Celebrating a decade as a natural wedding photographer.
I still can’t quite believe I have had a decade as a natural wedding photographer. Actually, it been over a decade it was last year that I hit my 10-year point. Heading into 2020 I had full intentions of shouting about and celebrating 10 years photographing weddings, but there never seemed the right time.
So, better late then never I want to mark the fact that I have had a decade capturing weddings as a natural wedding photographer! 10 years working with the most amazing couples photographing their wedding days. The nerves, the joy, the love, the dancing, the speeches, the happiness. In that time I have attended over 350 weddings… that’s a lot of confetti and a lot of cake! From the smallest intimate wedding with just the couple (and me as a witness) to huge celebrations with over 250 guests. I have seen so many different types of wedding days and I have honestly loved every single one. The biggest joy is the fact they are all different. Of course, the core of the wedding day is the same, with the ceremony and the celebrations. But every couple brings their own take to the day, their own style and personality. This makes it special.
I never take for granted or take lightly the job I have in capturing a wedding day and being the person to create those lasting memories.
Back in the beginning…
My photography business is the pretty much same age as my son, so it’s easy to remember! It was one of those weird decisions to try for a baby around the time I was starting a new business (or having a go at photography as it was back then). I had no idea what would happen with either. How long it would take to get pregnant or whether I could even make the photography thing work. Would I become a mum? Would I be able to photograph weddings as a job? I was working as a freelance graphic designer and art director at the time, something I had done for around 14 years. While I did enjoy that as a career, I was starting to feel like I needed a new challenge. Something that was all mine!
In between freelance design jobs and art directing shoots I was photographing weddings, attending wedding fairs and trying to build my business. Oh, and I also got pregnant! Nothing like all happening at once. A busy job as a designer Monday to Friday, weekends immersing myself in the world of weddings, managing pregnancy and then a newborn. Looking back I honestly have no idea how we managed those first few years. At this point I have to give huge thanks to my husband, who was amazing while I was running around at a million miles an hour, trying to do everything.
After a few years of mayhem, madness and nearly hitting the wall with stress and tiredness, I made the jump to full-time photographer. Said a farewell to the world of freelance design and art direction and was ready to hit the ground running. As they say, the rest is history.
Not just a natural wedding photographer! I offer family photography & commercial photography too.
Over the last few years I have been slowly diversifying what I do and the photography work I undertake. I love being a natural wedding photographer and will carry on for as long as I can. But it’s been lovely to see what else I can do. I now do more family shoots, many off the back of the weddings I have photographed. It seems a natural next step after capturing someone’s wedding, to keep in touch and do photos as they have families. More recently I have loved venturing into commercial photography. Through my wedding photography, I discovered a joy of photographing details and products and the people who make them. This is now building into a fabulous avenue as I am doing photography for many of the businesses I have worked with over the years. I have had the opportunity to photograph interiors, lifestyle product photography and branding portraits.
It really has been quite a decade! I am excited about what the next 10 have in store. More of the same wonderful bits and lots of new adventures and directions as well.
How better to celebrate a decade as a natural wedding photographer than to look through some of my favourite shots from over the years. Enjoy!
Thanks for taking the time to check out a little of my work from the last 10 years. I still can’t quite believe it’s been that long! Many of these weddings are shared on the blog, so if you fancy exploring further why not check out a few?
If you are looking for London weddings, why not take a look at Sarah & Andy’s Town Hall Hotel wedding with gorgeous flowers from Worm London. For something in London that’s a little different, you can take a look at Amy & Jason’s fabulous wedding at The Horniman Museum. Maybe you fancy checking out a beautiful countryside wedding? In which case have a look at Lauren & Tom’s colourful Summer wedding with a VW minivan, a teepee and glorious DIY decorations. Or Lucy & Nicks pretty back garden outdoor wedding, which took place behind Lucy’s parents home in Kent. If you are planning an elegant country house wedding you can get inspiration from Lauren & Sam’s wedding at Botleys Mansion.
All the weddings I have photographed over the last 10 years have a real place in my heart. I remember every couple, every wedding and so many details. They all stand out for their style, personality, fun, laughter and love. When I started this journey of becoming a natural wedding photographer all those years ago I honestly didn’t think it would become so personal and such a passion. I truly love to make the experience something that each couple will remember and to go above and beyond what is expected as the job of a natural wedding photographer. Whether it’s helping with a wedding dress, reattaching a veil, sorting a buttonhole, balancing a wedding cake (yes, I really did once save a cake from falling over on a very hot day) or just making sure everything goes as you want it to. Its all part of the service and part of the way I work as a natural wedding photographer.
I hope you have enjoyed this little dash down memory lane with me.
Thanks for popping by
Fiona x
