If you have ever been to a wedding fair you will know that one of the most subscribed categories there are the photographers, we are so lucky to have a myriad of fabulous photographic artists in our area and a lot of them are brilliant individuals too.
I met Chloe at a breakfast meeting for wedding industry experts what seems like a lifetime ago and O was struck by her beaming style, her cracking sense of humour and her ready laugh and that was all before I saw her stunning photos. Chloe has such an unassuming, easy going way about her that she helps nervous clients, like myself, really relax and gets their personalities to shine through the moments she captures – so of course I had to invite her to be part of this series…..so enough about me, here’s Chloe……
Your Name: Chloé
Your Business Name: Chloe Lee Photo
What do you do? Alternative Wedding Photographer
What do you love about what you do? I love that I get to capture real moments for couples & their friends/family to enjoy for years to come. I love memory keeping (I scrapbook) So I love that people will look back at the photos and remembered the real joy filled moments in 20/30/40+ years time
I love that every single wedding I photograph is different and each couple brings their own vibe and energy to the day.
Also – I get to eat some pretty awesome food and take wedding cake home so thats always a bonus!
How did you start out? So I originally wanted to be a forensic photographer but after doing work experience with SOCO’s and realising some of the scenes I would have to see and emotionally deal with I decided that wasn’t for me… I then went to Uni to study photography, during one seminar I remember the tutor saying that weddings were bread & butter but would never fulfill your creative needs, and it left me thinking – but why? I was already having a tough time fitting in with uni and creating work that the tutors never seemed to get, so I had a bit of a ‘fuck it’ moment and decided that I wanted to go to a wedding and see if I could be creative. I had a friend that did some weddings so I went along with him to take some photos and I just fell in love with the whole thing. I loved chatting to guests, looking for different angles, finding ways to capture the couples personalities and I decided that finally after doing what I was told couldn’t be fulfilling, I felt like I’d found my space in the photography world.
What sets you apart from the rest? Cliché – but me!
I think being a wedding photographer is more that just taking good photos, you need to be empathetic, patient, and someone your couples can rely on. I’m a total empath so I feel like I’m good at making people feel comfortable, relaxed and calm. I can bring the vibe and energy when I need to and make sure my couples have the best time having their photos taken, but I’m also there to give them a little get out of jail card when things can be a bit intense and they may need a time out.
What do you hate to see in the industry? Gendered Language & Tradition – It’s 2024/5 and folk are still pushing “Bride & Groom/Mr & Mrs” on everything? What about queer couples? What about people who don’t fit into that binary? It’s wild how many contracts, forms, and supplier interactions assume one partner is “the bride” making all the decisions while the other is “the groom” just along for the ride. Venues making their getting ready spaces ‘bridal suites’ is something that really irritates me. Let’s just ditch the outdated gender roles and focus on the couples as a partnership.
What do you love to see in the industry? I love that theres more of a focus on couples doing what THEY want to do and having fun and less focus on perfection. The best weddings to photograph are the ones when everyone is just having the best time & nothing feels too structured – obviously celebrant led ceremonies, silly but loving personal vows, candid moments, genuine interactions, laid back vibes and wild dance floors.
What is your favourite venue type? I love somewhere that has character and charm to it – I personally love an outdoor woodland setting, but I also love city weddings where theres cool industrial spaces. For me I’m always drawn to the imperfect backdrop, a crumbing brick wall, a rusted wooden door with texture. I photographed at a venue known for it’s lawns and picturesque driveway, and I found an abandoned air-streamer hidden behind the venue to take my couple to for photos!
Who is your ideal client? People that are up for fun, value their photography and want a photographer that will do something different and trust the vision, even if that means me leading you towards a derelict truck in a carpark.
My ideal couples are people I have things in common with and feel like genuine friends – Elder emos/music lovers, people into seasonal decor – particularly halloween/autumn fans, Gilmore Girls, book lovers, people that don’t really care about trends and probably a little neuro-spicy!
What causes do you contribute towards or believe in? LGBTQ+ rights & representation – every couple deserves to see themselves represented and celebrated. I actively support LGBTQ+ charities and constantly work to make sure my business is inclusive and welcoming to everyone
Diversity & Inclusivity – I believe in showing weddings that represent all love stories, cultures, body types, and identities. Weddings should feel be a safe space for everyone.
Mental Health Awareness – Wedding planning can be stressful, and I believe in creating a calm, supportive, and judgment-free experience for my couples. Your wedding should be about joy, not pressure. I’m open in talking about my own depression & anxiety and will always make sure I create a safe space for my couples to feel like they can be open and honest if they are feeling any pressures.
What awards or accolades do you have? My nan shares my work with everyone she meets!
But on a serious note I’ve been featured in a lot of wedding blogs/magazines, was a regional finalist in the Wedding Industry Awards & have been in Go Hens top 50 photographers for a few years running now.
Why do you love working with Celebrants? Because you make my job easy and fun! I feel like the ceremony really sets the tone for the day, and celebrant ceremonies are always super relaxed, fun and personal to the couple. I’m not given strict rules for photography (as is often the case in registry offices & churches!) So I can move around and make sure I’m getting photos of the guests laughing and witnessing such a cool and special moment. People leave the ceremony full of excitement and laughter and it makes those candid moments after just fun to capture!
How can people get in touch with you?
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/chloeleephoto
Website https://www.chloeleephoto.co.uk/
