Photography: Finding the Truth

They say the camera never lies and whilst I agree with that, I think the role of a photographer is to look beyond the obvious, in order to find a deeper truth about their subject.
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They say the camera never lies and whilst I agree with that, I think the role of a photographer is to look beyond the obvious, in order to find a deeper truth about their subject.

All photographers do this. A photojournalist in a war zone is looking for an extreme, newsworthy version of the truth and the world they are examining with their camera.

In my capacity as a wedding photographer I creatively document the wedding day, looking for moments of truth along the way, and I also spend time with the couple alone to document the connection between them.

Photography in its purest form is a way of telling the truth. You click the shutter and freeze a moment in time. That moment is recorded. The truth is there for all to see. Of course the truth is the truth as the photographer sees it, or chooses to present it within the confines of the frame, but that's a discussion for another day.

Simon is my cousin. He and his wife, Lucy, have two children. Sophie is the oldest and is an exuberant ball of energy. Ellie is the youngest and has been diagnosed with Dravet Syndrome. She has regular, severe fits and needs constant care.

Photographing someone who can't engage with your camera can be difficult but what I learned, and loved, about photographing Ellie and Sophie, is that if you take your time and wait you will, eventually, find the truth that you're looking for.

If you click the shutter in the right moment you can capture a beautiful smile or a serene look or a tender moment between two sisters. It doesn't matter what the truth of the situation was five minutes beforehand or what it will be later.

This was a wonderful photo shoot for me as I learned to be patient - a luxury I don't often have as a photographer who predominantly photographs weddings - and I got to spend some time with a family who have had more than their fair share of struggles but who exude warmth and love for each other.

It really is a privilege to be a photographer and to be able to share, all be it briefly, these moments of truth with the people I photograph.

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