It's that time again folks, our chance to get a glimpse behind the lens of a super talented photographer and today that photographer is Fiona of Fiona Kelly Photography.
I met Fiona on Twitter where we got chatting about our eclectic {and sometimes rather cheesy} music collections and she's just so lovely. I instantly fell for her classic, timeless photography so I'm thrilled to be able to share it with you:
Location/Coverage: Based in South London I work all over London, the SE of England and further afield if Im asked! I'm from the Lake district originally and would love to shoot a wedding back up there.
Describe yourself in 3 words: creative, organised, positive
Describe your photography style in 3 words: natural, fun, candid
When did your love affair with photography begin?
Photography and creating beautiful images has been something I've been involved in to one extent or another for most of my life. I came to photography a bit later as a career but was involved in the photographic world as a fashion, lifestyle and homes art director for many years. I actually think this has helped me to develop my creative eye, be inspired by images from all sort of areas and know what I like as a style. It has also been invaluable in terms of learning organisation, professionalism and coping with the hectic and spontaneous world that is wedding photography!
What really appealed about wedding photography was my love of shooting real people, capturing true emotions and telling personal stories. All of this comes into a wedding day and there really is nothing more wonderful than recording someone’s special day to give them images that will last a lifetime. I love the idea that in 20 years time a couple will look back at the photos I shot of their wedding day and all the emotions, spontaneous moments and amazing memories will come flooding back.
Telling a couple’s personal wedding day story, and my personal love of reportage imagery, is what led me to the style that I shoot. Every detail is important, every look can say a thousand words and capturing all the fun, life and personality is the way I love to photograph a wedding.
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by people. A couples love story, who they are, how they got to the point where they are getting married is the best thing to take inspiration from. My desire is to capture the true personality of each couple and tell the real story of their wedding day and relationship.
I do love details too and get really inspired by all the little elements that make up a wedding day.
What do you enjoy most about your job?
Being able to give a selection of images to the bride and groom that they will enjoy year after year and in 20 years time look back on and instantly relive all the moments and emotions of their wedding day. It’s also so much fun to work with happy and excited people all day and be welcomed into a couple’s life.
What is your current wedding-related obsession?
I’m a real fan of details and have a love of shooting table decorations and flowers. I am also a bit of a handbag and shoe obsessive so always love checking out those!
What is your favourite wedding moment to capture on camera?
I have a few favourites, they are all mainly moments that capture real emotion and can’t be scripted in the slightest. The moment the father of the bride sees his daughter for the first time is always amazing. I love that first look the groom gets of his stunning bride as she’s walking down the aisle. Often for reasons of different emotions, but none the less brilliant, the speeches are always fantastic to shoot.
What advice would you give to couples to help them to get the best from their wedding photography?
Think about what you really want from your photography. Write down all the things you like and the things you don’t. Think about what kind coverage you want. Note down your ‘must have’ shots but also allow your photographer to do their job and make you look your very best.
Most importantly find a photographer who you click with, someone you get on with and think you could happily spend time with. After all, you will be seeing them a lot on the day!
Out of all the weddings you have photographed, which photo makes you go ‘Wow!’ every-time you see it?
It actually really hard to choose only one as lots of them have great memories for me, fun times spent with the bride and groom or really fantastic caught moments. One that always gets me is the shot I took of Yvonne with her dad at the moment he came in and saw her for the first time as the gorgeous bride. It was such a wonderfully real, emotional moment and I just love the look on their faces.
Thank you Fiona, what a pleasure it's been to feature you and your photography!
To see more of Fiona's photography visit her website, blog or her Facebook page and she was also featured on Bridal Musings here.
I love the way Fiona captures the laughter and happiness during the weddings she photographs and the confetti shots! Which is your favourite photograph?
