Supplier spotlight on Benjamin Wheeler
Benjamin Wheeler is an incredible photographer that travels the world shooting in his unique style. He loves Italy and after spending time there both on holiday and for work says, “Working in Italy just feels so easy going…weddings there just feel like a proper celebration”. And it’s true, if there’s a place that knows how to celebrate all things love, it’s Italy.
Benjamin’s shot everything from intimate UK weddings, a Royal wedding, through to a 350 person Italian wedding in what he calls ‘the most incredible place’ he's shot: Abbazia San Pastore. Today he tells us what he’s learnt and loved along the way…
I loved visiting Tuscany in 2019 for a long holiday when I shot a gorgeous wedding near Siena. Being in the rolling hills of Montepulciano, wineries of Montalcino, the stooping hillside town of Pienza is just magical and doesn’t feel real. It leaves an imprint on you and the colours in the summer sky are just another world. That isn’t even mentioning the food!
That no matter what, it's going to be a really happy occassion. One of my favourite weddings of 2018 was in the unseasonable pouring rain of Tuscany! It still felt like a proper celebration - it made me realise what is important at weddings; authenticity and celebration!
The food is obviously always incredible, no matter the menu and its so nice as a supplier to know how well looked after we will be on the day.
One of the most incredible places I have shot at was Residenza la Pettolecchia in Puglia. It is such a magical spot near the coast. However, Abbazia San Pastore just outside Rieti blew my mind. An ancient Abbey nestled away from the tourist track with a huge space for entertaining the big Italian wedding guest lists. It did not disappoint, with its raw and untouched walls, beautiful light spilling through the high windows and such a romantic setting.
1. Think about lighting, as when the sunset has faded it can get so dark in the countryside. Creating a unique and magical space with a sense of location is so important, so think about hundreds of candles, festoon lights even down to the colour temperature of the bulb! It can be so key to mood as well as incredible opportunity for photographers to capture longer in to the night without compromising on quality, flash and additional lighting.
2. Plan for rain! Weddings which rely on being outside 100% of the time, with rolling landscape illuminated by the sunset doesn’t always happen. Plan for the worst and you’ll likely be pleasantly surprised. If it is a darker day and your ceremony is suddenly inside, plan for some incredible lighting - your photographer will need it.
Some great advice there from someone who's been to a lot of weddings! I'm sure you'll agree that Benjamin's work is breathtaking. If you'd like to check out more of his work visit his member page on La Lista.
Benjamin Wheeler is a wedding photographer and editorial fashion photographer. Benjaminwheeler.studio hosts is personal work, landscapes from his travels and commissions.
Written by Lucy White, Founder of La Lista & Wiskow & White, with over 5 years and 150 weddings worth of experience.
