Your London Wedding - Mar/Apr 2020 (Issue 70)

66 Douglas Fry, Douglas Fry Wedding Photographer douglasfry.com | 020 7193 9446 Tell us about your background – how did you become a wedding photographer? I started out as a physicist at Imperial College London, then spent five years in the army, two years cycling round the world before setting up as a freelance press photographer, shooting for The Times , Independent and Observer . A couple saw my byline in a newspaper and asked me to shoot their London wedding; nervously, I agreed. Ten rolls of film later, I was hooked and have now shot more than 500 weddings in 25 years – I enjoy every one. How would you describe your photography style? I shoot weddings on very fast lenses by Leica, the incredible 50mm standard lens opens up to F0.95 which means I can shoot any dark winter wedding lit by candle light with no flash. It preserves the ambience of the wedding, and doesn’t interfere or distract the couple or guests in the slightest. In summary, a documentary style on the world’s best cameras and lenses. What’s your favourite London venue and why? That’s a tough one; I’ve shot at Syon Park for many years and its celebration room is one of the most elegant in London. Post ceremony, the guests collect in the quad for drinks while the couple walk down the famous long gallery for photographs, and then make their way down to the large conservatory. For more intimate dos, I really like Two Temple Place with its majestic dining room. And your favourite area of the city to shoot in? Chelsea presents endless possibilities with its mix of coloured houses and interesting shops and restaurants all along the King’s Road. Davina Paterson, Image Bliss Photography imagebliss.co.uk.com | 07770 055 576 Tell us about your background – how did you become a wedding photographer? I picked up my dad’s Olympus OM10 when I was seven-years- old and I’ve wanted to be a photographer ever since. I remember talking about it in my school careers day and getting blank looks as they couldn’t help me. I went on to study art and design with photography. As for weddings themselves… I shot a friend’s big day and absolutely loved it – the rest is history. How would you describe your photography style? Story telling. I love to document the day so that, when couples look back, they can re-live it. What’s your favourite London venue and why? Really I love any London pub with a relaxed vibe. However, Shoreditch and Hackney are throwing up some amazing spaces now; Core Clapton is a beautiful, bright space. And you can’t beat an iconic London landmark either. And your favourite area of the city to shoot in? You can turn down any street in London and find something wildly different – so it’s hard to choose just one; but I love to shoot on Hampstead Heath.