Wayne La, a keen member of the Lenses of Croydon group, is a world-renowned wedding photographer who relishes taking street photography
October’s Croydon Photography Forum is a first: this month’s talk, being staged next Tuesday, is being given by an award-winning photographer – nothing new there – who also happens to be a member of the Lenses of Croydon group.
“It’s always an amazing feeling when you are able to promote the work and efforts of one of your own and this is exactly how we feel about Wayne La,” Lee Townsend, the organiser of the Croydon Photography Forum, said.
Wayne La was recently listed among 2016’s Best International Wedding Photographers, but he also spends much of his time working on street photography.
La’s been described as a street photographer and wedding photojournalist who hates typical wedding photography.
He’s drawn to the “real” and “authentic” and he shoots weddings the same way he shoots street – with the belief that anything can be a picture, and that real moments are most precious. He has cleverly developed a niche so that his style of photography appeals to a certain market, leading to commissions from quirkier couples who have a good sense of humour.
Wayne La likes to keep his wedding photography “real”, with a dash of wit, too
His clients seek photography that’s spontaneous, in-the-moment, creative and just want something a little different from the norm.
They are, La says, “People who value photography, recognising that there are possibilities for strange, awkward, amusing and serendipitous to go with the extraordinarily beautiful, just like you know songs aren’t just rousing choruses or fairytales like Cinderella’s.”
Wayne La uses some of his street photography techniques to influence his other work
Having been a full-time practising wedding photographer for more than five years, La knows that “real” never goes out of fashion, and that “real” has a wonderful way of taking the couple back to how it all went on one of the most precious moments together.
At October’s Croydon Photography Forum, La will also be sharing a selection of the street photographs that he has captured, as well as other commercial work.
“There is no doubt that this meeting is going to be special as Wayne La is a talented photographer who has been a frequent attendee at the CPF and as such he is familiar with the needs of our group, with reference to developing the business side of photography and carving our own voices in the field of photography,” Townsend said.
The Croydon Photography Forum takes place on Tuesday, October 11, from 6,45pm at the CVA Resource Centre, 82 London Road.
There will be an opportunity to socialise and network at the event. There will also be a raffle with an image donated by Wayne La as the prize.
Like all great photographers, Wayne La has an eye for capturing a memorabke moment
Hosted by the self-funded photography group Lenses of Croydon, donations are more than welcome to assist with the costs associated with running the Forum.
This event is free, provided you register in advance with Eventbrite here. Those who attend without registering will be subject to a £7 entry fee.
The Croydon Photography Forum has also released details of its guest speakers for the next four months:
November 8: Anna Radchenko (high fashion)
December 13: Rosie Barnes (documentary)
January 10: Natasha Caruana (artist, documentary)
February 14: Kim Hardy (portraits)
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