One of the main catalysts for falling in love with photography was my passion for travelling. So when I started my wedding photography business a goal of mine was always to shoot an overseas wedding. At the time I thought this was big sky thinking, but little did I know that towards the end of 2022 I would be able to tick this off. After what was the last two and a half years not leaving the country, travelling seemed even wilder.

*View from the plane just before landing in Seoul. Shot on Cinestill 800, pushed 1 stop.*

Going back a couple of years I was a chef full time. Cooking has always been a passion and has given me life long skills as well as friendships, plus being able to travel the world (see a trend here?). While I was a chef in Melbourne I was working at Rockpool Bar & Grill. I loved working here. This stalwart of the Melbourne hospitality industry taught me so much about working with great produce, working hard and working with people.

During this time I met Danny Soon, one of the kindest and hardest working chefs I had met yet. On a working holiday from South Korea, we instantly built up a friendship and would often eat out late with the crew at our favourite Chinese and Ramen hangouts. I eventually left Rockpool to travel Europe for 4 months with my mates (the trend continues), and Danny shortly left Rockpool after that having to head back home after his working visa had finished.

A few more years passed I travelled to South Korea with a friend of mine and we caught up with Danny. It was like we never missed a beat. Relationships like this are truly special when you can not see someone for so many years, but when you see each other it’s like you never left. He showed me and my friend around Seoul, we ate at some amazing locals joints and caught up on old times.

Jumping forward I started to phase myself out of the hospitality industry to focus on my photography, something I had been pushing towards for quite some time. Covid had obviously slowed things down, but I had hit some good momentum and knew I had to jump straight in.

I received a Instagram DM from Danny, a few months had passed since we last spoke, but he told me that he had proposed to his lovely girlfriend Jisu and they were planning their wedding for October 2022, and the crazy part is that he wanted me to capture his wedding day! I was blown away. Of course I said Yes! I was truly honoured and wanted to be there, I didn’t hesitate. I cleared some space in my calendar and booked flights.

*Seoul Botanical Gardens at golden hour shot on medium format film. Kodak Gold 200.*

Flying to Seoul I suddenly was a little bit nervous. “Am I even able to shoot a wedding overseas?”, “How will I communicate with everyone?”, and “Did I bring enough gear?”. But this quickly ceased once I took a deep breath and realised I was combining my two favourite passions; travelling and photography, and I knew I couldn’t go wrong here.

Landing in Seoul filled me with even more confidence. The weather was perfect. Sunny, low 20 degree days with not a cloud in the sky. Amazing weather heading into the peak of autumn. I promptly checked out the wedding venue and the nearby Namsam Park as I knew it would be gorgeous for some portraits post-ceremony during golden hour.

I had a few days off before the wedding and was able to get reacquainted with Seoul. I love it here. Bustling night life. Amazing markets. Film photography stores everywhere and temptations to buy new cameras and film at every corner it seemed. After not travelling for a few years this just cemented my love for seeing different cultures and photographing whatever is in-front of me.

Come wedding day I was hyped. Things are done a little differently at a South Korean wedding, and I could not wait to see how it all unfolded.

La Luce was the absolutely amazing venue that was hosting the day. Here you’re able to pick between a few different rooms and you have this for a 2 hour window, and then once you’re done, the venue staff quickly resets the room for the next set of guests and couple to get married. Each room get used 4-5 times a day! It’s very smooth and methodical; a well oiled machine.

The ceremony was gorgeous, with both sides of the family having their mother’s, aunties and grandmothers in traditional clothing was cool to see. The venue is completely covered in amazing florals and flowers. In addition to a gorgeous glass ceiling and rooftop outside. It’s possibly the most lovely venue I have had a chance to shoot in.

Danny & Jisu greeted all their friends and family at the start of the ceremony, which I found really refreshing because they were able to see everyone and have a good chat. Sometimes I do find that as the day can be so busy I hear of couples having friends and family they didn’t get to have a chat to.

One of the most biggest challenges during the whole day was the language barrier; I didn’t speak any Korean, and only one or two people spoke English with the exception of Danny & Jisu. I was surprised at how well I was able to work the room and get the most out of the day with a smile and still trying to communicate with people via gesturing. Body language is huge and I believe that when I’m at a wedding and projecting positively it’s received so well and better photos are a result of that.

Danny had one of his good friends sing an amazing song as a tribute to the newlyweds. Jisu surprised Danny with a dance with her friends that was choreographed and got the whole room on their feet.

Once the ceremony was done inside we headed out for a traditional balloon ceremony where the couple lets go of a group of helium balloons to celebrate the start of the marriage, Unfortunately with covid restrictions still being strict in Seoul guests were not allowed to remove their masks, but even though it’s not ideal, I think it’s a great show of the times and when we look back on these pictures in 20,30 and 40 years time they will age well and represent the world that we were living in.

Once the ceremony was done all the guests were able to head down to a reception centre in La Luce for a buffet. A quick change of clothes for Danny & Jisu and they were able to have all the hugs, kisses and hi fives they could take.

As I love all things green, floral and forestry I was always looking to take some portraits at a park or garden some place nearby. Luckily, a quick 5 minute walk from La Luce was the gorgeous Namsam Park. I scoped out the location a few days earlier and knew it would be amazing for golden hour for shooting some medium format film and Polaroids too. Digital is always important, but I knew I had to get my fix of analogue film in.

The three of us were able to play some Bill Withers on my little speaker, and take some of my favourite portraits to date. The light was unbelievable and they were happy to take photos all afternoon. It was a dream. I loved every minute of it.

Looking back this is one of the coolest things I’ve ever been able to photograph. Scratch that, one of the coolest things I’ve ever had the pleasure of being a part of. Capturing a wedding for a friend is already an honour, but to then add on the fact that I was able to do it overseas, on the other side of the world, was unforgettable. Not only was this humbling, but it filled me with so much confidence for the road ahead.