If you’re a wedding photographer and we ever happen to meet, be warned: I like to ask questions. Actually, I’m like that with most people I meet — I’m a naturally inquisitive person (again, be warned) — but with wedding photographers, my curiosity ratchets up a notch. How many photos do you take on a typical shoot? How many cameras do you use? What’s the editing process like? Is it scary asking people to stop nattering and get in position for the group shots?
For many years, I never thought to give wedding photography a go. Aside from having to be really, really, really good at it, there’s also the pressure of being responsible for what will be a couple’s most treasured collection of photographs. I’m not sure I can successfully handle that level of responsibility.
But over the last year or so, I’ve looked at candid shots from weddings (not the official, picture-perfect ones, more the off-the-cuff ones as people dine, dance and discuss) and wondered whether it’s an area I could explore. So when my friend Will invited me to his wedding last year, I took along my Fujifilm x100f for the ride. The results are below. I’d love to do more candid wedding photography in the future — perhaps even in a more official capacity — but, for now and where possible, I’m enjoying getting the camera out with minimal expectation except to learn and have fun.
As for the wedding itself, it was in July having originally been scheduled for May. Covid restrictions kept putting it back. Sadly, the wedding guest list had to be trimmed down (maximum of 30) for the ceremony which I went to, and only close family could then go on to the reception. But it was a truly special occasion and one I was honoured to attend. I only met Will in 2013 but he has grown to become a very dear friend. I was thrilled to see him so happy as he and the lovely Lauren exchanged vows and committed their lives to each other.
