Hampshire. My county. Born and bred. I don’t actually shoot in it that often, but when I do they’re always a bit special. Today was no different. Today was Claire and Simon at the lovely Rivervale Barn in Yateley.
Some thanks first. To the superb Michaela and her team from the always excellent Galloping Gourmet. To Claire’s bridesmaids, and particularly Emily, for all their help on the day. To the weather, for allowing the hail/snow/rain/winds to exit through the door marked ‘Do One’ and instead bless us with sun all day long. To whoever designed the bridal preparation room at Rivervale to provide the most perfect light.
But mainly to Claire and Simon.
To Claire for her endless smiles, grace, elegance and for her warmth the moment I arrived.
To Simon for conquering his nerves and for being the sort of man I’d be proud to call a friend.
To them both for trusting me to try some new things, for embracing the awkward, and for folding into each other like they were the only people on the planet. The results speak for themselves.
Trust is something that isn’t talked about enough in the relationship between a photographer and clients. It is crucial. You say to them ‘Here I am, this is me, this is what I do. Trust me to guide you and I will give you photography to cherish’. That trust was manifest today and I cannot thank you both enough, from the bottom of my heart.
Just before I sat down to write this post I saw this quote from a videographer friend of mine, Samuel. I realised as I read it that, for me, it summed up Claire and Simon. A union built on love, respect. Of family and honour.
“I realized I was thinking of you, and I began to wonder how long you’d been on my mind. Then it occurred to me: Since I met you, you’ve never left.” – Unknown
Claire. Simon. Thank you both. You nailed it. You just nailed it. This is your story.
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