Meet Our Gang - Cat Lane Weddings

We want to introduce another of our preferred partners to you, Cat Lane Weddings. Cat Lane is a Bedford-based wedding photographer, who specialises in non-intrusive photography, capturing weddings days as they happen. Cat has been photographing weddings here at Huntsmill Farm for a couple of years now, and we love having her here. You can read more about Cat below, and why we think she’s a great addition to our gang.

Why did you want to become a photographer?

When I was a teenager I had ME/CFS and was off school most of the time so I picked up a camera out of sheer boredom! As I slowly recovered from my illness, shooting got me out and about more and it was quickly apparent that it was the portrait photography that spoke to me the most.

After I left college I established myself as a creative portrait photographer, and I started assisting a very kind friend who allowed me to come along with her on weddings and I realised how much I loved the challenge of it. The following Christmas break I sat down and made a wedding-specific website and the rest is history!

Do you have a specific photography style?

My approach is to blend in as a guest but importantly I’m not afraid to take charge when it comes to organising things like confetti, family photos etc to ensure things go quickly and smoothly with the best results!

For the style of my photography, I think my work has a softness to it but is also vibrant with true-to-life colours. I love everything: moments, details, portraits and just generally capturing the atmosphere for a comprehensive coverage of a couple’s wedding day.

What advice would you give couples when choosing their photographer?

My main advice is to trust your gut, not just with choosing a wedding photographer but any wedding supplier. You will know fairly quickly after chatting with them that they are a good fit for you! I think this is especially important when it comes to photographers – you are spending a lot of time with them and you want to know that you’re going to feel comfortable with them being around all day.

Don’t be afraid to enquire and do it as soon as you are considering them if you want someone in particular! Photographers start booking dates over a year and a half in advance and it’s so heartbreaking to hear from an amazing couple to find I’m already booked on their date. But even if you are booking at short notice always enquire – you never know if they might still be free!

If you think someone might be a good fit, see if you can book in a Facetime, phone call or coffee with them. It’s the best way to know if you gel properly and this is also a great opportunity to ask if you can see a full gallery or two of images from a wedding day. It’s SO important to see what an actual couple has received as their full set of wedding photos. What you want to see is a consistency across the day in terms of the quality of photography, the style of the editing, and if they are good at capturing the entire day and not just one bit (eg. portraits or details)

Last of all, get the best photographer you can afford as this is the one part of your wedding you can’t afford to cut costs on. It’s so cheesy but the photography really is the one thing you have left after the wedding madness is over (next to your partner of course!) and you want to make sure you have a photographer that did your day justice.

What makes you happy?

With work: amazing couples that I love hanging out with. They make my job the best job in the world and I feel so privileged to meet so many incredible people each year. I love the moment that I send off a finished set of wedding photography knowing the couple will see them soon and relive their day.

In my personal life: I’m a very curious person, I’m really into self-development and psychology and what makes us into the people we are. It’s so fascinating to me and psychology is definitely something I would have gone into had I not become a wedding photographer.

I love my cat, she makes me happy every single day and I love her company whilst working from home. If a couple gets ready at home and their cats are there you know pictures of them will end up in their set of photos!

Lastly, I feel very fortunate to have found wonderful friends in the wedding industry and I love spending time with them – even if we are working on our laptops whilst we hang out!

If you could be someone else for a day, who would you be and why?

This is a bit of a scary question – I think I’m pretty happy being me!

What do you love most about your job?

I’m totally obsessed with weddings, they fulfil my love for a challenge as wedding coverage encompasses thinking on your feet and capturing so many different things: moments, portraits, atmosphere and details. I also love the creativity and unique stamp each couple puts on their day, it makes every wedding new, fresh and inspiring to me!

What trends are you loving at the moment?

I love the drive towards British-grown flowers, I love the sustainability and they always look so beautiful and cohesive with the seasonal element. More couples seem to be going for larger installations too such as arches, hanging arrangements or table backdrops which I just love.

I’m excited to see more celebrant-led weddings, especially ones that are tailored towards the couple and tell the story of their day. I had the privilege of photographing one led by Katie the Celebrant and it was such a talking point with all the guests about how personal and lovely it was.

Finally, I’m totally obsessed with brides doing speeches and I’m starting to see a lot more of that, and also with other members of the family such as the mums doing them too. It’s always wonderful and heartfelt and a joy to shoot.

Why should our couples choose you?

My tagline is “beautiful, non-intrusive wedding photography” and I hope that it succinctly describes my style and approach!

I think my couples want to have their wedding day captured by somebody who not only genuinely loves weddings, but is truly invested in the story and love that has led them to their big day, and I really feel that is what I offer. I flipping love every part of weddings and being asked to capture them really is the best job in the world.

My passion lies in capturing the spirit and emotion of a wedding day, and I think it’s this approach combined with a portfolio of vibrant yet natural photography that my couples book me for.

I understand the importance of keeping couples relaxed by maintaining a natural, candid yet professional shooting style, whilst still capturing all of the images needed to create a beautiful visual story of the day: candid moments, stunning portraits, atmospheric storytelling and beautifully captured details.

Finally, I love couples that want to hire me because not only do they love my photography, but our personalities click too! It’s wonderful when we get on so well it just feels like we are hanging out and having fun and grabbing photos whilst we are at it. I’ve made wonderful friends in my couples and it’s such a joy to stay connected after the big day!

What’s your drink of choice?

Gotta love a good gin and tonic! Mojitos are always a firm favourite too.

Who is your dream celebrity wedding couple?

I’m not big into my celebrities if I’m honest, but if I could have the opportunity to photograph Keira Knightley (even though she is already married!) I would die a happy lady!