kaleidoscope mix of English spring-time flowers, Asian sari fabric, the Union Jack flying over the hall, Cobra beers at the bar, daffodils floating in a balti dish, pots of primroses and tete-a-tetes decorating the tables.
What would be your idea of a dream wedding to photograph?
A couple who are crazy about each other and crazy about pictures, and then getting enough time to take those pictures. I don’t necessarily care about fancy castles and posh trimmings (although they can be nice!) Sometimes the most simple of ingredients makes the perfect day: fun and unique details, fun guests, a puddle of beautiful sunshine, a peeling painted wooden background (I love them, it’s a strange passion of mine!) I love English vintage country style and one of my favourite weddings ever was at a village church and the village hall next door. All the couple’s friends and neighbours had decorated the hall with bunting and flowers and put on the most wonderful spread of food.
Has anything gone wrong when shooting a wedding? And if so, how did you cope with it?
I have seen cakes collapse, I have heard about brides pushing their own wedding cars to bump start them, organists not turning up, brides burning holes in their veils… But when it comes to photography? There is no excuse for not being prepared and always, always having spare kit with you. These are the two rules that must never be broken.
What camera(s) do you use for photographing weddings?
A Canon 1DS Mk2 and a Canon 5D.
And your favourite lenses?
50mm and 70-200mm L IS USM are always in my Shootsac bag.
Do you use any lighting equipment?
Sometimes I use a video light and I also have a Canon 580EX Flashgun which I use rarely.
What advice would you give to wannabe wedding photographers?
Practice, read, take seminars, try, fail, try again, succeed, improve.
What has been your proudest moment as a photographer?
When someone loves their wedding pictures so much that they are moved to tears. That, and winning Yorkshire Wedding Photographer of the Year the first time.
Out of all the photographs you have ever taken, which is your favourite and why?
This picture of my darling dad and Jodi the cat. Both are no longer with us so it is very special to me. It was a happy time in my life. I had just returned home from shooting a summer wedding. I had two frames left on a roll of film and I always liked to use them up because it was expensive to process film. Dad posed with Jodi and she looked at him at just the right moment. Great pictures are the ones that give people the most pleasure. I wonder which of my pictures my clients will think are great 10 years down the road? It’s not always the ones that are technically brilliant, but the ones that make you feel something.
If you could capture anybody or anything on camera what would it be?
Next week’s wedding: it’s what I love to do!
Just so we can find out a bit more about the person behind the lens, could you tell me 5 things you like that are completely unrelated to photography?
At the moment I am loving:
- Cowboy boots
- Betty’s fondant fancies
- Walking in the country with my dogs Boo (the miniature pinscher) and Patch (the greyhound)
- Florida beaches
- And a good cry at Extreme Makeover Home Edition!!
And 5 things you dislike?
- Tomatoes!
- People who are unkind.
- Mmm still thinking…
What are your aspirations for the future, in photography or otherwise?
First on my list is to finish furnishing my new studio. I am scrap-booking ideas and on the hunt for more stylish vintage finds to create a totally comfy and unique place for all my lovely couples to visit.
Debs & Annemarie
Photographer Details:
Annemarie King’s website
Annemarie King’s blog
A contact form can be found on both website & blog
Phone: 01904 777323
