BONJOUR/HELLO
My name is Simon. I tell authentic & comprehensive stories in the medium of photo (FIREHORSE PHOTOGRAPHY) & video (GOLDBUG FILMS) which when combined, can be referred to as ‘hybrid capture’.
Destination Weddings are typically multi-day affairs and that is something else I specialise in and it’s rare for me to not attend at least 2, usually 3 (and sometimes even 4) days at every event I attend.
Professionally trained & qualified and more importantly, with a huge amount of experience, to date I have covered over 850 weddings in 17+ different countries and though based in France, I work throughout the EU and the UK.
If you want to know more about me, click here.
*****
OMG!!!
More X’s than I could fill a page with. You totally smashed this one past the moon and back. Absolutely beautiful and magically captured and your narrative is THE most perfect story telling.
Gosh, I wish every photographer could capture the weddings I am involved with like this!
You have made the start to my week, it is brighter and given me faith that experience counts.
Many, many X’s!!!
‘L’ (Wedding Planner)
FILMS & PHOTOGRAPHY
Hybrid Capture is a collaborative approach to providing photography AND video at the same time in a seamlessly integrated, non-competitive single form of coverage. It isn’t the norm but it’s what I have been doing for over 15 years.
Examples of recent real weddings can be seen in 3 or 2 DAY WEDDINGS from the menu at the top of the page.
My inspiration comes from various sources, mainly movies and genuinely, my clients’ weddings.
*****
Hi Simon!
We just wanted to take a minute to say a huge thank you for all your help over our wedding weekend.
You helped out with so many extra things like the mandap and also helping with the running of the day and we really, really appreciate it.
We also absolutely loved your approach, you weren’t intrusive and you never pulled us away from the weekend. We genuinely felt like we got to be at our own wedding, whilst knowing you were in the background capturing all the amazing moments.
It’s so fantastic to have found a photographer who understands that balance between getting incredible photos and allowing you to actually enjoy your day. We honestly can’t thank you enough!
Vidhi & Nick (clients)
STYLE
Describing your visual style in words is not as easy as demonstrating it and the best thing any prospective couple can do is spend some time browsing the extensive real weddings on this site and then asking yourselves the question, “do I love it?” If the answer is yes, then let’s talk!
But in order to answer the question (because I still get asked), I’d have to say, “Timeless yet modern, sophisticated yet not contrived, intimate yet expansive. Or to quote my company ethos, “Beautifully Simple - Simply Beautiful”.
Or to quote more than one of my clients; “your pictures look like stills from a movie”.
On the day, I’m pretty low-key, minimally invasive ie, there when you need me to be and somewhere around when you don’t.
*****
Simon!!
Wauw wauw wauw, the pictures are amazing!!! We spent hours going through all of them yesterday night, and it felt like we were back at Soulac again. We relived all the moments and saw new ones because you captured not only us but also the magic we felt during our wedding weekend!
It’s amazing to go back to the magical feeling we felt then and also see so many moments we didn’t see during the weekend. Our guests mingling, smiling, talking. The start of the ceremony with Derk. And seeing it all from above is insane!! You did amazing, thank you so so much!
Simone & Matthijs (clients)
COVERAGE
Multi-day, morning ‘til late is my norm. What does that mean exactly? Well most of the weddings that I cover are 2-4 day events which suits destination weddings PERFECTLY, ie, it is extremely rare these days that I attend just a single day.
Having an off-grid motorhome/RV which I can live and work out of on-site, means I can be there from early until late (over several days) without having to rush to leave and as such, do not count hours or restrict you to X amount of coverage or charge anything more whether it’s 9, 12 or 15 hours. And that’s just the wedding day… I typically cover an additional up to 6 hours the day prior and the same the day after making my total coverage at any destination wedding, anything from 15-30 hours.
