I took this photo about three and a half years ago, July 20th 2012 at only the second wedding I'd ever shot. It's one of countless images from that day that are still in my portfolio, and still get most of the positive comments from people. This image in particular is still the one on the back of my business card, the photo that has always made me feel like I was putting my best foot forward, showing potential wedding clients what could be possible on their special day, to help earn their trust and build their confidence in me.

So yeah, the image turned out great, technically I couldn’t have hoped for more, and I’ve taken many similar since, but the key to why this image grabs everyone’s attention over others is the couple, Holly and Martyn Bullar. I hear “that’s the photo we love”…. “they look amazing”, “She’s stunning”, “the Bride looks incredible” and many other words along that line every time I turn to the page of my portfolio with this photo on it. Holly had so many ideas on the day, set ups she wanted to try and we had such an amazing time fooling around and being creative. As serious as they look in this image, there are countless others where they’re pulling silly face’s to the camera, or just laughing their heads off.
 

I’ve known Holly and Martyn since school and they were one of the first couples to put their trust in me to photograph their wedding, and they didn’t have to. I’d only really shot one wedding before theirs, which went well, but I had very little in the way of portfolio to prove to them I could do the job without fail, because if there’s one person you want to be on point and to not mess up, it’s your Wedding Photographer, no second chances in the Church. 26 weddings later, I’m happy to say photographing weddings is a huge side of my job which I enjoy immensely, as well as helps me survive financially on a tough self employed path, and I only have to hand potential clients my business card with this image of Holly and Martyn on the back to make them take notice and want to learn more.

I was informed Thursday evening of the tragic news that Holly had passed away. My thoughts are with Martyn, and with both their families and friends at this terrible time. Holly was always the life of the party, so full of energy and her positive attitude was pasted on to anyone she came in contact with. It was always great bumping into the two of them as guests at their friends weddings I was photographing, and we always took fun shots and had a laugh remembering their wedding day. 

I feel so lucky to have known her, shared some fun times and I owe her so much for trusting me back in 2012 to photograph her wedding day. If Holly and Martyn hadn’t have given me that opportunity, making wedding photography part of my profession would have taken far, far longer, if it would have happened at all, and I’m eternally grateful to them both. The images we captured that day, from Holly’s hair and make up in the morning, all the way through to the evening reception, including one of the most amazing first dance routines I’ve ever experienced (Holly being an incredible Ballroom Dancer), all hold a special place in my heart and head, and touch everyone I share them with.

Holly, you will be sorely missed, it was a privilege and and honour to photograph your special day, and meant even more to have you as a friend. Thank you.