A day in the life - 2

Part 2 of Kat's journal:
   A day in the life of a wedding photographer in Surrey - and further...

I like to think of the wedding couple photographs as mini fashion shoots. My background is in fashion, you see; but I’m not talking GQ or a woman’s magazine like Company. I studied imagery: sketching, sourcing, studying and working out ideas of style and beauty. It was all about elements, and putting a feeling across using photography. 

Using what’s around you to create beauty (and not the kind of beauty that we all recognise immediately, that bland beauty that so often prevails) - more a less common object such as an autumn leaf. Have you ever closely examined a dead leaf, it's so beautiful you would not believe. I recommend for an unusual picture, going to your local park and photographing a dead leaf or flower up close.

So my point in this is that I have experience in creating beautiful  photographs: I have looked beyond the technical requirements of photography. 

I understand about feelings and emotion, I understand how people work and how to make them be a better person: I’m talking purely for the photo here, not life coaching of course. I know how to 'conduct' an image without making it looking faked.

It is this ability that allows me to have a little time with each couple on the day to create their own personal set of images that are all about them. Not in a vain way: care and understanding has been made to help create these shots. Either through discussion previously, or simply listening to what makes you guys buzz. Reading between the lines helps me decide what kind of portraits you like too.

After all the official shots are taken, its time for the couple to relax.  Leave them now to wander between the crowd of family and friends catching up, there’s lots of cuddles and kisses. Talking and laughing. I use this time to document moments of the guests.

And when it's time to dine I like to stay around for a while longer. As a rule I tend not to photograph while people are eating. I find these shots very unreliable and not flattering. Before food is out I can get some good group shots or single portrait shots. Perhaps some full room shots too.

The lighting I use really does depend on what’s available. I use natural, flash, or tungsten light. Sometimes mixing all three, but that all depends on location and light. Not something to concern yourself about!

When everyone is eating this also gives me time for a coffee and to collect my thoughts on what’s happening next, just enough time before the speeches start. Sometimes I have a bite to eat to, I will have been on the road since 7 or 8 maybe more, missed lunch, so you need time to build energy.

Any photographer who works for 10 hours without a break for the last bit can’t be doing much good. You need energy as it is physically and mentally draining. So recharging is only natural. And better for your clients.

‘Ting ting ting ting……..’  The toastmaster stands up - there’s not always a toastmaster - but for this story there is. And it’s the father of the groom.  He gives a short speech congratulating the couple and handing over to the father of the bride.

The father of the bride speaks, again, another tearjerker, I honestly think it's because I am a woman but I love these moments. He’s putting into the words the proudness of them both and in a way officially - we know it was done earlier - but handing her over and welcoming in the new son.  Great moments here, usually emotional and funny too. Dads can do jokes you know. I love capturing the glances between father, daughter and new son.

A toast...

Then it is the turn of the best man. Now this part is always a treat. And what’s great about weddings is the bond between everyone. At this point if the best man completely dives it truly wouldn’t matter, everyone would laugh at the right bits and egg him on if he gets nervous. Equally if he is a well-rehearsed best man, or one of comedy values then this will get the audience roaring in laughter.

This is so good for photographing happy moments, people are laughing, lots of smiling faces, and hand gestures like hands wiping eyes with the mouth open - you know the one I mean. Women will know this one - you know that face you pull when you put mascara on. It’s like that but wiping  laughter tears away.
 
I love if the head table are in a line and you can get a shot of say four or five of them all reacting at the same time; it reminds me of the Sullivan’s opening titles.

And you can capture the brides face in her hands, shamed by the tales but laughing through it all. And the groom blushing uncontrollably but keeping his cool. I think this is possible for the groom as he still has a speech to do himself. So he still hasn’t quite relaxed and has to take a few blows from the best man.

A roar and a cheer. The best man has finished. And pleasingly passes the mic onto the groom.

A heart-warming thankful speech, that celebrates his new wife, his new family, the bringing together of families and friends, thanking people.  Usually an all over feel-good moment. Again great for portraits and peoples' reactions: quite animated portraits.

Throughout the evening I quite often capture all-round shots of the location, tables, decorations, the dinner band, the harpist, anything that I think you may have chosen with care that you would like a memory of.  Shots like that I pick up as I go along.

The cutting of the cake and the first dance - both very traditional elements of a wedding and I’m right up there making sure we record it well. Really from the speeches onwards, everyone is smiling and laughing. There is really is moment after moment of good times.

And the first dance. Very different for each couple. I have to ask now before the day if there is going to be any surprise dancing that I need to know about: you know, to get in a good position, or have specific lighting.

Some people have professional training for their first dance now - so they can get it just right, which I love especially as they are dressed so well, a good dress and suit and a good dance: it photographs beautifully.  There are a few tricks I have to create movement effects - adding to the romantic dreaminess that is dancing. I try to capture the personal moment of the dance too, without being intrusive.

Everyone joins in. The light has changed now, the room is dark and the lights are brighter with pinks and blues flickering, simply another great addition to the wedding day photos.

I move around the dance floor with them capturing couples dancing and the wedding crowd surrounded by family and friends. The bride danced with her bridesmaids and the girls, whilst the groom chats to some of the boys. The mood is very relaxed now and everyone is really celebrating.

I capture the beginnings of the disco when everyone joins in. After a few songs, and if I feel it’s appropriate, I tend to finish there.

It’s a weird feeling, stopping. You don’t want to, but you know there’s nothing left in you. When you stop you stop hard. I always have a juice or something, whilst packing my stuff. That way I am fresh for the drive home.

Once I am ready, I find the bride and groom. I thank them for letting me photograph the wedding, because sometimes we may not appreciate how much of an honour it is being chosen to photograph a wedding. Naturally it is a profession but you do feel as if you have been chosen for this special occasion. It’s a remarkable feeling of trust.

I say goodbye, and usually wish them a fond farewell, as many couples leave for their honeymoon at this point. All the details of the photography and pictures will have been discussed, and of course all should have been reassured as to the specific arrangements.

Again, a strange feeling walking away from a wedding whilst it’s still in full swing. I get in my car and pack all my kit in the boot. Sip my water. Check the map. I drive in complete silence for a while until I know where I am.

Once I am on the motorway I switch the radio on and remove myself from the days events. I used to think about the day but found that I exhausted myself whilst driving. Now I sing or listen to anything rather than think.

The best part about that is, the next day when you go to process your images, you get to see the wedding all over again! But this time you can see the photos in large format. I have a big screen so I can see the images at around A3 size, which is rather lovely. I also get to zoom in on sections, and play with the images making them stronger, moodier, and more colourful - whatever it is that needs to be done to complete the vision I had. It may sound very arty but I do enjoy this part.

Depending on the package arranged and time spent at the wedding, it takes time to process and adjust the images. This is a careful process whereby I select the images and ensure they represent the effect I had planned for. High-res images are available, and once they have been processed and retouched they are ready and available.

The finished article is a great feeling, whether it is a disk or a book with the images in print. Either way presenting them to the clients is a nerve-racking feeling, but like a performer going on stage. The curtains go up and the show begins.

And as all shows end: a round of applause for the actors (you), and then for the author (me)...