The Quiet Truths Every Photographer Knows And Why We Keep Shooting Anyway
TIME TO READ: 6 MINUTES
After 20+ years of photographing weddings across Bowral, the Southern Highlands, and beyond, I’ve realised photography is as much about heart as it is about skill. These are the quiet truths we rarely say out loud, but that shape everything we do.
A Bride and Groom celebrating their wedding at The Barn on Melross, Kangaroo Valley.
Truth 1: We Know How Precious This Is
We understand that this might be the last time your whole family is together. That someone’s grandparents may not be here next year. That’s why we shoot with urgency and care — like every moment is once-in-a-lifetime, because it is.
At a recent Bundanon wedding, I photographed a groom dancing with his grandmother during the last song of the night. She passed away a few months later, and that image became a treasured heirloom for their family.
Takeaway: Choose a photographer who notices the quiet moments, not just the big ones. Those photos will mean the most later.
A super happy gentlemen loving life and the wedding he’s witnessing at Worrowing Estate, Jervis Bay.
Truth 2: Trends Fade, Stories Last
Remember sepia filters or selective colour? They looked great at the time, but they didn’t age well. Documentary wedding photography focuses on timeless moments — the ones that still feel real 30 years from now.
A bride in an emotional state after hearing her maid of honour say a beautiful speech at Greyleigh, Kiama.
Truth 3: Clients Hire Our Eye, But Stay for Our Heart
Couples might first find me by searching for a Southern Highlands wedding photographer, but what they remember is how I made them feel — supported, calm, and seen.
I love this image - A group of guests taking a photo of two gentlemen on a a swing under a bug fig tree at Greyleigh, Kiama. They had no idea I was there.
Truth 4: Effortless Images Take Effort
I’ve spent years learning to anticipate moments before they happen — scanning a room, watching body language, and being ready to click at the exact second the emotion peaks.
A beautiful moment showing the brother of the bride seeing his sister for the first time in her wedding dress at The Stables, Bendooley Estate. So very special!
Truth 5: The Work Isn’t Always Easy — But It’s Always Worth It
The hours are long, the gear heavy, the emotional weight real — but when a couple writes to tell me their photos made them cry (in the best way), it reminds me why I keep shooting.
I remember this moment well. The girls popping a champagne bottle celebration of the upcoming ceremony at The Book Barn, Bendooley Estate.
Conclusion:
To fellow photographers — keep chasing truth through your lens. To my couples — thank you for trusting me with your story.
