Last week was exceptionally busy, so I thought I would write about the variety of commissions I receive as a professional photographer. One of the most interesting things I find, especially as I’m a “people” photographer, is where my work takes me, and all the wonderful people I get to meet.
On Sunday I photographed Sandria & Guy’s beautiful wedding at The Lansdowne Club in Berkeley Square, London. Following on from my last blog in which I discussed why some people shouldn’t bother getting married, this couple were the antithesis of that, and as “in love” as being in love can be. When they looked at each other you could see unspoken words flowing from one to the other. When they held hands it was as if they were joined at the hip. When they moved, they moved together. It was a pure joy to photograph their wedding. I didn’t have to create romance in their photographs. Love oozed from every pore on both of their bodies!
On Tuesday I photographed one of my schools. It was an inner city Academy which opened in 2007. It was an ultra modern, fully equipped, state-of-the-art modern, glass building which was polished, clean and fully equipped. Given the summer riots one would have thought it would be a chaotic, dark place full of pupils without hope or purpose, but I found the absolute opposite. The Year 7’s were wearing a beautiful school uniform which obviously cost a packet, but that translated into dignity, and pride that they had been enrolled in such a great school. The Year 12’s were all kitted out in smart suits and business attire like they were ready to start work in the City. There were bucket loads of discipline, respect and positivity. Having photographed in many, many schools over the years, anyone would have thought I was in the most private of private schools, not an inner city academy.
On Wednesday I photographed a new conference for the hotel investment sector at the Park Plaza Riverbank . My brief was to create images to be used for marketing literature next year, and also for the press. Whilst talk of rates of return, ARR’s (Average room rates) and economics went somewhat over my head, there was one fact that didn’t. In these harsh economic times, one keynote speaker said that travellers were buying hotel accommodation based on price rather than amenities. I photographed the plenary sessions, the breakout sessions, the comfort and networking breaks. I captured many handshakes, swapping of business cards, introductions and much more. Given my background in business, it is easy for me to spot what makes a good business marketing photograph.
On Friday it was baby portraits which was lovely because only 9 months before I had created a maternity album for this same client and her husband. I always like doing baby portraits when the infant is able to sit up unassisted. At this stage the personality begins to shine through, and much as I would love to show you some of the gorgeous, chubby “bottom” pictures that I created, I am not comfortable with posting them on the net.
All in one week I had photographed a wedding, a school, a conference / corporate event and portraits. What a lucky lady I am to be a photographer, although I know that my social media guru Barry Viniker would say how lucky my clients are to have me!
Variety is the Spice of Life
Tuesday September 13th 2011Divorce
Thursday September 1st 2011It must seem strange to be reading about divorce on a photographer’s website that is dedicated to weddings and all things joyous. However I had a meeting this afternoon with a very talented divorce solicitor called Daniel Russell from a firm called Carlsons Solicitors in Whetstone. Rest assured that this was nothing to do with my own personal circumstances, but a chance to get to know each other better as we are both members of the same Chapter of BNI. One of the questions I asked him was whether he gets repeat business and he indicated that he did, but he also made mention of the fact that someone who has been divorced once is much more likely to get divorced a second time.
In my work I witness many weddings; those who are very definitely in love, those whose love will grow and develop over the years even if it is not fully formed on their wedding day, those who have married for money or passport reasons, and those whos love stands no chance of lasting or possibly wasn’t even there in the first place. The loveless weddings give me a great deal of pain. How do you create beautiful, romantic photographs when the body language of the bride and groom are definitely giving you other signals? How do you convey love and harmony when the parents of the couple are divorced, not amicable and won’t pose for photographs in the same room as each other? And worse, how do you reconcile two families coming together in marriage through their children where one is asking me to do X and the other is asking me to do Y because they hate each other so much.
Sometimes, just sometimes, I am tempted to send potential clients straight to Daniel Russell. They might save a lot of time and money by getting divorced before they get married! Or maybe there should be more laws for kids to divorce their parents. But on a more serious note, what I do as a photographer is done with a great deal of love and empathy. My art is full of intangibles, and after all these years and having seen it all, I have reached the stage where I am comfortable enough in my profession as a professional photographer to say that I don’t want to cover a wedding. So please think before getting engaged and married; is this really ‘til death do us part, or is this a process where you’re caught in a tidal wave of excitement and preparations for a wedding after which we’ll see how it goes?
Nooks and crannies for taking wedding photographs in venues
Tuesday August 30th 2011So you go and see a wedding photographer to discuss your individual requirements. You like their personality, love their photos and think they are very talented. Then you ask the all important question “Have you ever worked in the venue where I’m having my wedding?” They hum and they ha, and then they say that they are happy to do a site visit with you.
Hayley Lehmann has been photographing at many London wedding venues for the past 15 years. She knows most venues backwards. She knows all the best nooks and crannies for taking wedding photographs, both inside and out. Hayley knows where to go and how to light the space should the weather be inclement or if the event is held at a West End Hotel without an outdoor space. She knows about Parks Licences and advises that if you are thinking of booking a venue, don’t only think about the rooms where you may have your ceremony, reception, dinner and dancing, but take the time to think really carefully about where you can take photos too. Ask the banqueting manager where photographs are normally taken. But remember, family photos in a corporate conference room with “naf” contract art on the wall won’t cut it. The most wonderful nook or cranny won’t work if on the big day the caterer has set up a bar in that area. The gardens might provide a divine backdrop but not if the sun is in front of you making you squint in all the photographs. Flowers placed strategically to brighten up a backdrop might grow out of your guests shoulders in photos.
Choosing the right wedding photographer is not all about getting the right financial package. Sure, the cost is an important part when planning wedding budgets, but many couples have paid the price big time by getting it wrong. Choose your wedding photographer very carefully. You are trusting them with a life time of memories.
