In Conversation With Wedding Photographer James Bennett
Step into the world of wedding photography with James Bennett, the maestro behind unforgettable moments. Based in Lake Macquarie, NSW, James seamlessly blends classic minimalism with a dash of photojournalistic flair. In our chat, James spills the beans on creating emotional connections, making couples feel like superstars, and capturing those unplanned, downright magical moments.
Tell us a little about your journey into the world of wedding photography.
I started off shooting friends weddings on the side at uni. After uni I did a lot of fashion and commercial photography, but weddings kept pulling me back because they were just more fun, and more emotionally rewarding.
How would you describe your style of wedding photography?
Having studied as a graphic designer, I've always been attracted to the beauty in the simple. When in doubt leave it out, keep it simple stupid, and other mantras like that were drummed into me. This served me well shooting editorials for wedding magazines and location shoots with newlyweds. However as I've progressed through my career I've also been attracted to the beautiful chaos in photojournalists like William Klein for instance. So I like to merge the two different approaches - classic minamalist editorialism, and the embracing the clutter of receptions with a photojournalistic bend.
How do you approach getting to know the couples you work with, and how does this personal connection impact the quality of your wedding photography?
50% of photography is about the emotional connection you have with your subjects. So this is what I work on initially - after this the quality comes much more naturally.
What steps do you take to make couples feel comfortable and relaxed in front of the camera, especially when they may not be used to being photographed professionally?
I'll encourage a pre wedding shoot - this way they know what to expect, plus seeing how good I've made them look is also a nice confidence boost for the wedding day.
How do you capture candid and emotional moments between the couple and their guests, and what do you believe makes these moments so important in wedding photography?
Always being present, and not interjecting myself too much - this way people forget I'm there - and that's when the magic happens. These moments are so important because they are unscripted. For example... nobody wants to look back at a photo and think - I was being told to laugh in that moment. Far better to look at a photo and remember how hilarious something was.
Do you have any favourite locations or settings that you recommend to couples for their engagement or pre-wedding photoshoots? What makes these places special for capturing meaningful moments?
Somewhere they've never been before means it's a fun experience and they'll tend to focus on the location vs the lens :)
After the wedding day, what is your process for delivering the final images to the couple, and how do you ensure that they are satisfied with the results?
Usually after I've submitted the gallery I'll get an email saying how much they love the shots.... If I don't hear back I'll touch base with them to make sure they are happy - often they haven't responded initially because they are on their honeymoon. I can't recall anyone not being happy with the results but that doesn't stop me from checking in.
Where are you based, and what areas are you available to shoot weddings?
Lake Macquarie NSW, and worldwide.
And finally, your number one piece of wedding planning advice?
Pretend your wedding is happening a month before it is. That way your prep will be well and truly done before the big day rolls around - with a nice safety buffer to collect yourself. Nobody wants to be up the night before tying up loose ends!
James Bennett can be found online at jamesbennett.com.au or on Instagram at @jamesbennettphoto
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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