Nick Church: In front the camera for a change...
I don’t often come this side of the camera. I thought I’d make an exception
I thought this ‘meet the maker’ style article would be a good idea for two reasons. Firstly it’s not always possible to meet clients before they book me so it is good to see who they are trusting to capture their wedding day with stunning images. Although, to be fair, I do usually smile more!
The second reason is that this was a shot taken by a student of my one of my photography workshops. I was teaching how to use available light and let artistic composition direct the shot, and this is what one of my attendees came up with. Subject matter aside, I think it’s an outstanding portrait. Well done to Judith, and all the other attendees who also got similar shots.
This image is a good example of the photography style I love so much. Employing what is called ‘chiaroscuro’, a technique to create contrast from light and dark and used extensively (and copied by me) by the Dutch Masters like Rembrandt and Vermeer. When combined with a natural scene, I think it gives a beautifully atmospheric ‘painting’ quality to the image, which is really popular with my clients.
It’s funny, I was told at school I was not good enough at art to ever be an artist. Two careers later (one in Civil Engineering and one in Software Engineering) and I’m back where I was meant to be. What made me finally embrace it? My youngest son Charlie, probably bored with listening to me go on about photography, just said “why not just do it as a job”. I could not think of a reason, so I did!
He’s not interested in photography, despite that, but my eldest son Ethan is onboard at Nick Church Photography as my very talented film-maker and with Dawn in the background keeping things organised and (helped by step-sons Louis and Seb) modelling for workshops, it’s a family affair!
My love for photography has become simply part of my whole life. I live and breathe it, and am proud when my clients can tell from my work that this is not simply my ‘job’. It’s more than that. My clients on a wedding day will find me relaxed, but this is a state that I need to be in to create those photos that I think define them as a couple. This can’t happen if a photographer is up-tight and chasing through a list of posed shots. This is why I got into photography, because I knew I could offer people something different, something artistic and thoughtful for their wedding day.
What I was not expecting was how much I also love training other photographers. I learn from every interaction I have during the workshops I run at my studio. From the newest beginner to the seasoned pro looking to take business upwards, there is always something for me to learn. To be a part of their journey is addictive. I am thrilled that clients are leaving with minds buzzing with newfound clarity and vision, and that they are coming back for more and more sessions as their business or their photography takes off.
That’s all for now, I can slide into the background behind the camera once more :-)