LL LOVES: WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Little L Loves
WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHERS
Image: Taylor & Porter
You’ve chosen the venue, the outfit, the future husband/wife – now you want to find the photographer who is really going to capture the essence of your day. The candid moments that the two of you share, the roaring laughter and rolling tears from guests, the dance floor and that all important confetti shot when you’re grinning like a cheshire cat. We’ve rounded up some our favourite photographers who have a certain ‘Je ne sais quoi’ to their work, whose images will evoke those special memories when you look back at their photographs for years to come.
Describe your style in 3 words: Artistic, Relaxed, Honest.
Which locations do you cover: I shoot internationally and I’m based in the UK.
Your favourite moment at a wedding: My favourite moment at a recent wedding: there are so many moments which make each wedding special, but I fondly look back at one of my best friends’ weddings, of which I took a couple of photographs, and remembered why I do the job I love. Listening to their speeches was so moving and it meant so much to be there both as a guest and to take photographs. Sometimes as suppliers, we can become detached from listening to people on the day – the speeches and the conversations that happen. We’re often working so hard to capture the images of these moments that the emotion can sweep right by.
Did you shoot any ‘Covid Weddings’? And if so what was your favourite Covid-wedding moment? The above was certainly a favourite, however, also photographing the Royal Wedding of HRH Princess Beatrice & Edo Mapelli Mozzi was something of a career highlight and honour, coming in the middle of the pandemic! I was lucky enough to photograph some beautiful intimate Covid secure weddings, with this one being one of the most exciting and thrilling days to be a part of.
Do you think the growing trend for micro/relaxed weddings is here to stay? I feel the trend of micro weddings is great and we have seen so many beautiful days over the last year. However, this has been forced upon the industry due to the situation. Those who could adapt to continue to work as part of it have done so, and successfully. But the wider wedding industry involves so much more than a micro wedding allows. I really feel quite strongly the whole wedding industry has to succeed to be viable, so hopefully normal weddings can resume as planned this summer.
Having said that, there is always now going to be a shift in mentality, and smaller, more intimate, fashion-forward gatherings are going to be held, which will be super special to be a part of.
Describe your style in 3 words: Modern, Heartfelt, Atmospheric.
Which locations do you cover: Mostly London and the South East, but travel UK wide.
Your favourite moment at a wedding: I was photographing the bride getting ready in her room for her outdoor wedding in the most beautiful setting in Wales - a courtyard made from the ruins of a rundown stone chapel, overlooking the Mawddach estuary. It was raining heavily, and it had been raining constantly since the day before. Everyone was convinced the wedding ceremony couldn’t go ahead, but we decided to delay everything and wait for a break in the rain. After an hour of waiting it finally happened! Just as everyone was ready to give up and move the ceremony inside, the rain stopped and it all took place in that stunning courtyard. It was one of the most special weddings I had the pleasure to be a part of.
Did you shoot any ‘Covid Weddings’? And if so what was your favourite Covid-wedding moment? I’ve been fortunate enough to photograph over 20 micro weddings since the pandemic started and I can hand on heart say I am completely in love with the relaxed atmosphere and chic wedding attire of small intimate weddings. Although perhaps not quite as popular as they are now, micro weddings were quietly taking place before the pandemic. My favourite moment at a Covid wedding was a socially-distanced walk through Hampstead with 20 or so wedding guests from the couple’s ceremony venue, Burgh House, to their reception at the Holly Bush pub. It was an uplifting parade of happiness, surrounded by happy-faced Londoners cheering us on! I will never forget it.
Do you think the growing trend for micro/relaxed weddings is here to stay? Since the start of this year I have been inundated with requests to photograph smaller weddings and I’m absolutely certain that not only are they here to stay, but they will also replace a significant proportion of larger celebrations. Some couples have even used the pandemic as an opportunity to scale down and have their wedding the way they always wished to, but were afraid to let down parents and distant family.
Describe your style in 3 words: Sentimental, Honest, Radiant.
Which locations do you cover: Based near London and cover mainly the South of England, but will happily travel anywhere.
Your favourite moment at a wedding: My favourite moment at a wedding is really hard to choose, but I definitely find my favourite photos are from the natural moments such as the confetti throws, speeches & dancing where everyone forgets a camera is on them and you see all of the genuine emotions pouring out. I think there’s something really special about some speeches - words can be so powerful and it’s usually the time where everyone reflects on not only what the day has meant to them, but also old memories of family, friends etc. That to me is something extremely sentimental and I love capturing the reactions.
Did you shoot any ‘Covid Weddings’? And if so what was your favourite Covid-wedding moment? Yes! I luckily managed to photograph a few Covid weddings last year. My favourite moment was in November with my lovely couple, Shelley & Chris - they had had to change their plans so many times and each time, a new government restriction would come into place, causing them to change again. They were so determined to get married no matter what and despite having a lockdown announced a few days before their wedding and having to bring it forward with the strictest rules in place, they had the most beautiful day which has become one of my favourite weddings I’ve ever photographed. That day there was something special in the air that we could all feel - the weather was so incredibly gorgeous, it felt like a summer day mixed with all the Autumn colours and everything fell perfectly into place.
