Talented female wedding photographer Terry Li gave up a promising career in recruitment to pursue her dream job. She creates natural and engaging photographs for weddings, engagement shoots and lifestyle portraits.

By Nee Hao Magazine’s Ling Thompson 

Where are you from? 

I am from Hong Kong, have been living in the UK for 8 years and now based in London.

How did you get into photography? 

I have a background in Psychology and Recruitment, I’ve always had a strong interest in Photography and have been taking photographs for many years. I used to be involved heavily in different kinds of photographic responsibilities at university, such as being the Vice Chair for the Photographic Society and the Photo Editor for the campus student newspaper. Then I came to a realisation that photography is something I would like to do as a profession. So I have set up my own Wedding Photography business and I am thoroughly enjoying it.

Why do you like wedding photography in particular?

It is always an honour for me to be trusted by couples to create and capture their memorable day. In my view, shooting a wedding is capturing the beautiful moments and experiences in this special day in an artistic form, that can be remembered anywhere, anytime. I simply love the fact there is constantly something going on, people interacting with each other, kids playing around, creating an ideal environment for great shots.

How would you describe your style?

Soft, natural and story telling.

What is your approach and method in creating the style?

My approach is subtle and unobstructive. I observe a lot and look for details in the environment. I also try to anticipate those special moments and be ready for them. This way you can preserve the integrity of the moments with genuine emotions and create a narrative story out of the wedding day.

What is the most interesting thing you have came across during a wedding?

There’s this lovely family I photographed for a wedding at Knightsbridge tried to introduce me to one of their sons!

Have you ever come across any difficult situations?

I think I have been very lucky so far, so not really. I believe most of the time difficult situations can be avoided upfront by taking the time to get a good understanding of your client’s requirements and planning ahead to meet them. So I always encourage my clients to be open and honest with me if they don’t feel comfortable or unhappy with something, I always try my best to make the moment enjoyable.

Is photography just about taking photos?

That’s only the beginning I am afraid! The majority of the work starts when the shooting day is over! Usually it takes at 1-2 days to post-process and edit the photos for a typical wedding day. I have to admit that I am a bit obsessed with the details, especially the colour and tone, as they directly affect the mood of a photo. I often think that I spend too much time on it, but then it’s very rewarding when you see client’s positive reactions!

Preparation is critical for a good shoot. I always meet the couple at least once beforehand, so we can get to know each other better – it’s important for me to shoot with their story in mind. I would discuss with and advise the couple in their choice of clothes and props – just to make sure the colours and style look good on the camera.

What do you do in your leisure time?

I enjoy exploring different forms of art by going to exhibitions, watching movies and reading magazines. Occasionally, ideas just pop into my mind in the middle of the night, and I get so excited that I needed to get up and start working on it.

 

Click on image to go to terryliphotography.co.uk