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Choosing the right photographer for your wedding is an important decision and with over 30 years’ experience in photography, Ann Clark is the perfect choice.
EXPOSURE
With so many photographers advertising in the glossies, how to choose the right one is a real challenge. Vale Life has narrowed them down to one...
Ann, what’s your background?
At the age of seven I was given a Polaroid camera for my birthday which started my passion for photography. When I was eighteen, a friend asked me to take his wedding photographs. Other people saw the album and bookings snowballed.
What training have you had?
When I started 31 years ago the classically posed photographs were all that was around. I trained through the Guild and gained a Craftsman award with them and carried on training and development with the British Institute and Master Photographers Assoc.
Why did you choose photography?
Photography eventually chose me! I had planned on being a civil servant, but kept getting requests to photograph events and be paid for what I love to do.
What’s your style of photography?
Although classically trained, the recent upsurge in a more informal style of photography has enabled me to express more creativity and flair. I love the challenge of finding a new way of looking at a subject – either by changing viewpoint or background. Although a photograph may not look posed, the planning has still gone on beforehand to make sure the lighting is right at that time of day for that particular location. Some of our best and most memorable images are catching a moment, because we were in the right place at the right time. On a wedding coverage the majority of our photographs are informal, with the groups tidied up. By showing people how to pose correctly you can make them look ten pounds lighter!
Why do you think couples choose you to cover their weddings?
We have over thirty years’ experience in the photography business and have gained a reputation for reliability and professionalism. I have a wacky sense of humour and we soon have a nervous couple laughing and enjoying their day. From the start at the bride’s house we are not only capturing the day, but have been known to dress many ladies running late for the church! We like to be as unobtrusive as possible, but can also cover the day on time without the couple feeling they have been taken away from their guests for too long.
Does it help that you’re a woman?
Definitely. I like to think that I am looking out for the attention to details, which many men would miss. I know how much time and effort a couple put into the appearance of a wedding and strive to capture in my photographs the perfect images they planned. Also, on the wedding morning the bride feels perfectly at ease with another woman. Children soon become my friends and we can capture some great moments.
What do you do differently from other wedding photographers?
On most weddings we are there from bride’s preparations through to the speeches. Most importantly, we spend a lot of time after the wedding retouching any photographs where necessary. Any blemishes, stray strands of hair and even the thinning spot on the groom’s head are retouched to make our couple look perfect. Also, there are two photographers at weddings, so between us we capture everything and from different angles.
Do you follow the latest trends?
We are constantly aware of the latest trends in photography and album presentation, but adapt these to our style and our clients’ needs.
Tell us about your portrait photography.
I have gone away totally from posed studio shots and really enjoy the creativity of being able to capture people relaxed and in a familiar environment, such as the beach, park or their own homes.
You’ve won some pretty impressive photography awards. Please tell us about them.
We are very proud to have won the Welsh Master Wedding Photographer of the Year award twice – the last time being 2008/09. Also, we were given an award of Excellence for ‘outstanding photographic skill and excellence in imaging’ by the Master Photographers Assoc. Recently I have been able to expand my passion for photography into landscapes and have just won a national gold award for a photograph taken in the February snow.
What is your work motto?
The customer is most important and we will do our utmost to achieve their photographic aspirations.
What are your plans for the future?
In 2009 and into 2010 we are looking to maintain our workflow in a difficult economic environment and, so far, are bucking the trend in the industry and enjoying a boom. Choosing the right photographer for your wedding is an important decision and with over 30 years’ experience in photography, Ann Clark is the perfect choice.
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