Belle Amour: Wedding Ideas Less of the traditional. More of the original.

Whether you are a bride or groom-to-be wanting beautiful pictures of your big day, an amateur photographer looking to learn more about wedding photography or somebody who just likes to read an interesting interview accompanied by pretty pictures, these posts are for you…

The interview

Location:
I run my photography business in the UK and Sweden. I am British but used to live in Sweden, and although my home is now back in the UK a big part of my heart still resides in Sweden. I go back to visit all the time and have done several shoots in the Scandinavian countries. At some point in the future I’d love to be splitting my time more equally between the two countries.

When and how did you fall in love with photography?
I don’t remember a specific trigger, photography has always been in my life to one extent or another. But really, I come from being a landscape photographer. I became more serious about photography when a friend of mine went to university in Scotland and on a trip up there to visit her she introduced me to the beauty of the Scottish landscape. Even now I say that my hobby is landscape photography, although I don’t get to do it as much as I would like at the moment.

Have you had any formal training?
I did an evening course many years ago which introduced me to the darkroom and processing and printing my own photographs. And when I decided to make a career out of photography, I also did a business course to help teach me how to run my business. But other than the occasional workshop, I am mainly self-taught.

How would you describe your photography style?
I spent the first few years of my businesses not really knowing who I was, photographically, and it’s only in the last year that I feel it’s all coming together and what I’m doing is becoming more cohesive. I guess what I really enjoy though is when emotion and photojournalism come together with great composition and design.

What inspires your work?
So many things. But definitely Scandinavia, both the clean, airy designs and the beautiful Nordic light. I’m also hugely inspired by nature and everything that I love about the landscape.

When did you first shoot a wedding?
In 2007, two of my friends independently got married, and they both asked me to take their wedding photos. I was a keen amateur photographer at this point and most of my life was photographing landscapes only, never people. So I spent 6 months telling my friends that I would be rubbish and that I don’t photograph people. And they spent 6 months trying to convince me that I should. So after half a year I thought, well if they still want me to do it, maybe I should give it a go. And to my complete surprise, I loved every minute of it. And probably more importantly, the couples loved my images. So from that point on I was hooked.

Where in the UK are you based and how far would you travel to shoot a wedding?
I’m based in the outskirts of London, in Hertfordshire, and photograph most of my weddings in London and the northern Home Counties. But I have photographed as far away as Aberdeen and Somerset in the UK, and in Sweden, Denmark and Italy in Europe.

How many weddings do you shoot per year?
Now that I am shooting more in Scandinavia, I hope to be able to get the balance to about 20 weddings per year in the UK and 5-10 in Scandinavia.

What has been the most interesting wedding you’ve captured so far, and why?
Photographing a wedding at a zoo was a particularly unique experience. And I’ve seen some pretty amazing venues and been welcomed into different cultures. But really, my favourite weddings are the ones where the couple are obviously in love and it’s such a happy day full of emotion.

What would be your idea of a dream wedding to photograph?
I would love to photograph a wedding at the Ice Hotel in northern Sweden. I have always wanted to go there, but never made it that far north when I was living in Sweden. The snow, the landscape, the northern lights… it’s everything I love about Scandinavia and landscape photography and weddings all rolled into one!

Has anything gone wrong when shooting a wedding? And if so, how did you cope with it?
I’ve never had anything go seriously wrong at a wedding. Nothing that I wasn’t prepared for anyway or with an exciting story. And really I think that’s what couples hope and expect from me, as a professional.

What camera(s) do you use for photographing weddings?
I use Canon 5D (Mark 1) cameras for my work.

And your favourite lenses?

My go-to lens is my 50mm f1.4. I love that lens so much, it probably stays on my camera for 75% of images I take.

Do you use any lighting equipment?
I shoot predominantly with natural light, and my prime lenses allow me to do this easily. But during the evening dancing at weddings, I do like to get my flash gun out and do some creative flash photography as well.

What advice would you give to wannabe wedding photographers?
Find your own vision. The wedding photography market is quite a saturated one, and you need to stand out to succeed. To do that you have to know what makes you unique and different from everyone else in a genuine way and you need to embrace this uniqueness in everything that your business embodies.

What has been your proudest moment as a photographer?
I know that it probably does sound like a cliché, but knowing that I’ve exceeded all expectations that couples had for their photography, seeing them smile, cry happy tears, hug… A bride recently emailed me, after seeing all their images, and said that choosing me as their photographer was one of the best decisions they made for their wedding. That’s what I hope every couple feels.

