Interview With: Lee Brown

Company Name: Lee Brown Photography

Website: www.LSBP.co.uk

Location / Coverage: Cheshire based, but nationwide coverage

Can you remember how old you were when you took your first picture? What was it of?

Honestly, I was about 17 when I took my first serious picture. My fiancé was studying fashion and needed help with her portfolio, so I offered. I remember Anna’s project theme was about shape and tone, so we spent a few hours running around Salford Quays with The Lowry as our background. We shot her hanging off railings and trying to climb up lamp posts, ignoring the funny looks from passers by. I laugh and slightly cringe when I look back but they were good times.

How long have you been a photographer? Had you always wanted to be a photographer?

Photography had never really crossed my mind before I started helping my fiancé; my childhood dream was to pilot with the airlines. However once I started with photography, a whole new world opened up before me and the more I studied the more I loved it. I studied for a BA (Hons) in Photography at The Manchester School of Art and had an amazing 3 years there.

Which areas of the UK do you cover? Do you travel abroad to photograph weddings?

I am based in Cheshire but I have shot around the country and love travelling to so many different locations. We are really blessed in this country with the sheer number of stunning venues and I want to work with as many as possible. I can’t wait to shoot abroad; my dream is to shoot in Rome or New York, two of my favourite places in the world.

What do you feel makes your service different from other wedding photographers in the UK?

Well, when you book me to shoot your wedding you get just that, me. I’m very friendly, quite laid back and love talking to people about themselves and their wedding.

I guess that the service I provide is very personal. I love to take time to really get to know and understand my clients; this keeps them relax and allows the creativity of their day to flow.

What do you love most about being a wedding photographer?

I love the whole experience, from first contact to handing over final images and albums. One of the best parts about this ‘job’ is meeting so many different people and shooting in so many amazing places. Weddings are nice events to be at; everyone’s in a great mood, enjoying themselves and it’s always such a privilege to be invited.

Do you have a specialist area or style of photography?

I don’t like to restrict my work down to any specific style of photography. I like to take the best elements from reportage, styled and formal photography, as this allows me adapt to all clients and situations. I shoot what my clients want, which is the way it should be.

Who/what are your photography influences?

I guess I draw much of my inspiration from my everyday life, my relationship with Anna, my family and friends. Photography is all about capturing life as it whizzes by. However, I have a bit of an obsession with researching other photographers work; I’m a massive fan of Crash Taylor, Jose Villa, Yervant, Jerry Ghionis and Jasmine Star.

Do you/have you attended any wedding photography courses?

Well apart from my BA (Hons) in Photography, I haven’t really taken part in any wedding photography courses. I am however booked to go on a workshop with Steve Gerrard Photography, which I’m pretty excited about; I’m a big fan of his work.

Have you been nominated for/won any photography awards?

Not yet, although I have had some of my past work exhibited at Urbis in Manchester, and have been featured in local bridal magazines.

What does your wedding photography for couples included?

My photography package includes some very lovely things. We begin by meeting up and getting to know each other, chatting through how they met, what they do and what they enjoy. We then go through all the details of their day. These meetings take place as often as the client wants and of course, all my brides have my contact info and can call, text, email, Facebook and Twitter me as much as they like.

Then a couple of months before their day, we arrange their engagement shoot at a location of their choice. We spend a couple of hours getting some stunning images for the couple to keep. They also receive an image mounted signing board for their day and some keepsake prints for family and friends.

Moving on to the couple’s day, I am with the bride in the morning and shoot their day right up until around 10-11pm. This way I capture a wide range of images for their wedding story and don’t have to rush or cram images in before I leave.

I then go away and fully hand edit each image that I shoot before presenting the couple with a CD of at least 700 high resolution images from their day with full copyright. They also receive a DVD slideshow, which is pretty cool; like a mini movie.

I also provide a range of albums as add-ons and the couple can order these at their leisure.

Do you have a favourite picture you have taken (If you can choose!)?

I particularly like two; one is from a styled bridal shoot and one is from a real wedding. I’ll let you choose.

What are your top tips for choosing a wedding photographer?

Do as much research as you can; there are so many different photographers out there with different styles and methods of working. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and request to see full weddings from their portfolios. Meet as many as possible too and get to know them; you have to be able to feel relaxed and comfortable around them as you’ll be spending one of the most important days of your life together.

Random question… Who was the last band you saw and when?

Anna and I went to see Friendly Fires in December – awesome band!

Where can I find out more about Lee Brown Photography?

Have a look at the website and blog, there’s loads of ace stuff on there – Website www.lsbp.co.uk, Blog – http://blog.lsbp.co.uk/

I’m also on Facebook, and Twitter – @LeeBrownPhoto.

Visit the Lee Brown Photography supplier page on The Wedding Community