PHOTOGRAPHY
Snapshot Celebration
Photographer Helen England is celebrating 20 years of wedding photography . Here she reflects on the past two decades of capturing couples ’ special moments
I
can ’ t quite believe that I have been fortunate enough to have been photographing weddings for 20 years ! That ’ s right – my business celebrates its twentieth birthday this year . In that time I ’ ve photographed every wedding imaginable … from intimate celebrations to far flung weddings in exotic destinations . I ’ ve met hundreds of incredible people , made lifelong friendships and created so many treasured memories . I ’ m constantly humbled that I ’ m invited to share the most special moments in my couples ’ lives , and so thankful to have the best job in the world .
I ’ ll never forget my first ever wedding , photographing Jayne & Nigel ’ s wedding at The Beacon in Tunbridge Wells . Back then , wedding photography was typically very traditional and conservative in style , but I always loved capturing natural , often unseen moments , the best . Those images are where the best stories are found … in the smiles , the laughter , the tears and the huge hugs . And perhaps I was on to something , because these days my couples all want their weddings captured in that way – in a way which really tells their unique story , and feels like them .
Personality and sincerity remain the most important thing to me in my work . Of all the weddings I ’ ve captured , the ones which stand out are those where I ’ ve truly connected with a couple – where they ’ ve been unafraid to be themselves , and have planned a day which is a celebration of them , and the people they love most in the world . Because that ’ s what it ’ s all about , isn ’ t it ? Honouring the two of you , the things you hold dear , and your dreams for your lives together .
Over the course of my career , photography has changed enormously . When I started out , every wedding was photographed on film , and I carried two cameras with me – one loaded with colour film , another with black and white . My mum would assist me , carrying spare rolls of film and making sure that I could rapidly change a roll of film the moment one was finished . My wonderful mum – who also works in the wedding industry as a registrar – has always been my biggest cheerleader , supporting me at countless weddings and wedding fairs with unwavering support and absolute belief in me . Between us we must ’ ve attended close to a thousand weddings , and could write a book about all the funny stories we ’ ve gathered along the way … perhaps one day we will !
In a moment of serendipity , as I celebrate twenty years in business , my mum is approaching a significant birthday – so we ’ ll be marking these milestones in the only way we know … by throwing a party at one of my favourite wedding venues !
A huge thank you to Jayne & Nigel , whose wedding I photographed 20 years ago - happy anniversary ! Capturing your day gave me the confidence to pursue this incredible career . And thank you to A Kentish Ceremony magazine for celebrating this milestone with me . Here ’ s to the next 20 years of love , laughter , and beautiful weddings ! www . helenenglandphotography . co . uk
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