My photo for today

Today I’m featuring a photo of the lovely Anita. There’s a bit of a story to this photograph which goes like this.

About 3 years ago a friend that knew I liked photography asked if I would take some shots at his wedding as the official photographer was only staying to the sit down of the wedding breakfast. So I brought my camera along, got some shots and few weeks later he said to me “Damian, they’re great. I’m not saying they’re better than the official photographer’s but they’re as good as, you could do this for a living”, ping. I suppose it was then that I first thought about doing wedding photography. So I practiced and practiced, did model and band portfolios, mate’s birthdays, 21st’s, prom nights, anywhere where there would be people having a good time, much like a wedding really. I did a few friends and relatives weddings for free just to get the experience and the feedback I got was great. Because they were friends and relatives though I thought to myself are they just saying that because I’m a friend?

I decided the next step then was to take a total strangers wedding who wouldn’t be obliged to give me good feedback. A friend put a notice up at his workplace basically saying he knew a photographer who was willing to do wedding photography for free as long as the couple allow the images to be used for my portfolio. A few weeks later Anita and Brendan got in touch and said they were interested, great! I explained I would want to meet them first, chat about the day, give us a chance to get to know each other a little etc and they thought that would be a good idea. “Where do you live” I asked “Oxford” Brendan replied. Great, not only am I doing it for free now it’s going to cost me money going to Oxford and back twice! Brendan appreciated this so we agreed on a figure of £100 to cover my travelling expenses.

A week or so later I met Brendan and Anita at the church just to get a feel for the sun position, locations for photos, talk about timings etc. They paid me the £100 and we parted looking forward to the wedding the following month.

I know I’m building it up!! Stay with me.

A month later I turn up at the church, get some photographs of Brendan and the groomsmen. Out of the corner of my eye I see Anita’s wedding car pulling up so I quickly run over to the car, her dad went to open the car door and I said “hang on a second dad, I just want to get one of Anita in the car”.

So basically, this is the first photograph I ever took of a bride for money.

I know, it’s what I do!