Kodak Photographer Of The Year
Paul and Jude came to us after seeing their friends wedding album, as with lots of our clients. They were getting married in Maratea, Italy, and chose to take us to Italy rather than rely on local photographers. Their friends had been married a year previously, also in Italy and have yet to see a single image. So early one Thursday orning saw Sarah and I trying to get through the security at heathrow with our camera gear. We had already been through the “have we got everything, extra this, extra that etc. The last thing we needed was for the airline to bury or lose all our gear, so after much persuasion and lots of searching we were aloud to keep it with us on the plane.
Apart from the pilots not turning up and a reserve crew being used, the flight was very smooth, not the collectin of th car however! But eventually, several hours late, we were on our way out of Naples. It was a very dark and wet morning when we eventually arrived at our hotel. (note for the next time – never ask an Italian for directions!) All our tiredness disappeared when we opened the shutters and looked over the mountain surrounded bay basked in sunshine. Maratea is a beautiful, medieval town overlooking the Tyrrhenian Sea. A perfect location to get married in.
Our first stop was with a very relaxed Jude at the private Santavenere Hotel enjoying an early morning swim before getting her hair done. With such a perfect wedding venue, (This Htel being popular with stars who still arrive by private yacht during the summer.) It’s easy to get carried away here and there and everywhere, so we chose a couple of locations that showed them both off
At their best. It was thn off to see Paul a little further around the coast in an equally beautiful setting. He was having breakfast with his friends, after which we ventured down onto the rocky coast to capture the spectacular views and have some fun. While shooting his friends I just happened to catch Paul in deep thought looking out to see with the Christ the redeemer Statue in the background. We shot back to Paul and Jude and the big moment. Being careful not to impede the flow, we shot the wedding as it unfolded (careful planning with Paul and Jude prior to the wedding helped with that!). With the bright sun streaming across the veranda we had to be spot on with our photographic techniques to keep the detail in the dress and the suits. After the ceremony and some intimate group photographs we drove up to the old town for some shots of Paul and Judes favourite place. The weddings in Itly are late in the day and whilst the guests were catered forwe didn’t want to be away from the guests too long so time was crucial. Then it was back to reception with a sumptious 5 course meal, (The Italians love to eat) and following party, and what a party it was! We left with the dancing in full flow, tired but very excited what we had shot. The next day we had a quick trip to the Statue of Christ the redeemer, the venue for their lunch after the legal part of their ceremony the previous Tuesay, but time being as it was we ecentually said our goodbyes and made our way back o Naples and our flights home. Paul and Jude wisely chose an unlimited package, the range of image would certainly have left them struggling for choice. Their provisional layout was ready when they returned from their honeymoon, an emotional viewing that bought their day to life before their eyes, and some of the events that they missed. The culmination of this beautiful wedding was when I entered one of their images into the prestigious Kodak awards, an annual national competition attracting the best photographers from around the UK, and it took 1st place! (Paul and Jude are now the proud owbners of a digital camera and a cheque for £1000!). I am as proud for Paul and Jude as I am to have won such a major award, and whilst I never start out shooting for weddings, the real prize is in the knowledge that the quality of your work meets the highest standards.
