Hampshire wedding photography – Emily + Tom

So after saying I don’t shoot in my own county of Hampshire much, here’s another just a week later. This time the frankly brilliant Emily and Tom. Southampton for this one, where I used to live, and a city with a place firmly cemented in my heart. Roads I’ve walked, cycled and driven on for many years, and a wedding venue just a mile from my third school and some extremely happy years. Funny to think that 30 years earlier I was playing on the fields I drove past today, and that 30 years later my life would have turned in the most unexpected direction to see me working as a photographer.

Speaking of photographers (smooth segue for the win), Tom, today’s groom, is a very, very fine photographer with a bookcase of titles to make any photographer weak at the knees. It’s hugely flattering to be booked by someone so clearly knowledgeable and talented, if not a little daunting. My only hope is to show the day as it happened, with the couple as they truly are with each other, and to have done them proud. This job is, at all times, both an honour and a privilege and I have to pinch myself that I’m trusted to do this by so many terrific people.

But enough about me.

We begin at Emily and Tom’s lovely home in Southampton. Jaden on make-up. Bridesmaids helping out, Mum and Dad on hand. Emily already looking stunning. From here just a short drive to Rownhams House where we’d be for the rest of the day, and where we’d once again somehow dodge the hail and wind of the week to instead be greeted by sunshine which remained most of the day. A huge thank you here to Gemma and her team at Smallpiece Catering for just getting it so right all day long. Also a thank you to Ross Kirk and Lesley for excellent music all day and equally good company.

Emily and Tom then. The most laid back, warm and generous couple you’d wish to meet. I remember Tom asking me if was ok for him to bring his gorgeous Pentax film camera with him. At his own wedding. That’s the sort of man he is. We clicked massively and I like to think we’ll stay in touch and talk photography in the months and years ahead. Again I asked them to trust me and they did, in spades. Again I’m hugely pleased with the photography we got together, with some pretty lovely light as a bonus. Emily is nothing short of a genuine beauty with a lovely tenderness to her.

Together they’re some pairing. And to see Tom watch Emily through the day I was reminded of a quote from Stephen Millard:

‘Oh lost words find yourself in her’

And I believe he really does.

I was flattered to be asked to photograph this wedding. It was everything I hoped it would be, and more. Thank you both so much.