Talking Pictures | Wendy & tony in The Great Hall

Regular viewers of my work will know that, as a rule, my images are of unposed moments and I tend to avoid anything too staged. It’s what the vast majority of my couples book me for and is a way of working I find really exciting. A good fit all round then. However, there are times when a venue presents an opportunity to do something a little different which can’t be ignored.

It’s an unavoidable fact that many photographers, driven by the need to get ahead in a quest to gain traction on instagram, specifically set out to make work which attracts comments like ‘epic’ and ‘awesome’. Well, that’s great for boosting your social media presence (and one’s ego), but is it the right thing for your couples? Speaking personally, many of my bookings are gained specifically because of my style - the most common description I hear is that they’re natural. However, every now and then, it’s good to shake things up a little and go with something slightly different.

Wendy & Tony (whose wedding this is), love photography and were completely up for the challenge. I’ve known them since 2015, when Wendy was a bridesmaid at a wedding I shot at Gaynes Park in Essex. When her and Tony set a date, I was honoured to be part of their plans. It’s incredibly flattering to hear from couples who’ve come across me before and something I’m always grateful for.

The swooping art-deco ceiling of the The Great Hall ballroom at Bournemouth’s Royal Bath Hotel completely lent itself to a shot like this. Technically, it’s actually quite simple - a single speed light, positioned behind the couple, activated by a wireless trigger. However, it’s the leading lines and visual repetition of the arches which really make the image one I wanted to share with you, dear reader.

Rest assured, my usual, natural wedding photography will continue, but when the setting is right and the couple are up for doing something a little different, it’s good to change things up.

Thanks for looking at this Talking Pictures post - if you’ve enjoyed it, why not see others in the series which dig a little deeper into a single image and the thinking behind it.