Elliot Patching is a photographer based in the midlands and works country wide. This guy is so cool and relaxed it was a real pleasure to spend the afternoon talking to him about his work. Here’s what he had to say…

Eliott Patching's style

- Tell us about you. Where you’ve been, why you’re fabulous?

Ha! Fabulous! That’s a new one! Well, I started my life in photography working as a Formula One photographer. But after some years I decided this wasn’t for me. I did enjoy my time there and I was lucky enough to visit some great places (China, Malaysia, Singapore, Bahrain to name a few) but I just had no time for a social life. I noticed while I was doing this though that I had a bit of a natural flair for portraits. I’ve always been ambitious so decided to leave and set up my own company – one of the things I had always wanted to do. Since then I’ve been enjoying life and I think this is reflected in my work. I love shooting weddings so much. It gives me the opportunity to be creative and constantly push my boundaries attempting to find something different. It’s this originality, I think, that helps me stand out from other photographers.

- Tell us a little bit about your company and why it’s special.

Relaxed portraits, amazing moments and cool details. That’s what I’m all about. I like to have fun when I’m shooting. Why be uptight?! All of the best shots come from clients being relaxed.

Honesty is a key thing for me as well. If I haven’t been given enough time to get a shot I’ll say. I know how important the images I produce are to clients so its important we get everything right before the day. I like to be as hands on as possible and iron out any problems that may occur as early as I possibly can. I think the combination of honesty, planning and having a chilled out personality are the three key things that enable me to build a great rapport with clients and that’s the reason why I get recommendations and happy couples.

Relaxed and Happy!

- Where do you find your inspiration?

I would be lying if I said I don’t draw inspiration from other photographers. I do. I think as long as you harness this inspiration and put your own twist onto the shot then that’s ok. Simply copying someone else’s work is not cool in my book. I get real enjoyment of seeing a shot and creating it. If I copied someone else I just wouldn’t get that feeling.

Also, I find it very difficult to switch out of “photographer mode”. Whether I’m walking down a street or driving in the car I am constantly scouting areas for shoots. If I see some nice light I am just desperate to stand someone, ANYONE, in it and take some shots of them! It’s my girlfriend that I usually inconvenience! I suppose you could say I am inspired by anything and everything.

- What style do you specialise in?

Bit of a mixture really. I think there are three types of wedding photographer out there. Reportage, Formal and what I would describe as “Arty”. If you are looking for formal, I’m not your man. Just standing clients and posing them isn’t my thing. For me, it’s all about natural expressions. I think of myself as a third eye, documenting the big day from start to finish so the shots tell a story. I want my clients to be able to relive the day again and again for years to come through the shots I take. In addition to this, like I said before, I love doing something a little different – using light and location to create something spectacular.

So I would say I’m mainly reportage, with a bit of art thrown in for good measure!

- What is the best wedding you’ve ever been to?

Each wedding is great in its own special way. That’s what excites me. You never quite know what you are going to get, so it’s tough for me to set one apart from all the others.

Having said this, there was one I did fairly recently actually at Blenheim Palace. The location is just superb. The Bride worked for Wedding Magazine so with her experience, everything about it was stunning. All the little details had so much care and attention put into them. Couple all this with an enthusiastic bride and groom and you have a great wedding to shoot.

- What is your absolute favourite picture you’ve ever taken?

That is such a tough question! I’m simply not sure! Not to over complicate things but there are so many factors that go into deciding which is my favourite. For me it’s not just about the end result – it’s also about the thought process that went into it. I have two motor sport ones and two wedding ones. Is that allowed?!

Eliott's Favourite Pictures

copyright sutton images

Eliott's Favourite Pictures

copyright sutton images

- Does working with a Wedding Planner have an impact on your day?

Wedding planners are great. The day always seems to run more smoothly when they are employed. I wouldn’t say it changes the way in which I work though. I just do my thing!

- What advice can you give to a bride and groom who may be feeling anxious about their wedding photos being taken?

Firstly, try to get the photographer you want. If you like their style, then that’s the sort of thing they should produce on the day.

Secondly, RELAX! CHILL! I personally offer a complimentary engagement shoot with all of my packages. This is aimed at relaxing the couple before the big day and also for the clients to see the way in which I work. No surprises! I’ve had people who were horribly nervous at the engagement shoot but incredibly relaxed on the day. I’d like to think this is a combination of the prior shoot and maybe a touch of Champagne!

Thanks for taking the time to see us Elliot – we think you’re fab!

If you’d like to get in touch with Elliot, you can do so through his website www.ewpphotography.com

One of Eliott's arty shots!

Avant Garde Wedding Photographer of the year

I just wanted to say a huge congratulations to Clare-Louise upon the latest awards she has won!

At this years West Midlands Master Photographers Association awards ceremony she received awards for:
Best Avant Garde Wedding Photographer of the Year
Best Portrait Photographer of the Year
Best Pet Photographer of the Year and
Overall West Midlands Photographer of the year

In my opinion, Clare-Louise is one of the most fresh photographers I have ever come across with many awards and professional accolades given to her for her instinctive photography talent.

Portrait Photographer of the Year

This fabulous lady was featured in a blog interview we did a few weeks ago, so feel free to take a look at what she had to say.

To see more of her work, go to www.clare-louise.co.uk

The Fabulous Clare-Louise!

This week I have had the absolute pleasure of meeting up with Clare-Louise. She is one of the most fabulous photographers I have ever met! Her style is so personal and after having my picture taken by her, I am surprised at how she can capture your essence in a single photograph…I love her! Here’s what she had to say.

