In Conversation with Manon Psomas, Sydney Wedding Photographer

Guided by a deep conviction that time is our most precious possession, cinematic wedding photographer Manon Psomas has made it her life's mission to freeze memories and turn them into everlasting art. Having experienced the magic of eloping firsthand, Manon is committed to helping her couples defy conventions & escape the ordinary themselves. Blending her fine art technique with her warm & endearing personality, Manon is known for creating an unforgettable, one-of-a-kind experience — and wedding photos to match. Infused with a powerful sense of narrative, intimacy, and emotional depth, Manon's photographs will pull at your heartstrings for decades to come.

Tell us a little about your journey into the world of wedding photography. 

I’ve been taking photos for a wee little bit now, starting on film when my father gifted me his old Pentax at the tender age of 10. Since then, I’ve been documenting memories & keepsakes to treasure for myself, but it wasn’t until 2017 that weddings (and couples photography as a whole) caught my eye.

At that time, my husband and I were about to celebrate 6 years together, and we were dismayed to realise that after so many years together, the only tangible memory we had of our relationship was one measly grainy photo together! This is mostly because I was always the one taking the photo, so I was never in them (I’m sure many can relate to this).

In an effort to remedy this, my husband suggested we get professional photos taken to mark our 6th anniversary, and we've never looked back since! In fact, we enjoyed that initial experience (& resulting photos) so much that my hubby came up with the best idea of all: "why not make this a yearly tradition"?

Since then, instead of gifting each other material tokens year after year, we now invest in our memories in the form of a couple’s shoot, to honour our relationship and commitment to one another.

The joy that this tradition brings us is a big part of why I've chosen to photograph love. Because at the end of the day, time is our most treasured possession — one we often take for granted until it's too late.

Since time machines have yet to be invented, it's in my power to make time stand still & immortalise my couples’ most cherished memories — as well as turn them into art. Like magic, these photos will keep their stories alive long after they’re gone, becoming keepsakes that they can pass down from generation to generation.

How would you describe your style of wedding photography?

In essence, my style can be summed up as “ART HOUSE”. My love for film & art informs everything I create. It’s the guiding inspiration behind my dreamy, cinematic & nostalgic style.

My ultimate goal is to create imagery that pulls on my couples’ heart strings — that transports them back in time and gives them butterflies. Blending fine-art and documentary techniques, I make artful storytelling a priority when capturing my couples’ memories.

After all, stories are at the heart of who we are. They’re why we read books, listen to music, and watch movies. Because we want to be swept up in something and long to feel. We want to be lifted out of the everyday, escape the ordinary and be reminded of what it is to be human. 

This is what I aim to achieve for my couples.

Do you have a specific style of wedding that you just LOVE to photograph?

I'm drawn to couples who are willing to step outside the traditional norms, break the rules of what is expected, and infuse their wedding day with their own personalities, passions, and unconventional elements.

I particularly LOVE capturing weddings that are more intimate, slow-paced & intentional. Weddings that are a true reflection of the couple. 

Likewise, the couples that are attracted to my work tend to defy conventions, are more adventurous, and are drawn to the nostalgic allure of cinema. They don’t want traditional “wedding photography”, but rather something more unique and creative to cherish forever.

What advice would you give couples when selecting their wedding photographer?

Choosing a wedding photographer is arguably one of the most important decisions a couple can make as their wedding photos will be the only tangible thing that they’ll have left of their memories. So for couples currently on the lookout for their wedding photographer, I recommend the following:

You have to be able to trust your photographer 100%. You have to trust in their style, their vision, their direction, their editing, all of it. It’s the only way you’ll be able to let go and completely be present on your wedding day. You need to trust that they have your best interest at heart.

The best way to determine this is by taking their personality into the equation. Everyone is different & feels comfortable around different people. Your photographer is with you from morning to night, and will be a big part of your memories. Take the time to connect face to face (even if it’s online) to ensure that you feel connected to your photographer.

And finally, make sure to read their Google reviews to see how other couples feel about their experience, and trust your gut.

We know couples can be a little nervous when it comes to their wedding photography. What are some steps you take to help your couples stay relaxed & enjoy the moment?

I know from experience how nerve wracking getting your photo taken can feel, so I pride myself on creating a comfortable & relaxing experience for my couples. Here are just a few of the steps I take to help:

1. I create an ENVIRONMENT for my couples to feel comfortable in.

I do this by getting to know them extensively before their wedding. Between the meetings we have & the in-depth questionnaire I send to them, I get a full picture of who they are as individuals, who they are as a couple, what they value, what their love languages are, what their favourite music is, what type of scenery speaks to them most, etc. 

This helps me create a tailored experience for them to feel safe and enables me to minimise any potential discomfort & awkwardness.

A great example of this in action is that I will always bring my speaker with me, and play a curated playlist from their favourite songs. Music always helps to set the mood, and always gets my couples feeling a lot more comfortable, and less in their heads.

