Here at The Budget Bride Company, we know exactly how important it is to choose the right photographer for your wedding day. This is the wedding supplier who you will really want to connect with; if they ‘get’ you – your humour, your vision for the day, your style - then you will be en route to getting fantastic wedding photos that truly capture the mood of the day…
I’m so pleased to be featuring a Supplier Spotlight on Jo Richards Photography today. Based in the South East, Jo is a passionate and dedicated wedding photographer whose sense of fun and attention to detail make her a big hit with couples planning their wedding days. We had ten minutes with Jo to find out a bit more about what inspires her, both in front of and behind the camera…
Can you tell us a little bit about you?
I have been photographing weddings for approximately 15 years now. I love photography, art, music and all things creative. I live in Berkshire with my husband and 2 ½ year old daughter. I recently returned from Australia, where we lived for 3 ½ years and have thoroughly enjoyed shooting English weddings again.
I also run a handmade gift company where I put my sewing skills to good use!
How did you get into wedding photography?
I graduated from art college in 1999 and trained for a year assisting on weddings with a very good friend of mine who had been in the wedding industry for a number of years. She helped me gain the confidence to go it alone and find my own style and I haven’t looked back since. I went back to do my photography degree in 2003 and it gave a whole new dimension to my wedding photography and I have learned a lot within the industry since then.
What is your favourite thing about being a wedding photographer?
Being part of someone’s special day is an amazing honour. Being taken into the inner circle of their family is wonderful and you really get to build some great relationships with your clients. They trust you implicitly and it’s a big responsibility. You must be passionate about shooting weddings to capture what it really means. The people make it all worth it!
What inspires you - both behind the lens and when you're not at work?
Nature inspires a lot of what I do creatively. Colours and textures, light and dark. Other people’s work also. I think any talent should be praised, and am always looking to others creativity to boost my enthusiasm. I do, however, think that people are the greatest inspiration for any photographic work, particularly wedding and portrait work. To be faced with a real character when shooting people is a treat. Capturing that personality on film is a huge achievement.
Have you got any predictions or tips for weddings in 2013?
The vintage vibe is still going strong and with the media encouraging us to upcycle and recycle I think that there will be more and more ‘home-made’ weddings next season with a lot of really personalized elements. I think it makes for a much more interesting and meaningful day when you have put so much heart and soul into it all.
Where is the most interesting place that you have covered a wedding?
I recently shot a wedding on a beautiful deserted beach in Noosa in Queensland, Australia. I spent 3 ½ years in Australia shooting weddings and this was absolutely magical. Not only because of the amazing setting, but because it was a friend from school who I hadn’t seen for around 18 years and the atmosphere was something really special. They had created their very own aisle on the beach and the sun shone for the service right on cue, with a downpour to follow once we were finished! Having said that, for me, you just can’t beat a truly traditional English Country Manor House or hotel. There’s something stunning about such an imposing venue.
Jo offers a fantastic wedding photography package covering the Bride’s preparations all the way through to the wedding breakfast from £845 with a 10% discount for Budget Bride Company readers.
To find out more about Jo Richards and to have a look through her wedding photography gallery, have a look at www.jorichardsphotography.com or call for a chat about your plans on 07710 512935.
Laura xx
