Melbourne-based The Runaway Hearts are for couples who don't want typical wedding photos, love creativity and just want to relax and be themselves. With a whimsical, nostalgic, colourful and natural style, The Runaway Hearts love to create analogue photos and Super 8 films that tell the story of how things felt, rather than just what they looked like.
Tell us about The Runaway Hearts!
The Runaway Hearts began in 2015 as I transitioned from being a fashion photographer into the wedding space. We are now made up of two photographers/filmmakers, myself (Kara) and Bibi.
We are down to earth artists at heart with a deep love of all things analogue. We shoot entirely on 35mm film and Super 8mm video.
Where are you based?
I am Melbourne based however, we work across Australia.
How would you describe your style?
Natural, imperfect, ethereal, nostalgic. I care more about a moment than a perfect pose.
How would you describe your working style?
First and foremost I observe. I let things unfold naturally and don’t rush you or take you away from authentic moments for the sake of a shot list. I follow the light and the energy that inevitably reveals itself throughout the day. I do not shy away from the imperfect but rather, I love noticing what is accidental and unstaged.
The most posed time of the day is your portrait session, where I will give more guidance, and even then I love to let your natural way of being rule the way I shoot; matching your energy to take the most beautiful images possible.
Do you shoot digitally, on film or both?
I shoot entirely on film, and can add on digital if that’s important to you.
Do you have custom packages according to individual needs?
Absolutely, I want you to feel completely covered and will help you prioritise what’s most important to you in a custom package.
What is a favourite product or service that you offer and why?
I offer really unique wedding ‘albums’ that are like coffee table books that you can flick through endlessly, with hundreds of pages to pore over. I’m a book lover and collector and wanted to create something totally different that was less precious than a traditional album and much more fun to revisit.
Where would you love to travel to for work?
I’d love to travel to upstate New York. I have an idealised picture in my head of places like Maine, and would love to feel the energy there and capture it on film.
Who is your dream client?
My dream clients are couples that want to enjoy and fully experience their wedding day, and trust me to capture things as I see them unfold. My ideal clients have great taste and care deeply about aesthetics only because it's enjoyable to them, not because they feel pressure to be anyone but themselves.
How do you select music for your films?
I always ask my couples if they have a song that is meaningful to them. Otherwise, I just go with my gut and choose something that feels the most like them and reminds me of the energy of their wedding day. If left to me, I will go for an obscure but romantic song from the 60’s or something from a cowboy western soundtrack.
What is your advice to couples getting married?
Don’t think of your wedding day as a photoshoot. The more you can stay present and enjoy yourselves, the better your photos will be, and the more it will feel like a beautiful memory looking back on your album.
The Runaway Hearts
Website: www.therunawayhearts.com
Instagram: @the.runaway.hearts