Wedding Wednesday
Featured Photographer: Mark Seymour
London based Mark Seymour has been an award-winning wedding photographer for over 20 years. He was the first UK photographer to be awarded a double fellowship for documentary photography (akin to 3 Michelin stars in the restaurant world). Over the years, Mark has developed his recognizable documentary wedding photography style with beautiful black and white images — capturing moments born from observation that are full of emotion and tell the unique story of a clients perfect day.
How did you get started in wedding photography, and why
did you choose it as a genre as opposed to other forms of photography?
From childhood, I loved taking photos. My mother has a photo of me with an old box brownie around my neck, photographing my little brother, and another of me standing next to a wedding photographer taking my own picture. It’s only recently that mum confessed they never put film in my camera, but I think you can safely say it all started there.
Professionally, I started off in wedding photography sales as an extra job as a father with a young family to provide for. I had however seen the work of the photographers coming in and knew I could do better. So after a bit of persuading they gave me my chance and over twenty years later, I’m still running my own successful wedding photography business.
Over the years I’ve moved from film to digital but most significantly I’ve developed my distinctive style of observational documentary wedding photography. I capture a couple’s unique story with candid, timeless, natural images full of emotion. My couples remain at the centre of their day with their friends and family, trusting me to photograph their memories.
I still make time for a few stunning bridal portraits of the couple and their closest and for informal group shots but the majority of the day remains unposed and shot in the moment.
How did you go about building your business when you
first started, and what was the most effective tactic you’ve found?
I work a lot in the Jewish wedding market which is dependent on client referrals and recommendations, you often see your previous couples at future weddings and it’s lovely to catch up with them.
Magazines and wedding fairs have been overtaken by social media and having a stylish website with an engaging blog, great information and a stunning portfolio. However, the key is establishing great relationships with hotels and venues to become their recommended supplier; I am very proud to be a photographer with Cliveden House, Danesfield House, Brocket Hall as well as photographing at London’s Rosewood, Langham and Savoy hotels.
Must have gear/accessory for a day of weddings?
Keep it simple but have a backup!
I pack a trolley bag with a couple of Nikon D850’s, Nikon speedlights and a range of prime lenses. (Covering 24 to 105mm focal lengths). Then use a small Manfrotto camera bag for on the move whilst shooting.
I use off-camera lighting, Manfrotto led video lights which are a must to get great lighting on the dance floor whilst in the bag is a handy Snickers bar should I feel peckish!
Do you accept every job you are offered?
What is really important for me is a connection with my couples. I want them to feel comfortable with me. I’m going to be right there, up close and personal on the day, so they need to be able to relax with me. I want them to trust me as their photographer. Knowing I’ll get the photographs they want is important so they need to understand and love my style.
If a couple comes to me wanting formal, or boho chic, something I cannot deliver, I am honest with them. Couples need to decide on a style then choose their photographer, not choose a photographer they like and hope they will change their style to shoot their wedding.
What is your preferred camera/shooting style for weddings,
and why?
My style falls into the documentary reportage photojournalistic style. For me, it’s about natural candid moments, emotion and storytelling.
I shoot in colour digital but will edit a lot of the images in black and white using Silver Efex where I think it enhances the image.
I look for reactions rather than the action, not the kiss but the moment the bride and groom pull apart and you see the emotion of the moment the connection between their eyes.
The limited group shots I take and the couple portraits have a natural and informal feel. I give them tips and encouragement to bring out the best but it’s never about posing or orchestrating an image.
Some of my couples will look through my portfolio and say “I want that shot” but I explain their images will be unique to them and their guests, moments cannot be recreated, that’s what makes documentary photography so special.
It’s why I love shooting a wedding this way.
What are the top 3 most frequently asked questions you
get from clients?
Price — after the couple has decided they like my style the first question is typically about the cost. Weddings are a big investment and budgets are key. The advice I give my couples is simple, the food will be eaten, the flowers forgotten, but your photographs will be the memories that last forever so make sure they are the best you can afford.
Second photographer and videography — I am honest with my couples and never recommend a second photographer unless they are planning a wedding that really needs it, but can offer a second photographer when required. I think capturing at least part of the day with a videographer provides something special, and although I don’t offer a photography videography package I have some amazing videographers I can recommend.
Albums — like handbags they vary in price but I think there is something special about the physical process of sharing a wedding album rather than on a screen or via social media. Some of our couples book a digital package but then come back later to have an album.
What are the top 3 things you wish clients would STOP asking their wedding photographers?
No question is wrong. As I said, making the right match is important for great photography on your wedding day so I want my couples to know they’ve made the right decision.
What has been your favorite wedding you’ve photographed to date?
That’s really impossible every wedding is so unique and special to be part of, so I’ll give you three very different weddings:
I photographed a client at Hampton Court, and she wanted all their images in black and white and only 2 formals shots. The rest of the day she didn’t want to talk to me. Rather she said to get on with it. “You’re the photographer, I trust you” — the perfect bride. Still one of my favorite albums, it was quite a rock ‘n’ roller of a wedding and I was really able to capture the characters and feel of their day.
One of the most outrageous weddings has to be at The Crazy Bear, Oxford. The couple were all about having the most fun and it’s was glamour and risqué all the way. From the Vegas showgirls in their feathers greeting the guests to the pole dancer and burlesque show that entertained them in the evening — wild, loved it!
Last year I arrived at Cliveden House to photograph a relatively small and intimate wedding of two lovely guys, to be told that their wedding would be featured on a Channel Four tv documentary series about the hotel. Actually, the film cameras didn’t get in the way and it was a fabulous wedding which was so much fun to be part of and was lovely to watch it on the tv!
What is the best advice you could give someone who is considering wedding photography as a business option?
The wedding photography business is now very competitive compared to when I first got into the business.
However a few top pieces of advice:
- If wedding photography is something you’re passionate about and you really want to go for it. Do it, you only live once.
- Have your own unique style, area, or something you believe in and want to share with couples.
- Social media and your website create your image on the wedding market so invest in setting this up to reflect the wedding photographer you want to be.
- Relationships with hotels and venues are a great way of building your client profile
- Provide exceptional customer service before the wedding, on the day and after. Your client's experience as much as their photography is what recommends you to your next couple
- Back up, shoot hard and edit hard!
You can find out more about Mark and see more of his outstanding wedding photography at his website: https://www.markseymourphotography.co.uk.
You can also learn about Marks travel photography work here: https://nikoninframe.co.uk/ambassador/mark-seymour
