Who Is The Person Behind Blooming Photography?
Hello, I’m Ben, a Cheltenham based wedding photographer and the person behind Blooming Photography. I have always had a love of camera’s ever since picking up my dad’s SLR camera when I was a small boy. To look through a camera viewfinder and capture what you see, I thought was magical and I was hooked instantly.
My passion for photography grew throughout my teens, and I even gained a GCSE yet, I wasn’t that interested in photographing weddings at that point. I wanted to travel the world and document what I saw. Paying my way, was tricky though so I initially explored other options and developed great skills as a horticulturist instead. Randomly the camera never stayed away (& through my people skills I got cast in the Leonardo D’Caprio film “The Beach” and then was a Garden Invader for 50+ episodes of BBC1’s daytime gardening show with Charlie Dimmock, musician Kim Wilde & 100m sprinter Linford Christie as presenters)!!
It wasn’t really until the advent of two things that changed me. Getting married myself (in 2004) and digital cameras.
Getting married for me was important. Not only did I now have someone who grounded me and had my back, but it also ensured that I understood what a wedding day was and what it meant as a couple to capture those special moments that are often missed. Sadly, at my wedding, I chose a photographer that used film and once the formal photos were done (& there where far too many), that was it. Memories where just memories and only when my wife and I looked back we saw that there were no photos of my Auntie (who passed away soon after) nor photos of my wife’s mum (she hates the camera and always does her best to avoid it!).
The onset of digital meant you were no longer restricted to 24/36 photo’s and you could quickly change settings (ISO) in the camera so that you could be inside and then out without changing the roll of the film. This also meant that you could instead, capture a story rather than just line up outside a church or registry office and only really do formal photos. I’ve always believed in storytelling, especially at weddings.
It was a year later in 2005 that I photographed my friend’s wedding with my new state of the art digital camera. Apparently, I smashed it, and was then asked by lots of other friends to photograph their weddings. In 2006, I photographed 15 weddings. By 2008, I took a gamble and took lease on a building in Cheltenham and turned it into a place where bride and grooms could come and meet me, plus it had enough space to make a cool little photo studio for family portraits, headshots and product photos. I was now a full-time photographer and have never looked back!
My approach to weddings has always been unobtrusive and based on reportage style photography, allowing events to unfold naturally while I blend seamlessly into your celebration. I believe that the best moments are those you don’t notice being photographed—genuine, heartfelt, and full of life.
Friendly, approachable and fun, I dedicate time to getting to know the families involved, helping everyone feel at ease in front of the camera. My goal is to blend in, becoming part of your big day so that your photographs tell the true story of your wedding, filled with laughter, emotion and unforgettable memories.
Away from the camera, I’ve now been happily married for over 20 years, and I’m a proud parent of two wonderful children. We love travelling the world together, exploring new places, and embracing outdoor adventures—whether mountain biking, hiking, or simply enjoying the fresh air, whatever the weather.
If you’re looking for a photographer who will capture your wedding in a natural and relaxed style, while being a supportive and friendly presence throughout, I’d love to hear from you and help make your day truly memorable.
Hi I’m Ben!
Hello, I’m Ben, the person behind Blooming Photography. I have always had a love of camera’s ever since picking up my dad’s SLR camera when I was a small boy. To look through a camera viewfinder and capture what you see, I thought was magical and I was hooked instantly.
My passion for photography grew throughout my teens, and I even gained a GCSE yet, I wasn’t that interested in photographing weddings at that point. I wanted to travel the world and document what I saw. Paying my way, was tricky though so I initially explored other options and developed great skills as a horticulturist instead. Randomly the camera never stayed away (& through my people skills I got cast in the Leonardo D’Caprio film “The Beach” and then was a Garden Invader for 50+ episodes of BBC1’s daytime gardening show with Charlie Dimmock, musician Kim Wilde & 100m sprinter Linford Christie as presenters)!!
It wasn’t really until the advent of two things that changed me. Getting married myself (in 2004) and digital cameras.
Getting married for me was important. Not only did I now have someone who grounded me and had my back, but it also ensured that I understood what a wedding day was and what it meant as a couple to capture those special moments that are often missed. Sadly, at my wedding, I chose a photographer that used film and once the formal photos were done (& there where far too many), that was it. Memories where just memories and only when my wife and I looked back we saw that there were no photos of my Auntie (who passed away soon after) nor photos of my wife’s mum (she hates the camera and always does her best to avoid it!).
The onset of digital meant you were no longer restricted to 24/36 photo’s and you could quickly change settings (ISO) in the camera so that you could be inside and then out without changing the roll of the film. This also meant that you could instead, capture a story rather than just line up outside a church or registry office and only really do formal photos. I’ve always believed in storytelling, especially at weddings.
It was a year later in 2005 that I photographed my friend’s wedding with my new state of the art digital camera. Apparently, I smashed it, and was then asked by lots of other friends to photograph their weddings. In 2006, I photographed 15 weddings. By 2008, I took a gamble and took lease on a building in Cheltenham and turned it into a place where bride and grooms could come and meet me, plus it had enough space to make a cool little photo studio for family portraits, headshots and product photos. I was now a full-time photographer and have never looked back!
My approach to weddings has always been unobtrusive and based on reportage style photography, allowing events to unfold naturally while I blend seamlessly into your celebration. I believe that the best moments are those you don’t notice being photographed—genuine, heartfelt, and full of life.
Friendly, approachable and fun, I dedicate time to getting to know the families involved, helping everyone feel at ease in front of the camera. My goal is to blend in, becoming part of your big day so that your photographs tell the true story of your wedding, filled with laughter, emotion and unforgettable memories.
Away from the camera, I’ve now been happily married for over 20 years, and I’m a proud parent of two wonderful children. We love travelling the world together, exploring new places, and embracing outdoor adventures—whether mountain biking, hiking, or simply enjoying the fresh air, whatever the weather.
If you’re looking for a photographer who will capture your wedding in a natural and relaxed style, while being a supportive and friendly presence throughout, I’d love to hear from you and help make your day truly memorable.
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