PRO CASE STUDY
Abigail from Abigail’s Studio shares her top tips for shooting weddings that blend cultures and faiths
ABIGAIL, TELL US MORE ABOUT WHAT YOU DO.
I’ve always loved capturing beautiful moments, from assisting with a photoshoot of Princess Diana at the start of my career, to photographing for different companies and magazines around the world. I set up Abigail’s Studio in the heart of the Chilterns in 2015 to allow me to concentrate on my weddings and portraiture. I apply creativity, whilst capturing what are the most momentous occasions in our lives.
WHAT DO YOU HAVE IN YOUR KIT BAG?
I have the Nikon D4s, and my go-to lenses are the AF Nikkor 80-200mm f/2.8, AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8, AF Nikkor 35 mm-70 mm f/3.3-4.5 lens, AF Nikkor 60mm f/2.8.
HOW MANY MULTICULTURAL WEDDINGS HAVE YOU PHOTOGRAPHED?
All weddings combine different cultures to a point, and families have their own traditions. The ones that stood out the most for me included different religions such as Hindu and Sikh, Christian and Mormon and Christian and Buddhist. I’m not sure exactly how many I’ve shot, but there have been quite a few!
IS THERE MORE TO CONSIDER WHEN PHOTOGRAPHING A MULTICULTURAL WEDDING?
It is very important to listen to your client. I always highlight that I am not a traditional photographer for their culture, but often they want to step away from tradition and are looking for a fresh take on the ceremonies. It’s also vital to find out exactly what needs photographing before quoting, as some events can run over multiple days.
HOW MUCH PRE-PLANNING DO YOU DO?
It is really important to do pre-planning with the couple, as well as with the families. In some cultures it is traditional to have a photographer for the bride and a separate one for the groom, so it’s really important to work out what you are expected to cover.
WHAT IMAGES DO CLIENTS WANT CAPTURED?
I get a lot of requests for different ceremonies. I’ve photographed wedding events as diverse as a Chinese tea ceremony and a Mehndi (henna) party, to friendly competitions of men lifting each other. It’s a lot of fun.