Benjamin from Benjamin Stuart Photography shares his inspiring approach to wedding photography as well as sharing some beautiful moments from Katy & Will's wedding...
How we work & approach from start to end...
As a wedding photographer I see your wedding day as a story, the start of your marriage. But this journey can start months, even years before the big day. I try to meet all of my couples before booking me as I want everyone to feel comfortable around me and make sure that I will fit in on your wedding day. This isn't to say that I only shoot one type of wedding but I will be at your wedding from start to finish and I want us to get along.
I then arrange an engagement shoot with you for a couple of reasons...
Firstly, it’s a practice run for the big day. That doesn’t literally mean we go your wedding venue and I pose you/stand you in the places where you might be for couple photos on your wedding day; but rather it’s a chance to get used to me taking your picture. Think about it - how often do you and your other half have someone snapping away at you as you enjoy a romantic stroll or a cuddle?! Hopefully the answer is, well pretty much never and if that’s the case, then it’s a good idea to get a little bit used to it before it becomes another thing to worry about on the big day.
I then arrange an engagement shoot with you for a couple of reasons...
Firstly, it’s a practice run for the big day. That doesn’t literally mean we go your wedding venue and I pose you/stand you in the places where you might be for couple photos on your wedding day; but rather it’s a chance to get used to me taking your picture. Think about it - how often do you and your other half have someone snapping away at you as you enjoy a romantic stroll or a cuddle?! Hopefully the answer is, well pretty much never and if that’s the case, then it’s a good idea to get a little bit used to it before it becomes another thing to worry about on the big day.
Secondly, and more importantly I get to know you as a couple. We can share a bit of life together, go for coffee or lunch which let’s me see the way you think about things and how you connect together as a couple. This is so important, I cannot stress it enough! My aim with my couples is to make you feel as relaxed and comfortable as possible, to banish any ‘photo nerves’ and to build trust between us so that when the big arrives, you don’t see me as the PHOTOGRAPHER but as Benjamin who you are comfortable with and can forget that I’m there taking photographs.
The wedding day itself is a complete story from bridal prep in the morning until the crazy dancing in the evening so this is why I always stay for the whole day. I want you to look at your wedding photos and remember all of those memories as well as the ‘unseen' bits. I have a turn around policy of 14 days, allowing enough time for a honeymoon and then, if possible, I come round with your edited photos, a photo film and some postcard size prints in a beautiful wooden box. I feel it’s so important to do this and not just send an email link or something through the post because it’s the end of the journey that we have spent together - hours of emails, months of planning, meet ups, discussions as well as sharing your special day with you. As human beings, a fundamental value that we all share is that we like to feel loved, special and valued; if I can do this is anyway possible, then I will.
Katy & Will's Wedding Story
It’s my pleasure to share these engagement and wedding photos of the lovely Katy and Will with you. The engagement shoot took place at Rhossili Bay in the Gower Peninsula as it was a favourite holiday location for Katy as a child and was where Will had proposed to her. If you haven’t been, I’d highly recommend it. Hopefully, you’ll think the photos do it justice as Rhossili Bay is within an area designated as the first Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the UK! It rained constantly on the journey there and on the way home again but it managed to stay dry for the couple of hours we were there for which was a blessing. Another blessing was Katy and Will themselves. Their love for each other and general excitement for their upcoming nuptials was easy to capture and a joy to witness, as was their April wedding.
Emotions were running high on Katy and Will’s wedding day but for all the right reasons. Katy was excited, Will was nervous and there were tears of joy throughout. The service was at the gorgeous St James the Less Church in Pangbourne, Berkshire and the reception was held in a beautifully decorated marquee in the grounds of Mapledurham House on the banks of the River Thames.
The bride and groom travelled in style from Pangbourne to Mapledurham in the aptly named Floating Fantasy and I had the privilege to hop aboard with them and snap away in the background. As we meandered down the Thames, I reflected back to our time in the Gower, back to the slightly nervous but excitable couple who now sat before me cuddled up in the back seat of a boat enjoying their first hours of marital bliss - what an honour to witness and one of the many reasons why I love my job!
The rest of the day went by without a hitch and before we knew it everyone was laughing and crying at all of the fantastic speeches (and Katy said a few words - go girl!). The fabulous El Camino band kicked the party off and kept the majority of folks on the dance floor for most of the evening; I personally think it was the double bass that did the trick. Overall, a glorious wedding, an amazing couple and a joyful atmosphere that anyone would want on their wedding day.
Suppliers
Band:
El Camino
Caterers + Hog Roast:
Graham's Hogroast
Make up artist:
Charlotte Thompson
Flowers:
Becky Peel (Lyndhurst florist)
Dress designer:
Maggie Sottero
Marque company:
ASW marquees
Band:
El Camino
Caterers + Hog Roast:
Graham's Hogroast
Make up artist:
Charlotte Thompson
Flowers:
Becky Peel (Lyndhurst florist)
Dress designer:
Maggie Sottero
Marque company:
ASW marquees