Meet our Supplier of the Month: Photography By Sally-Anne

Each month we like to get to know a supplier even better and bring you snippets you won't know about them from their page. This month our supplier of the month is Photography By Sally-Anne, a Wiltshire based photographer who loves to capture the magic of your wedding day in a natural and unobtrusive manner. Sally-Anne aims to provide you with long lasting memories through a series of candid, relaxed and beautifully styled images.

Here’s what Sally-Anne had to say when we quizzed her...

Who runs Photography by Sally-Anne and how did you start out in business?

I can’t quite believe sometimes I am in business as it doesn’t feel like a job! Five years ago I was working as a software consultant for IBM, and whilst I enjoyed the people side of the job I hated the politics and target driven sales side. I got made redundant and have to say, I did a very funky dance!

After a lot of thought and soul searching about what makes me tick, I realised that my love of photography and people were perfect for my new path. Redundancy money in hand I went out and bought a professional camera and started my new journey.

I love my business inside and out. Meeting people in all walks of life is definitely my thing. Making people smile and having fun in front of my camera makes me feel fantastic - It’s the best thing I’ve ever done, and I've never looked back since.

What is your greatest fear when you are working on a wedding?

Oh, I have a few of these! The thought of having a sneezing fit during the ceremony or even worst forgetting to switch my phone to silent and it starts to ring - I would be absolutely horrified. I do my absolute best to remember things like that, but sneezing is a little out of my control!!

Another huge fear is my car breaking down on the way to the wedding making me massively late or worst; I can’t get there. I always have my hubby on standby just in case. He waits eagerly by the phone to make sure I’m there alright, bless him, he is my rock.

What is your greatest extravagance that helps you get through the day?

My trusty cuppa tea! Wow that sounds dangerous doesn’t it! Whilst working in my little study at home I drink tea like it’s going out of fashion.

Whilst I'm capturing a wedding day, I treat myself with nutty cereal bars which I love! Not so sure they are an extravagance but I wouldn’t normally eat them, so I guess for me they are!

Now in the evening I love an occasional glass of wine, especially after a heavy week, yum!

What is the hardest thing a couple has ever asked you to do for their day?

I always remember being asked to take a group photo out of a bedroom window to get the wedding party into the shape of a heart. Thank goodness I had my second photographer with me as I couldn’t make myself heard!! We did it between us though and got 'the shot' - It was challenging but great fun. The couple loved it and that was all that mattered to me.

When was the last time you laughed out loud at a wedding? What happened?

I typically end up laughing out loud at every wedding I am invited to capture. There are usually several points throughout the day that make me laugh, and usually the best man’s speech is one of them! Saying that, I remember a wedding where the bride mentioned her new little kitten in her speech to her groom which was really funny, the whole wedding party laughed out loud!

What moment are you most proud of in your profession?

It has to be just running my own photography business and being able to capture peoples most special memories. I feel proud and incredibly lucky at every wedding day that I get to be a part of. There are certain things in life we are all a bit rubbish at and lots of things we are all really fab at. I have always been very good at putting myself down especially to make people laugh instead of just asking them to smile.

But you know what, I am bursting with pride to know that people book me to be their photographer on their wedding day. Life doesn’t get much better than that...

Where is your favourite setting for a wedding?

Oh, can I have three!? ( Go on Then Sally-Anne!)

I love Grittleton House. It's just so grand and mellow with lots of textures and warm colours.

After a recent styled shoot, the Matara Centre near Tetbury is on the top of my list too for it's pure beauty and how it’s so completely different to anywhere else I’ve ever worked before. It has lots of bamboo and secret gardens, it’s a photographer's dream!

Thirdly, high on my wish list is The Pear Tree at Purton. It’s just being refurbished and promises to be full of light and beautiful styling with lots of stunning furnishings and gorgeous gardens. I can't wait to see the finished product and start shooting there soon!

I am a recommended supplier for all three venues which is beyond brilliant!

What is the one thing you can’t live without in your job?

Apart from the obvious being my camera, I would say a big smile! As my Mum used to say, if you smile the world will smile with you. Sounds a bit cheesy saying that out loud but it’s so true. Treat people as you want to be treated eh!

What is the most embarrassing thing you have seen at a wedding?

Well I don’t know about 'seen' but the most embarrassing thing I’ve ever done at a wedding was fall backwards into a hedge whilst taking a shot!! I could have curled up! I saved my camera though and got the shot so all was okay, except my pride!!

What question do you wish every couple would ask you when you are meeting with them for the first time?

Hmmm, that’s a toughie. I guess I’d like them to ask me why am I a photographer? Having said that, my reasoning can come across as a little cringy but it’s true. I love it, what’s not to love about going to weddings, meeting new people and taking pictures of so many beautiful things.

Where do you draw inspiration from for your work?

Oh, all over the place! Instagram and Pinterest are fab, and I stalk a few photographers that have been in the industry for donkey’s years, one of them being Kevin Mullins. He is just amazing and a true professional.

I love to organise styled shoots too where lots of like-minded suppliers in the industry get together and share ideas. Everyone sees everything differently so it’s always good practice to be open minded, willing to try new things and to get creative in a safe environment.

What would people be surprised to learn about you or your work?

I really don’t know!! Oh, how about the fact that I love cake - My nemesis!!

We don't think Sally-Anne is alone, isn't cake the nemesis to 99% of us?!

We've totally loved finding out more about Sally-Anne and her highly successful business (Photography By Sally-Anne) and hope that you have too! It's always fun, and really important to know a little more of the personality and background to the face behind the lens.

To find out even more, why not head straight to her Whitewed Directory Page here, swoon through her images, read up more on her style and take a read of her most recent styled shoots and real weddings for some super inspiration and a chance to see her work in action.

If you love what you see, (we're pretty sure you will!) then be sure to hit the 'get in touch' button to set up an informal chat and find out if Photography By Sally-Anne could be the perfect match to capture the magic of your wedding day.

Lastly, we urge you to check out her website too, especially her blog section where Sally-Anne digs deeper into wedding planning topics, and shares a fabulous series of blogs based on other local Whitewed approved wedding suppliers through the eyes of a story telling photographer - absolute must reads!