A number of years ago there was a period of several months during which I’d meet with Huw on a weekly basis for a period of a half hour or so. How time flies (and grammatically condenses). I served as his tutor on his final degree project in computer animation (I swear he’s grown taller since that time, but maybe that’s just down to the fact that we were always seated for tutorials). Huw would show every week without fail, constantly impress me with a genuine directorial story-telling vision and in tandem with this always displayed the virtue of listening and absorbing without any encumbent displays of ego. Not that he needs a reference from me, there you have it. I’ve always felt it a privilege to be in a position to work with a great many talented students in a visually creative field and in turn it was an enormous privilege when he and Kim commissioned me to photograph their wedding day.
As for Kim, I’d only encountered her the one time before their wedding day when I met with the couple to discuss their plans and to do a bit of a pre-wedding photo-shoot with them. There’s not much I could say about Kim then. Oh, other than that from the outset of meeting her I felt as though exuberance, intelligence and thoughtfulness had converged at incredible velocities to trigger a supernova that formed at its core an absolute gem of a person. There’s no breaking the ice with Kim. It immediately evaporates in her presence. Did I ever enjoy experiencing her big day; Kim is a joy to be around. Huw as ever was great to be in the company of too.
On the subject of talented, visually creative types with genuine directorial story-telling vision I was joined at Kim & Huw’s wedding by Simon Fazackarley. Simon commenced with Huw and his Best Men as they made their preparations and subsequent to that passage of the day’s story the images on display are a mixture of his and mine throughout all three instalments.
Best Man Joel, also a former student and likewise of significant talent, gets to work on his speech-writing homework. When was the deadline again?…
Huw swaps birthday suit for wedding suit…
Best Man Dave gets his game face on…
I love to see people getting their priorities right…
Continuity. It’s down to the editing, no faults in the primary photography. If it’s good enough for Buñuel and Dalí…
About that taxi…
Meanwhile…
When Kim & Huw last met with me at their wedding venue, Greyfriars House in the Surrey Hills, they described the warm, cosy, homely ambiance they wanted to create for their special day, run through with the colours and feel of Christmas. Absolutely everything about the day turned out as they’d envisioned.
Time to follow the…
Huw will no doubt spot that I crossed the line of interest here. Having said that, others may misconstrue my words. It’s a cinematographic thing…
Kim’s Mum walked her down the stairs. Her Dad walked her up the aisle.
As Kim came back into view, I thought she’d broken down in tears. Beautiful as all the unbridled emotions of a wedding day can be, in the empathic state that is always at full-tilt when I photograph a wedding ceremony I was likely to have my work cut out for me when it came to focusing…
But no, not at all, joy of joys, we have a laugher…
Contact Surrey Wedding Photographer Phillip Allen : phill@misterphill.com : 07870 696248
by Phillip Allen
show hide 17 comments
Bournemouth Magician - Roger Lapin - These photos are incredible, I wish I had found you when we got married! Havent’ even looked at part 2 yet.
Roger
Wedding Magician
Becca - Oh how I love to follow the shoes with you! The emotions of the day are so perfectly preserved in the pictures I feel as if I attended the wedding myself!
Matthew - I love the B/Ws, very dramatic.
Last 2 shots are gold!
John Cachero Photography - Phill, your journalistic style is perfect. The true moments you capture will be cherished by your clients. Beautiful job.
Lauren - Such a gorgeous day! Loving those Shoe shots!!
Luis Godinez - Love the ‘to do’ list. Ha! Gorgeous images all around.
Leo Druker - Talk about great storytelling.. this seems like such a fun wedding and you’ve caught so many great moments throughout. I really like the two compositions of the groomsmen coming down the stairs – great angle. Terrific work all around.
Tenielle - Beautifully told story!! Love the different characters and personalities you’ve captured! Well done :)
Kyle - My particular favorites are the compositions on the photos on the stairs. Great work Phill!
Shari DeAngelo - Best Wedding To Do List ever! Gorgeous story telling here, Phil. Wishing you and yours a very happy holiday season and the best in the new year.
Ali Walker - Sweet work! I bet this couple is thrilled.
Rhys Evans - A fantastic job!
Unfortunately, my wife and I could’t make it to the wedding but reading through your story and looking through the photos, I really got a feel of what it was like to be there on the day. Not just capturing the events and the flow of the day but really capturing the spirit.
Huw and Kim chose their photographer(s) well!
Jean Mazac - Beautiful, beautiful, beautiful! Every image is wonderful and tells the story of their day. You ROCKED this!!!
Ben - You have caught this couple beautifully. loved the shoe on the rocking horse!
Kim's Dad - Phill, you and Simon did K&H proud. They’re fantastic (and so are the photos!) Thanks.
Heather - This is seriously one of your BEST, Phil!! Awesome work!
nichola - I think this is my favourite :)