In an age when anyone with a smartphone can snap a pic, why do we still need professional photographers at weddings? Because weddings are made of perfect moments that need to be captured to perfection. Meet wedding photographer Jacki Bruniquel, who turns magical moments into memories that last a lifetime.
A photograph can be many things: humorous, dramatic, moving, creative, informative. But every photo has one thing in common, and that is the intention to capture forever a moment in time.
For wedding photographer Jacki Bruniquel, having an eye for the perfect moment allows her to share and immortalise one of the happiest change moments in most people’s lives.
A graduate of UCT’s Michaelis School of Fine Art, Jacki, who is now based in Durban, says she never imagined she’d land up doing wedding photography. But like the radiant couples she photographs, she was prepared to welcome change with open arms. “Life took me on many twists and turns,” she says, “and here I am loving it!”
What made you decide to specialise in wedding photography?
After finishing my degree I spent a few years overseas and when the time came to return home I decided to study again, doing a photography diploma at Natal Tech. I also started making mixed media art and having small exhibitions. A number of friends asked me to photograph their weddings and I guess because I have a ‘different eye’ this took off. The plan was to shoot weddings to support myself while I made art, but wedding photography picked up so quickly that I haven’t picked up a paintbrush in five years – and I’m fine with that.
I seem to come back to weddings because I enjoy meeting different people and documenting a day that is filled with joy and emotion. I love photographing weddings as they give me so much creative freedom. I love telling stories with my camera and weddings give me this opportunity every single time.
Coming from a fine arts background, how do you encourage people to think out the box about their wedding photos?
I am incredibly lucky, as most of my clients have chosen me because of my style and approach to photography, so they generally ask me to “do what I do”. I do ask clients to go onto my blog site and pick 20 to 40 of their favourite images, so I can get a clue about what they’re drawn to. I also ask a lot of questions to make unique stories for each job, rather than having a sausage-factory type of approach. The more you tell me about yourself, the better I can tell your story.
Can you tell me about some of the most unique weddings you’ve shot?
There is something unique about every wedding and that is the thing I love about photographing them. Human beings fascinate me and weddings are a fabulous way to people-watch and get paid for it. I photograph weddings because of the people, not the décor or the dress.
Do you ever find yourself in the position therapist and confidant as well as photographer?
A bride and groom will spend more time with their photographer than anyone else on the wedding day and I have a personal approach with clients, so yes I am photographer, friend, confidant and so much more on the wedding day.
Change can bring out the best and the worst in people. Do you think this is especially true of weddings?
Definitely. Weddings bring up a lot of emotion.
Do you ever cry?
All the time. I am a softy. Nice to have a camera to hide behind though!
We all know that the bride and groom may get flustered on the day, but what about you?
Shooting a wedding is insanely stressful. There is so much to think about, from whether your exposure is correct, to finding the best light, posing your clients in the most attractive way, keeping to schedules, coming up with creative images, making sure that everyone is happy, making sure you have all the shots you need, that you have photographed all the people you need to and making sure you don’t miss any important moments. As for herding people together to do group shots, it really is like herding kittens. I always try to approach each wedding with a unique set of eyes and not just repeat a set repertoire of shots, so this can make things harder but the rewards are enormous.
I’m sure you’ve seen your fair share of wedding successes as well as disasters. What’s the one thing you think people put too much energy into and what’s the one thing that they could put more thought into?
I think it is really important for people to put as much energy, money, time and effort into their marriage as they do into their wedding. When it comes to photography I think it is really important for couples to remember that it will be the only thing that will remain once all the flowers have died, the dress has been hung away never to be worn again and the champagne has been drunk. Your wedding photographs are the only wedding expense that increases in value after the wedding is done.
If you were to organise your own dream wedding now, having seen as many as you have, what would it be like?
It would be very chilled with just my nearest and dearest, somewhere far away.
Are there any trends in wedding photography that you’re tired of seeing?
Guests can be a total pain with their cell phones and iPads. Social media has made it impossible for people to sit and be in the moment and many guests feel like they need to document the entire day with their electronic devices. They’re often in the way of the photographer and mess up our shots. I was at a wedding where a guest actually came up to the altar to take pictures as the couple were exchanging rings. Not only was she in my way, she was being intrusive during a very sacred moment.
As a frequent witness to change moments in people’s lives, what is the most important thing you’ve learnt about change?
Without change we will keep on doing the same things, and if we keep on doing the same things there can be no growth.
Are there any valuable lessons about life or love that really touched you that you’ve retained from all the speeches, toasts and vows you’ve heard?
I’ve always loved the expression that is so often mentioned at weddings: “A successful marriage requires falling in love many times, always with the same person.”
For more, visit Jacki’s website here.
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