But where have I been? Well we have travelled about a bit, (we absolutely love to travel and see and experience new places) but nowhere really. For 17 years, I’ve been quietly living my dream as a documentary wedding photographer in Cardiff, South Wales. My business, Chris Francis Photography, has always been about telling authentic stories, but like many small businesses, it faced its share of challenges.
Having started my business, Chris Francis Photography, focused on documentary wedding photography in 2008 and also built my own website www.ffotos.co.uk it had become a minefield of errors and complex problems and a very slow load time…. My site simply dropped off Google’s radar due to these issues. my wedding photography business stopped getting noticed! When you are a full time wedding photographer, shooting weddings every weekend and editing them for the rest of your time it is difficult to keep on top of everything else at the same time! Website updates/ changes, new algorithms, what ever that means.. That COVID 19 drama, and some very sad personal challenges to deal with in the early 2020’s all hit at the same time.
I had joined an events crew in 2018 to get a bit more income around my business and became more and more involved in the events industry. Working as a stage hand for the last 7 years whilst documenting weddings I have had a fantastic experience, loading in huge bands to the Principality arena and the Utilita Arena. The Foo Fighters, The Stereophonics, Taylor Swift, to name a few. Setting up the events, working the shows, taking the band gear on and off stage during the events and then taking then all down again. Hard graft but free gym and a very different lifestyle choice working late nights, long days and early mornings. I managed to get a few photos but was not in the right place to influence the gig photography… although I did miss out on photographing the WWE due to working the build and missing the email!
During COVID while everyone was getting paid furlough I was also in the Principality. Stripping the hospitality boxes ready to be made into emergency hospital beds…then stripping the whole hospital out again when it was no longer needed once the pandemic was under control. What a job! I remember not being given any tools to strip the rooms, but we found some knives and forks in the drawers of the Hospitality boxes, so took the carpet tiles off with them!
A great 7 years but last November I finished one sat night and while cycling home hit an object in the road and went over the handlebars and severely broke my wrist! Not the best injury for a photographer and a stage hand / roadie! I was told by the surgeons in the Cardiff University Hospital that it was inoperable due to the severity of the break and that it had to be cast in the best position possible and monitored as it sets to ensure the best recovery. But to expect never to be able to use it in the same way again….
Someone had closed the shutter on my world, a very dark place. The next 13 weeks in recovery was mostly watching kung fu films while on very strong painkillers, trying to make my thumb touch my fingers. During that time I’m sure those kung fu masters had an influence on my determination to get better and the most movement and strength possible in my broken wrist. Get back to doing what I love the most! Documenting weddings with impeccable timing and stealth š
So 10 months later, i’ve been trying to do as much physio as possible as I get back to normal life. I’m currently just over a week into a 100 press ups a day cancer research challenge, I’ve shot 3 wedding /events this year, grouted my patio, made a decking for my mother in law and landscaped the back garden for them. Fixed my greenhouse roof and I’m fully focused on building my business back up having realised that I just love capturing joy far too much to let it slip away! I’ve redesigned my website, trying to get noticed again for my documentary wedding photography skills and can’t wait to do my next wedding on 31st October this year. A full on Gothic wedding š I’m ready now!
Now, I’m almost fully recovered, my physical and digital tools are sharper than ever, and Iām more passionate than ever about my craft. I’ve rebuilt my website from the ground up, and I’m excited to get back to providing my unique style of documentary wedding photography for couples in Cardiff. If you’re looking for a photographer who will capture your day as it truly unfolds, without staging every shot, I’m ready to be there for you. Consider me seriously. I only do things that I am super passionate about. Let me be passionate about capturing your moments. Get in touch via the contact form today and let me know about your love story.
