2018 | MOMENTS, EMOTION + MAGIC
So! 2018 has flown by at a startling rate and it’s time to ‘round up’ ahead of diving into 2019.. (You know what? It gets harder and harder to write end of year review blog posts as the years go by..)
I’ve shot enough weddings now to know what I love about them and which moments really make me tick. I know my ‘why’ for getting into this industry in the first place, I know why I love wedding photography the most, and I know the type of shots and the moments that really make my heart sing and make me excited about each and every wedding.. And it’s the same as what I wrote in my round up post last year - for me, it’s a mixture of the big wedding moments and emotions, but the magic lies everywhere ‘in-between’ too.
That’s what is so wonderful about each and every day that I cover; it’s all about a different couple, different stories, different people.. no wedding is the same and each one is memorable for different reasons. They are a whirlwind of joy, emotion, magic, both big and small moments.. they never stop being wonderful to capture because, even with the maximum level of preparation, you never know exactly how the day is going to be. It’s impossible to anticipate the hundreds of little stories within the day that the photographs and films will tell.
2018 was challenging for a few reasons, but running a business is like anything in life and I guess it’s all about keeping the faith and embracing what gets thrown at you. I’m incredibly excited and feel so lucky to say that 2019 is almost fully booked and 2020 is looking like it’s going to be a wonderfully busy year too. I never stop feeling hugely grateful for the support that people show my work and my business, so ‘thank you’ to you all, whether you are past, recent or future couples, other suppliers, general cheerleaders and of course everyone at the home end for personal support and, often most importantly, childcare! Big love to you all - support like this helps keep small local businesses like mine going strong and I’ll never stop appreciating it.
Anyway! Enough waffle. Here is how 2018 looked for me and Sally T Photography!
Bring on 2019!!
I posted a few favourite stop motion wedding films from 2018 last week but, again, here is my showreel in stop motion from the past 12 months.
I've absolutely loved putting these highlights films together and it's such a different and special way to relive the highlights of a wedding day all over again. More couples than ever added stop motion wedding films to their photography coverage this year and even more again have added them already for 2019. Here are the highlights of the highlights..
One of my favourite parts of the day.. Those precious few hours before the wedding; anticipation is building, items of clothing are being ironed, glasses are clinked, hair is being tamed and make-up applied, music is playing.. for me it's one of the most wonderful parts of the day to photograph. I love being witness to that heady mix of nerves, excitement and (usually organised) chaos..
The ceremony anchors the day.. it's why you're all there, after all. It's quiet and weighted by importance when it begins, and full of release and celebration when it finishes. I love seeing eyes meet and deep breaths being taken, quiet tears being shed, the squeeze of a hand and children misbehaving at the back.. it's often not the easiest thing to photograph, but the atmosphere during this time and feeling it lift is wonderful and is the start of celebrations to come..
For me, the details don't just include what's on your tables or part of your stationery; it's the touch of a hand, how the light falls on a dress, noticing magic that some may not spot.. a wedding day is full of little details and tiny moments - I'm there to try and seek them out.
I always find myself drawn to children at weddings.. they are such a joy to photograph; often up to mischief, never behaving exactly how you'd expect them too, muddy knees, asking for snacks and usually first on the dance floor..
Portraits of couples are one of my favourite parts of the day - it's an opportunity to be creative and also for you both to have a little time away and steal some moments together. Finding a beautiful backdrop for portraits can be a wonderful thing.. but it's bettered by seeing your personalities and the reality of how you both are together come through. I try and keep it relaxed and my aim is to make you feel and look like yourselves.
Typically this is the part of the day that no-one is particularly excited about.. often couples would rather be celebrating with guests and taking the day in. Saying that, group shots tend to be the photos that couples frame or give as gifts - it's absolutely worth grabbing a few and they don't have to be stiff and formal.. I try to be creative and relaxed with them, and we speed through them in good time for you to get back chatting to friends and family, eating canapés and clinking glasses..
Another new category for this year's round up post.. and it's quite self explanatory. What is a wedding day without a huge spectrum of emotions? This is what it's all about, and this is why I love to capture everything from the sidelines rather than direct the day too much. The magic is there already..
Hands-down my favourite set of images.. I struggled to work out what to call it, it's everything 'in-between'. It's emotions, reactions, laughter, unscripted and unexpected moments, it's reality and humanity, it's personalities coming through.. all these smaller moments become the realstory of your day.
If you were looking for real magic.. it's everywhere in-between.
The speeches have been made, the meal has been eaten, vows have been said, the day may be over but the night is still young.. I sometimes steal couples for a few twilight photographs, and sometimes I just join you on the dance floor and join in throwing some shapes with you all.. I love the party people at weddings..
This year happened to be big for features! I haven’t ever really gone out to be featured in print as well as blog features and the like but it all seemed to happen in 2018!
The year kicked off with Sally and Stephen’s Newton Hall, Northumberland wedding featured in Rock n Roll Bride Magazine, Sammy and Andy’s Acklam Hall, Middlesbrough wedding was featured in both Living North Wedding Magazine and Belle Bridal Magazine, my work was used in materials for various venues which is always wonderful to see, and the year ended with a four page feature of Ed and Sorrel’s wedding in OK! Magazine!
I also wrote an article for the Telegraph online - “Secrets from a wedding photographer: ten tips on how to get the best photos” , and Ashleigh and Ian’s Crab and Lobster wedding was featured on another of their articles about bridesmaids and dress choices.
Online features included: Kerrie and Russell’s Dedham Vale Vineyard wedding, Jo and Neil’s Gatsby Media City Manchester wedding, Alex and Andy’s intimate Winter wedding, Ashleigh and Ian’s Crab and Lobster North Yorkshire wedding, Harri and Charlie’s Star Inn at Harome wedding, Simone and Chris’ taxidermy Newcastle wedding, and Anna and Ben’s Dinosaur forest wedding.