Harvey & Paul- Hipster wedding photography
by
Sitting in a bistro pub, a stone’s throw from Nottingham city centre, I waited to meet wedding Hipster boys, Paul and Harvey. This would be my first meeting to discuss their Hipster wedding shoot, my third gay wedding photography shoot this year but my first gay hipster wedding. It’s always great to venture into new and interesting shoot areas, client briefs that push into unchartered territory. I was curious to meet them and wondered if they might be just a bit scary!
Hipster wedding photography
They arrived, tweed jackets, slouchy Corduroys and matching moustaches and I was instantly hit by their warmth and how together they were. We ordered lattes and started chatting about contemporary wedding photography. I breathed more easily and began to enjoy their company and also their energy.
Harvey, an ex-student from the London College of Fashion and a natural flair for art, colour, textile and detail. From a fashion background myself, 17 years in intimate apparel, I knew I would love his ideas and creative eye. Baking, stitching and styling table gifts for wedding guests, which I would photograph in detail, including artisanal fudge, home-made jams and Marmalade.
Paul, a Lecturer in drama and academic, constantly verbalising, laughing and smiling, full of theatre and ideas. They had even brought a bag of stage props along for their rehearsal shoot. They wanted old style photos possibly in sepia tone, black and white shots a mix of colour and modern day alongside a celebration of vintage and bygone years.
On receiving the test shots back from me, there were tears and I knew I had tapped into what they were looking for and that their day would be a great shoot.
Their wedding day was full of genteel poses, tipping of trilbies, courteous gestures containing theatre and humour. Easy shots with elements of the sweetness of the love for one another and their togetherness.
Vintage detailing, sharp suits, plaid, stitched buttons, old mahogany clocks, watches, peonies, ferns inside books, old novels, petit fours and a table plan paying homage to classic novelists. Hats were dapper and feathered and the sun shone on a day that was predicted to rain.
When I came to leave I remember Paul waving me goodbye with ‘Jazz hands’. Then Harvey said a lovely thing, ‘ I do hope we stay in touch’.
Photographer: Suzanne Fells
Couple: Harvey & Paul
Date: May 2016
Location: Ettington Park Hotel, Stratford-upon-Avon