2. I prioritise building TRUST. 

I do this by opening myself up to them as well. By the time we get to their wedding, my couples know me, and trust that I have their best interest at heart. That I will capture them at their best. This allows them to relax & get into a flow that is a lot more natural.

3. I GUIDE them along the way.

By understanding my couples on a deeper level, I’m able to give them intentional guidance, prompts & praise they respond to. 

This also allows me to give clear direction so they’re not left feeling awkward or uncertain of what to do next.

Typical prompts I might give include evoking a special memory, embracing the way they like to be comforted, praising one another, taking a walk hand in hand, or simply slowing things down by asking them to listen to the sounds around them.

My goal is to create a love bubble that feels safe.

4. I give them space.

When it comes to portrait time, I always start by giving them space to enjoy each other’s company without me. I’ll let them walk ahead of me, or will get them to enjoy the scenery whilst I capture them from afar. Not only does this give them the space to take a breath, it allows me to capture a wider variety of photos. So it’s a win-win!

5. Finally, I NEVER underestimate the value in small moments & movement. 

The natural laughs, the hand holds, all of the moments in between “the shots”. 

Most of the time, once my couples have entered the love bubble I have created for them, they end up interacting naturally together with minimal direction, which allows me to step back and capture them as they are.

That’s when the MAGIC happens.

Share with us some wedding moments that you've experienced that stand out for you.

As a hopeless romantic, I cherish thoughtful gestures, meaningful details, and moments of vulnerability. Particular moments that stand out for me include:

1. Personal vows.

There’s nothing quite like hearing your partner share their inner thoughts & feelings with you. I love it when couples choose to write & share personal vows, because I find that it ALWAYS creates a very intimate, romantic & emotional moment, which leads to beautiful vulnerable photos.

2. The unexpected.

I find that it is often the unplanned things, even the mishaps, that become the fondest memories from a wedding. A great example of this that I love to share is the one time I was shooting a wedding and the rings somehow didn't make it to the ceremony location. During the ceremony, both sets of parents surprised the couple by giving them their own wedding rings to exchange as a temporary “hold” until they got their own rings back. A “mishap” which could have been a source of stress became one of the sweetest moments because the couple (and their loved ones) leaned into it.

3. Surprises.

From unexpected gifts (such as a family heirloom being passed on), to surprise experiences (a groom getting on stage with the band to perform), to surprise guests turning up to the wedding (someone who couldn’t originally make it due to an illness) — thoughtful surprises will always have a very special spot in my heart. All of these unexpected moments of love and thoughtfulness leave a lasting impact, and are an absolute joy to photograph.

What are some ways you work with your couples to really ensure that their wedding photos are a true reflection of them?

In all honesty — I ask the questions that no one else does.

Questions like “Why are you getting married in the first place?”, “What does this mean to you both?”, “How do you want to feel on the day?”, or even, “What do you want to remember from your wedding day?”. 

Most, if not all of my couples are taken aback by this at first. Some have the answers straight away, but most find themselves needing to pause & reflect. This is EXACTLY what I aim to achieve.

In my experience, many wedding plans grow from a place of obligation, which leads to couples quickly finding themselves overwhelmed and boxed in by the wedding planning process — and no wonder! Between our social media feeds and our family’s expectations, it’s easy to get stuck following a standard wedding checklist or living someone else’s dream. 

So where I come in — where I believe I can make a difference — is by slowing things down.

By asking my couples questions & delving deep into the why of it all, I’m able to foster a sense of intimacy & trust between us. It no longer feels like a service exchange, but rather more like a collaboration. 

Together, we’re creating art out of their memories. Together, we’re being more intentional with how their day is going to be, and therefore, how it will be documented & remembered.

Give us your NUMBER ONE piece of wedding planning advice?

If there’s one thing I want to encourage couples with, it’s this — do what YOU want. 

Gone are the days where weddings need to follow a strict formula. Follow traditions or toss them out. Go to a wild destination or marry closer to home. Have a hundred guests or elope just the two of you. Whatever choices you make — just make sure YOU love your day. 

Remember that your wedding is for you and your partner — not your family, not your guests, not your photographer, or planner, or anyone else. Because at the end of the day, no one else will look back on your wedding day like you will. 

So whatever you choose to do, make sure to prioritise what’s MEANINGFUL to you and your relationship.

Oh and don’t forget to hire a photographer who you vibe well with.

What’s your dream location to shoot a wedding?

I’m dying to capture an adventure elopement amidst the South Island mountains of New Zealand — a place close to my heart as it's where my husband and I chose to elope in 2019.

And finally, where can couples find you? Do you travel all over Australia?

I’m based in Sydney, but am travel driven. So wherever my couples wish to marry, I’ll be there in a heartbeat. 

Manon Psomas can be found online at manonpsomas.com or on Instagram at @manonpsomas

DISCLAIMER: We attempt to credit the original photographer/source of every image we use. However, in most circumstances, the images we use are provided by the brands spoken about, and we rely on them to inform us of the image source. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@theodoremagazine.com

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