Hello (or shall I say "Bone Jour"?),  my name is Aurélie (oh - reh - lee ) and my pronouns are she/her

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About Me

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I was born in the South of France and moved to the UK in 2005 with husband Pierre who is a chef (and no, he doesn't cook at home much, it's a myth!). We're childfree by choice and the proud humans of Marcel, a fluffy Pembroke Corgi dog who taught me to live more in the moment and is huge part of our family and lives. I'm based in London (UK) but always happy to travel to other parts of the country to capture love and life, and even abroad (the EU especially) as I have the right to work in the EU too! 

 

I'm "in love with Love", making the most of life and documenting it so the memories are treasured forever. In case you'd not guessed yet I'm passionate about dogs (corgis especially), travelling, history, films, reading, swimming, natural light and nature. 

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A keen photographer from a young age (I received my first camera - a film one - when I was 7), I realised the importance of making and capturing memories (those big ones but also - more importantly - the small ones that will one day become big too) after Pierre and I did get married (without paying for a professional photographer) and later welcoming Marcel, our pup, into our family and then losing my dad to Parkinson's. 

 

​I have over over two decades of professional and personal experience photographing life and love, in English and "en Francais", in London, the UK, France and beyond (have passport will travel!): occasions for couples (proposals, engagements, weddings, civil partnerships) and families (maternity, newborn, baby/cake smash, birthdays, christenings, portraits, and of course companion animals who to me are an important part of the family).

In addition to loving them, I have extensive knowledge of dogs (photography of course but also first aid training, behaviour, welfare and training, and nutrition and animal assisted therapy. Dogs may have my preference but I love cats and other companion animals too, and have photographed a few including at weddings! 

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My Photography Approach (with you and your dog(s)/companion animals). 

 

My approach is what some call "alternative": relaxed, unobtrusive, story telling... with gentle directing and prompts but no formal posing, so you can enjoy yourselves whilst I capture your love and life moments as they happen: the "big/key" moments and the smaller ones, which may feel insignificant at the time but often become the most important ones.

 

 In my photography style I emphasize authentic, candid moments, showcasing genuine emotions and personal connections, creative compositions and whimsical details to add individuality and depth to the memories I capture for you. My signature editing style features soft tones combined with black-and-white edits to enhance mood and create a timeless feel. 

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Like a lot of people - children, teens or adults (and dogs without training to posing) I'm "camera shy" (always happy to offer to take the photo so I can avoid being in it) so understand how awkward this can feel and will do my best to make you feel comfortable. I will work around your likes and dislikes (and those of your dogs / animals) and limitations and, together, we'll embrace your personalities and quirks whilst capturing your pictures!

 

I always have a call and/or in depths consultation before a photography session to know the people (and pups) I capture better. I also often meet people, those with nervous dogs especially, before the wedding or session, to make sure the day is as relaxed as possible (a fab way to get used to a camera and to work together is a pre-wedding photo experience, which is included in some of my packages and available as an add on to others. That way you and loved ones will have a good time, feel and look like but also be "yourselves" whilst having beautiful, natural images to remember the occasion or moment. 

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I have extensive experience working with dogs (and other companion animals) of all sizes and backgrounds (including shy and reactive dogs, and rescues) through my photography work but also animal assisted therapy with my own dog, sports (agility), fostering and rescues. I've trained to recognise signs of stress in dogs with the Animal University (Paris), done loads of personal research on behaviour, training and nutrition (and have a network of positive reinforcement behaviourists and trainers including dear friends) and have recently renewed my Dog First Aid training. 

 

If you're after 20+ group shots and mostly formal, posed portraits I may not be the best fit for you (we will discuss this early as being on the same page as your photographer is very important).

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Volunteering

 

Being an active part of my community, educating myself and using my skills and passion to help and lift up others is very important to me in both my personal and work lives. 

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Marcel and I have volunteered to cheer elderly patients and staff at an NHS hospital in South London every other week since 2017.

 

I've also recently become a volunteer wedding photographer for charity Gift of a Wedding (capturing memories and the weddings or vow renewals of terminally ill people or those with life-limiting conditions). I'm also a lifestyle, family and pet photographer for The Tilly Project (capturing memories for companion animals in their twilight years and their humans: I offer 1 complimentary twilight session to older and/or terminally ill animals and their humans per month, in London) and volunteer event photographer for Not A Phase (capturing some events for the charity which is uplifting the lives of Trans+ adults across the UK). 

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How I can (also) help you

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As well as capturing your love and life moments naturally, I will also gladly help you with other aspects of planning should you require this (for both humans and dogs): preparations, tips to include your dog(s) on the day in ways adapted to their temperament and limitations, suppliers, content creation (since I have extensive experience creating content too), decoration or organising... Finding the perfect location for that surprise proposal... or dog-friendly wedding venue (or honeymoon destination), thanks to my personal experience and research in wedding and event planning, as well as in crafts, floristry, dog-friendly travel and fine dining (Pierre classically in Michelin star restaurants in France before moving to the UK).

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I am fully insured (photographic equipment including drone, professional indemnity and public liability), have Enhanced DBS Clearance, canine first aid training, a drone operator and flyer ID, and test regularly for COVID-19 (for my volunteer work at in the hospital but also ahead of sessions if needed) and still wearing a mask as needed/required.

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