This month, the super talented photographer Lex from Fleming Photo joins us on the blog to answer our quick-fire ‘get to know you’ questions!
Lex is a super fun-loving, photography obsessed gal who lives in Leigh-on-Sea. She’s been a photographer since she was 16 and has even taught A-Level students on how to work it behind the lens!
We are totally delighted to introduce Lex so that she can tell you a little bit more about herself ….
Please Introduce Yourself
My name is Lex and I’m a non-traditional wedding photographer (whatever that means!). I specialise in finding the fun during your celebration and not exactly following the traditional photography list for your official photos. I live in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex, but originally hail from South London. If I’m not photographing kick-ass couples, then I’m usually found wondering the shoreline with my pup called Wednesday!
Your business…
1. What made you want to set up your business?
I’d been asked for years during my studio photography business days whether I shot weddings and I always declined. I finally shot a wedding in 2013 and realised just how much fun it can be! I started Fleming Photo in 2014 and love it!
2. What’s the best part of your job?
The best part of my job is the lie-in I get on a Monday morning! I work every weekend for 8 months of the year, so in 2017, I decided I needed Monday’s off.
It goes without saying that the actual shooting of a wedding is crazy fun! And seeing the couple’s reactions to photos on the back of my camera is also one of the best bits of the job.
3. What’s the worst part of your job?
The worst part is probably spending every waking hour of Autumn editing until your eyes go square. Last year I managed to deliver all couples their photos by Christmas Eve. Just because the weddings stop, doesn’t mean our work does. October is usually spent 30 days in a row in the office!
4. What’s the weirdest request you’ve ever had from a client?
Hmm. The weirdest request is usually from a member of the bridal party after dinner, or from a drunk groomsman asking me to photograph him naked. I’ve had a bridesmaid telling me to hang out of a window to photograph them lying on the grass. The strangest requests usually involve alcohol!
5. What’s been your favourite ever wedding you’ve worked on/at?
I worked at a wedding that was featured on ‘Don’t Tell the Bride’. It was crazy and the most challenging job trying to photograph a wedding and not include the dozen crew members with mics and cameras! It certainly kept me on my toes!
6. You’re surrounded by beauty in your job. What do you find beautiful?
I find photographing Leigh-on-Sea really beautiful. I moved here in May last year and absolutely adore the place. The sea front is ever changing – I love photographing the different seasons and weather patterns. I walk Wednesday across this little bridge down to the beach every morning and it’s a good chance for me to clear my head and decide what I’m doing for the day.
7. Best piece of advice to offer to those getting married?
Honestly? As long as you show up with clothes, you have rings and witnesses… everrryyyyything else, including me, is a luxury. No one is going to remember if the favours were a certain colour or shape. But everyone will remember if you’re miserable on the day. Forget the small stuff and focus on who you’re marrying and why!
8. Anyone you particularly admire in the industry?
When I’m not photographing weddings, I run something for the industry called Wedding Breakfast Club. It’s full of new and old wedding suppliers. Everyone is really open, friendly and honest about their problems. I admire everyone that attends a Breakfast Club and is honest about their business and the difficulties that come with being your own boss.
9. Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Probably ‘fake it til you make it’. I was given this advice when I was 21, around the time that I started my first business – it definitely changed my attitude to work. It’s OK to be new at something, but if you go in confident and act like it’s not your first rodeo, you’ll soon replace your faux confidence with real confidence.
10. What was your career plan B?
Such a good question. I’ve been a photographer since I was 16! I was a music photographer, then a photography teacher while I built up a studio business, so it’s really all I’ve ever known. However, if it all had to stop tomorrow I’d probably re-train as a psychologist. I’m fascinated by the human brain and what makes us tick.
You…
11. Where do you call home?
I currently live in Leigh-on-Sea in Essex, but I’m originally from Bromley in South East London.
12. Favourite shop?
There’s a cake shop close to where I live called Stop the World, and they have the BEST lemon meringue cake!
13. Favourite restaurant?
I didn’t want to pick a chain but nothing beats a hangover Wagamama!
14. Favourite Film?
GOSH I can’t answer with just one! My top 3 films are Addams Family, Hot Fuzz, and The Grand Budapest Hotel.
15. Cocktail of Choice?
It has to be an Espresso Martini.
16. Your biggest extravagance?
Probably buying my car on my 30th birthday. It felt really good, until I saw my bank balance…
17. Do you collect anything?
I have a small collection of vintage cameras that I’m slowly growing. I’d love to find the time to see if any of them still work.
18. If you could buy any building, which one would it be?
I would buy my old primary school building! Super random I know, but it was this extremely old mansion set in loads of land in Bromley, and I had a dream once that I bought it and turned it into my home with my own studio.
19. What’s the most romantic thing someone’s ever done for you?
I don’t have many to pick from! Probably when someone drove me down to Margate at midnight and kissed me on the beach!
20. Where do you go to let your hair down?
I go out with my girlfriends who all work in the wedding industry. We find a weeknight we can all do and somehow always end up just about catching the last train home!
And finally…
21. Tell us something about yourself
I’ve never seen The Lion King!
22. Invisibility or flight?
Oh invisibility. I’d spy on soooo many people!
23. Tell us your favourite Instagram accounts at the moment!
I’m adoring my dog’s Instagram, am I allowed to say that? It’s @wednesdaywoe and I write it like she’s a 50 year old New Yorker that smokes and hates life. She has a miserable (but lovely) face that just helps the whole thing!
24. Any regrets in life?
Not saying something to the bullies at school.
25. If you could change one thing in the world what would it be?
I would completely erase all currency so that no money is needed at all. People just doing other people favours – no greediness, just love.
Thank you so much to Lex @ Fleming Photo for taking part. Her work is absolutely stunning and so creative. If you want a non-traditional, alternative wedding photographer that seriously knows her stuff, then Lex is your gal. I’m lucky to call her a pal ❤️
All wedding photography by Lex (Fleming Photo).