So, tell us a bit about yourself. Where you’ve been, why you became a photographer…
About me ….Hmmm, now there’s a question! Well, I am a Mum of two fabulous boys, who really inspired me to take pictures in the first place, I love photography, always have. As a little girl I would sit for hours looking through my Gramps pictures, or being photographed by him, he was so passionate about his photography, it showed in his images, and I could sit and ‘read ‘ his pictures for hours. Sadly he died when I was 18 but I know he’s here watching…in fact he probably stands right next to me with his camera in hand clicking away at me clicking away!!
Career wise has been varied, I worked at a Saab dealership which taught me a lot about customer relations and good business practice, and then for 5 years I worked as an auxillery nurse, with the elderly and in the mental health sector. I learned more about what I do now in these 5 years than through the camera. I learned that some people live in a different world, some worlds people are too afraid to see and some they are too afraid to share, but everybody, no matter what dimension they live in, needs to be seen for themselves, and I learned to step into their world and see them for who they truly are, without judgement or expectation, and so I could connect and understand those who could not speak, those who could not connect in ‘our’ world…and I guess this is what I use when I take my pictures, I want to connect to the person within so they can be seen.

Where did ‘Clare-Louise’ the company come from?
Clare-Louise Photography grew from my passion, I never really said to myself one day I will be ‘blah blah’, it started with me taking pictures of my boys, then friends, friends of friends, friends of friends of friends, you get my drift!x…I found it difficult to charge for what I did initially because it came so easily for me! I know how hard I have worked and continue to work, I believe in doing something 110% and doing it from the heart, I am constantly learning, teaching, and growing. It’s a wonderful feeling when I sit back sometimes and go over the last 5 years and see how far I have come, and exciting when I think I’m only at the beginning, and all I have yet to achieve and more!

What inspires you?
My inspiration comes from people. I’m a very spiritual person, in tune with my surroundings and those around me. Sometimes when I go on a shoot with designers they have something in mind, and I take what they ask for, then I play, my assistant will pipe up…”this is when the photography starts…now she’s taking pictures!”. It’s funny how people who know me on a personal and work level describe me in work mode…apparently I am totally locked into my subject, I don’t hear what’s going on outside my pictures, yet I come alive.

What style do you specialise in?
I’m not sure what label to put on what I specialise in. Each sector is different, I love my weddings for the pure emotion that flows through them and me. I love portraits and babies because I adore the innocence that comes with children, but most of all I love being given the freedom to create and allow my imagination to do what it does best. I get so captivated when I’m given a dress or jewelry and asked to create something to represent the company or the designer…I’m certainly not a fashion photographer…I am an image maker…I want to create the image the viewer will see at first glimpse and make them stop, look and think.

What is the best wedding you have ever been to?
My best wedding, I’m lucky in the fact that I decided early on that I would not over shoot weddings, I never wanted them to become laborious, but a labour of love. My clients over the years have turned into some very good friends, and I am honoured that I have been allowed to see and share some very special moments. Weddings are a landmark of a couples history, in 50 years time they should be able to sit down with their great grandchildren and read there album like it was yesterday, the emotion should flow back from the page, evoking a thought. A memory of the beginning of their journey.

In your opinion, what makes a great wedding?
What makes a great wedding? Well…freedom to just ‘be’, and a couple will only get that when they are with people they feel comfortable with. What people should remember when choosing their photographer is great images come from the heart, if one person can connect to another persons heart, even for a few hours, and be totally open, not afraid or embarrassed to show their true selves at that moment in time, their photography will reflect that. So many people have pictures that just sit in their album, laying flat and dormant. They should come alive and speak to the reader, whom ever that may be, they should tell the story, encapsulate, and embrace. Wedding photography should never be judged on price, for there is no price on time.

Inspiring the inspired!

What is your most favourite picture you’ve ever taken?
My absolute favourite picture…that really is a hard one, because it changes from week to week! I am constantly evolving and so are my pictures, but if I had to choose one that was most pertinent in my life I would choose the one above. I took out a top American photographer, Bambi Cantrell for 2 days. I organised a model, clothing, venue etc. We laughed so much, bounced off each other and totally enjoyed taking pictures. Afterwards she said to me “You know Clare…you really have inspired me. It’s been a long time since I felt like that!”. For me that was an absolute honour, to inspire the inspired.

From your perspective, how does working with a wedding planner change a wedding?
As a couple we get married once, as a photographer, wedding planner, florist we get married many times. A good wedding planner has knowledge and hindsight. They have insight, foresight…things that when you plan a wedding for the first time you just don’t have the experience of. Good wedding planners take the complications and burdens away, allowing the couple to feel confident that all their wishes will be carried out allowing them to relax and enjoy the day… but as with everything a good wedding planner has your trust.

What advice can you give a couple who are anxious about having their photographs taken?
Oh now the biggie…advice for nervous Brides & Grooms and their photography! Well, all I can say is the most important thing to consider is ‘Am I comfortable with my photographer? Can we connect?’ If you can, nerves are swept away under the carpet in a smile, but if you can’t, the smile that they photograph will be a false one.
Like your photographer first, then plan your budget around them. You can spend all the money in the world looking beautiful, feeding family and friends, making everywhere look pretty, but if you’re disappointed with your pictures, well…you can only turn back time in a page and what’s printed on it…

Clare-Louise.x

To find out more about Clare-Louise go to www.clare-louise.co.uk