How would I describe myself?
I’m a jeans-and-a-beer kind of girl, always up for a good chat and a laugh. These days, I like to go out early enough to be home in time for a cup of tea and my pyjamas because let’s be real, nothing good happens after 9pm (except when I'm snapping the fun on a dance floor at a wedding!).
I’m a wife to Sean (aka Prawn) because I will nickname everyone. I'm a boy and girl Mum to two amazing humans, and if you follow me on Instagram, you’ll also meet my third child: Pluto (Plutsy, Plutes, sometimes other names not so endearing when he's done something he shouldn't have).He's our elderly English Springer Spaniel who will happily eat his own dinner, then proceed to stare at you with such intensity until you cave and share yours. He’s my shadow, deeply committed to the role of “mum’s sidekick.” He’s 13 now, aging like a fine cheese (a little stinky, but much loved), and currently providing background snoring as I type this and maybe a few 'not so appreciated' odours.
I keep things real, relaxed, and full of heart, both in life and behind the lens. To most people I'm laid back, pretty chilled, but there is that mother side of me where I am completely nuts over my kids. Even though they are young adults, I still stalk them on Life360! I think most Mum's are exactly the same.
My clients always comment on my calm approach. I figure weddings are already hectic, the last thing a couple wants is to spend their day with a stress head photographer! My years of experience have taught me that I need to roll with the punches on a wedding day. Things happen - trust me! It's not a wedding if something goes a little off course.
I’m one of those people that love to listen to others and somehow people love telling me their life story. I must give off that "therapist with a camera" energy. But honestly? I love it. It means people feel comfortable around me and that’s exactly the vibe I want, and that's exactly how I get those meaningful genuine moments. I love meeting new people, getting to know my clients is half the fun! When I tell people I'm a wedding photographer the first thing they generally say is 'wow you must get some bridezilla's'. And my response is "you know what? I seem to attract the best people". I feel so blessed to have met so many wonderful people. Many I still keep up to date with whether it be on facebook or instagram. I've made so many friends and a lot of couples I've met on their wedding day and we've all felt like we've known each other for years. How special is that!
My love affair with photography started in high school, back when cameras didn’t come with a handy back screen to view your image. I shot my first wedding in 2004 with a film Pentax (yes, film and you had to pray to the photography gods and wait for the lab results). It was actually terrifying now that I think about it. But the bride was happy, I learned loads, but knew I had so much to work on.
I started shooting weddings full time in 2010 and went out on my own in 2013.
Fast forward to today, and weddings + family sessions are my happy place. I still get excited over 'good light' and even when I don't have a camera in my hand, I always notice how winter sun filters so gently through nature, and how there can be amazing pockets of light in the most obscure places. I thrive on the energy of a wedding day, the joy, the tears, the proud parents dabbing their eyes, and the couples who pull me in for a hug at the end and thank me for making the photography so easy. I live to catch those blink-and-you-miss-it moments so you can relive all the magic through your gallery later.
From day one, I wanted to give my clients more than just beautiful photos. I wanted to give a genuinely positive experience. That means no ghosting, quick replies, helpful info, and yes, lots of sneak peeks (because I get just as excited as you do!). Oh yeah, ghosting - my pet hate. Just saying!
Fifteen years later, I’m still doing a happy dance after every wedding, and the fact that clients keep coming back or sending their friends my way? That means the world.
Thanks for being here. I can’t wait to capture something magical for you—I promise I'll leave the smelly spaniel at home!
jodie reardon - owner
A little about me
Me and my girl in Nara, Japan
The Elderly Springer - Pluto
