Unposed Wedding Photography | 2018

Best. Year. EVER!

‘Bold statement!’ squire Barratt I hear ye cry! Bold statement indeed. But you see, this year the gift of a baby daughter was bestowed upon the Barratt household. And that blows all other years out of the water. A brand new life unto this world! Yes, it’s a world where rampant discrimination, mass poverty, third world debt, infectious disease, global inequality and deepening socio-economic divisions exist (at least according to a Nick Cave lyric). But now more than ever (cue dulcet tones à la Louis Armstrong) I think to myself, what a wonderful world!

With the risk of sounding like the blubbering soppy git that I’ve become, just glimpsing her majesty’s toothy-peg smile in the mornings is token enough of a reminder of all the joy and love that exists within this blue world we inhabit. Joy, happiness, love and all the good stuff doesn’t go anywhere but our attention to it all is so easily overlooked. We fall into the trap of taking things for granted. It can sometimes take a big life event to bring us back to what is real and what truly matters.

And that brings me nicely to weddings. Not only do I get a daily 24-carat shot of joy through the presence of my daughter, I continue to share my weekends with couples who are utterly in love. Said couples this year have invited me to more weddings than ever. Sharing in their joy and having their trust placed in me to capture it all still blows my tiny mind.

It’s moments like this, writing these self-reflective and perhaps self-indulgent posts, that I tell myself I must be doing something right, right? The couples I got to work with this year have been incredible. They’ve been married in all sorts of wonderful places from French chateaus to canal barge-boats. From The Ivy in Chelsea and the Royal Botanic Kew Gardens, to farmyards and even a brewery! Could this job be any more varied?!

Besides getting to work with the most awesome couples I continue to get great support from other industry insiders. A handful of venues have made me a recommended supplier. Wedding bloggers occasionally agree to share my work to the masses. I also have some great friendships with my peers who continually inspire and push me. So much so, one of them, unbeknown to me, put my name forward for the prestigious ‘Rangefinder’s 30 Rising Stars of Wedding Photography’. A well-respected group of emerging wedding photographers who’ve exhibited promising talent and creative direction throughout the year.

After making my submission (which I found difficult and uncomfortable- partly due to never having put my work forward for any award) I did not walk away with my name crowned in Rising Star glory. However, the whole experience of pushing outside my comfort zone and self-reflection was priceless. It definitely made me more focused in the direction I’m pushing my photography. I got some awesome feedback from the judges, of which I am uber proud:

‘We loved your documentary style and how you managed to capture all the in between, unseen moments. Not to mention all the messy and funny parts! You have a style, you have a voice, you have the technical down. Brilliant images, we are fans for sure!’

-Jacqueline Tobin | Editor-in-Chief | Rangefinder Magazine

It’s a raging cliché but it is a true honour to be asked to capture someone’s wedding day. More than that, being trusted to capture the day for what it is. No sugar coating, just seeing things the way they are and as I see them play out in front of me.

Of course, I’m sticking to my guns, as with previous years 2018 has been all about the people, the fun, emotions and candid moments that the bride and groom may have missed. I’m still not one to capture overly pretty, picture perfect images and I continue to keep post processing on the images minimal. I just want the photography to feel real. I always love to stay late at a wedding when everyone’s full of booze, that’s when I get the gold! I’ll quite often find myself laughing aloud when sat at home editing a wedding. That’s until it’s time to change a nappy on a child hell bent on crawling away at top speed, throwing over-the-top army rolls in for good measure. It’s no laughing matter I tell thee!

It only feels right to add that nothing is ever perfect and this year did not come without heartache. We sadly said goodbye to my lovely Grandma. She was an amazing women and I loved her dearly. I have added my favourite portrait I took of her at the footer of this post. Love you Grandma.

So finally, thank you to her Majesty, and to her Mummy for quite simply an amazing year, certainly one like no other.

And thank you to all the amazing 2018 couples who invited me to share in their wedding day. It’s been a blast!

J x

Like the look of my unposed wedding photography moments of 2018?

If you think your wedding would be suited to my documentary style approach then I’d love to hear from you.

Hit me up on the contact page to start a conversation.

In loving memory of Mary Isabel Robinson ‘Grandma’ xx