Jonathan David Photography

What makes an image touch your heart? What is that elusive quality that makes you see something that is not obvious, in an image? Jonathan of Jonathan David Photography especially loves the ‘golden hour’ and quality this light gives to the images. This softer light brings a feeling of the couple being surrounded in light – as if it’s just them with their new story waiting to unfold before them. And that’s what makes these images special – the feelings they evoke, the memories that they bring back each time you look at them – because after all your wedding day is just one day, but your feelings about this day will remain forever in the images you have.

What or who started you on the journey to becoming a photographer?

Photography is in my blood. My dad was a wedding photographer and worked in the family studio in Cairo, Egypt (which still exists to this day). Cameras and rolls of film were always lying around growing up – by my early-teens I started taking photography seriously and loved the challenge of taking it on as a craft to hone.

What attracts you to wedding photography in particular?

Weddings are the meaningful things in life condensed into one day: connection, love, and laughter – the best parts of what makes us human. People are making vows to take on dreams, risks and adventures together for a lifetime. What a privilege and inspiration it is to witness that weekly.

Wedding - Owen & Bianca

How would you describe your style?

Honest. Raw. Real. Relaxed. No green screens, wind machines or Photoshop beyond the point of recognition. The greatest compliments I get are, “That is so us,” and “You really captured our day.”

Does your photography style reflect the way you see life?

Oh, absolutely! I aim to capture the things that are important to me – which for the most part are those elusive and intangible moments that just make you feel. Be it a dad with wet eyes looking at his little girl in her dress for the first time, a groom beaming with pride that that is his wife walking down the aisle towards him, a bride holding her Nana’s time weathered hand. It’s the smiles, glances and little touches. The little things are the big things to me.

The light in Australia is different. How does this affect your photography?

The single most important element in photography is light. Australian light can be pretty harsh and quite frankly, uncomfortable to stand in during the summer months. I prefer working with natural light, so I try to photograph portraits as close to sunset as I can. This gives my work that really luminous, backlit, ethereal, bathed-in-light look that my clients love.

JonathanDavidPhotography 02

Your photographs always include the (outside) surroundings. How important is this in telling the story?

I like documenting the day as it unfolds and I want my photographs to transport you back and make you remember the way the sun was shining and the way the leaves were catching the wind.

Wedding photography has evolved to the point where you can’t get away with only taking formal portraits. Wedding photographers today are storytellers and skilled landscape and journalistic photographers in their own right.

Couples looking to book me often tell me that even without knowing the bride and groom personally, my photos allow them to feel as though they were right there – capturing the surroundings is an important part of being able to do that.

How do you plan to capture those shots that look unscripted? How can you be in the right place at the right time?

A big part of photos that look unscripted is trust. After finding flattering light, the second most important factor in a good photograph is that your couples feel at ease with you. Once they’re relaxed and comfortable, you’re setting the stage for their natural emotions and beauty shine through.

I’ve photographed weddings for around eight years now and finding those hidden unscripted moments has become second nature – you get to a point where you can read when people about to abrupt in laughter or tears and from there you just have to be ready to capture it.

Do you shoot on your own, or do you have a team behind you?

I normally shoot alone, but have the best second shooter/assistant ever – my fiancée Britt! We’ve been shooting together for four years and she understands exactly how I work on a wedding day. She also brings a great feminine perspective to the documentary of the day, which makes us an amazing team. Britt also plays a huge role in a lot of my behind-the-scenes business operations – helping me with everything from marketing/advertising, right through to being the harshest (well, as harsh as a Canadian can be) and most loving critic of my work. She keeps me in check and always striving to improve.

© 2015 www.jonathandavid.com.au

How much do you pre-plan your shots?

I usually scout a wedding venue ahead of time (if I’m not already familiar with it), so that I can have a few ideas up my sleeve during portrait time, but light is normally constantly changing throughout a wedding day. Part of the challenge is to take whatever light I have available and create gorgeous images in every situation.

I don’t normally pre-plan individual shots/poses as I rather feed off every couples’ unique and individual energy to create images that reflect their personalities. That being said, I have a few go to directions that I can give to ease every couple into having their photo taken – my couples aren’t all models, so helping them find their feet and build their confidence during the portraits is important.

How do you challenge yourself artistically?

In recent years I’ve been shooting film to push myself artistically and creatively. With film, I don’t have the luxury of a screen or histogram on the back of my camera to make sure I’ve nailed the shot. I have to be on top of my settings and compose everything in camera correctly from the get go.

I’ve started doing this more especially during my travels and for personal projects – one film camera, one fixed lens focal length and one film stock and I push myself to see the world with that combination only. It pushes me to read the light of the scene better, to compose with greater accuracy and to get my timing absolutely perfect. Using film for my personal passion projects has actually made me a much better digital photographer.

What is the most exciting part of the photography process for you?

This one’s easy – it would have to be the freedom to create and collaborating with my couples to craft images that are different, special and meaningful – images that they will hopefully hang on the walls of their homes and pass down through generations to come.

Do you have a mission statement for yourself in relation to your business?

The Golden Rule drives my business decisions: Treat others the way you want to be treated. That affects everything from striving to answer emails as quickly as I can, through to keeping the entire process simple and straightforward. No confusing jargon or hidden fine print.

I’m engaged right now and it’s been an eye-opening experience being on the other side of the wedding industry. I have a greater appreciation for the stresses of wedding planning and I can empathise with my couples on a whole new level. Wedding planning can be intense – decisions are difficult and often expensive. I want to be the easiest decision you make.

JonathanDavidPhotography 04

Do you have any words of advice for the bride and groom?

There’s so much I could say, but I think the most important piece of advice is this…. Do your planning, make your preparations, create your lists, cross your t’s and dot your i’s and make every effort before the wedding day to ensure everything is perfect and just the way you want it. Absolutely do those things.

The night before your wedding day, however, let go. Let go of all the lists, let go of all the stress of planning, let go of everything that prevents you from being 100% present and in the moment. Trust the vendors you have on board and let them do their jobs. Your only focus and goal on your wedding day should be to enjoy it. Enjoy the time you have with your friends and family and fully immerse yourself in your partner’s love. Don’t get caught up with the small details – see the day for what it is – the beginning of a beautiful union with the love of your life.

And any advice for the bridal party?

This kind of follows on from the advice I would give the bride and groom above – the best bridal party is one that allows the bride and groom to switch off on the wedding day and can look after all the little details of the day for them. Be familiar with the run sheet and do your bit to ensure everything runs effortlessly. A bridal party that contributes to the day flowing smoothly works wonders in keeping the bride & groom relaxed and enjoying themselves.

If you could photograph anyone – who would it be?

I think we’re both anticipating the wedding of Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jason Stratham. She carries herself so well and has incomparable style and he always plays the badass in films.

If you could give advice to your younger self, what would it be?

Keep your eyes focused on your own journey and don’t be tempted to compare yourself to others. Comparison is the thief of joy. Trust that if you do the work, you’ll see the results.

© 2015 www.jonathandavid.com.au

What is your most treasured item?

I have a thing with accessories – mainly shoes and watches. But if I had to pick one, it would be a watch Britt engraved and gave me to treasure this time we have before we’re married.

What do you like to do for relaxation?

After a long day, there’s nothing like walking through the front door and lying on the floor with my dog. Dogs have a special way of making you forget the rest of the world and loving you like nothing else.

Thank you Jono for sharing your story with us today. I think you’ll agree, these beautifully written words  align so well with the stunning shots of couples in a world of their own. To find out more about Jonathan David Photography visit the website.

All images by Jonathan David Photography.