Do you think the growing trend for micro/relaxed weddings is here to stay? I actually really hope that micro weddings will stay even once we’re back to normal. I think a lot of couples have always felt pressure to have these huge weddings to please family and friends without it being what they actually want. This whole experience has given many people the realisation that actually, you can have your wedding however you want and just because it’s smaller, it doesn’t take away from how special it is or any of its importance. Big or small, all weddings are so incredible and should be the dream of each couple, and what is most important to them.
Describe your style in 3 words: Fresh, Honest, Timeless.
Which locations do you cover: Global.
Your favourite moment at a wedding: This is a hard one. I love the anticipation before the ceremony. I love it when couples are showered in love and confetti by all the people they care about most in the world. I love shooting portraits when the bride and groom have a moment to themselves and I adore the speeches and all the brilliant reactions and candid moments that come with them.
Did you shoot any ‘Covid Weddings’? And if so what was your favourite Covid-wedding moment? Yes! And they have all been very memorable days. I think my favourite moment was during a garden wedding for 30 people last summer, when, just before everyone was seated, all the guests started dancing – there was no dance floor, just pure joy and elation to be together again!
Do you think the growing trend for micro/relaxed weddings is here to stay? There is something very meaningful about intimate weddings and I think they are definitely here to stay. Small on numbers, big on style and with an extra layer of appreciation. We will of course also see the larger parties return, and I can't wait for those as well!
Describe your style in 3 words: Relaxed, Modern, Romantic.
Which locations do you cover: London. I do take bookings outside London & internationally but at present, I'm focussing on London weddings.
Your favourite moment at a wedding: Seeing couples walk out of the Town Hall into a sea of swirling confetti is always one of the most joyful moments at a wedding.
Did you shoot any ‘Covid Weddings’? And if so what was your favourite Covid-wedding moment? Yes! I actually photographed lots of elopements and micro weddings in 2020. Many couples are reinventing their plans and adapting to create unique celebrations whether that’s running away to elope or celebrating with a select few of their closest friends & family. I think it made people realise what’s truly important, It was wonderful to witness so much emotion, relief and joy during this strange time. Seeing couples share their day with family all over the world via Zoom was really lovely and I knew that my photos and slideshows were even more important so their family and friends could relive the day, almost as if they were there. With the constant rule changes, many couples booked me last minute – like Jackie & Johannes who were married just before Christmas. After their intimate ceremony at Old Marylebone Town Hall, we jumped in a black cab up to Hampstead, stopping for coffee at their favourite coffee shop and photos in the pretty London backstreets complete with twinkling Christmas lights.
Do you think the growing trend for micro/relaxed weddings is here to stay? Yes I do think the micro wedding trend is here to stay. Intimate weddings are not new to me, I've photographed many elopements and micro weddings over the years and they've always been my favourite to photograph. I love helping couples create a joyful experience and capturing the love and real moments on their day. I often take couples on a stroll through pretty London backstreets, stopping for coffee on the way. They end up with beautiful, relaxed, natural couples photos in their favourite places. These days are much more chilled out than a big traditional wedding!
Describe your style in 3 words: Modern, Intimate, Timeless.
Which locations do you cover: We primarily document weddings in London and across the UK, but we also love to travel and work internationally.
Your favourite moment at a wedding: We love all the little authentic and intimate, in between moments, but we especially adore the energy around the couple as they are congratulated by their friends and family.
Did you shoot any ‘Covid Weddings’? And if so what was your favourite Covid-wedding moment? We were lucky enough to join quite a few of our couples last year for their micro celebrations. There were so many beautiful moments, but one that really sticks out was with the lovely Weez and Calum. After 4 attempts and re-shuffles to get married, the sheer joy and elation on their faces as they came out of the Town Hall as Mr and Mrs was just incredible. You've never seen two happier loved up people!
Do you think the growing trend for micro/relaxed weddings is here to stay? Yes, absolutely! We are so in love with micro weddings. Outfits you’d never previously thought of wearing, pushing traditions aside to make room for new ways of celebrating, creative ways to share the day with your loved ones, champagne on the steps instead of the lawn. So many ways to embrace your micro wedding! Small weddings and elopements have always been special to us and a big part of our business. We chose a tiny wedding ourselves, it was perfect. Having a small wedding doesn’t mean you have to compromise or go small with your vision!
Describe your style in 3 words: Contemporary, Iconic, Poetic.
Which locations do you cover: Based in London, England and capturing weddings worldwide.
Your favourite moment at a wedding: At sunset when my couples take a moment away from the party to focus on each other for a while – it's a really special moment to capture.
Did you shoot any ‘Covid Weddings’? And if so what was your favourite Covid-wedding moment? I shot only a handful of weddings during 2020 but a memorable moment was when over 100 guests from all over the world joined my clients via Zoom to be virtually present at their wedding. This couple had originally planned a destination wedding in Italy and when Covid-19 prevented that from happening, they decided to move ahead with a much smaller day in London rather than postpone. The groom's father was sadly unwell overseas so they needed to be married in case they had to head over there together at a moment's notice. It wasn't the wedding they initially planned but there was still so much love and support for them in that room.
Do you think that the growing trend for micro/relaxed weddings is here to stay? A wedding day, wherever it takes place, is a heartfelt and unique celebration of a couple. I've captured intimate elopement-style weddings for years alongside larger scale events, and I think there will always be a demand for both sorts of weddings. After all, a wedding is a hugely personal day and there are so many different couples with their own unique style out there.