As wedding co-ordinators we get to connect with some truly amazing and talented photographers.  

Some of them stand out, not only for their warmth and passion for what they do, but for their ability to capture the most amazing moments on camera.

Matthew and his beautiful wife, Krystle, of Matthew Carr Photography, are among those special photographers we love to work alongside. 

With a husband and wife duo of photographers, you are guaranteed to have fun, which makes posing for the camera more enjoyable – with wonderful results!  

This is what we believe to be so special and unique about their photographic style and approach when it comes to candid shots of the bridal couple; they are not only able to catch these moments but also create them.

This dynamite team, who have shared a common love of photography since day one, capture and create beautiful imagery and value the relationships they share with their clients.   

In today’s blog we feature our interview with Matthew who gives us the inside scoop on what it’s like being a wedding photographer. He also gives us his top tips and advice for bridal couples when it comes to choosing the perfect wedding venue. 

 

Tell us a little bit about yourself

We are a husband and wife team and we just love everything about weddings.  We have very special relationships with our clients we love sharing their wedding day with them.  I think those relationships are the key to our success.  We have been married for three years and after 6 years of working and traveling overseas, we have settled in our home city of Cape Town.

Tell us why you chose to specialise in wedding photography?

Wedding photography kind of fell into my lap.  I flew home from NZ to attend a friend’s wedding and their photographer was late.  I ended up taking some photos of the bride and that’s how it all started.  After that day I never really thought about doing any other form of photography.

How would you describe your wedding photography style?

I have always been drawn to bright and contrasting photographs and I would say that best describes our style.  Having said that, every couple and wedding has a unique style and we aim to document the couple’s style and personality while still staying true to our photography.

What about capturing weddings do you enjoy most?

That’s such a difficult question to answer as there is so much we love about weddings.  Krystle and I have been together for the past 10 years and we are still crazy about each other.  It seems like each wedding we shoot just adds to our relationship.  Seeing people we care about sharing the best day of their lives … I don’t think it gets much better than that. 

What has been your favourite wedding venue to shoot at and why?

Again, that’s a tough one as we are seriously spoilt for choice in the Western Cape.  The first one that sprung to mind was Lourensford as there are endless photo opportunities on their grounds.  You could spend weeks shooting there and still find new spots.  The One and Only hotel at the V&A Waterfront provides a very upmarket and chic backdrop.  Olive Rock is another stunning venue which provides endless room for creativity.  I think I would have to go with Lourensford.  There are a few choices for your reception but the grounds just provide such wonderful backdrops.

Which wedding venue would you like to shoot at next?

We have always wanted to shoot at Old Mac Daddy in Elgin.  We first saw the venue via Facebook when we were working overseas and it looked like such a fun.  We are shooting a weekend wedding there in November and we are so excited!

What is your favourite image you have shot recently?

I’m glad you said recently because we have so many.  The best part about looking at old photographs is I remember the story behind each one.  Our last wedding of the last season was a truly inspirational one for us.  The bride holds her faith very close to her heart and it is just beautiful to witness.  Her faith carried her throughout the day but the ceremony was just so powerful.  The chapel was very small which allowed me to feel every moment of the service.  After the newlyweds had exchanged vows the minister asked their parents to bless the day with them.  It was a beautiful moment from my favourite ceremony to date.

Do you have any tips for couples who are looking for their perfect wedding venue?

The first thing I would suggest is to clarify all of the logistical and practical issues.  How many guests will be invited?  Are many of them travelling from far?  Do your guests require accommodation and is there appropriate accommodation in the area?  Where will you get ready?  Do you want your ceremony and reception to be at the same venue?  How much are you prepared to spend on décor etc.?  Once you have all of those questions answered you can start narrowing down your search.  You can then start thinking about the style and feel for your wedding.  If you are a particularly creative person and you have time to do a lot of décor yourself, you can look for venues that will allow you to express your creativity.  If being creative is not your thing, then perhaps a venue with an existing style would be a better fit.  Some venues require a lot of décor and others just require some flowers.

From our side, we love big, well-lit areas as it suits our natural style.  We love outdoor ceremonies as there is plenty room to move and get creative.  We always do a venue-meet with our clients to best advise on lighting for their day as direct, mid-day sun on your face is not ideal.  We also advise our brides to really think about the room they will get ready in.  High ceilings and big windows provide beautiful, soft light.

I think the most important thing to remember during this whole experience, from venue shopping to the first dance, is to enjoy every moment!  It is the best time of your life and each part of the process should be special.

A huge thank you to Matthew for participating in this interview! We are so looking forward to working with you at many more incredible weddings to come!

To see more of Matthew Carr Photography’s work, head over to their website:  www.matthewcarrphotography.com

Shelley at Where's My Wedding