Out of all the photographs you have ever taken, which is your favourite and why?
Everyone always seems to love the night-time shot I took at a wedding of the couple standing on the terrace overlooking Florence lit up in lights. It’s definitely the people’s choice.

My personal favourite changes all the time, but I guess one that keeps floating to the surface is My and Marcus’ wedding in Sweden last summer. The day was brilliantly hot and the light was just gorgeous. I have never seen light glow like it did on that day, and the couple were so obviously in love, they were a real pleasure to photograph.

My favourite non-wedding photograph has to be the one I took of Janet’s Foss in the Yorkshire Dales. It was during the height of summer and the waterfall had lost most of its power and presence. So I walked further downstream to capture it amongst its surroundings, with the beautiful green backlit leaves and moss. I’ve seen loads of images of Janet’s Foss, but never one like mine, so I love it as much for having managed to portray such a unique part of its character.

If you could capture anybody or anything on camera what would it be?
My sister got married a couple of years before I considered becoming a wedding photographer. Of course, I did take some photos at her wedding, and I’m pleased that they are amongst their favourites from the day, but I wish I could go back in time and do it again now in a way that she deserves.

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?

• Sweden. I fell in love with the country and the people when I was living over there, and I can’t now imagine my life without Sweden somehow being a part of it.
• Hill walking. Just getting out into the countryside and letting my life slow down to the pace of a singing bird and a flowing river. Bliss.
• Books. I am a bit of a book worm and I buy books faster than I can read them. But you can never have too many books!
• Strictly Come Dancing. I want to be famous just so I can be on this show. I think I’d rock it (with James Jordan’s help :)
• Marmite. Yummy.

And 5 things you dislike?

• Not getting enough sleep.
• Super-cold air conditioning. Why must I wear a jumper in the middle of summer?!
• Rollercoasters. Feeling nauseous on a Saturday afternoon is not my idea of fun.
• Flying. I’m not great with aeroplanes. I do it, but I don’t like it. (Also see rollercoasters.)
• Blueberries. Bleugh.

What are your aspirations for the future, in photography or otherwise?
My main ambition is to be happy, with a healthy work-life balance and to have a little summerhouse by the sea in southern Sweden where I can spend a lot of my time too.

Debs & Tamara

Photographer Details:
Tamara Kuzminski’s website
Tamara Kuzminski’s blog
Contact Tamara
Phone: 07773 335447

Whether you are a bride or groom-to-be wanting beautiful pictures of your big day, an amateur photographer looking to learn more about wedding photography or somebody who just likes to read an interesting interview accompanied by pretty pictures, these posts are for you…

The interview

Introduction:
My name is Katharine Peachey so Peachey Photography isn’t a silly company name – it’s just a silly surname.

Location:
Greenwich, London

When and how did you fall in love with photography?
My dad is also a professional photographer, so you might say it’s in the blood. He gave me my 1st 35mm camera for my tenth birthday and since then I haven’t stopped taking photographs so I guess it’s been a life-long love affair.

Have you had any formal training?
I have learnt everything I know from my dad and from just from getting out there and doing it.

How would you describe your photography style?
My style is a combination of photo-journalism and creative portraiture, telling the story of each wedding day without being cheesy or clichéd. My approach is natural and relaxed and most importantly, unobtrusive. I don’t like to engineer anything.

What inspires your work?
I love old films – all that black and white glamour, and stories that are full of passion and drama. I also really enjoy documentary photography; pictures that tell an entire story just in one frame. These are the elements I try to combine with my own photography

When did you first shoot a wedding?
My first was in 2005 and I was absolutely petrified! Despite feeling sick with nerves beforehand (I swear I must have been more nervous than the bride!) everything went smoothly and I really enjoyed it. Wedding photography fuses so many different disciplines – portraiture, fashion, architecture, food photography and photo-journalism – it gave me a taste of everything I loved.

Where in the UK are you based and how far would you travel to shoot a wedding?
I live in Greenwich in South-east London but frequently travel all over the UK. I go anywhere people want to celebrate, just so long as my expenses are covered (I only have a little car) and I have a bed for the night, if necessary.

How many weddings do you shoot per year?
Around 40. My weekend is Monday and Tuesday!

