Documentary wedding photography by Staffordshire professional photographer Andrew Billington. Contemporary wedding photographer Cheshire, Midlands, UK.
Being a Midlands based documentary wedding photographer I get opportunity to meet lots of very interesting people in and around the wedding industry. I was recently having an online exchange with Elouise Elliott, who was going to do some photographic work with me, and she mentioned that she designed bespoke cards and wedding invitations. Next thing there are a couple in the post…
I stumbled across a very interesting discussion on a forum the other day about ‘detail’ images from contemporary wedding photographers – documentary photography included. The author of the post seemed to suggest that wedding photographers are obsessed with photographs of flowers, cups, shoes, chairs, candles, perfume, buttons etc. almost to exclusion of the family and guests. I don’t actually think this is the case (I know it’s not the case with me) but I believe there is a very strong reason why the author might have got this impression.
When blogs and magazines ask me to provide images for them to feature about 60% of the photographs they ask for are ‘details’ of the day – they know their readers are interested in organising their own weddings and are less interested in someone else’s celebration than the design of another bride’s day – so the majority of images we see from wedding photographers are about ‘stuff’ rather than people.
For my style of photography people are central to the photograph but I am also telling a story so context and ‘texture’ forms part of that narrative. I love to capture all the little details of the day and create a complete picture. Having said that I would say that less than 10% of the photographs I deliver are about the ‘stuff’. The couple, family and friends are central to wedding days and that lies at the heart of wedding photography.
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I agree with you Andrew, couples put so much time, effort and money into all the details of the day and after the wedding the photographs are all that are left. I get so many positive comments from clients about all the detail images and as you’ve demonstrated above they make beautiful images.
[...] Wedding detail pictures from Andrew Billington Photography [...]
Indeed photographs of details are just as documentary in nature as photographs of people interacting. Each one says something about the mindset and emotional input of the people at the heart of it all. When those details are this beautifully photographed, it’s doubly worth the effort!
Here is the slideshow of Neesha and David’s wedding at the fabulous Walton Hall in Warwickshire. It was a cold, windy day but the beautiful surroundings and great planning on Neesha’s part made the day really special.
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Looking back over this year’s weddings has been the perfect opportunity to think about the many different situations I’ve walked in to. The bride is often the first person I meet on the day and I’ve discovered that no-one really knows how they are going to feel on their wedding morning. The most laid-back brides throughout the planning stages have been a bit worried or nervous, ultra-organised brides (I love to see a colour coded binder at a meeting) have been relaxed and care-free but there is always one trait that they share – it’s a morning like no other and everything is memorable.
It’s so true. That’s why I’m there and I’ve never any need to try to ‘stage’ any of the day – it’s always an interesting story that plays out through the day, all I have to do is capture it in a true and artistic way. Anyway here are some of my favourite images of my brides throughout the day.
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Here’s a quick sneak peek at David and Neesha’s wedding at the lovely Walton Hall in Warwickshire. A beautiful day (very windy!) with close family and friends and the very attentive and professional staff. Plus the surprise at the end of the night of a fire juggler!
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Glenn Mather - Nottingham - Very nice images, great colours