experience
You know, your wedding is not the performance of a lifetime. It’s not a performance at all, come to think of it. It is not about all-or-nothing-perfection and getting every little detail right, nor is it about wedding photos (and you have no idea how much I'd love to be able to say that it is). Your wedding is not the Big Day. It’s actually so much more important than that.
It's about looking into each other's eyes, knowing this is a beginning. It's about allowing yourself to be present, taking it all in, and about hugging your loved ones, feeling grateful that they are there, and dearly missing those who aren't. Your wedding is a celebration of your journey, your story, your love. Your wedding is about living.
Oh, and it's also some about eating spectacularly good wedding cake, laughing out loud and dancing your shoes off on the floor, looking and feeling your absolute best - and relaxing, knowing that all those lovely, sparkling, emotional, glorious moments are being documented for you - but that goes without saying, right?
Step 1 - Let’s chat!
Let's meet up! Either in real life (with a BIG mug of coffee or tea and something chocolaty to munch on) or on Zoom (well... with a BIG mug of coffee or tea and something chocolaty to munch on. What can I say? Coffee and chocolate is important stuff)!
We'll chat and get to know each other a bit, and see if whether we are a match or not.
We'll talk about you, and how you met and what you like. How your plans are coming along, and what you are most looking forward to about your wedding, and what makes you nervous. We'll probably also talk a bit about tangible memories - like prints and albums - and why that is such an important part of the photography session. And we will have coffee and chocolate. Did I mention that?
Also if you happen to have a dog (or a cat, or a horse - or sheep!), I will absolutely want to meet him or her!
Step 2 - The practice session
Do you feel akward in front of the camera? I totally get it.
But this session is all about fun, making you comfortable and focus on each other and forget about the camera.
It's a way of getting to know each other even better; you'll know how I work, and I will learn more about what's important to you and what moments to capture. And when the day finally comes, you'll be able to enjoy being in the moment, and just be yourselves, and I'll be able to catch the real you, just as you are.
Step 3 - The time in between
The time leading up to your wedding will move soooo slowly and incredibly fast. I'll be here for you, for any questions you may have, and I'll try and help you as much as I possibly can.
About a month before the wedding we'll have our final pre-meeting to go over your plans one more time and adjust any last minute changes and details. At this point we will also set a date for your viewing session when you will see your wedding images for the first time.
Step 4 - Your wedding day
In our meetings leading up to your wedding, we'll go through what images matter the most to you, so I know what to focus on when the day arrives. My photography is about making you look like you. I'll lightly direct you during portrait shoots, but there will not be too much posing, and most of the time, I'll just be there, with you, capturing the moments, documenting your day, your love, your story.
Preparations and getting ready
The day is finally here! Enjoy the moment! You’ll be with your best friends, getting ready for a wonderful and exciting day. Or you’ll be just the two of you, in this together. Your adventure.
I’ll sneak in as un noticed as possible and start capturing moments.
Details
Not your biggest priority having images of your shoes? I get it. It's the big moments that matter. But as every big story is made of the small things, I would definitely want to catch the ones that are especially important to you - the little things that mean a lot. The symbols that carry a special meaning just for you.
Because when the tables are wiped clean and the hotel room looks like it’s never been stayed in, the only thing you’ll have left to take you back are the images (well, apart from a certain ring, that husband or wife and the everlasting love of course, but you know what I mean).
First look and portraits of you
Not everyone wants a first look of course, and I'm about documenting you and your story, so if the first look is not you, we won't shoot it. But if I can recommend anything regarding the portrait shoot, it would be to split it up and make room for two or even three mini sessions during the day and evening.
You see, this is probably the only time during this lovely - but somewhat hectic - day that you will be able to be alone together. A short moment to catch your breath and let everything sink in.
And also, what if there is a gorgeous sunset?! Wouldn't you want to sneak out from the dinner table and just take it in?
Wedding party and group photos
If these images are something you prioritise, we'll schedule them so that they don't intervene with other important moments. We'll keep the group photo sessions short, sweet and fun, so it doesn't take up too much of your and your guests' time. You'll want to be in the moment and chat, celebrate and hug rather than spending valuable party time on standing straight and saying cheese (just kidding. These days no one says cheese. I'll ask you to say polar bear instead - and everyone will end up looking utterly surprised.)
The ceremony
I usually cry at the ceremony, but quietly and behind my camera, and I've got really soft and quiet shoes, and this is where I'll try and make myself as invisible as I possibly can. I'll sneak around and catch the vows, the rings, the looks you share and the reactions of your guests and hopefully you'll forget I'm even there.
Reception and party
You concentrate on taking it all in. Everyone you love is there to celebrate with you.
Lights are low, drinks are refreshing. Food is beyond delicious, you look gorgeous; speeches make you laugh and cry. And then you dance.
I'll be sneaking around again. Catching your glances, the speeches, the reactions. And when you dance, me and my camera will be moving out on the dance floor with you to capture you and your loved ones having the time of your lives. I'm an appallingly bad dancer, but I love good music and compensate my bad moves with beaming smiles. I hope that's ok.
After the wedding
After I've gathered my stuff and said my heartfelt THANK YOU, I'll be heading home and start down loading the images onto my computer. Within 4-6 weeks, the images will be ready and we'll meet again for a different kind of "first look". You get to see your images for the first time, and if you've ordered an album, this is when we go through the photos and I will help you select the ones that will go into your album - and perhaps some to go on your wall.
