A year ago a friend asked me if I would ever accept the ultimate challenge of photographing a wedding, capturing the most special moments under some of the most challenging conditions, a time when moments of massive importance can fly by quicker than the bus you run for when you’re running late and a time when you have to be there, catch it, you only have the one chance. I let out a good hearty guffaw and politely expressed where he could place that idea of his.

I have been to weddings. Many of them. Just last year we had two family weddings.  My wife has 3 sisters, two of those wed and over the last few years 3 cousins wed t0o. My wife and her sisters and of course the rest of the ladies (some of the guys) noted the details of the brides dress, the bridesmaids dresses, the hair pins, flowers, chair ties etc etc. I was chasing my kids around, being run ragged while simultaeneously observing where the photographer was stood, what were they seeing, how were they standing, what were they wearing, what kind of shoes. Mostly I noticed how relaxed they were, how they interacted with the guests, how they saw moments as they happen. I was in awe. I could not see myself in that position, purely because it scared the living daylights out of me.

Then came the phonecall – an official request to photograph the wedding of my friends cousin.  While spending time contemplating how I might come to earn with photography and get more time to play with cool gadgets, I found myself really wanting to take the opportunity. So I returned the call. No more denying myself opportunities just because they scare me, I would accept the challenge and put faith in what I have been dilligently learning over the past 4 years.

As I learnt at cub scouts, I knew I had to be prepared. Youtube is amazing, but I am a practical learner, with a kineasthetic learning style, so enrolled on a wedding photography workshop over 3 days with Shootsmart Training in Elland. When you see the couple below in my galleries, they were the faux-Bride and Groom from the portfolio day at Hazlewood Castle. But everything following are real life weddings.

Though much was familiar, the experience of posing the couple, getting some giggles and eating fantastic buffet food was really positive. Rather than give me everything I need in terms of knowledge and experience, instead it made me realize how much the new venture appealed to me.

Fast forward a year and just take  a peak at the blog section here to see how my first year has gone so far.  There is no learning experience quite like that of throwing yourself in at the deep-end.  By no means do I believe my learning has stopped either. Every wedding, every week I learn something new, have new ideas, explore new methods and continue to develop.  I hope you can see the progress throughout the blogs and galleries.  I look forward to the next 24 months, there will be lots of new images to share with you.

So until my next post…take care.