Getting to Know – Rusty and Sailor Photography

Contact Name: Fleur Whitfield

Company Name: Rusty & Sailor Photography

Website: www.rustyandsailor.com

Location / Coverage: Kent, London and South East.

How did Rusty & Sailor Photography get started and how long has the business been going?

Rusty&Sailor is an off-shot from our other well-established photographic business; the two just don’t mix. Having spent about 20 years sending wedding enquiries to other local photographers we finally shot one ourselves. About 6 years ago a friend asked us to shoot her daughter’s wedding, which we did after a lot of persuasion. Wedding Photography really didn’t have a good reputation within the photography world, but after shooting our first wedding we turned that attitude into total respect for our fellow wedding photographers. It’s the hardest form of photography we know (except on the front line!) and we also loved it. That’s how Rusty&Sailor was born; it was a very steep learning curve for me.

Had you always wanted to be a photographer? Can you remember how old you were when you took your first picture and what it was of?

My career has always followed a creative path; my brain is very much on the dyslexic creative spectrum. My first memory of taking a picture was in the New Forest, with my dad in his car looking slightly annoyed at me! I would seize any opportunity to steal my dad’s camera, so it was put away for about 15 years in the broken box. Until, whilst at Art School, I took it and found that it wasn’t broken at all, he just could use it!

Where did the name Rusty & Sailor Photography come from?

Rusty&Sailor were the nicknames given to my parents. All the telegrams for their wedding are to Rusty & Sailor. I love them; it’s so nice to keep your wedding mementos.

What would you say sets Rusty & Sailor Photography apart from other wedding photographers?

Gosh, there are heaps of brilliant wedding photographers in the UK. Weddings are mad, hectic and fun, so being able to stay calm, stress free and focused is a skill. Not being phased by changes of plan, weather or people, then taking images at the same time is what a good wedding photographer offers you. I believe at Rusty&Sailor we do this well. Also, my couples are so important to me. They are my business, so making sure they are happy with us and our service is of paramount importance.

Both Robby and I come from professional backgrounds in photography and design, which means we have a wealth of experience spanning over 25 years in these professions. It’s priceless experience and you can not learn this in five minutes.

What’s the best thing about the job?

Who doesn’t like a good wedding? Go on, put your hands up! We are so lucky to go to so many people’s beautiful ‘best day of their lives’.

Do you have a specialist area or style of photography?

Styles come and go, for me good photography isn’t just one thing. It should be consistently well shot images from start to finish; getting married, formals, couple shots, the details and all the fun and laughter. Photoshop is for playing around with images not the wedding day.

Who/what are your influences?

Eve Arnold. I used to collect pictures of all the 50’s film stars as a child, and Eva Arnold’s work for me is elegant, beautiful and brilliant. My other influence is my husband; as with many things in life, often it’s not the people with the big egos telling you they are the best who have the talent, but the folks that quietly get on with the job! To me he is a phenomenal photographer.

Do you only photograph weddings?

I also do boudoir, babies etc. Robby shoots big budget buildings like the Shard, Olympics. (I said they didn’t mix).

Of all the venues you have photographed weddings at, what is your favourite and why?

I am rubbish at favourites. I did like Greyfriars near Guildford, a beautiful country house with great service, but equally I love The Marquis at Alkham, a pretty country pub with great food and service. It’s the service that wins for me. The setting is all very well, but if the staff do not make you and your guests feel special, you might as well use your garden.

Random question… iPhone or Blackberry?

iPhone. What’s a Blackberry….?!

Do you have a favourite picture you have taken (If you can choose!)?

I so don’t do favourites!! However, the hardest thing about wedding photography is photographing it as it happens and catching a moment perfectly; getting someone to look at a camera and pose is much more controllable. One image I love is of our groom Craig. Natalie has entered the room and he isn’t looking at her but crying with joy as she walks down the aisle. I’ve heaps of beautiful couple pictures of these two, but that image says it all for me.

What’s your top tip for choosing a wedding photographer?

Put your missy sensible cap on! Know what you are paying for – If you order a 3 tier wedding cake you wouldn’t expect to see 6 tiers. If your photographer offers you 4hrs photography, 10×10 30 image album, you really will get this, so make sure you know what you are getting and are happy, or you will be disappointed and pay more after your wedding.

Where can I find out more about Rusty & Sailor Photography?

Everything is on our website www.rustyandsailor.com. Our blog is a really good place to see what we do. I post most of our shoots there, and show a large selection of wedding images not edited highlights, so you can see the reportage, formal, couple shots and details; it’s real and what we do.

Visit the Rusty and Sailor Photography supplier page on The Wedding Community