In conversation with: Alice Mahran
Before she boarded a plane to the Netherlands, we were lucky enough to chat with renowned photographer Alice Mahran about the art of mastering your wedding photos. Alice Mahran’s work has been published in Vogue, Bazaar, ELLE, Cosmopolitan and many more.
We’ve included a gallery of photos from Tammy Bennett’s Mona Farm wedding, beautifully captured by Alice. During our conversation with Alice, she spoke to us about what to do if it rains on your wedding day and the best spots on Mona Farm.
Alice lives and works between Europe and Australia. Here at Mona Farm, she gets the best of both.
Here’s Alice, in her own words.
How would you describe your style of photography?
I always love to hear the way others see my work as I believe that everyone has a unique eye. Therefore I don’t describe my style, I prefer to let my work speak for itself. My main priority is capturing the depth and beauty of people & objects - as they are.
Generally speaking, when is the best time of day to shoot?
I used to be strict on that, but as the years have past, I realise it's always a good time to shoot. Moments happen throughout the whole day. It’s up to us to find a way to move and create the best of what we can do in that moment. That being said, sunset is always a magical time to capture photos of newlyweds.
Here’s a question we hear a lot — The forecast is RAIN on our wedding day. What to do?
If it’s raining, then it’s raining and that is just as part of it as much as sunshine would have been part of it. I totally understand we all prefer the sun but at the same time, weather is always changing and in the end it's about the real emotions and the couple getting married surrounded by their loved ones! I don’t it as an obstacle (unless its made into one) but thats totally up to the couple. I have 2 beautiful examples of a rainy wedding. A wedding in New York & Italy and the couple’s attitude was absolutely amazing. Two of my favourites, so there you go!
What is the minimum amount of time we should set aside for our post-ceremony photoshoot?
I totally let this be guided by the priorities of my couples. Some want to take an hour and value a lot of images together. Most of my clients value these special moments together but prefer this to be shared with their wider family & friends. I don’t think a lot of people realise but the photos that I show of my shoots with my couples really often don’t take longer than 30 min. If I can do it in 15 mins, then that’s ideal. I prefer this over a long time taking them away for their guests. The day goes so fast and let us capture all those moments and mainly them being around their family & friends.
What are your favourite moments to capture during a wedding?
The morning details and feelings that come in preparing for the biggest day of your life. I notice it has such a different feel for the couple but also for their parents. As if it all has been building up to that moment and this is the time just before they really give their daughter or son away. Being a mother now I realise so much more how huge this is for the parents.
Do you meet with the wedding couple ahead of their big day? Why is this important?
I certainly do when possible. As for a few years now I have lived and worked between 2 countries and happen to be on the other side of the world from each other. I have to FaceTime a lot as well, as you can still feel from the conversation if there is a good connection or not. Lucky 99% it is as I believe that people who connect with me feel connected to my work which is a huge part of who I am and what I find important. So yes it is incredibly important for me personally. I do not want to capture a wedding if we totally have different values or priorities for that day.
What was your favourite place to photograph on Mona Farm’s 124-acre property?
I have to be honest that when i looked through Instagram i knew it was a beautiful spot but it felt like it was a bit cold as the colour in photos were often taken out for some reason. When we arrived only through the big front gate I already felt I stepped into the weddings I mostly do in Europe! I could absolutely be in France with all that greenery colour that is alive and all different kinds of nature and animals. As if from every eye corner I had something to enjoy yet to come to a calmness. A place that for me was so alive. As much it is so spacious it's circled in by these beautiful buildings with so much character. Sometimes you come to a wedding location and you have to crack your brain with ideas on what to do. Here I had to really choose because I didn't have enough time for a day to photograph everywhere as there is so much beauty everywhere. The idea of the day before / wedding day / day after is perfect for this wedding location because you can really move to so many beautiful spots. There is a corner, a home, scenery for everyone. Thank you for surprising me and I do believe that’s what a Venue/Place should do… Not knowing what you can imagine until you see it yourself.