Sundari offers 35mm photography and camcorder video for couples that are seeking honest and in the moment visuals from their celebration. With a personable approach, Sundari prioritises her observational and personal style in her work. Sundari is based in the UK and is available for bookings throughout Europe and beyond.
Tell us about your business!
I am an analogue photographer and camcorder videographer based in the UK. I am utterly in awe of what I get to do as my career. Love stories aren’t always straight lines so honouring the magic and beauty of each individual relationship, each person, how they have come together and their commitment to one another is something incredibly powerful and meaningful.
There is something tactile and effortlessly meaningful about photographing weddings on film. It harks to an era where we didn’t scroll on our phones but when we turned crinkled pages and flipped through boxes upon boxes of printed photos as dust floating all around us.
My approach to wedding photography and video is very much grounded in the two as individuals, lovers and moving along with them throughout the scenes of their celebration and with gentle direction and noticing the in-between moments. It’s very much ensuring I’m memorialising the emotions and feelings in that moment.
I have to say it’s such an immense honour and privilege to hold a camera in my hand and witness love win over and over again.
What would you like couples to know about you?
I am a friendly, bubbly person and basically become part of your team the moment you book me. I also used to be a wedding stylist/planner so I have a unique eye and deep understanding of how events come together and run on the day so it gives me an additional layer of expertise for my couples to rely on.
Where are you based?
In the UK, just outside of London.
Do you travel for weddings?
100%. I am available throughout the UK, Europe and beyond. Next year I’m traveling to Italy, Scotland and Marrakech!
How would you describe your style?
Emotive, intimate and captivating. I believe I capture with a certain depth of honesty, from spontaneous moments to also the moments you might’ve missed. I believe these moment are to be shown to the generations and always believe in bringing out the soul of a moment.
It’s about being intentional and I’m always thinking of what I’m trying to capture when I hit my shutter or point my camcorder.
What is your most memorable career moment?
It’s hard to pick one memory but I just remember at one wedding, my couple had a quick registry office ceremony followed by a religious one with their Pastor. When he spoke of his own challenges in love and talking about my couples own story, his words will never leave me “you must feel a sense of destiny, God was in it, God has brought you together to today”
Whilst I am not necessarily religious but it was a moment I knew I was in the right career. I believe in love and it’s destiny for us all – sometimes it’s not always straight out of the movies, but it doesn’t make it any less powerful and incredible.
What inspires you?
My own personal relationships, books, music and art. I have a thing for Vermeer & Monet – A little thing I like to do on days off when I can escape to London is scouring art galleries for beautiful paintings of women and noticing their poses and learning from their composition.
How would you describe your working style?
I must admit I do love a timeline. Understanding the plan of the day helps me not only know about the timings but also help guide my couple in creating space for them and their loved ones.
I do a lot of ‘watching’ on the day, I like to call it The Art of Noticing. I follow the day as it unfolds in front of me, stepping in when I need to hit pause on a moment - I find my practice quite adaptable to the chops and changes of a wedding day.
End of the day I want couples to look at their photos and videos with aching cheeks from smiling so much or tears in their eyes from a moment they’ve been pulled back to remember.
Do you shoot digitally, on film or both?
I exclusively shoot analogue film, however I can add digital as a second photographer easily, if required.
For video it is always on my old school Sony handycam camcorder.
Do you have custom packages according to individual needs?
All weddings are bespoke and quoted for individually, but I have a base pricing as a starting point.
What is a favourite product or service that you offer and why?
I love when couples opt for both photography and camcorder videography together. This means I can truly build together the full story of their celebrations and love story.
Where would you love to travel to for work?
My dream location would be chateau's in the middle of France or Switzerland. I absolutely love greenery and sunlight, so anything with either of those.
Who is your dream client?
Anyone deeply in love but couples who are fashion led, culturally diverse (or appreciative of them!) love to eat good food, listen to all kinds of music, are passionate about creative design for their wedding and looking to celebrate in a laid back and fun way.
How do you select music for your films?
I always lean towards emotive, cinematic music which tugs on the heart strings!
My personal favourite genre music is classical but the newer kind such as Olafur Arnalds, Ludovico Einaudi and Slow Meadow. I’m always the one listening to Official Sound Tracks from movies. So my music selection always feels along those lines.
What is your advice to couples getting married?
Remember it’s about you two. You’ll look back on the celebrations and you want to feel like everything felt true to you two and your love for one another.
Your suppliers are there to support you, so trust them. Make sure you take some time out together on the day to have 10 minutes just together to bask in the happiness.
Remember to eat your canapés on the day! The day moves so quickly you’ll often miss those gorgeous morsels you planned for months with your caterer!
Sundari Photography
Website: sundariferris.co.uk/weddings
Instagram: @onfilm.bysundari