HEY, I’M JONO SYMONDS, and here is MY STORY
It Starts 15 years ago in Music
15 years ago, I wasn’t in the wedding industry. In fact, I was running radio stations. I was working alongside major record labels with names such as Ed Sheehan, The Script, Jessie J, and Kylie Minogue. At the time, music was my major passion. It was in my blood! I sat on the Brit Awards Panel as an influencer of British Music, won several international awards, and put on some of the largest music concerts and festivals in the UK.
Learning from the best
I wanted to document the behind-the-scenes of the concerts I was putting on, so I started learning from the very best in the photography industry. I spent night after night going out with my camera and photographing everything from buildings, people, and animals. Reading books and magazines, taking courses, attending workshops, and learning all about editing software. I would spend hours mastering my craft, headphones on, music playing, and lost in my own creative world. Slowly, over time, my work was getting recognised, and I was being asked to capture gigs and artists, and I LOVED it… Little did I know where I would end up…
A friend in need
My wedding photography adventure starts in 2010 when I was the best man at my friend’s wedding. In fact, it was less of an adventure – more of a baptism of fire. The morning of the wedding, their photographer had every wedding photographer’s nightmare – they had to cancel. My best friend looked at me whilst on the phone. Sheer panic spreading over his face. He shouted, “Jono, do you have your camera with you?” I replied, “yes it’s in the car, why?” He then shouted, “can you photograph the wedding?” The relief he showed when I nervously said yes was that of sheer joy.
A new passion
Despite feeling a bit stressed, it filled me with joy and excitement because the day was incredible. The laughter, the joy, and the fleeting once-in-a-lifetime moments all being captured on my camera. I was like a kid in a sweet shop. I was loving every second. Then when I got home and looked at the images on my computer, it felt like I was there again at the wedding. It made me realise the true impact of photography and how it can touch so many lives. My friend and his wife were overjoyed with the images and I remember them saying, you could do this for a living. I think it was then that I planted the seed.
Making a change
Fast forward a year later and the radio industry was changing. All the creativity was gone and my passion for radio was dwindling with it. It was all spreadsheets and P&L reports. I used to dread going to work, as it was making me unhappy; I needed somewhere to be creative again – a new passion. So, after getting to work with some of the best in the industry, I took the plunge and started my photography business. 13+ years later, I still capture music gigs, artists, and events, but I also get to capture authentic moments for couples in the UK and worldwide, and I truly wouldn’t have it any other way.
Understanding how you feel
My best friend’s wedding experience taught me how nerve-wracking it is for you as a couple to choose your wedding vendors. How much trust goes into that decision. From my years in the industry, I also know how stressful planning a wedding is. I’m familiar with the errors couples can make and am aware of the labour involved in planning a wedding. I’ve developed resources and systems to help guide you through this overwhelming process. Ultimately, I want you to relax knowing that you picked a passionate wedding professional who cares as much about your day as you do.
You Want someone to capture moments that look how they felt
People frequently describe my wedding style as timeless, cinematic, classic, and editorial. My style creates journalistic imagery that captures your wedding day as it unfolds. This produces more photos and footage that captured a moment and fewer of those staring directly at the camera. That being said, I also know some family members love a shot of you smiling at the camera and have already bought their photo frame in anticipation, so I always include a few of those.
You want someone to capture the emotion of your day, the laughter, the love, and all the bits in between. Those moments you didn’t even know happened. Timeless images and footage you are proud to share with family and friends. You don’t want someone carrying big cameras, lights or equipment. You don’t want to be asked to do silly poses or fake smiles. Finding someone who can capture the love between you is a priority. The laughter, love, emotions, and, of course, those crazy dance moves.
IMPORTANT MEMORIES
won’t be missed.
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CONTACT US
You DESERVE the absolute BEST for your WEDDING DAY. That’s why I want to make sure I am the RIGHT CHOICE for you as a COUPLE.
It’s so important to me that my couples are happy and confident with their choice in asking me to document their wedding. As such, I do not take every wedding I’m approached to capture. I prefer to work with couples who share my brand values and who ultimately are confident we are a good match.
I’d love to hear more about you as a couple and learn more about your story, so fill out the contact form and I’ll be in touch.
MUSIC was my
FIRST LOVE
Music has always been a huge part of my life. From collecting records as a child to having worked in the music industry for 15 years. Before becoming a full-time wedding photographer and filmmaker, I worked alongside major record labels photographing concerts, portraits and accompanying some of the biggest names in music on tour.
Music still runs through my veins. I’m very fortunate to continue to work with industry leaders and amazing artists, and now I get to combine my two passions together.
“
I get to WORK with the HAPPIEST PEOPLE on the planet, EAT CAKE, and do what I LOVE.
– JONO SYMONDS
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ABOUT JONO
So let me tell you a bit more about myself. As a wedding photographer and filmmaker, I get to work with the happiest people on the planet, eat cake, and do what I love. Being a visual storyteller is all about people, love, relationships, interesting places, and capturing moments. I’m inspired by human connection, contemporary imagery, and capturing moments as they unfold. I create artistic portraits and reportage-style moments with a strong cinematic feel, heavily influenced by my work in the music industry.
My home is in the beautiful city of Lancaster, lying between the edge of the Lake District and the Trough of Bowland. Whilst I love where I live, I also love to travel. So out of wedding season, you can usually find me exploring the world and experiencing new cultures.
Animals are a great passion of mine, especially dogs Bumble, Winnie and Ru, all have a place in my heart. I’m a self-confessed geek – give me a new gadget and I’m in my element – entertained for hours. I love nothing more than taking a break from the hustle and bustle, by sitting outside in the sun, with a table full of tapas and an ice-cold beer, and just watching the world go by. Oh, and did I say Barack Obama follows me on Twitter?
JONO AT A GLANCE
MUSIC, Travelling,
Technology, DOGS,
A GOOD FILM, Tapas,
FAMILY, Early Mornings,
SUNSETS, Theatre, FRIENDS
Pizza & a Cold Beer.
ABOUT MY COUPLES
My DREAM CLIENTS aren’t AFRAID to get down on the DANCE FLOOR, Jimmy Choos and all.
My couples live for every moment, whether that’s cocktail hour, walking down the aisle, or dancing the night away with their nearest and dearest. You know that the little details add up, and you care about the small moments just as much as the big ones. You work with your suppliers and recognise their experience and are open-minded to their suggestions to take your wedding to another level.
learn about the
EXPERIENCE
For me, your wedding day is an experience to be remembered. My role as your wedding photographer and/or wedding videographer is to document the story of your day. It’s my job to capture those moments you see and all of those that you don’t. I then weave these moments together in an authentic, memorable way to tell your story. To get the very best from the experience, it all begins with how we approach your wedding from the get-go.
Wayne + Rebecca
LOW HALL – THE LAKES, CUMBRIA“I just don’t know how to say how thankful we are to you for everything you did. However, I think having no words to express my thanks is perhaps the only way to describe it. The photos you took are better than our wildest dreams, you captured every single moment just so beautifully (despite the weather’s best efforts to stop you). It was just wonderful sharing the day with you. So really really really thank you”
