‘A Glimpse Behind The Lens’ Q&A with Videographer Rupert Ward Lewis

A Glimpse Behind the Lens

A wedding photographer and/or videographer shares your most intimate, special day. They take photos of you in your underwear, joking with your friends, hugging your family, kissing your partner, having that awkward first dance together in front of a room full of people…

Photographers and videographers find out A LOT about the couples in front of their lens. I thought it'd be nice to find out a bit more about the person behind the lens!

Rupert Ward Lewis

First up, the incredibly talented Rupert Ward Lewis of Iris Wedding Films who filmed and edited our unique and breath-takingly beautiful wedding film. (We heart Rupert so much!)

He believes in capturing special moments rather than speeches from start to finish and each wedding film really is like a ‘film', a true, epic cinematic experience.

Rupert is also an actor and is best known for his role as PC Don Wetherby in HeartBeat. (Yes, that's right, we had a celeb at our wedding. Check us out!)

Website:

www.rupertwardlewis.com

Location and Coverage:

UK mainly, but have weddings in Holland and Turkey this year!

You are a photographer as well as a videographer…which is your favourite medium and why?

I will always love the feeling you get when you capture a great moment on camera, and that applies to both mediums. I love them both for different reasons although I am shooting more films these days.

When did your love affair with photography and videography begin?

When I was a teenager I was given a camera… it started then.

How has your experience in front of the camera affected the way you work behind the camera?

Having spent 10 years in front of the camera as an actor, I can totally understand the difficulties some people have with having cameras around. That’s why my films are shot from further away, so I can capture real moments as apposed to uncomfortable set shots.

The way I like to work is to do a lot of long lens work so I can blend in a bit more. Capturing real emotions is my goal so being further away is ideal. I very rarely choose footage that has people reacting to my camera.

What inspires you?

When you have finished editing a film and you see the reactions of the couple! To move someone is such a lovely feeling, and I get a real buzz from that.

Describe yourself in 3 words:

Sensitive, perfectionist, willing

Describe your videography style in 3 words:

Filmic, emotional, fun

What do you enjoy most about your job?

Seeing everyone have such a great time. At weddings everyone is so high on life.

What is your favourite wedding moment to capture on film?

When the couple come out of the ceremony and they are meeting all their friends and family. You get the best shots at that point. Everyone is relaxed then…

What advice would you give to couples to help them to get the best from their wedding videography?

Choose work you like rather than glossy websites at the top of Google! There is a lot of choice out there and a lot of people doing lovely stuff that don’t work for big companies. Ask wedding bloggers for recommendations…They get to see the best stuff.

Out of all the wedding moments you have filmed, which makes you go ‘Wow!’ every-time you see it.

All of my films…. Kidding!! I have some great moments when kids are not aware of the camera and you can see the wonder and joy in their faces.

Finally, what is your favourite film of all time? (I realise this is a difficult question and will be very impressed if you are able to answer it!)

This is a very tough one.. I have lots. I think Ang Lee’s ‘sense and sensibility’ is a perfect film.
Rupert has very kindly offered to share one of his exquisite wedding films with us, I'm so pleased to be able to share this with you today! It's 4 and a 1/2 minutes of sheer beauty.

Here's Rupert with a little bit about Pete & Siobhans wedding, to set the scene:

This was shot in a beautiful place called Overbury in the Cotswolds. I had never done a military wedding.
I personally love film music and I think the music works so well in this one. Film scores have a way of letting you see deeper into emotions. I actually cut to music and often decide on a piece before I shoot. That way I can get the rhythm of the piece and get the shots that I need.

Be prepared to look at wedding videography in a whole new light after watching this…