In The Kitchen

Why I Love The Wedding Photograph

A Busy Morning in the Kitchen before Magali & Mike’s Wedding

Bridal Prep Before Magali’s Wedding at Mile End Ecology Pavilion

A few weeks back, I photographed the wonderful wedding of Mike and Magali at Mile End Ecology Pavilion, London.

Some of the Brides that I photograph choose to have part of their Bridal Prep photographed. I usually spend around 45 minutes of my day photographing the prep. There isn't any need for much more than this. I can capture the pictures that tell the story of this part of the day easily in that time, whilst allowing the Bride and her bridal party also to enjoy the morning together,

In this case, Magali, her mum, and bridesmaids were getting ready at the family flat a short distance from Mile End Ecology Pavilion, where their ceremony and wedding reception was to be held later in the day,

I'm a Documentary Wedding Photographer, which means I strive to create images that tell the true story of the day. An authentic documentary wedding photographer won't stage or set up shots. It's imperative to me, as the photographer, to capture these moments as they happened on the day.

What I love about this particular photograph is the layered story. In the background, we have the two Bridesmaids putting the finishing touches on their makeup.

However, the primary story is at the front of the frame. Magali is having her hair fixed whilst being watched by her mother.

I adore this image, partly because of the storytelling element, but also because, when I look at this, I'm left wondering just what is going through mums mind at this point. Storytelling is something that I love to try and portray in my photography. I want to show the reality of the event but also create images with a lasting memory.

Weddings are beautiful, intricate events, and the story often starts at home. From a storytelling point of view, I feel it adds a lot of context to the whole day.

Beyond the core elements of the photo, there is, of course, all the peripheral stuff too. The teatowel, the decoration, the furniture - All of this will change over time. This photograph is a perfect example of how we can use images for nostalgic purposes in the future.

This post is part of my Why I Love this Wedding Picture series, where I describe why I, as the photographer, love a particular image or series of photographs. 

Want to see another from this series?

Take a look at Granny Waves On from a Wedding at Malmesbury Abbey.