Heeeere’s Jonny! Ok, I’ll spare you all those gags (hilarious the first fifty times, afterward not so much) and get right to it. If you’re planning the biggest party of your life right now and want a documentary wedding photographer to capture all the cray in a way that’s honest and fuss-free then welcome to my humble little profile.
I'm guessing you want to know who this random and curiously handsome (ahem) man pitching to photograph your wedding is. Of course, you do! I would as well. After all, I want to spend one of the biggest days of your life with you so it’s important to know that we’ll get along. It makes my job a lot more fun and the photography just that bit more awesome.
So, in a nutshell, I’m a documentary wedding photographer based in Gloucestershire, the heart of the beautiful Cotswolds. I travel all over the UK and beyond to capture wedding celebrations in my alternative, photojournalistic style. That’s me in the picture looking all arty. Out of shot is my wife Rosa pulling faces with our baby daughter whilst our crazy basset hound chases its own tail.
This is totally a cliche but I genuinely love what I do. I'm so lucky this has been my full-time job for over three years now but I’ve been taking photos for far longer. I studied Image Production at college (which seems like a LOOONG time ago now) and that’s where it all started.
I like to travel to far-flung corners of the earth and plan adventures. I’ve ridden a bike the length of Vietnam, climbed mountains in the Himalayas, sought out the Northern Lights and travelled Europe extensively in a campervan. I once ran 54 miles in one day, Forest Gump style. My adventure-seeking has slowed down a smidgen since my daughter came along but I still love to plan little getaways with the family.
When it comes to shooting weddings it's all about natural story-telling images. This for me is all about capturing the emotions and energy of the day without staging anything, posing anyone, setting up moments or shouting directions.
Don’t fret- I still shoot all the beautiful details, parents still get that must-have family photo for their mantlepiece, and if you create some time alone with your partner I can capture the two of you together, loved-up and freshly married!
While I do appreciate the wealth of outstanding talent in the wedding photography world, I try not to obsess over my contemporaries too much. I feel it can become counter-productive in searching for my own voice. Instead, I tend to feel inspired by other genres: travel and street photography, for example. And I draw a lot of inspo from the place where I live; Gloucestershire countryside is gorgeous darling, even if the phone signal can be a bit rubbish.
With the fear of waffling on for too long here’s my quick-fire top reasons why I could be the right photographer for you:
1. I’m the real thing.
What I mean here is, recently, you may have noticed a trend for my style of photography. Words like “photojournalism” and “reportage” are getting chucked around like confetti. But I’m a pose-free, cheese-free zone and promise to offer you docu-style photography in its purest form.
2. I’m no-nonsense.
I know that this is your day, not mine. You won’t catch me shouting at guests to “Smile!” or arranging people. You’ll barely know I’m there.
3. I’m a great guy.
All my mates say so. Well, some of them. But seriously, I’ll blend in and mix with your guests in a friendly, engaging way. I won’t be hiding in bushes paparazzi style. Getting up close and in the middle of all the action is how I get my best images.
4. I don’t want to miss a thing.
As a wedding photographer, I want to be there for the wedding in its entirety. I offer unlimited coverage, that way I get to stay for the party! During the day my main focus is people (I love people), but I’ll make sure I get all those intricate little details too.
5. I’m not allergic to group photos.
I won't shy away from these, I’m always happy to fit a few in. I do them in my own way and always inject a bit of fun. I’d recommend doing only a handful (you gotta get back to that party, after all) but I know how important it is to get a few family ones. After all, we need to keep Mum happy.
So, if you appreciate photography and are passionate about your wedding images, let's collaborate to create something truly great. Get in touch AS SOON AS POSSIBLE because, like all good snappers, I get booked up pretty sharpish especially for those summer months.
I can only shoot around 35 weddings a year (I’m told I do need to actually see my wife and child occasionally) plus each wedding needs my full attention so I’m careful not to overbook myself.
I can’t work with everyone who enquires (I wish I could) but if you think your wedding and my creative documentary approach would be an unbeatable combo then contact me and we’ll start talking.