I love taking photos, I love editing the photos. I get excited when there’s pretty light and cool things to shoot but in reality I can do that anywhere. The thing that was so loudly and obviously missing in 2020 was all of you. The people I photograph, the family members, the new babies, the grandparents and everyone in between. 

Thank you for letting me part of your family groups just for a day. You let me know some of your family secrets, I’m allowed in places where even your parents can’t follow. I’m there when there are tears (of both kinds) laughter, panic, stress, worry and pure unbridled joy. Do you know how much of a privilege that is? Because I do. 

In 2020 when the attendance cap included guests, I took the place of someone you loved. I can’t tell you how much that killed me inside. Knowing I was in someone’s place who should have been there but it was outside of our control. It was a whole load of extra pressure knowing that it was up to me to make sure they got to see your wedding in the most perfect way possible so I really better get it spot on.

When the guest cap lifted and weddings went back to some semblance of normality in 2021 I was so happy for you all (and myself!) but never for a moment was it not lost on me that there were people missing at those weddings. Grandparents who would have been there a year ago, parents who would have been too. Family & friends stuck on the other side of a flight they weren’t allowed to go on. I’ve been a shoulder to cry on for not only my couples but their families too. I’ve photographed those moments they should have been there for. I’ve photographed the little memorials & reminders of those who weren’t there. 

I’ve cried along with you in speeches & seeing reserved ceremony pews knowing no one would be sat in them. I also laughed with you when the best man gave a speech via zoom, I’ve filmed ceremonies, set up facetimes, turned photos around on the same day so that you could be 100% sure no one but your mum who wanted nothing more than to be there in person would see them first. 

I am so much more than a photographer. Saying that in 2019 wasn’t any less true, I’ve always got way too attached with my couples! But I would shy away from saying it for fear of blowing my own trumpet or whatever. Now though I fully embrace it because I am so much more. We all are. Weddings are not just a job, you are not just a client and what I do for you goes way beyond just the photos. I wouldn’t have that any other way. 

Your wedding day is so much more than just a day. You’ve built up to this day for months if not years, planned every detail and ran it through in your head 100 times. I know that you’re only doing this once (well, hopefully!) but that so much more is invested in that day. Your future family, your next moves, your marriage, your partnership. Your promises to each other will still be just as valid 50 years from now as they are today and my sole aim is to give you photos that feel just as real and vivid in 50 years from now as the split second they were taken. 

To all of my 2021 couples – thank you from the bottom of my heart for sticking with me and being so bloody amazing. To my future couples (those booked & those who haven’t found me yet) I promise to do all this for you too. And I absolutely cannot wait.