My photography journey really began in Africa on my gap year before university. Having grown up with my Dad’s big film slr, photography had always interested me, but it was in Burundi, south of Rwanda, where it really captured my imagination.
I went digital shortly afterwards and began taking photos of friends. Following requests for photoshoots, I covered someone’s wedding when the official photographer pulled out. That day of frantic shooting and trying to capture the moments and the story made me realise I wanted to do it for a living.
There are a few photographers who have influenced me in my journey. Otto Schulze’s work is of constant inspiration in my capturing of weddings. (www.ottoschulzephotographers.com) I always aim to record ‘on film’ the moments of the day, be they little interactions between the couple or shared joy between family and friends. Otto Schulze takes that desire to the realm of art. I often find myself inspired by individual images, by one photographer’s use of light, creative editing, or perspective and I try with each wedding I shoot to challenge myself to broaden my own horizons and creativity.
Photography for me is about creating art from moments and light. My wedding style is very natural. I rarely use flash, stick to prime lenses, and always aim to be discreet. The photographer who has to ‘make things happen’ is, for me, breaking into the creative process.
Photography is a human thing after all. Weddings are full of very personal moments, and I am very privileged to be the onlooker to them and be intimately involved in what, for many, is the most wonderful day of their life. I try and stay true to my clients, it is their day, not mine. I won’t do a lot of photoshop work. I aim for my images to be artistic, but nonetheless to represent the day they recognize, not someone else’s vision.
I have eclectic tastes, I enjoy photographing nature and the everyday, although I would never claim to be a landscape or nature photographer. I still try and carry a camera around with me and make a conscious effort to take time to escape from work with a camera. Odd though it sounds, when I started working as a professional I found my camera was only in my hands for my work and I had to rediscover the joy of creating images that had driven to become professional in the first place.
I am always consciously aware of how blessed I am to be a professional photographer. Other than asking me what camera I am shooting with, most of the comments I get from the many family with cameras at weddings is how lucky I am. I never want to lose sight of that. To be earning a living from something I love is a total joy. I would love one day to be one of the top wedding photographers in the UK, a big dream perhaps, but something to aim for as well.
When I became a professional I received a lot of helpful advice from those in the industry who found time to respond to an enquiring email. Through my photoblog I aim to share what I am learning in the development of my photography and what has helped me in the past. Seven by Five is, I think, a wonderful opportunity for community and conversation, so in closing a thank you for the invitation to share my own story.
Links:
Photoblog: https://charlwoodphotography.wordpress.com/
Website: http://www.charlwoodphotography.com/
Flickr: http://www.flickr.com/photos/charliecharlwood/
Thanks for sharing your experiences! Its pretty amazing how you can actually work as a photographer. Most of us, well for me that is, would love to leave the 9 to 5 day job and pursue that dream job. And you already have it! That in itself is amazing.I really like the picture of the couple dancing. I like how the singular light is above them, it really sets the mood of the occasion. Romantic and intimate. What kind of emails would you send to photographers in the industry? that’s a really great idea.
Hi Paula,
Thanks for the compliment. When I was starting I found photographers I liked I sent them an email complimenting their work and sometimes asking for a little advice. So many professionals are willing to help, I was really pleasantly surprised! The only ‘problem’ is that I now try and reply to every email asking for advice that I get, because I remember how helpful I found it – keeps me busy!
Nice reflections, David. I really enjoyed reading about a process that not only do I know nothing about, but that kind of frightens me – wedding photography.
I love this in particular: “My wedding style is very natural. I rarely use flash, stick to prime lenses, and always aim to be discreet. The photographer who has to ‘make things happen’ is, for me, breaking into the creative process.”
*If* I had the guts to be a wedding photographer, that would be my style.
Thank you for sharing this!
Shawn
Might have to pick your brain a bit then!
A beautifully written post. I love your philosophy on weddings, I always operated under the understanding (with the client) that I was also capturing the bits of the weddings they didn’t see, all the human moments, laughter and energy, as well as the ‘main event’ itself. For me these were the best bits of the endeavour and often elicited the greatest responses.
Three wedding photographers whom I follow and whose work I much admire, and you may have come across them already, are Abigail Williams, Paul Burns and Morag Macdonald (the latter two in Bristol).
Just peeked at your sites – love your imagery, inspirational stuff indeed.
Very good work. Great low light work focusing on the dancing couple within the first shot.
With the Bride and the Rolls Royce emblem…Like the artistic blurring and almost overblown whites of her dress and veil. This blown out nature really grabs Ur attention. Good article/review of this photographer.
Congrats David Charlwood for the stunning work,
Mark
Oh love the second photo especially!!