{"id":399864,"date":"2024-02-06T12:09:59","date_gmt":"2024-02-06T12:09:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wedissimo.com\/blog\/interview-hana-laurie-photography\/"},"modified":"2025-12-04T13:44:23","modified_gmt":"2025-12-04T13:44:23","slug":"interview-hana-laurie-photography","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wedissimo.com\/blog\/interview-hana-laurie-photography\/","title":{"rendered":"Interview: Hana Laurie Photography"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

In our behind the lens interview series we chat to Hana Laurie, a South East UK based wedding photographer.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How long have you been photographing weddings for and how did you get into it?<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

I actually had to check, as it feels like forever ago\u2026 I shot my first wedding back in 2010, during my second year of university, and began to embark on the career I was going to fall in love with. I feel very lucky, as gradually over six years I\u2019ve managed to leave \u201ctraditional\u201d employment and forge my living with a photobooth and my photography exploits! It\u2019s a long road, but one very worth treading.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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What do you particularly like about photographing weddings?<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

I love the connection; it\u2019s such a privileged position to be with the bride and groom at all points of the day. I\u2019m also nosy! I love being involved and seeing all the details and glances that reveal the extent of a relationship\u2014the weeks and months of planning and looking forward to “when we\u2019re married,” the in-jokes and cheeky glances. It\u2019s such a social job, an important and satisfying job. I\u2019m very lucky.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What is your favourite part of the day?<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Oh, tough question\u2014all of it! I\u2019m pretty guilty when it comes to welling up during people\u2019s ceremonies. For someone who is outwardly cheeky and always up for bad behaviour, I get pretty emotional. Don\u2019t tell my friends.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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How would you describe your style and approach?<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

I\u2019m extremely laid back. I\u2019m not the person to come to if you want formal or traditional photography\u2014I\u2019ll do my best to stick to a list you give me, but mostly I follow the day exactly as it happens and try to limit the number of \u201cposed\u201d images. Even during the couple photos, I prefer to go for a walk and keep things comfortable. It\u2019s an opportunity for some quiet couple time, and if I can, I\u2019ll also leave you to amble back on your own so you can share a \u201cWE DID IT!\u201d moment alone.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

I\u2019ll spend the day getting to know your friends and family, and then in the evening, I\u2019ll be partying on down with the best of them. The dance floor and the bar are key places to catch some awesome moments, and in my request for details of the day before the wedding, I\u2019ll be asking who your main \u201cliabilities\u201d are\u2014it\u2019s good to team up.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Who, or what inspires you?<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

It\u2019s a funny thing, but I think I\u2019m getting to the point where the idea of \u201cself\u201d inspires me. I\u2019ve been supported and bolstered by friends and peers in the wedding photography industry\u2014it’s a lovely community where we advise and congratulate each other. I feel encouraged to be 100% myself when speaking to couples and shooting their weddings, and it\u2019s really paying off.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

The notion of self is so important when photographing couples too. No wedding is ever the same, and I never treat them as such. It\u2019s exciting to see the individuality in weddings, and whatever happens on the day is the real inspiration. Believing that I can capture it perfectly is a very powerful thing.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

What advice would you give to couples looking for a wedding photographer?<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Choose someone you like and want to be your friend. The best photos of your wedding will be slightly tainted if you didn\u2019t like the person who took them. Being photographed is a very personal thing. I know I\u2019m not everyone\u2019s cup of tea; I\u2019m bold and reasonably sarcastic\u2026 it works for some!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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What tips would you share with couples to help their day go more smoothly?<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Oh, there are loads of them, and you can check them out on so many blogs across the internet. What I would say is relax! Try to put things in place so your day runs smoothly, but don\u2019t fret over the intricate details. Let your photographer know as much as possible about the running of the day. We\u2019ll liaise with the other coordinators and get you where you need to be, so try to enjoy it! Make sure you leave enough time for photos, and plan some alone time too\u2014it won\u2019t be easy to come by on the day, so give yourselves that gift!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

If there was one place in the world you would love to capture a wedding where would it be and why?<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

I\u2019d absolutely love to photograph a steam train wedding. I\u2019m a total trains enthusiast, as I live opposite The Watercress Line in Hampshire and can wave at the gorgeous Cheltenham 925 loco from my desk!<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Finally… Whats the best moment you’ve had as a wedding photographer?<\/h4>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

I\u2019ve sat here for the last half hour thinking about this. I looked at the galleries from the past six years, and I still don\u2019t know.<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Every couple has had something special that I feel we now share between us\u2014there\u2019s an anecdote or a funny story from them all. From Jen Walker marrying Mark Walker and me joking they\u2019d be the Walker-Walkers, to Stu Aslett walking me around his reception to get photographs with his friends and colleagues and repeatedly declaring \u201cTHIS MAN!\u201d\u2026 There\u2019s something memorable from each, and I really honestly can\u2019t choose just one. Maybe that\u2019s still to come?<\/p>\r\n

Further Reading<\/h4>\r\n