Last week we were on the hunt  to feature some new suppliers for you and a few tweets later we came across Photography By Clare.  Which is why we were pleased that Clare accepted our request to be one of our guest bloggers. Here is a bit about Clare and her company!

Name & Company Name: Clare Richards & Photography by Clare

Where are you based & how far are you willing to travel for a wedding?

I’m based in the East Midlands (Nottingham) so I mainly work in the area. But I do weddings far and wide – I’ve photographed weddings in Wales before and I also have weddings in London this year.

How long have you been taking photos?

Photography is my love in life and it has been long before I moved to Nottingham in 2006 to study my degree in photography. My interest in photography began on a sad note, when I came to realise that after the parties over, when the day is done our photographs are what we have left. After that moment it became my focus to capture these special moments, the small and the big and find the beauty in every light.

How would you describe your style?

The best part of photography for me is capturing natural, light, honest images that shine with emotion. You are perfect just how you are and it’s your natural smile, laugh and fun I want to capture. You may notice from looking through my photographs that I tend to steer away from the more formal, rigid group shots, I favour a far more relaxed & spontaneous style that shows the real feel of the day – a celebration of you and those you love.

What made you get into wedding photography?

It was always something I’d had an interest in, and when I came to realise that long gone are the days of the formal, rigid, very traditional wedding photos and I could shoot in my own style did I really get into it. I shot my first wedding completely alone,without any wedding experience, with thanks to a very trusting, lovely couple who really helped me on my way.

What sort of couple would be your ideal couple to photograph?

A couple in love who appreciate the value and importance in their photography, who embrace their day and the photography whole heartedly. I like a couple to relax, have fun and let me worry about getting the images.

Which Celebrity would you love to photograph?

Julia Roberts, an absolute natural beauty, with a smile as big as hers how can you go wrong? (Plus she is my favourite actress.)

What in your opinion makes the perfect photo?

A photo that is honest, natural and lets us never forget exactly how we felt, looked and smiled that time.

What is your favorite photo that you have taken?

My favourite photo is of a young girl I photographed dancing in the dark at a wedding. She was so completely caught up in the moment and unaware of me that it made a fantastic photo – I remember when I used to spin around the dance floor.

What are your favourite wedding styles to photograph?

I love all weddings, but I’m particularly drawn to weddings that really echo the couples personalities and their relationship together, including a lot of personal, quirky touches that really make the wedding their own.

What tips or advice would you like to give to couples prior to being photographed?

Being photographed can be a daunting prospect for many couples. My advice would be to get to know your photographer before hand, sometimes you may meet once or twice before the big day. That’s why an engagement shoot can be a great way to get to know your photographer a little better and make you feel far more relaxed in front of the camera.

What is the one thing you love most about your job?

Helping make someones wedding day is a great feeling, it’s a privilege to know that your photos will be the ones they look back on in years to come.