Authenticity. As a documentary photographer, I believe in photographing the day as it happens, crafting a photo-essay through real and natural moments of great meaning to the couple. Photographs that truly tell a story. Photography with soul.
Approach. Couples who book me know they are getting a documentary photographer rather than just simply a wedding photographer. I photograph unobtrusively, letting the day naturally flow so I can produce authentic and compelling photographs that show the uniqueness of the day. I do not ruin the scene with big light stands and paparazzi flash bulbs; I do not intrude and re-position a couple to look like someone else. I believe in letting people laugh, tell stories, and hold each other naturally. That is when the best photographs happen. Even for a bridal couple session, I 'set the scene but not stage the moment', choosing a backdrop with flattering light and let them have rare and treasured one-on-one time, sharing the moment without distractions, while I photograph genuine expressions. The mannerisms who make us who we are, the way we laugh, the way we hold; this authenticity is one of the reasons why my photography is so different from that of cookie-cutter wedding photographers.
Style. My photographs are fresh yet timeless. They look like they came from a camera, a film darkroom, rather than the generic wedding digital-photoshop. That is because I bring my passion for film photography and darkroom technique, along with a love of classic cinematography, into my digital photography and prints. My Black & White photos have a silvery art gallery tone, the colours are solid yet smooth, and the toothy film grain feels organic and gives great visual depth. I believe in photography as a craft, I view myself as a craftsperson, and I bring the organic and grainy feel of film and darkroom techniques to my digital photography. The results are modern yet classic. Edgy yet romantic. Fresh yet timeless. That is my style.
Advice. Everyone wants their wedding day to be unique yet many people have their photographer direct them into cheesy poses, tell them how to hold each other, or stage scenes that imitate someone else's wedding. Fake poses might look impressive to someone who wasn't there but the couple will look at the photos and remember that they were following instructions. They don't see themselves but rather see fabricated poses that made them look like every other couple. And how can one have fun when worrying about following instructions and posing? What fun is that? Your wedding day will be the fastest day of your life, a whirlwind, so don't waste precious time doing silly posed photographs that make you look like someone else. I advise clients to spend as much time as possible with their friends and family, to be there at the cocktail hour sharing stories and laughter, instead of out at a park doing cheesy poses with the bouquet. The best wedding day moments are the ones that are shared with loved ones, and that is also when awesome photographs happen. Surround yourself with friends and family and enjoy your day while I do what I do best: see light, geometry, depth, emotion, and compose all those elements into compelling photographs that show the uniqueness of the day and that truly mean something to you. In the end, that's the important thing.
Skills. Couples are faced with a lot of choices when it comes to photographers. I overheard someone the other day, in giving advice to her friend, say that most wedding photographers have never photographed anything other than weddings and that is why wedding photos all look the same. Unfortunately that often seems true. I would not be who I am without my variety of photographic endeavours and experiences around the world. The documentary approach I bring to a wedding day is just like the one I brought to the two months spent photographing tribal and fishing communities across Thailand for Amnesty International, and when I photographed behind-the-scenes in Indonesia for the television show Departures on the Outdoor Life Network and National Geographic Adventure. It is why the lovely details, from buttons on the bridal dress to the flowers decorating the table, have the same professional techniques as those used on my national commercial and product photography for Nissan and Infinity Automobiles, Tre Stelle, and Foto Source. And, with my commercial work routinely published in magazines and corporate publications, I have developed high standards in developing professional images. Put it all together, and it is why, in essence, I am a photographer of weddings rather than a wedding photographer. I allow the day to tell its unique story rather than me applying a formulaic patten to the event. It is who I am. It is what allows me to show the uniqueness and beauty of each wedding. And it sets me apart.
I take on a limited number of commissions each year, building a connection with the clients and guiding them through the photographic process.
If this sounds like what you are looking for, let's grab coffee and chat about your upcoming day. It could be the start of something amazing.
Ryan.