Being a wedding photographer is a funny occupation. When it comes to ‘dinner party conversation’ people never know what to say after that initial ‘So what do you do?’ question. But you can guarantee that if the conversation makes it any further the one question people always ask is “So have you ever had any nightmare bride or grooms!?”.
And with my hand on my heart I can categorically say ‘No!’. Now I know, from watching those terrible American TV programmes, from reading photography forums and from talking to other photographers, that there are a few ‘demanding clients’ but for some weird reason, I never seem to get them. I always seem to get lovely, relaxed couples, who love life, love each other and for some reason(!) love me. They are getting married not for the wedding itself but for the fact that it symbolises a life-long commitment to each other. They understand it’s an important event, but don’t let it consume them, organise it with grace and ease and make it an event truly personal to them. They want beautiful photographs to remember their day from, but understand it’s a balance between investing time in getting gorgeous images and spending time with the ones they love the most…..they don’t want it to to ‘take-over’ their day.
I’ve always been really curious about this phenomenon and after bringing the subject up, with current clients, up got a variety of answers such as; ‘Like attracts like….’, ‘Your so laid-back you would drive them mad….!’, ‘You have everything so organised there is nothing for anyone to start panicking about!’. All of which if I’m a teeny-bit modest (which I hate to be!) I think are true. I’m a firm believer in you get what you give and I think this is the reason why so many of my couples go on to become friends.
The driver behind this post is an email I received this morning from Rich, whose civil partnership (to the lovely James), I’m photographing on the 7th August. It was such a lovely thing to say and something that I hope all clients feel about my me.
Hi V how are you!
Hope you’re having fun taking lots of fab photos in this glorious weather, we’ve just had a lovely trip to cornwall to see our caterer who is doing the picnics for our wedding. It’s fantastic by pure chance we have picked some of the best “suppliers” for our do, some who now feel more like friends, and with you and her on board we know we can’t go wrong!
Hope to hear from you soon….say Hi to Karl.
All our love
Rich and James xx
Rich & James – I am so glad you remembered me all those years ago from Fran & Jo’s wedding and chose me to be part of your wedding ‘team’ – I can’t wait to see you both on the 7th!
Venetia xx
Here are a couple of photographs of them from their pre-wedding shoot which seems like ages ago…..