What has been the most interesting wedding you’ve captured so far, and why?
I love to learn about different cultures and customs and I recently photographed a traditional Iraqi wedding where the men and women celebrated in the same hotel but totally separately from each other. The women arrived in traditional modest dress and headscarves but once they reached the women’s area they removed them to reveal sensational dresses beneath. They defined the word glamour – both young and old – they all looked sensational. The Groom joined the women briefly after dinner to dance and cut the cake and the ladies covered their heads and clothes before his entrance. After that he was sent back out to the men and the ladies removed their headscarves and robes again and danced all night. The party was a blast; the music was fantastic and everyone was clambering to dance with the Bride. Then at midnight, the men joined the women to dance and everyone drove the Bride and Groom to their hotel, cheering and beeping in convoy. With so much colour and energy the photographs were fantastic and it was a real experience to observe the practises and customs of another religion.

What would be your idea of a dream wedding to photograph?
My favourite weddings are those that really reflect the couple celebrating – that are personal and unique to them, whether it’s a fancy city hotel or a country pub. Although, maybe I’d make an exception for Lake Como!

Has anything gone wrong when shooting a wedding? And if so, how did you cope with it?
I once photographed a wedding where the bride’s father collapsed during the evening reception. Her family decided not to tell her until after the party and whilst she was having her 1st dance he was being taken off in an ambulance! Thankfully he made a full recovery a few weeks later but I felt terrible photographing her enjoying herself whilst such a tragic event had occurred. Lots of things can happen that are outside your control at weddings or any event but I just try and stay composed and focused on the job at hand.

What camera(s) do you use for photographing weddings?
I use 2 Nikon D3S – they are amazing!

And your favourite lenses?
My 28-70mm zoom – it cost a fortune but worth every penny. I can capture really intimate moments from the other side of a room – people don’t even realise I’m there.

Do you use any lighting equipment?
No. I use only natural light and the light available at the venue, whether that’s candle light, the light from a fire or disco lights. The result is so much more colourful and atmospheric and the soft, warm tones are also very flattering. Plus it’s also a lot less intrusive, particularly on a dance floor or during those nerve-wracking speeches.

What advice would you give to wannabe wedding photographers?
Wedding photography is a huge responsibility and a great privilege so be prepared to take it seriously. It’s also a tough job physically – lugging camera bags around all day and holding your camera almost permanently to your eye can take its toll on your back and neck so get to know a good masseur!

What has been your proudest moment as a photographer?
Whenever my clients come back to me, gushing about their photographs, that always makes me proud of my work. Knowing I’ve done a really good job and documented a little part of their history which becomes a family heirloom is a fantastic feeling.

Out of all the photographs you have ever taken, which is your favourite and why?
That’s a tough one! I have narrowed it down to two. The first is of a little girl – I love the colours and her expression, she’s lost in thought. She was the only child at the wedding so she pretty much played on her own all day.
The second is a row of people at a wedding reception and there’s so much going on, even though they are just standing and sitting around.

If you could capture anybody or anything on camera what would it be?
My mum. She was absolutely beautiful and had real presence and style. Sadly, she died last year and I never got to officially take her portrait as I would have liked. Although I don’t think she would’ve minded so much – living with me and my dad I think she was a bit sick of cameras!

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?

• I love food – cooking and eating it!
• And to counterbalance my gluttony I also love cycling. I have a vintage racer which I go out on whenever I can but expensive cameras and bicycles in London don’t mix so I don’t ride it as often as I’d like.
• I love the cinema and watching films – yes, those old movies with Hayworth and Hepburn and all those fantastic feisty females telling the boys what’s what!
• I love the sea – being by it and in it.
• Totally embarrassing but I love jigsaws. Yes, I am a granny at heart. Although I never finish them – does that make me slightly less sad? Probably not.

And 5 things you dislike?

• Not having enough sleep – anything less than 8 hours and I am a grumpbag.
• Summer pudding – soggy bread and berries – how could you?
• Cheesy wedding photography, there is still so much crap out there giving some of us a bad name.
• Rupert Murdoch – not a nice man.
• My hair – it’s a mane of frizz. I try to show it who’s boss but it always gets the better of me.

What are your aspirations for the future, in photography or otherwise?
I am pretty happy where I am right now. I just want to keep taking photographs that are full of emotion and impact and wonderful memories to treasure…. Although, one day, I wouldn’t mind that place by Lake Como too!

Debs & Katharine

Photographer Details:
Peachey Photography website
Peachey Photography blog
Contact Katharine
Phone: 07816 026792

I featured a wedding Eleanor had captured not so long ago… now I’m letting you find out much more about her in an interview. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and finding out more about her love of photography. And I completely agree on all of her five dislikes. I also agree that David Duchovny is ‘mmm’…

The interview

Location:
South Wales.

