The Best Wedding Photographer in the World?

You know the old saying that you should never meet your hero? Well, we met our number one photographic hero about 18 months ago when we went on a week’s workshop with Yervant Zanazanian in Venice. Now, we don’t expect you to have heard of him. Brits tend not to value wedding photography highly, but anywhere else in the world most people know that Yervant Zanazanian and Jerry Ghionis( two aussies) repeatedly vie for the coveted world’s best wedding photographer spot.

Well, we LOVED our week with Yervant. The pic above was one we took when we were with him on a fashion shoot.  His relaxed style was just like ours. Like us, he believes in capturing the emotion and everything he does enhances the day for the bride and groom. Nothing is too much trouble and the bride and groom are the stars of the day and are his primary concern. He enthused and inspired us in every way and we owe a lot of our recent success to the approaches and the techniques he and his wonderful wife, Anie, taught us.

So the opportunity to spend a week with Jerry Ghionis was something not to be missed. Jerry’s use of light in his images is outstanding and we wanted to learn just how he captures it so beautifully in the maelstrom that is an average wedding. Have a look at his images at www.excite.com and you’ll see what we mean. Mid-May was going to be a fantastic time for us.

And it was. But not what we expected. Fantastic – as in it was unbelievable how disappointed we were in the experience! This was one hero we definitely should NOT have met.

Let me explain. Jerry’s images are Incredible. Most photographers would die to be able to produce wedding images like his. The trouble is, we came away determined NEVER to produce wedding images like his!!

Those of you whom we have photographed and those of you who have already booked us know that the hallmark of our work is the relaxed, natural expressions and general sense of enjoyment which exudes from all our albums. Each album looks different because each couple is different. BUT EVERYONE LOOKS RELAXED. Our skill lies in getting lovely pictures without imposing on the peronalities of our clients. On the contrary, we want to capture our clients’ personalities and emotions.To stop the flow of a wedding in order to pose people is something we would never do.

So you can imagine how disappointed we were to discover that Jerry works in exactly the opposite way to us. ALL of his photos are heavily posed. To the extent that he frequently makes father plus bride walk again down the church path, stops them, puts them into exactly the right light/pose and then takes a picture. Sorry, I can’t imagine anything more awful than ignoring the bride’s well-being at a critically emotional and stressful point in the day just to get the picture you want! But Jerry explains it easily – ” I don’t care if the bride gets a bit upset, or if she hates me on the day – she’ll love the picture I take and that’s all that matters in the end.”

Sorry, Jerry, but I think your priorities have gone wrong here. This is a wedding, not a fashion shoot!

Oh – and how would the groomsmen feel if they were told that they had to be completely ready four and a half hours before the ceremony, so that there is time for a one and a half hour shoot? Then for Jerry to travel to the bride’s for another two hour shoot. And after the ceremony Jerry insists that he has FOUR hours alone with the bride and groom. During this shoot he doesn’t try to capture their personalities – instead he treats them like mannikins, contorting bodies to catch the light, whilst persuading them to shout/laugh/whatever to convey a ‘genuine’ emotion!

I could go on. And on.  But you get the message. Maybe it’s me. Maybe I’m being arrogant in rejecting Jerry’s approach. But I started the business with the deliberate aim of NOT interfering unnecessarily; of NOT making people pose for hours; of NOT ignoring the well-being of the bride nd groom. So this has been for us a very expensive ‘thanks, but no thanks’ to Jerry.

I still believe he’s one of the best photographers in the world. But as a WEDDING photographer……………?

Jenna and Andrew

Sometimes Fate conspires against you! No, this isn’t a wedding horror story. Far from it – the wedding was brilliant. No, it was Jenna’s Dad that someone upstairs decided  to frustrate. Now I’m a keen gardener, though I hate weeding ( I leave that bit to Carole), but At Jenna’s parents’ house there was simply nothing left to do. the first thing that hit us when we arrived was the garden. It was IMMACULATE. Not a weed. Not even the tiniest, just-germinating, minute little weed survived in that garden. The grass too was immaculate.: not a blade out of place, wimbledon standard and cut close to avoid getting jenna’s dress wet. And if a plant could be pruned it had been! They must have spent ages getting the garden to look absolutely perfect for their daughter’s wedding.

So what a cruel double whammy Fate had for them, making Jenna arrive so late back from the hairdressers that we had no time to use the garden for photographs at all. And if we had had time we still couldn’t have used it because it was raining!

But hey, rain on a Saturday in June is only to be expected and it didn’t dampen spirits or adversely effect the wedding at all. Reportage photography can be a disaster when it rains, whilst traditional wedding photography can look even more stilted and cheesy.  At Aurora Studio we’re never bothered by a rainy day so long as we have somewhere to take the couple away from the crowds and get some lovely romantic photography to remind the couple of their wedding day. And the White Heather was perfect for this. Jenna’s was the only wedding there on this day, so we had the run of the place and were able to get some absolutely gorgeous shots of the two of them together. As ever, we’ll post the full set on our website once the couple have seen them, but here’s a taster:

Choosing a Wedding Photographer – part 4

Most brides tell us that as they start doing the rounds of the dress shops they find most dresses are simply O.K. Then suddenly they try one and know -THIS IS THE ONE!

