When it comes to wedding photography, it is important the big day is one that looks as good as it felt
SOPHOCLES Alexiou cannot afford to be a shrinking violet. His chosen profession is one that demands total allegiance to the daily ability to pamper, protect and boost the egos of his fellow humans regardless of size, looks, or physical deformities. Essential to the job is an almost obsessive attention to detail, superb, organisational skills, a deep respect for Murphy’s Law, the stamina of a racehorse, the tact of a diplomat and the patience of Jobe.
Sophocles is that rather unusual breed of professional snapper in that he positively relishes being a society wedding photographer, with all his talents having come together to make him one of the most sought after guys in London by both brides to be and, of course, their mothers.
This second generation English Cypriot is a Londoner born and bred and it was when working as a Bouzouki player he started getting interested in photography.
“I used to play at loads of weddings and I really enjoyed the entire spectacle, and at one ceremony I met Peter Dyer, a well-established photographer who gave me some encouragement plus sound technical advice. Then I went off back packing in Australia, taking with me a small camera. That’s when I got hooked and wanted to learn everything there was to know about the craft.”
Sophocles, on his return to London, joined a professional photographic working group, where he sat and, like a sponge, soaked up all the information on offer.
“My brother then loaned me the money to get my first decent camera, tripod and lights and I was on my way.”
I asked why it was, unlike other photographers who would rather eat their own liver than succumb to the dangerous job of photographing weddings, he chose this particular branch of the business.
“First, I have no fear of this one day, once only concept; there’s no ‘lets go back and shoot it again’ type challenge. I have all the people skills in place to cope with whatever is thrown at me as far as problem solving. One of the key points is to prepare thoroughly prior to the big day. I reconnoitre the venues, have several meetings with the bride and the family. I know what they want captured and I also understand their specific style needs.
“I do believe my work has actually raised the general standard of wedding photography from the usual ‘Let’s have the bride’s parents now’ formula. I am in what you could describe as the sharp end of the people business, and it’s one that has to make them happy, so, I try to put that emotion on paper through my images. I may have done hundreds of weddings but for the couple it’s usually a first and so I have to create that freshness and vitality each and every time. I also never take on a job if I don’t feel I can really do it justice.”
Has he ever had a no-show from a bride or a groom? “No, but I did photograph a wedding recently where the groom was so emotional he kept bursting into tears, the couple went off on honeymoon, returned two weeks later and separated. They didn’t even collect their wedding pictures.”
Portraiture is another of Sophocles’ strengths. I asked him what his philosophy is when it comes to dealing with the demands of this highly personal aspect of his business.
“Photography is really instant drawing and my job is to trap life, preserve it, catch it in the act of living. The key is to know your subject and to make them relaxed enough to let you know them. It’s true that every picture tells a story, it’s just that I aim to achieve a ‘best selling’ status with every one of my images.”
Although he is based in London, Sophocles admitted that he would love to return to the island once or twice a year for special commissions. But, unlike some of our local wedding snappers, you won’t see him trot up in shorts, sneakers, and bleached T shirt for this is a chap who is as fastidious about his appearance as he is about his work.
He sports a quite memorable Salvador Dali look, with his perfectly sculpted facial tresses, dressing a long equine face but not for him surreal images of melting timepieces or elephants with spidery legs. This is a man who is totally reality based, who’s seemingly spontaneous, joyful images provide a bank of work light years ahead of the ghastly, posed, misty confections currently on offer to our more discerning Cypriot brides.
Sophocles is a consummate lens artist and his modern style of work is a testament to the good old-fashioned values of hard graft, tenacity and talent. One other thing’s for sure: I bet when Sophocles, our Dali of the darkroom, is behind the camera he has never once been heard to utter. ‘Now just say Halloumi’.
l Sophocles Alexiou. Tel: 0044 20 8876 1740, www.pictorialsphotography.co.uk, [email protected]
