We have all been to weddings where the photographer takes over, directing people like the cast of a drama they’re producing. This may result in a handful of attractive images, but does wedding photography have to be choreographed at all? When I started being a wedding photographer, back in the days of film, I only thought of weddings in terms of staged images. I was young, and it’s just what wedding photographers did. At some point, and I can’t remember when, another light came on, and I started to turn my attention towards the real events that were happening all around me.

I’m not ashamed to admit this, but I have always been a people watcher…or perhaps I’m just plain nosey. Things, objects, don’t interest me as much, but I find people completely fascinating. Now I’m lucky enough to earn a living following a passion, and what better place to witness so many strong reactions than a wedding. It’s always a privilege to share these moments with you.

Who actually enjoys having their photograph taken? Ok, some people do, but most would say they don’t. One of my main ambitions when I’m working is to gain trust. Trust is the key to consent, and consent allows me to photograph people without tensions or barriers. When someone is relaxed and happy, the real person shines through. I know what it’s like to be on the other side of a camera, and I can sense when a person isn’t at ease. I don’t ignore that, I wait for it to pass, or I move on. If the trust isn’t quite there yet, it probably won’t make a good photograph.

In truth, many of my photographs contain people who didn’t know they were being photographed. This is where patience and discretion come into play. I feel it’s important that I don’t distract people from enjoying your wedding, because weddings are meant to be fun. Me and my cameras must never change that. Isn’t the day all about love? A big, brave, happy statement of family and love. It’s not about photography. I just happen to be there, lucky enough to be taking photographs.

If Canon made an invisibility cloak, I’d be the first to buy it, but until they do, me and my two SLR’s/plus lenses/plus rucksack, will manage to drift past peoples awareness in plain sight. Even the sharpest camera phobes forget I’m there, and two of the most common remarks I hear post wedding are “How did he get that?” and “I didn’t notice he was taking pictures.” Perfect. Job done.

I love taking pictures of people, and when people get together there’s always a story. If I take a camera to a social event I’ll start exploring that story, I can’t help it. A flow of images, with each making a clear impression on their own, but really all belonging together. The way I see it, a wedding is crammed full of opportunity and I don’t need to interfere to be creative. For my style of photography, more journalistic than anything else, a wedding is already hours and hours of perfect. There’s no need to pose or fake anything for me, just enjoy the day.

I’m drawn to the natural moments that pass between and around people all the time. I see so many expressions of personality and feeling at weddings, so much vitality. It’s my life’s work to keep this alive in a photograph. Joy, love, excitement, laughter, companionship, quiet reflection, even a few tears. Real moments that come and go in an instant, but in the right photograph, can last a lifetime.

Photographs can be powerful. They connect us to our memories in a very direct and personal way. I wonder if the next few sentences will have a ring of truth for you.  A few weeks after your wedding, you can reasonably expect to have a good, clear recollection of the day. Everything still feels fresh and exciting. Move on a few months, and whilst the excitement is still there, some of your memories of the day are starting to get a bit hazy. It’s not that your memory is poor, it just needs something tangible to connect to. Hold one good photograph years, even decades later, and so much feeling and memory will come flooding back, it’s almost overwhelming. I have treasured photographs that do exactly that to me, every time. I’m thinking about them now, in albums, in the loft, only a few feet away. I’m thinking about my lovely Dad, and how I’m so glad he was a keen photographer.

On your wedding day, one of the most important days of your life, please hire a good photographer, a professional. I know weddings are expensive, but a talented photographer is the one service on the day that can really last a lifetime.