*****
Morning Simon,
Sorry I didn't get back to you sooner, but gosh, where do I start... we did exactly what you said we should do... we finished for the day, poured ourselves a drink & nibble, no distractions and watched the video & looked at the text and photos after, on a big screen and without the children ;)
What can I say... it didn't disappoint! I cried from start to finish, I had the most overwhelming (in a very positive way) feeling about the fact that you managed to capture our day just perfectly, something I was so hoping for... you have done amazing!
My heart is so so full and I'm so pleased with what you have shown us!
I just wanted to thank you so so much for this journey in the last year and you have made this part of the wedding pretty much very straight forward and our only regret is, is that we didn't have you for the pool party as well...
Raisha & Andrew (clients)
PHOTO vs VIDEO vs BOTH
Sorry folks, I no longer offer ‘photo only’ or ‘video only’ coverage with 2025 being the last year I took such bookings and 2026 the final year I have provided such coverage.
The “why?” is pretty simple and that is between 2016 and 2020, approximately 70-75% of all the weddings I have covered have been with hybrid coverage. Between 2021 and 2026, that has increased to over 90%.
It’s what I do and what I love and offers THE most comprehensive seamless integrated coverage.
Having said that, ‘photo only’ or ‘video only’ is still available, but only for; short notice, mid-week or out of season weddings and subject to availability which is rare.
TRAVEL & COSTS
From my base in Normandy, France, I cover weddings all over the country, but also throughout the EU and the UK. To date, within the EU, I have attended weddings in; France, Ireland, Italy, Spain, Greece, Switzerland, Germany and Austria. Outside of Europe, I have captured weddings in; USA, Mexico, China, Australia and New Zealand.
A question I am often asked is if I charge for the travel and the short answer is ‘yes’, but very reasonable rates for weddings not taking place within France.
*****
Simon, you have completely blown Chris and I away!
That video and all the pictures have had us crying and laughing- they are so beautiful- and we look so happy!
You have captured “us” completely and everything we are about. Thank you.
We are so grateful you travelled over, and are so pleased you loved the island as much as we do!
Emily & Chris (clients)
HOW TO FIND OUT MORE
The next step is to make contact using the form below providing as much info as you can. I have a fixed annual cap both on the volume of work (number of weddings) and turnover I can take in any single season so cannot accommodate all enquiries. I look forward to hearing from you!
The more info that you can provide the better such as:
Where did you hear/find out about Firehorse Photography?
What are you planning for your wedding event?
What are you looking for in regard to the capture?
Simon
A Couple of FAQ’s…
Is it just you?
Yes. Always has been, always will be. It’s how I get the results that I do, by being that low-key, minimally invasive individual rather than a 3 ring circus of multiple photographers and videographers.
How do you photograph & film (video) weddings at the same time?
This is the most common question that I am asked and the short answer is a combination of technology plus a lot of practice. And a lot of trial & error. The latter part took me 6 years to go from zero video on top of the photography that I was principally booked for, to 100% video seamlessly captured alongside 100% photography. It’s just what I do.
Do we need to meet?
No and yes. No in regard to prior to booking and for 95% of my clients, it’s not even possible as I live in France and 95% of my clients do not. But yes as in right before your wedding and the day before is ideal.
Do you work to shot lists?
If there is one thing that kills creativity, it is shot lists, especially generic lists off social media.
The same goes for Pinterest boards that can comprise of dozens of images from dozens of photographers from dozens of venues and it’s often the case that not even the original photographer can recreate the same image in a different scenario under different circumstances.
If you are going to do it, at least pull these things from my website/portfolio!
What exactly is multi-day coverage?
Exactly what it says on the tin, - coverage over multiple days but typically; day prior = meet/recce + practice shoot + welcome party coverage and the day after is usually something such as a pool party & BBQ.
Is there anything that we should be asking you?
Not specifically, but you can ask me anything you like. In fact, I welcome questions and can talk weddings endlessly which after being at 850+ of the things to date, when you do the maths and imagine being at a wedding all day, every day, (and from the inside out), adds up to more than 2 years…which is slightly bonkers when you think about it!
CONTACT
simon@firehorsephotography.co.uk
+33 (0)2 33 14 88 17
61700 Champsecret, FRANCE