Interview: Steven Anthony
This week we chat with Wedding Photographer Steven Anthony who is based in London and available to shoot all over the UK.
How long have you been photographing weddings for and how did you get into it?
I’m in my second year of shooting weddings now and I’ve loved every single moment. It all started with a friend asking me to shoot his wedding. It was something that I’d never thought of before but I loved the idea of being able to capture the special moments on such an important day for him and his wife, and I was hugely honoured to be asked. From that wedding onwards I’ve been hooked!
What do you particularly like about photographing weddings?
Ultimately, I love the fact that it’s about two people sharing their day with closest friends and family. The wedding industry has become slightly obsessed with details, and it’s great that people are able to inject their own personality into things, but for me the people are what it’s all about. It’s humbling to hear the father of the bride’s speech telling everyone how proud he was to bring his daughter home for the first time, a mother’s tears during the ceremony, and being there to see the couple kiss as a married couple for the first time. Once the day is over and I’ve prepared the photos, handing them over and hearing how pleased they are with them is a huge buzz every single time.
How would you describe your style and approach?
I’m a documentary photographer so I like to just let the day unfold in front of me and capture everything as it happens. There’s such a range of emotions on the day that there is never any shortage of things going on. I always tell couples to forget about me and enjoy the day. I spend a lot of time with them in the build up, going over their plans, so by the time the day comes it feels like we’re old friends. Being able to put people at ease in my company is an important part of getting the shots that I do.
What advice would you give to couples looking for a wedding photographer?
Always meet with them and hang out for an hour or so. It’s important that you feel at ease with them and comfortable in their company. You can judge their work by looking on their website, but also ask them to run through a typical wedding and ask them how they do things on the day, making sure this fits in with your own preferences. My wife and I got married last year and there was so much going on in the day, and it went so quickly, that the last thing we would have wanted was to spend hours away from our guests for photos. Be prepared to spend a healthy part of your budget on the photographer (I would say that!), but I know from our own wedding, the photos are often the only reminder of the day once it’s over.
What tips would you share with couples to help their day go more smoothly?
Practical things would be to wear comfortable shoes, or have an extra set for later in the day. Drink lots of water and try and eat well in the morning. Trust the vendors and suppliers you have booked and let them worry about their work to do on the day. Delegate! Your bridesmaids and ushers will be more than happy to run around for you. Try and take the day nice and slowly and absorb everything going on. Everyone is there to share your day and see you both have the happiest day possible. Don’t try and strive for perfection, little things don’t always go to plan but often they are the most most memorable parts. Try and plan a five minute break in your day to spend a few moments with your new husband or wife, it can be crazy just how quickly it goes by!
Finally… Whats the best moment you’ve had as a wedding photographer?
There’ve been so many, every wedding has such special little moments. Sharing a group hug with the couple at the end of their wedding day always feels a bit special. Sharing a special day surrounded by so much happiness, and thinking that future generations will still be looking at the photos in many years to come is a unique privilege. I love my job!
Many thanks to Steven for chatting with us, you can find out more and view more of his work on his site here.