I love big sunglasses, red lipstick and dressing up like it's the 50's (although you'll never catch me in a pair of high heels). I love mac and cheese, donuts and weightlifting (you have to, with all the donuts). I'm obsessive about sunscreen, I'm addicted to collecting vintage furniture from flea markets and I'm always tinkering in the garden, usually with my fluffy black and white cat Quentin around my ankles. My cat gets treated like royalty and doesn't like it when your wedding photos get more attention than him, so he takes it out on my keyboard. If you're a fellow cat lover, feel free to give him a follow on Instagram to boast his kitty ego.
I've been a wedding photographer for 11 awesome years, it's no coincidence that I've always been married for 11 years. No, I didn't shoot my own wedding! But planning my wedding made me realise weddings were something I really enjoyed (and my love of spreadsheets and planning may have been a factor in that). You'll notice when we chat that I have an American accent, but I've lived in London for 10 years and I wouldn't call anywhere else home.
A good wedding for me is about family and friends. It's about all your favourite people, in one place, having an epic party. I love packed dance floors, emotional dads, slightly awkward but hilarious speeches, and seeing two people celebrate their commitment together.
You'll probably have noticed my portfolio has one or two dramatic portraits... or maybe a few more than that! I love doing them because it gives my couples something epic to put on their wall and remember their wedding day by. You might be worried that half the wedding will get taken up with a long photoshoot, but I definitely don't want that for you! My obsession with efficiency means that I don't want to take up much of your time on your day, usually no more than 20-30 minutes total. Throughout the rest of the day, I love capturing the moments as they are happening naturally.
I'm not one of those hiding-in-the-bushes wedding photographers, that sits awkwardly on the edge of your wedding. I love people, and I love a wedding, so I don't want to hide away and not talk to anyone. Plus, it really helps guests relax in front of my camera if they feel comfortable with me, so I will get involved if it'll help the cause!
My wedding photography style is romantic documentary, with a side of epic drama!
I like images that show emotion and aren’t too stiff. I’ll do a little bit of posing as I want you to be in the right light that’s flattering. I want you to laugh and smile and enjoy each other.
The core images that make up my portfolio are the dramatic couple shots that I do in probably 20-30 minutes in a wedding day. Throughout the rest of the day, I love capturing the moments that are happening.
I’m aware of how my presence may affect a moment so sometimes I am a ninja, and sometimes I need to encourage the interaction to get the most out of it. I am relaxed, but I still pursue the images I really want to get.
I like talking to wedding guests and helping them feel comfortable. I like having a good time myself and I know how I appear on the day can affect the vibe of the wedding.
Communication is key, and I pride myself on responding with lightning speed to your emails. It's the worst being left to wait for an answer!
I usually meet up with my couples before the wedding to chat about anything you may or may not want from your photos. Of course, you're booking me for my style, but a big part of my role is to make sure you're happy. I love discovering which kind of photos inspire you, so feel free to show me examples and we'll talk about how we can create wedding photos you'll love.
I’ll photograph your wedding offering all-day coverage, usually around 12 hours.
I have difficulty pulling myself away from a wedding quicker than that, and I usually finish up because I’m exhausted! I love a good party, and I’ll dance with the guests and laugh at your uncle’s jokes. I’m patient when it comes to difficult family situations and I know how to work fast to get what I need. At your wedding, I can turn off my phone and emails and be present in the moment. I can focus on taking awesome photos of your wedding day! It doesn’t feel like work!
I’m there for you 110%. From answering late night emails through to making sure all of your images are perfect, and my fee reflects my commitment. I am selective about the weddings I shoot, as I prefer to have a smaller group of couples where I can provide an awesome service. This way if you have unusual requests or something more personal you’d like me to cater to, that’s great!
I love a good challenge. I like nailing the the shot that I thought would be impossible, I like being helpful on the wedding day, I like giving the family a family picture that will live on as apart of their family legacy. I really like getting that glimpse into the lives of others and seeing how many awesome people are out in the world.
Kari Bellamy is an award winning wedding photographer based in London, England. Specializing in creative, stylish and documentary wedding photography.
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