Wedding photographer recalls best and worst 'special days'

HE’S a wedding photographer who’s never been married, but that’s not the only point of difference Brian Rogers boasts.

One of Brian's unique takes on wedding photography. Picture: Brian Rogers

HE'S a wedding photographer who's never been married, but that's not the only point of difference Brian Rogers boasts.

Classically trained in black and white film processing and printing, Brian (pictured right) cut his teeth as a press photographer in the UK and counts famed Vietnam War photographers Don McCullin and Tim Page among his inspirations.

After shooting plenty of riots and crime in London, the former newshound has embraced his softer side.

Since his first shoot in Wyoming, USA, Brian's doco-style of wedding photography has captured Coast residents' special days for decades.

"It's real, you can't fake a real smile or a real laugh or a tear," he said.

"I want to catch people's mannerisms of how they interact with each other.

"Give me real people doing real things with real events in real time."

The love of the lens oozes out of the 49-year-old Caloundra character.

"At times as a student you had to make a decision, 'do I buy film or do I buy food?', and I always bought film," he laughed.

Torrential rain, double rainbows, drunken antics and food fights - Brian's seen it all on couples' biggest days.

Julie & Scott Rhodes took a unique wedding trip. Picture: Brian Rogers Photographics

There was the wedding of a 96-year-old man and a 94-year-old woman, who eventually decided to formalise a union which had survived the Second World War.

Then there was the time a well-refreshed bridesmaid passed out before the group shot - an early morning champagne session finally taking its toll.

"I've had a bride tread on her dress and face plant walking down the aisle," he recalled with a grin.

"I made sure I was changing my lens over at the time."

Brian said he loved the energy of a wedding.

Whether it was the teetotalling union of born-again Christians or rum-soaked celebrations, the joy was the same, no matter what background people hailed from.

But he said there was one type of wedding that had eluded him - a same-sex marriage.

"That's one on my bucket list though. I'd be really interested to shoot one," he said.

"After 21 years of doing this job I'd love to see it happen."

Brian ranks Bribie Island, Shelly Beach and parts of Caloundra as some of the hidden wedding gems on the Coast for wedding photos.

"I love being a local and shooting local and bringing business back to the community when I can," he said.

A 300-guest celebration was the largest he'd covered, while an intimate ceremony where he doubled as the witness also stood out for its simplicity.

In an industry with far-reaching economic benefits thanks to guest visitation and event organisation, the experienced wedding snapper said it was true that every wedding was unique, whether running from incoming lightning in Maleny or a picturesque dawn ceremony at Pt Arkwright.

And the best one?

"The first wedding I ever covered - they're still together," he fondly recalled.

To check out some more of Brian's stunning images from around the Coast, head to brp.net.au.

Originally published as Wedding photographer recalls best and worst 'special days'