It’s almost always the same when it comes to choosing a photographer. For after the dress is packed away for good and the last of the cake has been eaten then the photographs are all that you have to remind you of the day. It’s vital that the images are outstanding and that they evoke happy memories. When the photographer is the right one you will know that his or her personality will enhance your wedding day; that the memories the pictures evoke will be of fun moments – not hours of torture standing in a line being bossed about; and that you can trust him completely to do the best for you at every stage of the proceedings. If you are in doubt about any of this – then DON’T BOOK! According to Google there are another 24,000 wedding photographers in Lincolnshire. One of them is sure to be right for you.

The right photographer for one couple is very much the wrong one for another. PLEASE don’t choose a photographer because they’re known as being ‘the best’ or because your Aunt’s friend recommended them. Word of mouth is important, but your judgement is better! The ‘best’ photographer for a couple who want traditional grip’n'grin shots is totally wrong for a couple who want pure reportage. And an expert in reportage would displease someone who also wanted more artistic and interpretative images.

A good photographer will view the initial meeting with you not as an opportunity to sell, but as a chance to get to know you and see whether you and he are likely to be a good match. At Aurora Studio we know that if we and our clients are on the same wavelength and feel relaxed together then we can deliver superb photography. If we’re not then the photography would be less fun, the smiles more forced and the whole experience less fluid. On average we will turn away about 100 prospective clients a year. Not because we don’t want to work for them, but because we want them to have the photographer best suited to them. And if we honestly believe it’s not us then it would be foolish and counter-productive to accept their booking. On a purely hard-nosed, business note, we want our clients to rave about us – that is our best form of marketing – so we only accept those for whom we are best suited.

Sadly the competition amongst wedding photographers is such that most photographers don’t have this luxury and in their attempts to make ends meet will accept any ‘job’ – whether they are best suited to it or not!

Look hard and fast at the photographer, not just his work and decide whether his personality will complement yours on your day. Is he pushy/loud/arrogant/well-mannered/scruffy etc etc etc? Is he trying hard to sell you his work? If he is then it surely means he desperately needs the job. And if he does need the job then he will claim the earth to try to impress you. Are you happy that his claims meet the reality you see around you in the work on display and in his general bearing?

Above all – think of the dress. Do you get a buzz from looking at this work and listening to this man describe his approach. If the dress doesn’t excite you then it’s not THE ONE. If what you see and hear doesn’t WOW you then neither is the photographer. Remember – there are another 23,999 out there to choose from! You only get one chance and for something as vital as photography it’s essential that you make the right choice.

Hemswell Court

Hemswell Court used to be Lincolnshire’s best-kept secret amongst the top venues. But now the word is out and you need to book early if you hope to secure a place.

If you know Hemswell itself then try to forget it. Forget the awful ribbon development. Forget the hideous car boot sales. Forget the hideous, tumble-down shacks selling tat on the former airfield.

Instead, think mock Georgian facade, think tasteful decor and antique furniture, think of quiet, understated elegance and beautifully-kept gardens. For that is Hemswell Court – a rich, welcoming oasis secluded from the surrounding desert.

The Court itself is the former Officers’ Mess for the Hemswell airbase. Built in the 1930′s it has now been tastefully converted into what we consider an ideal wedding venue.

Ideal is a big claim, and one we don’t make lightly. What makes it so special?

Well, the venue is tucked away – so well that many people aren’t aware of its existence. The peace of the place is tangible and, with no other hotel guests or different wedding parties to distract, each wedding really does develop a life of its own. This is something I can’t explain to myself and certainly can’t put into words for others but we notice it at every wedding we cover at Hemswell ( and we cover lots!). What we find happens here is that wedding guests seem more relaxed and at ease. We are never aware of silences within groups as people try to find something to say to each other. Small groups don’t wander away on their own. the laughter and chatter is more genuine. Somehow the stress-free atmosphere of Hemsell has oozed into their veins and they behave accordingly.

The atmosphere is created in part by the building. No, it’s not the prettiest of buildings externally – though the wisteria clad facade with Georgian-style portico is hugely superior to that of most Lincolnshire wedding venues. But the rooms are huge, the antiques genuine and there is space enough for the guests to explore and feel at ease. If its a normal British Saturday and is raining, then that’s no problem photographically – there are opportunities galore for your photographer to create some stunning images of you without having the distraction of your guests in the immediate vicinity.

