Wedding photograph by Martin Hemsley, wedding photographerWedding photograph by Martin Hemsley, wedding photographer
Wedding photograph by Martin Hemsley, wedding photographerWedding photograph by Martin Hemsley, wedding photographer
Wedding photograph by Martin Hemsley, wedding photographerWedding photograph by Martin Hemsley, wedding photographer
Wedding photograph by Martin Hemsley, wedding photographerWedding photograph by Martin Hemsley, wedding photographer
Wedding photograph by Martin Hemsley, wedding photographerWedding photograph by Martin Hemsley, wedding photographer

Photographs you will treasure, from a day like no other

Capturing Emotions at Weddings

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Thursday
,
5
March 2015

Apparently an estimated 880 billion photographs were taken around the world last year! That's massive. This simple fact goes to prove that photography continues to grow in popularity. It also means that being original, and shooting differently to everyone else, is proving to be even more challenging. Tell you what though, being able to capture people's emotions and their reactions at weddings are just as rewarding, and valuable, as ever. And this is one of many areas of photography that drives me forward, and is also what couples remark on when they view their wedding photographs for the first time. It's priceless.

Chatsworth-House-Wedding-Photography-2

Private giggles, a certain look to each other, a wink of an eye all happen over the course of a wedding. The thing is, these emotions often only last a fraction of a second. The next time you are 'people watching', whether it is during a commute to work, when at an airport, or your local pub, I'll bet you will be able to spot all sorts of emotions and facial expressions. But they soon disappear though don't they? It's exactly the same during the wedding day.

Jo--Andy-7
Jess--Kris-5

These emotions are visible during the Bridal Preparations, before the wedding service, during the service, the celebrations immediately after the service, even during the formal photos, receiving lines, the speeches of course, first dance........ the list goes on.

Caroline--Jim-18
Caroline--Jim-19

Before the wedding day couples will sometimes ask me how I make the selection of the images that make the cut into the final collection. There are a number of things; but if I see an image that's not technically brilliant, or has slightly dodgy composition, but interesting emotions have been captured, then you can bet your life the image will make the final cut. On the other hand, if an image is artistically and technically perfect with great composition, but features unflattering facial expressions and emotions, then understandably I more than likely won't pass these on.

West-Midlands-Wedding-Photography-8
Gemma--Chris-1
Gemma--Chris-1

A real challenge for me as a wedding photographer is to try and capture as many of these natural looking moments each wedding. It is incredibly rewarding both professionally and on a personal level, but most importantly one of the most popular type of photos that couples love and remark on. Here are just a few more examples from recent weddings.

Jodi  Stephen-5
Sally--Roger-6
Rabia--Ash-7
Caroline--Jim-20
Caroline--Jim-Just-Two-2

So there you go, priceless aren't they? One of my favourites was taken a couple of summers ago up in the Lake District during Eve and Dan's wedding day. Eve and two of her bridesmaids were taking some selfies, just as Eve's glass of champagne was knocked accidently. Granted I was lucky to time the shot at this moment, but hey, sometimes you make your luck.

Eve--Dan-2
Wedding-Photography-2

Another favourite of mine was captured during Kate and Mark's 'Get to know you shoot'. I was experimenting with a different camera technique, whilst conversation was flowing between us, and timed the shot to record their emotions. No photoshop trickery here I promise. Granted it's a funky style of shot, and not to everyone's taste, but for me it is their expressions that make the image.

Kate--Mark-7

Right, I'll stop there, because you probably get my gist by now. If you enjoyed this blog post, you might like another I wrote last year about expressions and emotions seen during receiving lines, click here for the link. Feel free to share away on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Google+ by using the social media icons. Or leave a comment below. Live With Passion everyone. Martin.

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