When and how did you fall in love with photography?
I’ve been taking photographs since I was small & stumpy and my Nan sent me a mini plastic 110 camera that came free with her gas bill. I took twenty-four shots of my back garden and my Barbie dolls in a fashion show. Only one came out and I cried! But thankfully it didn’t deter me.

Have you had any formal training?
When I was 16 I went to college to study for a two year National Diploma in Photography & Digital Imaging. Then in 2006 I graduated from the University of Wales, Newport with a first class BA (hons) in Photographic Art after which I threw myself head first into setting up as a freelancer. I joined an artist’s networking & support collective where I met some wonderful people and together we poured over shared copies of the Artists Newsletter searching for opportunities and helping each other out. I enrolled on a couple of training schemes to clue myself up on the business world and have been a full time professional for nearly five years now. It was a struggle at first but staying in the company of creative people helped and eventually it all paid off. It’s the only thing I’ve ever wanted to do and it is difficult but when you see a project you really put your soul into on the wall of a gallery, or an editorial you’ve spent long days sweating over on the pages of a magazine, the hard work is so rewarding.

How would you describe your photography style?
Oh gosh, I’m not sure! I come from a photographic art background in which I made a lot of what I suppose I would call ‘observational’ photographs; fleeting moments, emotional responses, images made almost instinctively. In my creative work I have always been enthralled by the concept of an image existing as an organic reaction of light on film, almost an emotive process. To interfere too much seemed to betray the moment captured. In fact, it took me a lot longer than most to move into digital photography as I felt I understood the subtleties of different film types in such an intuitive way and digital felt cold and empty in comparison. Of course, digital cameras are much improved now and I wouldn’t be without one for weddings but it has always been very important for me to retain that honesty that you get with film.

What inspires your work?
Travelling is my greatest inspiration and exploring a new part of the word both pushes and thrills me creatively. Although it may not be directly obvious from my work I am also heavily influenced by music – a genius lyricist or even the slightest inflection in a voice is enough to send me into a productive flurry. I love quietly observing other people’s funny little behaviours, watching their thoughts tick away in their heads… it’s fascinating. But, ultimately the greatest inspiration to me is being warm and outdoors. When the sun is shining and my skin is warm I feel like I can move freely and do anything.

When did you first shoot a wedding?
I first shot a wedding for the mother of a friend when I was 16 and in my first year of college. I was terrified! It was a small gathering at a registry office and I remember walking into town after the service to have the films developed at the local camera shop. How things have changed!

Where in the UK are you based and how far would you travel to shoot a wedding?
I’m based in Newport, South Wales but I quite happily travel all over the UK for weddings. At the moment I will travel up to 100 miles from my studio at no extra charge but am very reasonable when it comes to greater distances. I’m a little bit of a nomad and shoot a lot of travel photography so am always inspired finding myself someplace new and unfamiliar.

How many weddings do you shoot per year?
As many as I can alongside my other commercial and creative projects! I have 15 booked this year and could comfortably manage another 5 although don’t like to shoot more than one a week as I prefer to make sure I’m fully devoted to each couple.

What has been the best wedding you’ve captured so far, and why?
The wedding of Helen & Jules in Salisbury last September (which was actually featured on Belle Amour a little while ago) was an absolute dream to shoot. The locations around Salisbury Cathedral were so pretty and picturesque and the bride & groom were very sweet and silly together which made for some lovely laid back pictures. Overall it was such a close, loving wedding that my assistant and I couldn’t help but be swept up in the atmosphere of the day. Many tears were shed all round!

What would be your idea of a dream wedding to photograph?
Aesthetically I would love to photograph a wedding in the south western USA as the scenery there sets my heart pounding. I’d love a rustic, outdoorsy wedding… cowboy boots, vintage details, family heirlooms, a wedding breakfast in a woodland clearing, fairy lights strung across a barn, a country music band playing late into the night… I’d be in my element.

Any wedding where the bride and groom have emphasised personal details, are keen to devote time towards the photography, or are generally just outgoing and up for a good time would be awesome! Wedding photography in the UK can be such a stoic, stuffy affair. I love when all the guests are enthusiastic too! Sometimes you go to weddings where the guests make a fuss and wont be included in the group photograph… why?!

