Becky and Darren’s Wedding Day
We share the wedding of Becky and Darren who had their day captured by wedding photographer Chris Johnson.
About the couple.
Becky and Darren are a very passionate people. I met Darren whilst I was working as an editorial photographer as he manages one of the largest retail companies we produced content for. Becky has been involved in Musical Theatre since an early age and is now a pivotal member of a Derbyshire Theatre group. When I was asked to shoot their wedding, I knew it was going to be an amazing day.
A little bit about the day and how it went.
The day started off with a bacon sandwich whist Darren took care off some last-minute ironing in his kitchen with Best Man Harry trying calm his nerves. Becky was joined by her closest friends as the Bridal Party got ready at her parent’s house on the outskirts of Derby. We headed to The West Mill alongside the River Derwent where Darren waited eagerly alongside family and close friends on both sides.
The ceremony was modern and filled with personal touches through songs and readings from their friends set against a backdrop steeped in industrial history. The food and the speeches were first class, there was even some rapping from the Groom! The theme of Skateboarding and Musical Theatre carried throughout the from the table names to the entrance of the Bride and Groom for the first dance. Darren and Becky are an amazing couple and we had a truly unique day at a first-class venue.
Do tell us a little bit about yourself
I live in Worcestershire with my wife Steff, our three-year old son Samuel and our three-week old son Edward. My journey into photography started whilst shooting my friends and our adventures around the UK and Europe. This grew organically and after a few years I was working as the Senior Photographer at Sidewalk Magazine and later became the lead photographer across the Factory Media and the Square Up Media group.
I loved travelling as a photographer for a large publishing house and it took me around the world several times but I always felt like there was something missing. When I shot my first wedding in 2013, I found what I was looking for. The fast pace and true emotions of a wedding day can-not be matched and the reaction from the couple when they receive their photos is the ultimate reward. After a decade working in publishing, I moved over into wedding photography and am now lucky enough to travel the UK shooting amazing people on their special day.
How would you describe your photography style?
My style is heartfelt and authentic. I’m am capturing your amazing day and freezing time on as much emotion. For me it’s important to capture the day it happens naturally and I aim to be as non-invasive as possible whilst occasionally offering a little guidance as and when it’s needed.
What did you love about the day?
The personalities of Becky and Darren were what made it for me. They are so in love and brought so much of their own interests and passions into every detail of the day that it made photographing it an honor. The location was also amazing!
What advice would you give to couples planning their wedding day?
From my own experience of planning our wedding back in 2014 and from what I see weekend to weekend now, my main advice would be to not try and cram too much in or over complicate things. Your day is your day and your guests just want to see you guys get married and be a part of the journey with you. Don’t feel like you need to impress them too much or provide constant entertainment for them, after all that’s what the bar is there for. The Location and photography were the most important part when planning our wedding; if the venue is right then everything else will fall into place and the photography is your way of preserving these special moments so that they last a lifetime.