ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
JIMMY RAPER
PHOTOGRAPHER
We know him for his ability to capture jubilant and infectious wedding moments, but Jimmy Raper’s passion for photography began in the ocean, capturing surfing and the natural world. Not too surprising for a boy from the Northern Beaches. After seeing another beautiful series of pictures for Belance client’s, Marc and Marissa, we had to catch up with Jimmy to chat about his work, some of his favourite photographs, and photography tips for future grooms.
BT: How did you get into wedding photography?
JR: I was always drawn to photojournalism in my early days, so that’s how I fell into weddings. I get the opportunity to mix all the different aspects of photography into one day. So it keeps me on my toes, and every wedding is something different which I love.
BT: What do you enjoy the most about your work?
JR: Meeting new couples and spending arguably the best day of their lives with them. I love that I get to capture the day with my vision and share a tangible set of images at the end of it all.
BT: What are the key things a couple should look for when hiring a photographer?
JR: I would say the most important thing is someone that you get along with and wouldn’t mind spending your whole wedding day with. Have a photographer that will slot in nicely with your friends and family, so it feels like a friend is capturing your day instead of a vendor. Taking a picture is a technical process, sure, but ninety- nine percent of a great image comes from really connecting with a moment, with a person or a group of people.
What’s the process of booking your services?
I recommend couples contact me via the contact form on my website. If they are happy with my pricing, we can schedule a call to discuss options and see if we gel.
Since most of our readers are men, what are some tips you can give to future grooms on their wedding photoshoot?
Enjoy the day, go with the flow, and don’t overthink the photoshoot. Enjoy the time with your partner. Your experience with every photographer will be different, but I aim to keep my images as natural as possible and will not have you posing stiffly in front of the camera looking like you never normally would. I want you guys to hang out and focus on having fun.
