Intimacy and Photography

Most years I completely forget about Valentine's Day.

This has nothing to do with not being romantic or not being deeply in love with my wife. Instead it has everything to do with the fact February 14th has been my daughter's birthday since before the turn of the millennium.

However, as a photographer, the lack of Valentine's Day on my radar means I'm quite probably missing out on a major marketing opportunity for couples photography.

Of course these days it's never been easier for couples to have photos of themselves via their phones, so if I want to offer up something different, I have to go where the iphone can't – to create the kind of photo that is not only really desirable, but practically impossible to do yourself.

Now I do actually do this fairly often, but it's not something I've tended to shout about.

Partly this is because all photo shoots I do for people are bespoke – tailor made to their hopes and desires. Every first meeting is about exploring ideas and possibilities and then we take it from there - so the approach to a couple's shoot is no different to any other kind.

Another reason is that often these photos are private. They are personal - for the couple only, and not to be spread across social media.

It's always been something of a promotional dilemma for me - some of the most beautiful, sensual, artistic photos I've created have never been seen by more than the clients and their closest confidants.

This year, however, I wondered if Carolyn and Ken would allow me to use a photo I took of them to show an example of what a couple's photo can look like.

I let them know that if they had any reservations at all then there is no way I would use their image, but they were insistent that they were perfectly happy about it.



What I love about this photo is the beautiful intimacy of it, that works on several levels.

The light and shadow create a world where nothing else can be seen – it is just the 2 of them.

They are clearly deeply in love.

It is not about youth and beauty, instead it is about the beauty and depth that only comes with age and experience.

And, of course, it is skin to skin, flesh on flesh.

If they had been wearing blouse and shirt, or knitted sweaters, or even t-shirts, then it would still have been a lovely photo.

But without the clothes, it becomes so much more intimate, so much deeper, so much more powerful.

I never fail to feel an immense sense of privilege when people have such a level of trust in me that we can cross the normal social barriers enough to create something truly special.

In these days of phone photography and selfies, the snapshot has never been easier – and I think it's great for what it is.

I love using my phone for the quick shot to share on social media that I'm hainvg a hot chocolate with my daughter, or am witnessing a glorious sunset while out for a walk.

But for the most part it's disposable photography – easily consumed, then quickly forgotten.

Photography such as this of Carolyn and Ken, on the other hand, reaches us on such a deep emotional level that it lasts forever.

If this is something you think you'd like to explore further, then get in touch and we can meet up for a coffee (or hot chocolate) to explore ideas and possibilities.