Photographer of the month - Jessica Raphael
Well, we are almost at the end of another month. Time seems to be flying by quicker and quicker! Our Photographer of the month this month is Jessica Raphael, a multi award winning wedding Photographer who works across the UK & overseas. We met up with Jess over a coffee to ask her questions about her passion for Photography...
HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN DOING PHOTOGRAPHY?
I started my photography business in 2014, taking photos has always been something I have enjoyed so never even considered it as a career as it was my hobby. In 2014 I decided to make a business & I haven’t looked back since!
BEST EXPERIENCE / SHOOT PHOTOGRAPHING?
It has to be shooting a wedding on the Amalfi Coast as it was my first destination wedding so it was very special! Also the ceremony was on the ruins of San’t Eustachio in the mountains. Simply breathtaking & nothing like anything you could ever see in this country. It was a photographers dream & so much fun walking down hundreds of cobbled steps with the couple after the ceremony taking photos on the move.
LOOKING BACK, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE YOURSELF WHEN STARTING OUT IN PHOTOGRAPHY?
Not to worry about anyone else or trying to compare with others work & editing styles. Create your own style as soon as you can & stick with it, then the right clients for you will come.
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE FEATURE OF THE TOG BAG & WHY?
I just love how stylish it is! You can use it as an everyday bag without it looking like a ‘camera bag’ which I had never come across before. I also love the space for your laptop in the back pocket so you don’t have to carry that separately when on the move!
WHAT’S YOUR FAVOURITE LENS & WHY?
I love my Nikon 85mm f/1.8 as it’s a beautiful portrait lens which is predominately what I shoot. It creates beautiful bokeh & has no distortion. I have also shot with the 1.4 which is equally beautiful so might be my next purchase!
WHICH CAMERAS DO YOU HAVE?
Nikon D850 / Nikon D750 / Fujifilm X-Pro2
DO YOU PREFER WORKING WITH NATURAL LIGHT OR STUDIO?
Natural light! One of my favourite forms is sidelight & I love creating this from natural window light. But nothing is better than a simple golden hour shoot! Obviously there are times where artificial light is essential but I think natural light when used correctly creates the most beautiful images.
WHICH PHOTOGRAPHERS INSPIRE YOU?
Annie Lebovitz & her use of composition. I adore the way she places people together & when I actually have time to experiment with group photos, I always think of her shots in my mind.
When I first started shooting weddings I was instantly inspired by Kate Hopewell-Smith. I love her style & use of light. I am now so proud to be shooting her wedding this July in Croatia! Funny how things happen…
Others who’s work I find very inspiring are Adam Alex, Ross Harvy, Susan Stripling & Alishia Love - of course ;-)
WHERE CAN WE FIND YOUR WORK?
www.jessicaraphaelphotography.com
My latest work can always be found on my blog www.jessicaraphaelphotography.com/blog or Instagram @jessicaraphaelphotography
WHERE DO YOU SEE YOURSELF IN 10 YEARS?
I hope to be predominately shooting destination weddings & a maximum of ten a year as I will hopefully have kids by this time, so don’t want to be doing too many weddings! I also want to be helping many other photographers pursue their passions by this time too, & I would love to have a book out!
You can see some of Jess's fantastic work below...
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