At Clearwell Castle, we’re proud of the catering and services that our in-house team delivers. We’re also honoured to work with our chosen wedding suppliers, who consistently carry out phenomenal work. Each wedding supplier we recommend has been handpicked for their skills, experience, passion and expertise. Our recommended services have helped us achieve wedding perfection for every couple that hosts their big day with us.
One important planning must is hiring a wedding photographer to capture your special day, with all of its big and little moments. We collaborate with husband and wife team Phil Chappell and Kate Jordan-Chappell, known collectively as Lensmonkey. The pair have captured more than 300 weddings (and counting!) here at Clearwell Castle, so needless to say they know our house and grounds particularly well. With years of experience between them, we thought it was only fitting that we shine the spotlight on the service they provide to couples tying the knot with us. Read on to discover more.
A long and happy partnership
We’ve worked with Lensmonkey for a number of years, and have seen first-hand the quality of their work. The company celebrated its 12-year anniversary this year, but Phil has many more years of experience as a lighting television cameraman and drone operator. As a result of this experience-rich, technology-driven background, Phil uses the latest techniques and tools as well as masses of talent to produce results that are contemporary, fresh, artistic and truly beautiful.
Whilst Phil uses his keen eye and bold vision to shoot weddings, Kate calls upon plenty of passion, skill and experience to edit the photos and design the finished albums that now sit in so many happy couples’ homes.
The importance of professional photography
Your wedding is one of the most important days of your life, a fact that makes hiring a great wedding photographer, like Lensmonkey, essential. Your wedding photographer is there to document the moments that make up your special day, from the small details to the bigger, more iconic wedding scenes. Here Phil at Lensmonkey explains why playing a part in someone else’s big day is the privilege it is for him and how hiring a professional is the best thing you can do for a truly memorable wedding day:
“We are truly passionate about weddings and know what it means to have great photos. My wife, Kate, and I got married 15 years ago when I was only an amateur photographer, still working as a staff camera operator at the BBC. We didn’t prioritise our photos and left too small an amount in our budget for this. A great photographer isn’t just someone who takes great pictures. It’s someone who can capture the moment without the subject even knowing they were there, someone that blends in, someone who makes you feel so relaxed in front of the camera… It’s essentially about being in the right place at the right time, ensuring you’re not being pushy or overbearing but capturing the moment, not creating it.”
Whether you’re currently planning your wedding or vow renewal, hiring a photographer that will capture the atmosphere of this truly special occasion is imperative. To find out more about our recommended photographers, please visit Lensmonkey’s website.
