Oliver Jenkins is the man at the helm of OJ Creative, his namesake
company that specialises in photography, from wedding to portraiture to
fashion; he does it all. With the promise of no awkward posing or cliché
styling, Oliver aims to capture the natural magnetism of his clients. A simple mission statement that sums up his philosophy
on photography - “why make things complicated?” A definite mantra to live by!
After a few emails, I meet Oliver
on a typical Welsh day (that is, raining) but his disposition is quite the
opposite, greeting me with a big ‘Huh-loo’. His friendly welcome goes well beyond
conventional British etiquette and his company immediately puts me at ease. To
the outside world I’m sure that we appear as old friends - I even feel like we’re old friends.
It is clear that Oliver has true
passion for the craft, attesting that he “loves” what he does. A refreshing
statement in these jaded times and it’s evident, almost tangible, in his
photography. As a keen selfie taker and photo-bomber extraordinaire - long before the
terminology came into existence - Oliver spent years honing his skills behind
the camera, creating a style of photography that truly captures the moment. From
the setting to the composition, to his clever editing; his images speak of his
fine art background and keen interest in the natural world. The marriage of
which makes for truly striking imagery. No more so than in his beautiful shoot
of The Black Wedding Dress.
Karl Lagerfeld famously said
that, “one can never be overdressed or underdressed, in a little black dress”.
Whilst this rings true amongst fashion circles, it goes without saying that it
certainly defies Wedding convention. However, Oliver is quick to point out that
Weddings are a day of expression, both of love and of a couple’s individuality.
It is a celebration of a union and an
appreciation of two individuals, in what is to be a truly unique affair. Call
it the Bianca Jagger effect, if you will, (the woman synonymous with that white suit), plus a new-age
inclination to defy expectation.
The little black dress is a
sartorial staple that is found in the wardrobes of most women. So why shouldn’t
the dress du jour be one that has
lived a life with the bride on her journey up to this special day? It’s an interesting
concept for a bride to don something that she is truly comfortable in. And
that’s where the man behind the lens steps in; to transform the ordinary into
the extraordinary.
Oliver explains that the concept
behind the shoot was to capture the overall ambiance of the day and the subtle
nuances - a loving glance here, a knowing smile there. These, he cites, are
what transform a picture into a vision of art. The outcome is one that speaks
of female empowerment, the black dress cutting a striking silhouette against
the natural surroundings. It tells the story of
a twenty-first century romance, filled with love, but an undeniably modern rewrite of the classic fairytale.
The allure of clothing will always remain omnipresent for women (and men) - an ever-lasting romance if you will! Much of this lies in the communicative capabilities of clothing as a means of self-expression. However, having a photographer like Oliver, who is able to capture all of the in-between notes and punctuate them with new verve, gives voice to the oft over-looked nuances of the day, as well as highlighting the all important sartorial stylings of the happy couple.
So whilst the dress is not something to be passed over, Oliver's photography reminds us that the real beauty lies in the day as a whole, not just in the complimentary 'oohs' and 'ahhhs' received from onlookers gushing over The Dress. And that is what makes Oliver Jenkins a truly inspiring photographer.
Needless to say I know who'll be taking my wedding pictures. Now all I need is a proposal...
All images by OJ Creative.
Visit his website: http://www.ojcreative.com
Or check out his Facebook page: OJCreative
No comments:
Post a Comment