And you don’t have to worry about finding rooms for your guests in nearby hotels. Hemswell Court now has 23 pleasant, newly-refurbished rooms for the exclusive use of your guests. Unlike a hotel, there’s no mingling with travelling salesmen or holidaymakers here – everything is geared solely around you, your relatives and your friends

Outside, the gardens are immaculate and free-flowering almost throughout the year. In summer, with guests wandering drinks in hand on the lawns or around the flowerbeds, maybe with a string quartet or a violinist playing in the background, then the atmosphere is more like that of a garden party at Glynbourn than a typical Lincolnshire wedding.

But, of course, I’ve left the best – the REAL reason for coming to Hemswell Court – till last. And that’s the staff and the service you receive. The Court is managed by Shaun, who is also your chef. On your wedding day itself you will see little of him: he works tirelessly backstage making sure everything is perfect for you. Hemswell is one of the two Lincolnshire venues we recommend totally and unreservedly for the quality of the cuisine. Quite simply, it is superb. Shaun is a man possessed with the concept of culinary perfection and every single platter of food leaving his kitchen will be cooked and presented to perfection. If you’re not really bothered about the food your guests receive then Hemswell is probably not the place for you. But if you want to impress, if you want them remembering their meal as yet another thoroughly enjoyable part of your wedding, then Hemswell should come high on your list of possible venues.

Front-of-House staff are led by Judith. Her warmth, her sense of humour and her superb efficiency are shared by all. Totally polite, courteous and professional the staff epitomise what good service is all about. Nothing is too much trouble and everything is geared around making the day as trouble-free, enjoyable and memorable as possible for you and your guests. The service, the cleanliness, the food – all is reflected by national awards. How many other venues in Lincolnshire can boast Hemswell’s five star AA award? Quite simply, it doesn’t get better than this!

So that’s Hemswell Court – lovely gardens, great atmosphere, superb service and fantastic food! I can’t find fault with this venue and if it’s within your budget and your location then I strongly recommend you make an appointment to look around. I doubt very much that you will be disappointed.

Alison and Richard

We love marquee weddings. They epitomize the best of the British social scene somehow. Provided a good marquee company has been used with excellent caterers then a happy event is almost always guaranteed. Whatever the weather!

At Alison and Richard’s wedding the marquee was excellent, the catering couldn’t be better and the weather didn’t matter. The forecast – rain in the mroning clearing to a bright afternoon – wasn’t quite as accurate as the Met office would have liked, but the rain did stop and the wedding wasn’t affected by it at all. The two things Alison had really wanted went ahead without a hitch. The processional walk, led by the bride and groom, from the church back to the reception was delightful, and nothing was going to stop them having some pictures taken out by the ponds. Out came the pretty wellies ( for Alison, not Richard!) and off we went to get some lovely, relaxed shots of the two of them together.

The full range of pictures wwill be available for viewing once the couple have seen them.

Emma and Carl

A super couple, super parents, super bridesmaids and a brilliant best man’s speech. That’s how we’ll remember this wedding.

It’s rare for the bride to be very nervous on the day – they normally get it all out of their system ina big crisis a week or so before the wedding – but Emma was at the other end of the spectrum. ‘Bring it on’ sums up her attitude before the wedding and the room was filled with excitement and anticipation. The bridesmaids were chilled and just SO NICE it was amazing. And even if they were useless at doing up each others’ dresses ( Carole became chief dresser again on this day) we still love them.

And a first for us, too – a Lincolnshire registrar who was photo-friendly! Lincs civil ceremonies are always very personal and emotional, but the registrars are the toughest in the country for what they (won’t) allow photographically. But here – with the proviso that we didn’t move around – we could photograph throughout the proceedings. Let’s hope more registrars follow the example!

The rest of the day went exactly as you would expect with a chilled out couple, good weather, nice guests and Branston as the venue – simply perfect. And the wedding breakfast was rounded off by one of the best Best Man’s speeches we’ve ever heard. Not too long, nothing offensive – just good humour, good timing and a superb rapport with the guests.

Natalie and Giovanni

Natalie wins our prize for ‘the-most-unstressed-bride of the season’ . She was so organized and so on top of everything that she didn’t once get in any sort of a flap. Not only was she ready on time, she was ready ahead of time! This is almost unheard of for a bride, but it meant that we had time to get some beautiful pictures of her at home before the wedding and that she had time to chill out with some champagne with the bridesmaids before she left for church. Perfect!

Gianni? Well, he must win our prize for ‘the groom-most-conscious-of-his-hair-do’. But then, he’s Italian, so perhaps it’s understandable!

And the two elements I’ve mentioned sum up the wedding. This was a superb, well-organised, stress-free English wedding – but with a delightful and distinctive Italian twist. The reception at Forest Pines was superbly co-ordinated as always by Velu. And as the wine flowed, so did the emotion! The groom cried, his Mother cried, his father cried, so did his uncle, his godfather, his………… Very Italian – and absolutely brilliant! These are speeches we’ll not forget for a long time.

Already I’ve had emails asking when their pictures will go live. As ever – it’s when they have seen them and given permission. But here are a few to whet the appetite.