THE MEETING WITH THE TWO GROOMS

Being a wedding photographer in London means I get the chance to meet and photograph various remarkable people. I find this incredibly exciting. So, when groom-to-be Matt contacted me via the Gay Wedding Directory, One Love Wedding Show, I was thrilled.

The meeting with the wedding couple, Matt and his partner Dan was set up in a delicious French café near Victoria Station, at Le Pain Quotidien on a chilly November evening. I was genuinely mesmerised by the calm and relaxed attitude that they both showed. They are such a lovely couple, so open, and so much is love.

By mid-October, they'd decided on a date for their Civil Partnership and only a few months later, 3 January 2014, the event will take place..

They spoke softly with excitement and no stress.

With only a few weeks left until the Civil Partnership Ceremony, we had to decide about the engagement photos. My first step was to set up a Pinterest board so that we could think of ideas and locations for their engagement photoshoot. How refreshing it is to speak to a stress-free couple.

St Katharine Docks engagement photoshoot

Sunday 15 December, 2013. Feeling butterflies in my stomach. I'm about to meet Dan and Matt for the engagement photoshoot at London's iconic St Katharine Docks. Nice and early for a Sunday morning. The sun is shining, but rain is predicted for the afternoon. The city makes me nervous, it's like you're being watched constantly, and carrying a professional camera is asking for trouble nowadays. But I was determined to capture the beautiful love of this LGBTQ couple despite the weather. As a gay-friendly wedding photographer in London, I love the diversity of the capital.

THE TWO GROOMS

Matt is Australian, and Dan is from the north of England. After meeting up, we wandered along the River Thames, deciding on where to stop. Despite the early start, many tourists were already walking around.

The beginning of an engagement photoshoot is always a little nerve-racking, and this is precisely why I always talk about the importance of pre-wedding photographs as a London wedding photographer.

The location chosen by Matt and Dan means a lot to them as one day they would like to buy an apartment here. They've spent many hours walking along the river, and therefore they know the area very well. It's a fantastic way to get to know the couple before the big day.

The session is coming to an end, it's time to say good-bye and wish each other Merry Christmas. Christmas is in the air, but it feels peaceful and tranquil here. The sun is gone, and the clouds have taken over, but Dan is very outgoing and fills the air with excitement. Their wedding on January 3rd is only a few week's away now. And I can’t wait to photograph this beautiful couple’s wedding.

If you are looking for a Gay-Friendly wedding photographer, please get in touch.