01 Tell us some more about your career in photography, and specifically your journey to shooting luxury events?
My entire career and journey has happened very organically. After university, I worked in the events industry in London and this cemented my love for photography. I had a strong desire to beautifully capture what we had spent months planning and creating. The company soon commandeered me as their in-house photographer and bought me my first camera... but, before too long, I left to pursue a career behind the lens. It’s taken years of hard to work to build my style, brand and client base, but I have never looked back and get more excited by projects every year that goes by.
02 Have you always been a visual person with a form of creative expression?
Yes absolutely. I’m very visual in my personal life as well as my professional life. Despite having a relatively unrelated degree (Psychology), I’ve never gravitated massively to words, numbers and ‘traditional’ type work. Outside of work I also love interiors and I am also dyslexic - I think that supercharges my visual capabilities as a photographer as my brains works in ways and sees things that others perhaps might not - hopefully this comes out in my work!
03 How do you personally access creative inspiration?
For me it’s all about people. I am incredibly passionate about meeting interesting and inspiring people and I’m lucky enough to have worked with and for many of them. Inspiration therefore often comes from the people I’m shooting, their story, their passions and ethos to life. My work is there to respect who they are as people – both in their broader lives and in that specific moment.
04 What is it about you that you consider to be distinctively different from other luxury event photographers in the industry?
It’s a really good question and I think my answer always comes back to people. I’m close friends with many of my previous clients. I think it’s this that sets me apart.
I approach my work wanting to connect and build relationships. Not only does this then show in the friendships, but hopefully in the pictures I take as when a photographer knows their subjects well – who they are, how they think etc. – it allows for a much more intimate and memorable photograph to be taken
05 How have you seen the photography preferences of HNWI change in the weddings and events industry over the past 5 years?
Photography preferences year on year are changing more than ever before and trends can be seen rippling through the industry quickly. I would say the most significant change though in photography preferences is the immediacy of the access to photographs. I have had editors on site turning images round in time for guests to access them by breakfast the next day.
06 How do you keep being competitive within the new wave of photographers?
I’m a firm believer in staying true to one’s style. New photographers, styles and trends etc. will always be coming and going. Trying too hard to always be offering the ‘in’ thing can make it hard for clients to know what you offer and to build that trust and consistency which I believe is so important.
07 How do you handle the pressure of ensuring you capture everything the client wants captured at their event?
Preparation - and of course many, many years and of experience! By the time we get to shoot day I have typically been preparing for days, if not weeks or months. Scouting, preparing shot lists, understanding client needs, liaising with the client on mood boards, mapping where the sun will be at various times of the day so I can understand shadows and light...
As a result, I can tend to be relatively (relatively!) relaxed come showtime whilst being all too aware of the precious, fleeting moments and memories I am there to capture.
08 What’s been the biggest highlight in your career so far?
Can I have two highlights?? I think the job satisfaction that comes from receiving a call or message when clients are over the moon and emotional when you deliver their gallery will never ever get old. I am also incredibly grateful to be able to work in some beautiful places around the world - my office can be pretty special some days - I feel very lucky indeed.
09 What is your process for effectively telling stories through your photographs?
I truly feel like my clients tell the story themselves. I am there to capture and reflect their stories, but it’s exactly that – their story, not mine. Every smile, every splash of a drink, every touch is a story in and of itself and it reflects who my clients are as people. Combine these finer details with the location and the wider picture and stories are told... I try therefore to allow my clients to drive the narrative and tell their story, with me there to guide, direct and encourage.
10 What advice would you give to couples looking for a wedding or event photographer?
Going with a photographer you connect with a super important to your overall experience - life is all about relationships and this situation is no different. However, do make sure you view multiple galleries of their work to make sure that their style is also what you want - pay close attention to skin tones and try imagine yourself in the images you see.
Curious Quick Fires:
01 If you were to get married, where in the world would you be celebrating and why?
Somewhere meaningful - I’m a romantic at heart so I’d want to get married in a place which means something to us! Sorry, I am conscious of sounding very nauseating here!!!
02 If you could design the perfect hotel suite, what’s one thing it would include?
An open fireplace. There’s nothing that can change a room more than the crackle, light and warmth from an open fire!
03 What’s a luxury that’s actually a necessity?
I don’t travel anywhere without my earplugs and an eye mask. As I travel a lot these are a complete necessity for me. When I have space I also travel with my pillow!!
