I always admire the photographers that can be strictly documentary wedding photographers and stay tucked away in the shadows, ready to spring out at the correct, magical moments. That can create epically beautiful portraits simply by being in the right place at the right time and knowing just when that composition is PERFECT. The truth of the matter is that I’ve never been an introvert - my mother says I exited the womb with jazz hands - and as a reformed theatre kid who sees EVERYTHING as a collaboration, I simply MUST get involved.

That’s not to say that on your wedding day, I’m in your hair and face with a giant lens barking orders and carefully constructing meticulous tableaux with smoke bombs and levels and lighting panels. Again, I’m in AWE of the theatricality of those photographers who can do all of this and more and make it look effortless. You’ll never find me disparaging another wedding photographer’s work because I know just how hard it can be, how much training and effort and TIME and commitment and LOVE we give to all of our couples. My approach has evolved into somewhere in the in-between - I’m a control freak who will drape your gown perfectly, make sure zippers are zipped, stray hairs are flattened and makeup un-smudged after all those well-wishing hugs. But then I’ll tell you to grab your partner by the hand and go for a walk. Talk to each other the whole way, stay connected look back at me, okay walk back. I’ll line up your bridal party (shirts tucked in, bouquets at the waist, stray hairs flattened), you’ll give me that confident slay of a gaze then 1-2-3 RUN! Directed naturalism is what we’re after. So you still look and feel AMAZING but the magic is in the in-between, NOT the pose.

But then we step away from the controlled chaos part of your day and that’s when I truly melt into my surroundings as much as I can. And in having built that trust and rapport over time from booking stage up to the big day, you can relax and know that I won’t miss a trick. That even though we do have time set aside for family photos and wedding party, portraits, cake cutting and speeches, first dances and partying, 85% of your final gallery are going to be those moments you missed when you were mingling with your guests. The kiddos causing carnage and the nanas topping up their g&ts, the rounds of shots and killer dance moves, the silent happy tears and big belly laughs, the neverending cheers and uninhibited glee as we ease into the day and the party feels infinite. I’m always somewhere in-between, waiting for that magic, knowing it will come if I just wait patiently like those photographers I admire so much.

Let’s not force it, let’s not miss a trick. Let’s tell the story of your wedding day authentically, with joy. Here are a few of my FAVOURITE moments over the years…