They debated the institution of marriage, what the word means (because words absolutely matter), and who marriage is for.

Turns out, marriage is for people in love. All of them.

People in love, committing to each other, making and taking vows, that strengthens marriage in our society – it doesn’t undermine it.

So here is a celebration blog post of two people beautifully, equally in love.

Are you hopelessly, helplessly, happily in love? I’d love to photograph that for you.

Special lovetwo sessions are available to book now, so send me an email to kate@kategriffinphotography.com and we can get started telling your love story.

The post lee & phillip // lovetwo portraits in london appeared first on family portrait photography in surrey, hampshire and london.

Being in front of the camera doesn’t come naturally to most of us. It’s awkward to feel watched like that, sized up, photographed. We get trained into a certain way of being, of positioning ourselves, or arranging our faces when a camera lens comes looming into view. And that training starts early, from well meaning parents who want nothing more than for their kids to smile, on command and naturally if at all possible.

But if you ask a kid to smile, they will probably give you a shining example of cheesy grin. The trick is to encourage the smile to occur, rather than ask for it as a shape on their face. Those toothy grins can be funny, but the wind changes and gurning faces fix. So before you know it you’re graduating from university, wearing a cap and gown, clasping a fake, plastic scroll and contorting your face into what you mistakenly believe to represent joy, and your mum says, much later when looking at the photographs, “I’ve never seen you pull a face like that before.” This happened. To me.

Perhaps I’ll show you the offending image if you are good. Just let me know when you need cheering up. I’ll post it here for you.

Anyway.

I know you feel awkward and shy. You don’t quite like this about yourself, that about yourself and you worry about it being captured in a photograph. I get it. I REALLY get it. But let me tell you, the people in your life that love you, they love the whole of you. They want to see you in an image, desperately want to own a print of you, something for them to hang on the wall, or place by the bed, or tuck in their wallets. Photographs matter to family members.

Which brings me pretty neatly on to LOVETWO portrait sessions and the pictures I take during them. You don’t need to be getting married. You don’t even need to be engaged. You just need to be in love and want to capture that relationship in an image, for you, your families, for each other.

And my job as your photographer is to make that process easy for you, relaxed,  and even enjoyable. I won’t ask you to make a certain face, or adopt a pose that makes you feel uncomfortable. I take my lead from who you are, the people you are together, the real relationship you have.

So here’s a LOVETWO session, with real people, initially feeling awkward, who warmed up in no time at all, spending time with a photographer who knows what love looks like through a lens.

If you have a person you love and want images to treasure and share with your families, you’re in the right place, reading the right words. Here is the right number to call: 0784 147 9035. And the relevant email address: kate@kategriffinphotography.com.

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Lee met a girl called Bee and they fell in love.

Lee has VERY good taste in people he marries. Finally. After a long wait. In an amazing country home in the middle of Devon, decked out like Narnia at Christmas, where everyone dressed as animals. A fancy dress wedding. Yes. It was GLORIOUS.

Before they made it legal, we got together on a wet and rainy day in London so I could chase them about and take photographs of them together for a LOVETWO session. The weather didn’t give me long with them, but it held out just long enough.

When we were younger, Lee would dance on command. Apparently he still does. But this time he has a partner.

Lee is lucky because Bee is special. She is kind and sweet, deeply thoughtful, wonderfully frivolous and has a filthy sense of humour.

Bee is lucky because Lee is special. He is warm and irreverent, engaging and fun, a delightful dancer and a much loved friend of mine.

Despite the time when he smeared a mini babybel on the bonnet of my car. Forgiven, but never forgotten Lee as you well know. That red wax is a bugger to get off.

Seriously though, not even decent cheese. But we were teenagers and poor.

I’m looking forward to watching you both grow old together. Disgracefully, I hope.

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You don’t even have to be engaged.

But it’s absolutely necessary to be in love.

Pick me up, swirl me round, pucker up and kiss me, in love.

When was the last time you looked at the one you love? Not just a sideways glance, or a “hurry up, we’re going to be late” borderline angry sort of look.

But a take your time, slow things down, step in closer and gaze sort of look.

Because he can give you a look that makes you smile, giggle, crease up with laughter. That’s absolutely worth looking at – that’s the type of look you want to return. And often.

So once we’ve established that this is a lovetwo session, and not a mildly-like one, it’s time to wander through the woods, up a Surrey hillside and into some seriously beautiful late afternoon light.

Give me two hours of your time.

Give me two people in love.

And let’s take pictures that tell your love story together.

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