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Brides Up North catches up with my latest Featured Supplier, fabulous photographer Matt Ethan Photography. Watch out for a Real Wedding coming soon from Mr Ethan.
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How did you get into wedding photography?
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Well. I guess my qualifications are completely unrelated. I used to be a Biochemist. After I finished Uni, I realised that I’d been following the systematic formula for life; school, college, Uni, graduate job… I got tired of ‘boxes’ so I left that and went to get a photography job in a studio (check out Trendy Art). Looking back it was pretty risky to think I could have got work after only having picked up a camera 6 months previous. But I got the job, and it was a little bumpy to start with, but the rest is, as they say, history.
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Why wedding photography specifically?
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At First, it was because I enjoyed the challenge, and appreciated the happiness of the couple. But then my girlfriend and I attended a friend’s wedding down South. That’s when I realised how awesome weddings are. Just to be a guest, feel the anticipation, the joy. It was great. The wedding was super chilled out. No pretence, just honest emotion. Great to see family and friends excited to be with each other, celebrating love. On top of that, the institution of marriage and all it represents, is something close to my heart. More of us should do it! If I can be involved in promoting happiness and family, I’m all for that!
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What is your favourite thing about being a wedding photographer?
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To be honest, I love knowing that a couple have a story, and are starting a journey with a lot more story yet to write. It can be pretty high pressure too, which is quite fun. I often feel like I’m one of the brides family on the day as I’ll be with her and the groom probably more than anyone else on the day, so it’s quite intimate.
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How do you get couples to relax on the day?
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First of all, I make sure we get on really well. Its one of our core values at Matt Ethan Photography to be ‘as close to friends as professionally possible’. First I’ll take potential clients out for a coffee, or up to the studio, and that way we can discuss their ideas, and see if we gel. Then we’ll do an awesome engagement shoot. This is an opportunity to get great pictures for the couple… most people say they’ve not got good pictures of just themselves. This is really important for them to feel comfortable on the day.
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Any advice to any brides who don’t like to have their picture taken?
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I realise a lot of girls are self conscious about having their picture taken, but you really shouldn’t be. I’ve never met a girl (or guy for that matter) who doesn’t have good angles. I know it sounds cheesy, but every bride looks beautiful on her wedding day, be proud of yourself! I guess its my job to represent that in the images. In the lead up to your wedding I hope to build your confidence, at least a little, and an engagement shoot is really important for that.
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What sort of makeup should a bride wear to look great in her pictures?
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Just don’t wear too much. Good make-up artists are always great to have if you can, but if you can’t afford one, then clean, simple, and elegant is way better than anything else.
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Anything to avoid which might look bad in the wedding pictures?
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I call it ‘laughing backwards’ (pushing your chin down into your neck), loads of people do it without realizing but there’s nothing’s worse than a quadruple chin! Try laughing with your chin forwards and you’ll look super hot and super natural!
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Which celebrity wedding would you most like to photograph and why?
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I would have loved to have shot Jamie and Jools Oliver. I reckon they’d have been a right laugh to spend the day with. Obviously I only know them from TV, but they seem super focused on family and friends, and that’s what I’m all about. I’d have loved to capture some of that atmosphere, and join in the fun!
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If you were photographer at the Royal Wedding, what advice would you have for the couple?
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There’s a royal wedding…? 🙂
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Any memorable weddings that you have captured?
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My first wedding, I took the pictures for free, it was for a couple from my church who had almost no money (budget £200 I think?!). It was amazing. Everyone chipped in a bit. A couple of the girls made cakes, one lady did the flowers. Some of the dudes played music. But because it was on the fly, it totally reminded us of why we were really there. Full of emotion and full of happiness. Its part of the reason I use Claire and Migs’ pictures for my portfolio. It reminds me of what it’s all about.
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Are you married?
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Not yet… but I’m pestering local photographer extraordinaire Ken Lam to shoot my wedding.. Just saving up! Check him out. www.kenlamphotography.com.
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What sets you apart from other wedding photographers?
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To be honest, most of us have a similar skill base, maybe different styles. So it can be tricky to differentiate. I think for me, it is the quality of relationship developed, the attention to detail and desire to capture emotion more than technical perfection. I’m good at the technical perfection too by the way! Honest!
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What can a couple who book you expect on the day?
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We don’t faff around with time limits or anything like that, so if you’re there, I’m there. I’ll get some images of bridal preparations, right through to the first dance etc, but I’m available for the whole day for you. So, if like some of my friends you go surfing in the morning and want some pictures of that, I’ll be there too! I tend to take a break during the wedding breakfast (if anyone knows why it’s called that…?!).
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[Brides Up North: *Waves* It’s because it is the couple’s first meal as man and wife, Matt!]
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What is included in your "package"?
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Erm…my wedding “package” is super-simple. I always meet with potential clients before they decide to book. Then we arrange an engagement shoot. Like I said before, I’m then committed to being there for the full wedding day. Images are then presented in an awesome Digital Portfolio CD, with an online gallery too.
Everything after that, like albums, are optional and I have a great supplier. There’s loads of scope for doing things differently, so if couples have got crazy ideas, then I encourage them to get in touch so that we can make it happen!
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Can you give us an idea on price?
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Yep, 2011 bookings are at £750. My incredible albums start at around £150-200.
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Can you do a discount for Brides Up North readers?
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Absolutely! I tell you what… if you book a wedding for 2011 and tell me it’s through this website I will give you an amazing £100 off! That’s £650 for the whole day!
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How can Brides Up North get in touch with you/ see more examples of your work?
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You can head to www.mattethan.co.uk, or email at info@mattethan.co.uk, or phone on 07988 628 133 -so many options!
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Anything else we should know?
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Prince William and Kate Middleton are getting married…! How awesome is that?!
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Matt Ethan Photography is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
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