They say that your wedding day goes by in a flash. For most, all that’s left to remember these cherished moments are the snapshots in our camera rolls.

To some, wedding photography may not seem like much of a priority, but many a bride will tell you that as years pass, these treasured photographs provide the most effective reminiscing material.

To look behind the curtain and see how a wedding photographer tells your love story, Bridget Armitage of Melbourne Wedding & Bride sits down with Lachy, owner of Dust & Salt Photography, to discuss all the precious moments that he captures.

Having spent the last four years as a wedding and elopement photographer, Lachy has all the expertise and experience to walk us through the process of capturing a couple’s story. His love for photographing people in love from all communities and backgrounds is what fuels his passion for wedding photography, and he enjoys every moment. “I’m totally drawn to the creative process of documenting real stories and chasing those amazing moments that unfold throughout your day,” he says. “These moments might happen quickly, but your photos will last a lifetime.”

TREASURES UNTOLD

Every wedding has those few key moments that any wedding photographer will tell you are worth capturing: the first kiss, the walk down the aisle, the slicing of the wedding cake. There’s no doubt that these beautiful memories make for stunning photos, but what more can a photographer capture to help tell the whole story of your day? “I get so much joy out of photographing real moments of happiness and all the little interactions that happen throughout the day,” says Lachy.

His time as a wedding photographer has allowed him to find a fondness for these smaller moments: “I’ve learnt that it really is these beautiful little moments with family and friends that come together to tell the full story of a wedding; as much as I love a good hero sunset shot!” Lachy notes. These intimate stories that take place in the background of your wedding are just as much a part of your love story – the one that extends beyond you and your partner and touches the lives of all those you have walked with on your path.

Lachy shares with us his favourite moments to shoot that may sometimes be overlooked: “The nervous excited feeling while getting ready, or the moments right after the first kiss, where you might hug or look out to your guests,” he notes. “I also love seeing couples at sunset time when they have a moment to themselves to really take it all in and enjoy the sunset together,” Lachy adds. Another treasure trove of memories is found on the dance floor, as Lachy explains. “You just never know who is going to tear it up on the dance floor, and watching all the different generations dancing together leads to some of the best candid moments of the day, when everyone lets their hair down to party,” he says.

A SENSE OF COMFORT

These gorgeous candid moments can only bubble to the surface if the couple feels comfortable and at home with their wedding photographer. If you feel stiff, rigid or shy, it can be difficult to release your genuine emotions – the ones that make for the best photos. Lachy knows that this connection is crucial and ensures that he gets to know each couple that he shoots. “When I have a great connection with my couples, it feels like I’m just another friend on your day, getting amongst the action, making you feel comfortable and capturing everything as it unfolds,” he says.

If you’re a little uneasy being in front of the camera, don’t fret. A good wedding photographer will take the time to get to know you and bring you out of your shell, creating a safe and fun environment for you to capture all the goodness of your big day. Lachy has had plenty of experience in this arena: “I feel exactly the same way when I’m in front of the camera, so I try and make it as stress free and relaxed as possible,” he says. “A lot of my couples enquire saying that they’re a little camera shy and end up leaving reviews on how much they enjoyed the whole experience. I genuinely love working with people and creating space for you to be yourselves; it’s one of the parts I love most about my job.”