THE SIGNATURE
As photographers we talk about something called the signature. What it is that makes our art stand out from the rest. If somebody were to describe the sort of photos I take, what would that signature be.
“Oh that’s a Jo Greenfield image that is”
It’s a question I’ve long pondered and one that I can’t easily answer because the truth be told, I fit into a lot of brackets. I capture all different kinds of weddings at all times of year and so this thing called consistency doesn’t really apply. Every wedding and every couple are completely different but for me, what I try and capture in a wedding or elopement are three things; Natural moments, movement and the details. I realise that’s incredibly vague but I am trying. I guess the most obvious would be the ‘Artistically muted colours” I try to get colour as close as I can to real life without it looking like it’s never touched an editing screen. So edited but real. If that makes sense. Not too dark, not too light… just right.
MOVEMENT
I’ve tried to find a few images which I think best represent my signature, but honestly, there’s so many parts to a wedding day I truly love that I am going to struggle. Movement is my number one thing. I hate posing, hate it with a passion. When I say movement it doesn’t mean running round in a field (only sometimes) it means the movement in a face, laughing, snorting, creasing. It means transit posing. So when we stand still our bodies look a bit shit. When we move toward the camera our legs cross, dresses swish, legs bend. It makes for a much more dynamic image as opposed to just a lifeless stance. Since moving into film I realise how important movement is for storytelling. Its imperative . Here are a few of my fave movement shots from past weddings. Movement really helps those couples who say they hate having their photo taken, because if they are concentrating on moving - they aren’t concentrating on the camera.
KIDS AT WEDDINGS
ANOTHER LOADS OF SHOTS I SEEM TO BE FAMOUS FOR ARE THE KIDDY SHOTS. I LOVE THEM. NOT IN A WEIRD WAY BUT I FIND KIDS PROVIDE ME HOURS OF BLOODY FUN, EITHER CHASING ME AROUND OR THROWING STUFF AT ME. I LOVE EVERYTHING ABOUT THEM!
DETAIL SHOTS
I’m known amongst my photography friends as the weirdo who likes to photograph stuff… details, flat lays, the bits you spend your money on. Shoes, dresses, rings, flowers, bit and bobs. Love the lot. Attached to everything at your wedding is a small business who has survived a pandemic. so yes, I photograph the bits for you first and foremost but secondly I photograph them for the person who made them. It take a whole team to make a wedding work.
WEDDING PARTY GROUP SHOTS
I LOVE THE FUCKERS, LOVE EM. FAMILY ONES NOT SO MUCH BUT THESE BAD BOYS YES!!! YES YES YES! GIVE ME ALL THE CRAZY WEDDING PARTY GROUP SHOTS. HERE’S A VERY SMALL SELECTION OF THE MADNESS.
