I hope you enjoyed my blog post earlier today featuring Les and Jen’s wedding last July.
As promised, here’s a Q&A with the very talented Surrey wedding photographer, Matt Pereira, who captured their wedding.
What inspired you to become a photographer?
I had become tired of working in I.T. and was looking for something a little different. I soon realised that the importance of wedding photography was a responsibility that I was destined to take charge of and have never looked back since.
When did you become a wedding photographer?
About six years ago. I started the business alongside my full-time I.T. job, which was very hard.
I waited and waited until I ‘had enough bookings’ but soon realised that this was never going to happen whilst working part-time, so took the plunge and went full-time with just one wedding on the books!
Just twelve months later I had shot more than twenty weddings. Nothing focuses you more than the need to focus!
What is it about wedding photography that you love?
Being in the vicinity of the bride and groom for such a long time, I feel such a thrilling vibe oozing from them throughout out whole day.
Every couple is in love, but every now and then you get a couple who are just so unbelievably in tune with each other that what you witness as a photographer is indescribable.
I had a particular wedding last year where I cried so many times I thought that something was wrong with me! We’d clicked amazingly well and I was simply feeling the love…on their behalf if you like. Still now, when I hear the song they played for their first dance, it brings tears to my eyes.
I also love being the one person who pretty much gets to see everything going on from a totally different point of view. Being able to see those little moments that many people miss, and to immortalise them forever for the bride and groom.
A recent couple said to me, “We love how you have captured all those moments that nobody really sees” – and that’s just it. People often do see things, but they don’t realise until they see my images. It’s a wonderful thing to see the faces of my brides and grooms as they’re watching their wedding presentation for the first time.
Where are you based and what areas of the UK do you cover?
I’m based in the Guildford/Dorking area, but take commissions all over the UK, as well as abroad. Last year I covered weddings in Italy and The Canary Islands.
How would you describe your style?
This is a good question. There are lots of styles banded around, and I have found that often couples ask for something because they feel they have to have a particular style.
Without wanting to sound obnoxious, mine is the Matt Pereira style. I’m very friendly and relaxed and prefer to be thought of as a friend with a camera (who knows how to use it!).
I tend to spend a lot of the time just photographing what is happening, without much involvement, but then I’ll get stuck in and take charge when needed.
Those group shots that people tend to hate? Well, I try to make them fun and fast and can usually knock them out in about fifteen minutes or less.
I can be a lot more involved in the morning if I see that time is disappearing and I cannot count the number of times I’ve advised on how to lace up a dress, pin a buttonhole or occupy a bored flower girl!
As a result, my photographs portray the happiness, love and friendship that goes on during the day with a little quirk here and there.
What is your favourite wedding moment to capture on camera?
It has to be that instant when the bride and groom first see each other as she walks down the aisle.
There is often a single moment when the groom turns back to face the front, and <CLICK> … there is one of those unbelievable moments that few people will see, as his emotions take over.
If I have been lucky enough to stand right at the front (not always possible), and if I have timed it right to get that shot, I nearly always need to take a deep breath, swallow down that lump in my throat and clear the mist from my eyes before I can carry on…and it’s not even me getting married!!
What advice would you give couples to help them to get the best from their wedding photography?
This is a huge question, with so many answers. First and foremost, don’t choose a photographer based on price, because you’ll invariably be really disappointed. Good photography is worth the money it costs.
Choose a photographer who you can imagine spending all day with you and your closest friends and family, and make sure you have an engagement shoot, so you get to know each other a little better.
On the day, just relax! Allow your photographer to do their job and all will be well. Oh, and of course, book me to make sure you get super photographs!
Many thanks to Matt for all his help in compiling today’s blog posts. Do look out for more of his wedding photography on Flowerona in the future.
If you’d like to see more of Matt’s work, do pop over to his website. He’s also on Twitter and Facebook, plus has a blog.
(Image : Matt Pereira)
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