Having set & confirmed the date, we needed coffee and cake with our photographer Hayley Ruth to discuss some of the details of the Wedding, so last week we had a good catch up...
... Hayley kindly agreed to take part in our first Wedding Pro Interview... so here's some advice for future Mr & Mrs' and an insight into why we love Hayley and want her to "shoot" our wedding...
Hayley, how did you find your way into photography?
I have always loved photographs and was often found as a child using up someone else’s film. My grandparents bought me my first camera and I later inherited my grandfathers SLR camera, it wasn’t a digital camera back then. I loved film and still do, however technology and client demands mean I use digital now. But nothing beats the excitement of getting your film back from the lab and seeing the results! After an ever increasing number of requests from Family, friends and friends of friends for wedding and relaxed portraits, I decided to leave my career behind me and set up my own full time business.
How would you describe your style?
My style is about relaxed natural images that have a timeless style. I am always looking to provide my clients with images that express them as individuals, not giving them images off a recipe card of wedding images must haves. I spend time with each client exploring their venue and talking about the style of images they like, so their images will be unique to them.
Where do you get your inspiration from?Firstly and without doubt my clients! They all have their own fabulous personalities and they each inspire me in different ways to create something for them. Understanding their day, choice of theme, colours, venue, stationary, dress and other details all give me inspiration to deliver a unique set of images. But I don’t just rest on my laurels, I actively seek inspiration from lots of sources. I spend a lot of time with other photographers understanding how they shoot and why they compose shots the way they do, can often spark ideas for me. TV and films, are another great source, looking at camera angles, lighting and colour are great. The recent Sherlock series was exciting as they used a tilt and shift camera which gives some really unusual perspectives. Sometimes I find it in the most unlikely places so I don’t restrict myself or have a set recipe for finding inspiration.
How do you bring out confidence in front of the camera with shy clients?
I spend time with my clients before the wedding at a pre wedding meeting and pre wedding shoot. This allows me to get to know them and really understand how they feel about photography. Why they might not like it and what bothers them about themselves in photographs, but most importantly to get to know them better. It also gives them chance to get to know me so I am not some random stranger on the day with a huge camera! A client recently told me that what made them feel so at ease, was the way I talk with such passion about what I do and their day and the fact it was more like taking a stroll with a friend than having their picture taken. For me that was a huge compliment, you are most relaxed with your friends and that’s a huge step to getting great natural images. I also like to make it fun, natural laughter is a great calmer. Understanding that you don’t need to be stiff and uncomfortable in front of the camera is a huge relief for most people.
What do you think the single most important element to catch from the day is?
Ooh this is a tough one! For me a wedding day is filled with beauty and magic that emerges effortlessly, and I feel it’s my role to capture that magic in the most authentic, unobtrusive way possible. There are so many important elements to the day. The excitement of the bridal prep, the nervous groom, the groomsmen and ushers teasing the groom, the ceremony (When officials allow photography), the beaming smiles when they are finally married, the look between bride and father as he talks about her with love, the look between the new husband and wife as he shares his heartfelt thoughts in a speech, the natural tears of joy and laughter of a wedding day. How do you choose which one is the most important? To me they all are and should be captured with no interference.
What’s the best piece of advice you can give a Bride & Groom in preparation for their day?
I have two:
1. As hard as it might seem, try and relax and enjoy your day. It will pass really quickly and you don’t want your lasting memories to be of stress and tears, but of love and laughter with your family and friends. Do it your way and don’t worry what anyone else thinks, it’s your day and it will be the best day of your life.
2. Take your time to find your suppliers and don’t feel the pressure to make a choice. Ask for time to consider what someone is offering, don’t feel you have to book on the spot. Choose suppliers you like and get on with. Listen to any wedding horror story and it’s usually got the hallmark of an uneasy relationship with a supplier all over it, if you aren’t sure at the time, there is usually a good reason, listen to your instincts.
What are you looking forward to most about our wedding?
All the bits I can’t talk about!! :o) I think the surprises that you are planning are going to be fabulous and create some real excitement to the wedding. Capturing those moments and seeing them for myself, it’s all very exciting and I really can’t wait! (Is it really 11 months to go?!)
