Jade & Dan
It was cool early summers evening in Corfu when I got a notification saying that a photographer followed my photography page. It is always a thrilling rush for me when someone follows my photography page, but a fellow photographer?! Excitement flooded through me as I stalked her page, drooling at her photography and clean crisp photos - immediate follow back. Love supporting other togs!!
I went on about my day, and a few days later I got a message;
"Hello lovely...."
It was just like talking to myself in messages, our personalties mirroring each other and just a complete vibe from the get go.
Dream client?! Hell yeah dream client.
Jade & Dan have always loved Greece, and chose Paxos to have their elopement there due it being just a really calm and relaxing environment. So when they asked me to travel to Paxos from Corfu to capture their little elopement, of course I jumped at the chance!
Our time began at the simply stunning hotel that they were staying at, which had it's own little Secret Garden in grounds... I was literally in Heaven.
The Secret Garden & An Easter Island Head
I really fell in love with everything this little garden had to offer. Considering we were in Greece and it was pumping 50 degree heat, I was still happily hopping around here there and
everywhere getting every single angle I possibly could, and horrifically overshooting as per usual!!
Palm trees, a fountain, a swimming pool, rattan chairs, flowers galore, an Easter Island Head; every time I turned around there was something else that caught my eye and flared my creative spark.
The best bit for me was Jade stopping for bursts of laughter at how excited I was at every prospect of this tropical paradise... Dan was just rolling his eyes, obviously used to my ecstatic delirium from Jade herself!
Also just A special shout to the rings because WOW?!
After our time at the gorgeous Secret Garden had run out, it was time to jump in the car and head over to our second location for the rest of our time together: the most incredible spot for a sunset you've ever seen. We bounced about in the car as Dan quickly got us to the beach in time for the sunset, and we made it in perfect timing.
Next up came the elopement itself. The official marriage took place back in the UK, but I absolutely loved being the one to capture the love between these two as they recited the sweetest vows to each other; the warm golden setting sun beating down on their tanned shoulder blades, and not another soul in sight.
It really is these exact moments that I live for. Completely unscripted, and watching the magic unfold in front of us. And I'm blessed being the one to be capturing it all.
Hopeless romantic? Me?!
Maybe just a tad :)
Something that I really loved about this sacred place was the cliffs edges. Nothing like I had seen before; they really helped to tell Jade and Dan's story as they had a real raw and cutting edge feel to them. So unique. Every where I turned there was a new angle that these glorious cliffs created, and I was just in my element, my mind racing with ideas in this heaven.
and now Some appreciation for the most breathtakingly stunning bride please! How gorgeous is she?!
And so as the sun completely set over the deep seas of Paxos Island, this dream elopement came to an end. We stayed until the light went, and night had fallen upon us, and we (Dan) began the treacherous journey back over the islands rocky roads. It's always hard to say goodbye to my couples, because it's such an incredible journey that we embark upon together. When someone initially thinks about the job of a photographer, they just assume that someone pays us to snap a few photos, and thats job done.
But it is so much more than that.
Every step in our adventure together consists of deep thorough detail. Constant emails back and forth sharing personal stories and deep secrets. Late nights chatting about those tiny details that make your dynamic as a couple. The more details you share with me, and the better I get to know you and your relationship, the better I can capture and narrate your story.
But it also means that you are going to be a lot more comfortable with me in front of my lens, and that is huge.
And this is all before we've even met!
Then comes our time together. Of course there are times where there are awkward hello's; this really depends on how much we've connected through emails. I've only encountered a few awkward hello's in my time as a tog, but even they turn into great shoots.
But the majority of the time? It feels like I'm meeting up with a long lost friend.
Hugs, laughter, and chatting as much as shooting. At the end of the shoot, saying goodbye is really hard! Yes I have teared up on a few occasions (this shoot being one of them).
But it makes it even more exciting for me to then get back and edit the photos, because I cant wait to get on and deliver you a gallery that is going to bring you happiness.
And at the end of the day, I, and you, have made a friend for life.
Jade is now one of my best friends to date, and I'm thankful everyday for that follow on a cool early summers evening in Corfu💗
Love, Jess