Has anything gone wrong when shooting a wedding? And if so, how did you cope with it?
Once, years ago, my SatNav went completely insane en route from the ceremony to the reception venue and I was late arriving to shoot the groups. Thankfully the bride & groom were incredibly relaxed and understanding but the meal was scheduled right away and the serving staff were rushing me which made things quite hectic. I learned my lesson and since then I have NEVER put my trust in a Sat Nav (ever!) and always do a scout around the locations beforehand. I like this reconnaissance mission, it makes me feel like Jack Bauer!

What camera(s) do you use for photographing weddings?
I use a Nikon D300 and am impatiently waiting for Nikon to release the D800. They keep putting the date back but when it comes out I’ll be first in line. I also have a small army of Nikon F80 35mm SLRs (my most favourite camera ever) and some more experimental plastic fantastic cameras for my less traditional brides!

And your favourite lenses?
I LOVE my prime lenses! Usually in my kit bag I have a 50mm f1.4 and a 24mm f2.8. I also carry a 17-55mm f2.8 and a longer telephoto for those weddings where the photographer is relegated to the back of the church!

Do you use any lighting equipment?
Thanks to my delicious prime lenses I can get away with using lots of beautiful natural light in most situations but I do carry a speedlight for when it’s totally unavoidable. I also offer a ‘photo studio’ at reception parties where I set up a Bowens lighting kit along with a custom background and a remote control so guests can go crazy taking pictures. This is so much fun, especially after a few glasses of champagne!

What advice would you give to wannabe wedding photographers?
Practice! But don’t charge the Earth for a wedding until you have the experience to match and certainly don’t price other photographers out of the market. There’s competitive pricing and then there’s cheapening the craft. Mostly though, be creative and enjoy developing your own unique style. Wedding photography in the UK needs a shake up and it’s up to us to rattle the cage.

What has been your proudest moment as a photographer?
Last year I was approached by an advertising agency in Los Angeles to be in a new ad campaign for Samsung. Sadly, the scope for the project was significantly narrowed and it never came to be but just being considered blew my mind. If it had actually played out as planned my head probably would have exploded!

With regards to weddings, I recently had a four page spread in one of the wedding magazines which I was over the moon with but the thing that warms my heart the most is when I receive a hand written thank you card or a bunch of flowers in the post from a bride. I’m always touched that they would go out of their way to send a gift. I have been so fortunate to have such lovely clients.

Out of all the photographs you have ever taken, which is your favourite and why?
There are a few! From each wedding I photograph I have one picture that encapsulates the mood and feeling of the day for me. One of my favourites ever is one I’ll sadly probably never be able to share. It was a very small, intimate wedding on a hot, sticky summers day and I was photographing the bride getting ready in her bedroom. Her little girl was running around in her nappy (they thought it was best to wait until the last possible moment to get her dressed as she was likely to pull all her clothes off in the heat!) and as I was photographing the bouquet in the middle of the bed, surrounded by the little bridesmaids’ dresses, she came over to watch me curiously. There was a beautiful shaft of light pouring in through the window and falling perfectly across her. She picked up a pretty rosebud tiara and held it above her head, smiling at me. I quickly snapped the moment and honestly one of the most beautiful photographs I have ever taken. Unfortunately as she was half naked at the time I’ll never be able to show it in my portfolio as people are so wary about such things these days, which is a shame. The couple have it in their collection though and I’m so happy I was able to capture it for them.

If you could capture anybody or anything on camera what would it be?
India. Beautiful India.

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?

• Lavish breakfasts.
• David Duchovny…mmm!
• Old pulp fiction novels.
• Watching musicals (or anything from my vast Marlon Brando collection).
• Unfortunate looking cats.

And 5 things you dislike?

• When people say ‘tog’ instead of ‘photographer’. Bleugh! Oh wait, that’s photography related… whoops!
• Carrying carrier bags.
• Wires & plugs & cables & other fussy things.
• People playing with their iphone mid conversation, it’s so rude!
• Mutant spiders.

What are your aspirations for the future, in photography or otherwise?
To continue to travel, explore the world and create awesome pictures. I’d like to keep road tripping around America and eventually hold an exhibition of the photographs I have taken along the way, although I will probably be shooting that project til the end of my days! I would love to add an international wedding to my portfolio but of course I’m always eager to meet all sorts of creative & imaginative brides closer to home. To continue to improve my practice – the opportunities to learn never end. Finally, for years I have wanted to self publish an independent photographic arts magazine… soon soon.

Debs & Eleanor

Photographer Details:
Eleanor’s wedding website
Eleanor’s blog
Contact Eleanor