Seasoned, Passionate & Here to Stay: Why I’m the Wedding Photographer You Can Trust
I’ve been photographing weddings for nearly two decades – and I can tell you this: it never, ever gets old.
From the nervous excitement in the morning to the first dance and the realisation the day has been more than anyone could have imagined. I’m still hooked.
This post is for you if you’re newly engaged, just finding me for the first time, and wondering if I might be the right person to capture your wedding day.
What 20 Years SHOOTING Weddings Has Taught Me:
When I picked up my first camera a Canon AE1 at the age of 15, I had no idea it would lead me here – to a career full of love stories, laughter, and a lens covered in champagne. Moments of pure joy and excitement. Real emotions, proud family and friends. Unity, connection, commitment and most of all love.
I’ve photographed weddings in castles, barns, beaches, and beautiful gardens. Huge churches with multi coloured sunlight streaming through the stained glass window. An intimate ceremony on the top of a cliff over looking the ocean – and what these experience have given me is calmness, confidence and the skill to quietly observe and predict the unguarded moments.
What’s Changed – and What Never Will
Trends come and go – I’ve seen vintage, shabby chic, boho, editorial, two tone dresses, Wedding cakes made of rounds of cheese, naked cakes, huge cakes with royal icing and fairy cakes stacked into a pyramid … I’ve sewn brides into their dresses when the zip has failed, informed a groom via sign language that his ring was infact on the wrong hand. Danced around drones, scurried backward through a tunnel of sparkles and handled veils in 30mph winds.
But what hasn’t changed?
The power of a meaningful photograph. The downside of doing this for so long, is you hear of the losses of loved ones. Im bumped into a groom I shot 10 or so years before. We were both on ferry traveling back to the Island. He informed me that after a valiant fight with breast cancer, his beautiful brave beloved wife had died. I could see the pain in his eyes as he told me. He then said that his wedding album sits next to his chair at home. He looks at it when he is having a tough day. He talks to her about their wedding on a really hot day in July. He recalls the hotel and its beautiful grounds in the New Forest. This breaks my heart - but warms it too. I captured those moments, he no longer has her, but he has my photographs.
Witnessing the moment when the couples witnesses are signing the register and the bride and groom have the opportunity to talk freely and queitly for the first time, is one of my favourite moments. They are so happy that their smiles consumes most of the faces and they giggle. They might look at their hands, at the new ring that still feel a bit strange. They might share a kiss or he might whisper “you look beautiful” in her ear. I love these moments. Pure joy, excitement, love and happiness.
Something that I will never tire of, take for granted or become complacent about is the trust this couple has put in me. They have allowed me in to be the closest witness of this day. To record it. To become part of their inner circle. And then I almost vanish into the crowd, its not about me, I have been likend to a snipper, hiding in the shadows capturing moments that arent planned or posed. I know I am the only person who will be with all day. The hugs and overwhelming gratitude I get when I leave them dancing the night away, is wonderful. I walk to my car with my camera bag seemingly weighing much heavier than I remember. I have achey feet, sore shoulders and a heart filled with love.
Why I’m Still So in Love With What I Do
You don’t stay in this job unless you truly love it. And I do. I love celebrating your love, I know it sounds cheesy, but its true. 20 years and yes I can be seen to cry during the speeches, and wow I have heard some speeches! And on those tougher days we all experince in life I have the pleasure to read my google reviews and see that my couples really appreciate and love what I do and how I do it.
And my couples feel it too:
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”All I can say is thank you so, so much for everything you did for us on the day. I’ve had a few comments about how good you were! You not only did your job, but you were so attentive to me the entire day as well and I am so grateful for that! You really helped the day run smoothly. It was the most perfect day and you played a big part in that, so thank you. All the photos and they’re lovely! “A & J
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“We would like to say a huge THANK YOU to Mandy who shared our wedding day with us. Mandy captured the pure joy and happiness of our special day in her incredible photographs and delighted us with her ideas and suggestions to capture moments with family and friends never to be forgotten.
So, if you are looking for a passionate, professional, attentive photographer who has an incredible eye for detail in all its guises, then please do contact Mandy. We have absolutely no hesitation in recommending her to anyone who wishes to have their special day captured forever.”K & N
IF YOU HAVE JUST FOUND ME, HELLO!
Whether you're newly engaged or deep into planning, I’m here to help. If you choose to book me, you’re getting more than just a photographer. You’re getting:
A calm, creative presence
A lipstick and dress checker
A timeline ninja and experienced cat herder (that’s what people say when your trying to get all family together for a group shot)
but most of all someone who knows what she’s doing and really cares
Let’s grab a cuppa and chat about your dream day. I’d love to hear your story and then have the opportunity to tell it through timeless, joy-filled photographs.
Either fill in the form on the link below, email me at me@mandymeadowsphotography.co.uk or call me directly on 07507 853817. I cant wait to meet you