Meet Wedding Photographer George Chan!
I’m an Emmy-award winning documentary maker now shooting weddings. I spent 11 years at the BBC Natural History Unit making wildlife films all over the world having an incredible time and learning photography from the best in the business.
I no longer travel as much; I’m more of a family person now with two kids, living in rural Somerset. I love the beauty and challenge of photographing weddings. I believe my background as a wildlife film-maker has prepared me for the challenges of being a wedding photographer – they seem so different, but they’re really not!
People expect their wedding photos to be the most beautiful images they’ll ever have. The same is true of wildlife films; I’ve definitely developed an eye for a strong photo.
Making documentaries involves being really well prepared, being good at sticking to a complex schedule but being able to adapt to a day that unfolds in unpredictable ways. Importantly, both jobs require patience, precision, artistry, technical know-how and the ability to get along with people.
I think the most important shared characteristic between wildlife film-making and wedding photography is the ability to see and tell a good story. The story unfolds gradually throughout the day, and you have to record it with strong, emotional photos. Each photos has to be beautiful on its own and tell a part of the story, but the bigger story is told by a complete set of pictures, just as a complete story is told by a finished film.
Working for the BBC is a high-pressure job with great rewards, and the same is true of wedding photography. I love being given the responsibility of documenting the couples’ most important day. The pressure to deliver is enormous, but as the day unfolds I get the thrill of hugely emotional photos being captured, and I know I’m playing a big part in repaying the couple’s trust in me.
Wedding photographers have to be great all-round photographers. As well as being able to document key moments, they are fashion photographers, portrait photographers, child portrait photographers (definitely a different skill!), food photographers, architecture / landscape photographers (depending on whether it’s an indoor or outdoor wedding), macro photographers (close up shot of the ring? Check!) and even wildlife photographers if they take their pets to the ceremony … which does happen! I’ve definitely had to learn each of these skills outside of weddings, so few things surprise me when I’m asked to photograph them.
Documentary wedding photography has become the new normal. People like documentary style wedding photos because they feel awkward with being posed and don’t want to spend an hour doing different group shots when they could be celebrating with friends and family. And yet … though I’m always told the couple wants ‘relaxed’ photos, they often still want ‘a few’ family shots, and ‘a couple of formal’ shots. Every couple is different, and it’s important to listen to what they want and work with them. ‘Relaxed’ and ‘informal’ is how they want the photos and photographer to be – but every couple still wants the photos to be incredible. You have to dig really deep for that, but when it happens the feeling is amazing.
If you would like to see more of George or get in touch you can visit his website here!