SHOOTING PHOTO AND VIDEO SINGLE-HANDED AT SOUTHEND BARNS
What do you call a guy whose assistant fails to turn up for the wedding where you’re due to shoot both photos and video? You might call him a guy in trouble, but if he owns the new Sony a9iii with a DJI osmo pocket 3 clamped to it, plus a couple of Sony a7ivs, then you can call him Adam, and pat him on the back for having more than enough experience and tech to be able to handle the challenge with relish.
There are a lot of photographers of course, who shoot a little bit of video, just as there are a number of videographers who shoot some photos. But, without meaning to be immodest, it is not just a question of experience and talent to be able to do both well, although with 500+ weddings under my belt, I definitely do have the experience. It is also a question of equipment. Warning: brief techy bit coming up.
To be honest, it wasn’t the first time I’d shot both photo and video for a wedding on my own. My first wedding of 2024, Ruby and Adam, back in January in fact was just me. But what made this really exciting, and - yes I know it is a bit boring and technical - was that the new Sony A9iii can shoot ten second bursts of photos at 60 frames per second. Which is really a wonderful advance in camera tech and was really what prompted me to write this. To shoot a walk down the aisle, or the first kiss in dreamy slow motion, AND be able to pull out high resolution photos was brilliant. Using the fast cf-A cards helped to, switching from photo to video and back again without delay is a must in the high speed environment of a wedding.
What helped too was that Southend Barns is such a wonderful venue. Nestled in the Hampshire Countryside, just a stone’s throw from the sea at West Wittering, it is a wedding photographer’s dream come true. The staff are super efficient and relaxed, keeping the day on track without anyone ever feeling pressured. The bridal suite is spacious and light.
When it comes to couple portrait photography, there are lots of picturesque outdoor nooks and backdrops, even if - as on this winter wedding - it was too damp and muddy to traipse round to the fields and the caravan.
I have shot outdoor weddings here in the Secret Garden, which is really fun and romantic on a Summer’s Day, though maybe not all that comfortable for a Winter Wedding. Sensibly, Josie and Rich chose The Dairy Barn, which is just a perfect setting for a relaxed civil ceremony. Painted white and hung with beams and drapes, the low windows and geographical position makes for a lovely soft light, and great accoustics, an absolute wedding videographer’s dream.
The main barn reception, the Threshing Barn is all rustic wooden beams and wrought iron chandeliers, with windows overlooking the lovely landscaped garden. This has been re-arranged and is a great space, made extra sparkly and romantic with christmas lights hung throughout. (another big tick for the a9iii which handles LED flicker effortlessly)
I’ve shot at Southend Barns a number of times now, and the really great thing about it is there are enough indoor spaces with enough variety that a decent-sized wedding party can stay comfortable whatever the weather.
As for Josie and Rich and their family and friends, they were just brilliant. What a great bunch, up for fun, super relaxed and friendly, and they 100% made, and deserved a truly wonderful day.
THE FILM