In Conversation With Melbourne Wedding Photographer Hayden of By Hayden

With an artistic finesse and a commitment to authenticity, Hayden's distinctive approach to wedding photography infuses each wedding with an effortless chicness, weaving together moments of romance and elegance into a timeless tapestry. Join us for an 'In Conversation' with Hayden of By Hayden, where his unique perspective on love and photography promises to enchant and inspire.

Interview Alexander Ross

“At the end of the day, I try to make sure the whole process is as fun as possible and the couple is at ease because that's when their true authentic self shines.”

How did your journey into wedding photography begin, and what drew you to capture the magic of weddings?

7 years ago, I assisted a previous partner at the time on a few weddings, I grew to enjoy it over time and certainly can thank her for introducing me to the wedding scene.

Weddings are just so addictive, everyone is in high spirits and the countless number of people you meet is so rewarding, let alone being able to share in the love of two people from any walk of life, learning about their story and what brings them together places me in the most positive mood. Being trusted to be able to capture their most special day is always an honour.

Can you share a special moment early in your career that ignited your passion for telling couples' love stories through photography?

I was very fortunate to document the stunning wedding of Jordy & Cal at the beautiful Farm Yarra Valley in March 2022. I felt a real connection to them as a couple and the way they shared moments.

There was a true happiness between them that had an impression on me from the start of the day, the energy they had for each other was palpable. I feel I can pinpoint their wedding as the one that truly ignited the passion to capture stories between lovers. It's almost hard to put into words how much that wedding has meant to me and my career.

I remember driving away from The Farm that evening saying that's the love I want in my life and It's certainly something I still uphold today.

What makes your wedding photography style unique, and how have you evolved creatively over the years?

I believe my style is unique because of the variety of work I encapsulate into a final wedding gallery, I try to paint a story from the very first moment a groom gets ready to the most memorable of dance moves long into the evening. Shooting in a very non-invasive approach, I love to capture any wedding as it happens and I am drawn to the candid moments whilst photographing them exactly as they are, raw & authentic across a variety of photographic mediums.

In your experience, what's the secret to capturing the genuine emotions and essence of a couple's big day?

The in-between moments are the epitome of any wedding day, the tears from grandma and the laughs from your friends are what I love to document. I'm always looking for these special little moments because they're the ones that couples look back on most fondly. Searching for these helps to bring wedding stories together and almost all my couples comment on themselves not seeing the tiny things but being so grateful I was there to photograph them. I love to let my couples be themselves around the camera, I don't believe in posing my couples too highly (unless requested of course) and allowing them to share intimate moments together like they may in public or on a date.

Share a challenging situation from a wedding shoot and how you navigated it, ensuring a smooth and memorable experience for the couple.

Being adaptable and flexible is something I pride myself on and I make sure that I cover all bases when situations do arise.

Each wedding does come with its own unique situations and almost all weddings have challenging moments that you have to roll with. The strap on the bride's shoe may snap or the veil may rip but it's about finding the solution there and then rather than letting couples stress because everything works out in the end.

There have been times throughout weddings where time delays have almost been inevitable and navigating your way through options to continue capturing what is in front of you is the key.

Focusing on the present moment rather than what's next is the best way to ensure that everyone is calm and relaxed if there are delays, once those moments are captured then you can move on.

There is no point worrying about the what-ifs.

How do you connect with couples to ensure your photos reflect their true personalities and the authenticity of their relationship?

I love to meet my couples upon their enquiries, a quick Zoom call or an initial 20 minutes on the phone to gain an understanding of their day and who they are as people.

Learning about what makes them tick, their daily life and the little quirks they share helps to bring out their emotions when it comes to their wedding day.

At the end of the day, I try to make sure the whole process is as fun as possible and the couple is at ease because that's when their true authentic self shines.

Have you incorporated any new technologies or techniques that enhance the couple's experience and the overall storytelling in your photography?

Diversity and variety in my equipment have evolved over time, almost weekly I am always thinking of ways to level up my couple's wedding day with ideas, film choices, prompts and pre-wedding advice.

Each wedding is so unique in its own right so I always trust my gut on what may work best for that particular couple and I always make sure to adapt and listen intently to the requests of my couples.

Reflecting on your journey, what advice would you give to couples planning their weddings to ensure they get the most out of their photography experience?

Trusting and believing that you have booked the correct vendors for you and your personalities because if you have booked the correct ones then your wedding will take care of itself.

Secondly, enjoy the process with each other and leave the stress at the door, getting caught up in the stress of it is not beneficial to anyone. Weddings are one of the most beautiful events humans can be a part of so why feel overwhelmed or stressed out?

Most of all, this day is all about you and your loved ones so soak it all in and enjoy every moment.

Can you recall a particularly heart-warming or unexpected moment you've captured during a wedding that stood out to you and the couple?

It's always the moments shared between grandparents, parents and couples, seeing the emotions of grandma as her niece walks down the aisle or mum wiping a tear off her cheek as the groom speaks about her daughter most lovingly tends to stand out the most. The feedback I receive after a wedding about a particular moment is the drive that keeps me going knowing I was able to capture the most tender moments.

Thinking back on your favourite wedding project, what made it special in terms of capturing the couple's unique story and creating lasting memories?

The love that was shared between this particular couple in March of 2023 stands out to me, everything about the way they conducted themselves, incorporated their friends into the day and even the location in Kyneton at an old homestead. Everything came together so perfectly and the way it all intertwined and flowed so effortlessly helped create memories that I'm sure each and every person will remember for a lifetime.

By Hayden can be found online at www.weddingsbyhayden.com or on Instagram at @weddingsbyhayden

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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