Interview with Emma-Jane Photography

From our behind the lens series we chat with Emma-Jane Lewis, an International award winning London based wedding photographer.

How long have you been photographing weddings for and how did you get into it?

I have been photographing weddings for around 9 years after starting my career in Devon. I instantly fell in love with the ability to create something from scratch on photoshoots and initially started more fashion and commercial work, getting into wedding photography within the first year of my business.

I then moved to London to be able to progress my business after around 3 years and it was the best move I made. It allowed me to work with more couples that value the art of wedding photography, the ideas and creativity involved. Allowing me to travel, meet amazing couples and do what I love.

What do you particularly like about photographing weddings?

I feel it is a very intense relationship. Meaning you are there with the couple from initial ideas and more detailed planning, the whole wedding day itself which can be a rollercoaster of emotions as well as the editing, album creation.

You can also find yourself photographing sisters and cousins weddings and staying connected with your couples for a long time. So it is largely for me about the relationships you create and this really shows from what you capture through the lens. As couples have hired you for your creativity and trust you to deliver- that you have got their back through the whole process.

What is your favourite part of the day?

For me this is the ceremony and the couple portraits. I love the moments that are captured from the walking down the isle and expressions, the first kiss and all of the personal touches a ceremony can have. It is quite pressured also to get the right angles and the right moments so it can give you quite a buzz!

This then leads things through nicely to the couple portraits for me. As it is much more of a private moment for the couple to catch up about the morning, chat, kiss and its completely be together as a married couple! You can get some really amazing shots here when the couple are their most relaxed! This is also the point where couples put the most trust in your for your vision and creativity.

To bring out the best in the venue they have take time to choose, their details and their connection between one another.

How would you describe your style and approach?

I am quite an organised photographer, so can help couples plan their schedule where they can get the most from their photography but without being intrusive.

So I give realistic time scales and plan ideas with my couples. I want to be able to have time to create artistic shots if they want them, and make sure they know how long to give this.

As well as making sure the day is also filled with enough ‘down time’ so they can get to mingle with guests and this allows me to get the really emotional candid shots I love. My style is a mixture of documentary and fashion. Mixing my fashion work to create more artistic angles- although it is not over posing couples!

Who, or what inspires you?

I really get inspired by particular venues, so I really like to research a venue and what sweet spots can be used. I am always a sucker for a beautiful traditional country house as well as golden hour lighting.

Work by photographers such as Alexi Lubomirski and Brooke Shaden also inspire me to add that fashion and conceptual lean to my work.

What advice would you give to couples looking for a wedding photographer?

Make sure you are initially drawn to a photographers work- even if you cannot quite put your finger on my with photography jargon! Something needs to entice you and make your heart sing, to love fearlessly. Then get in contact and see if you all gel- you need to be fully comfortable with being around your photographer for a whole day so liking each other is a must!

What tips would you share with couples to help their day go more smoothly?

Outlining each day with enough time between each segment is always key to make sure you are not rushed or feel stressed. As well as working with your photographer to get the best light. Such as if things are too harsh during mid day sun, factoring in golden hour and some night photos would give a diversity of shots.

If there was one place in the world you would love to capture a wedding where would it be and why?

Oh so hard as there are several! But doing some shots around the northern lights would be up there on my list- a pure winter wedding followed by some super romantic couple shots under the lights would be up there with a bucket list moment. As well as an actual underwater ceremony just for the challenge!

Finally… Whats the best moment you’ve had as a wedding photographer?

There really have been so many. But I think the trill is always when you are on the same page as a couple. So I really loved rushing out with Kirsty and Troy in Italy when the speeches overran but this was right at golden hour and sunset and we could all see it disappearing! As soon as speeches were over we rushed into the car and drove to the row of trees we wanted to get the last few moments!