What’s a wedding without a photographer to make sure your memories of the big day are captured beautifully forever? It’s becoming more and more important for people to have a wedding photographer to take images of the nuptials, but with so many different photographers about, it can be difficult to choose the one that’s right for you. This month, insideKENT’s Lisamarie Lamb spoke to Pete from Ap-Art Photography about why he picked up his camera in the first place, what appeals to him about weddings, and why it’s important to trust and get to know your photographer before the big day.

How did you get into photography, and weddings in particular? 

I got into photography when I was a teenager (some time ago now!) whilst enjoying countless sunsets and thunderstorms rolling before my eyes. For years, I photographed landscapes and street life during my travels until my work was noticed by some professionals telling me how good it was. I had a look at my cousin’s portfolio who had already established himself as a worldwide renowned destination wedding photographer and decided to follow this path.

How would you describe your style?

I would describe my style as photojournalistic with an artistic edge. Location is paramount and having already scouted many locations around Kent, I’m able to take my amazing clients on a spectacular journey. I’ve been called a ‘ninja photographer’ a few times. But don’t worry, I won’t vanish!

What is it about weddings that you enjoy?

Weddings are all about happiness. I’m an open-minded and easygoing chap, which helps me to create genuine relationships with people, which makes the couples feel comfortable around me, giving the image a more natural feel. I also love chaos and weddings can be chaotic. I find myself working better when against the wall. David Bowie once said: ”If you feel safe in the area you’re working in, you’re not working in the right area. Always go a little further into the water than you feel you’re capable of being in. Go a little bit out of your depth. And when you don’t feel that your feet are quite touching the bottom, you’re just about in the right place to do something exciting.”

What’s the weirdest wedding you’ve ever photographed?

Weirdest wedding, hmmm… I’m not sure; what does ‘weird’ mean anymore? I wouldn’t be surprised seeing an alien sipping a mojito at the reception. I feel like it’s me that has to feel weird and that can only be achieved by unblocking my receptors to new places, climates, plants and personalities. Every wedding is weird in its own way.

How far have you travelled to photograph a wedding? 

I can travel anywhere; I’ve travelled more than 1,000 miles a few times. Last year I photographed in Norway twice, France, Switzerland, Denmark, Croatia, the Netherlands and the UK. So far in 2018 I’m shooting in the UK, an elopement in Iceland, two sessions in Paris (wedding and engagement) and a wedding in Norway. Fingers crossed for more destination assignments, with Hawaii and New Zealand on my bucket list!

You also photograph engagements and elopements – how does that work? 

Elopements are spontaneous and full of emotions. It’s only you and your clients, so less pressure in regard to time and worries accompanied with the whole wedding ‘malarkey’. I definitely recommend this type of spiritual ceremony for people that want to go the extra mile, also from the artistic point of view. Engagement wise, it’s good to have a feel of each other before the ‘big day’, see how the clients behave in front of a camera and vice versa. I see a surge in clients from South East Asia coming over to Europe for engagement sessions, often choosing capital cities like London, Paris, Rome or Copenhagen as their destinations.

Do you have any tips when it comes to getting the most out of your wedding photographer?

I can only speak for myself, so guys… ‘Mi casa es tu casa’. You book your photographer for a reason, that reason being: you have fallen in love with their work so allow them to enter a zen mode and don’t bombard them with a list of photographs you wish to be captured. They know what they’re doing!

www.apartphotography.com