Tadhg Nathan Wedding Photographer
meet me
Hello! My name is Tadhg. Thanks for taking the time to visit my site. For over 10 years I have been lucky enough to be able to be a full-time wedding photographer. I have traveled all around Ireland and abroad working with wonderful couples, capturing the most precious moments of their wedding day, no matter what style of ceremony they have chosen.
I use a unique style of wedding photography known as ‘reportage photography’. Using this style means you will feel very relaxed with me as your photographer. One great benefit is you will be free to enjoy your drinks reception with all your family and friends.
About Tadhg
This section may take a few minutes to read! I’m thinking if you are here and already like the style of my reportage wedding photography, you might like to know a little more about me and what makes me tick! It’s a little personal at times, mostly because I value connecting with people, and in the days of social media, I want to offer you something real.
What photography means to me
The short story is that photography for me is all about connection, presence, emotion and memory.
I believe human connection, and a sense of belonging is part of our deepest human desire. Presence to me means being there fully for you, bringing my eye, heart and mind to every moment. By capturing these special emotional moments and key events of the day you will be able to relive the magical feelings of your big day.
This philosophy and my relaxed manner help me create your unique wedding photos which you will always treasure.
I’ve been taking photographs since I was 9. Yep that’s a while ago! As a child I started out taking photos of my pet cat, nature, my friends and time in the scouts. I loved the craft of it. I got to learn how to take photos fully manually. There were no digital screens to check. It was all negatives. Back then there was a big wait to get to see the finished photos
My early years in photography
Later, in 5th year work experience in school I got to work in a pro lab where we developed and printed commercial work.
When I left school, I studied electronic engineering at DCU. I had strong technical skills and was curious about how things worked. Also, at the time I didn’t have the confidence to pursue photography or film making (another passion of mine). I felt the important thing was to study something I could make a living at.
A few years after college, while I was working in the US in 1996, a friend took me to see a photography exhibition in New York City. The photographer was Henri Cartier Bresson. I was blown away by his photography and it re-kindled in me my long-term desire to earn my living as a photographer. His reportage photo (left) taken in New York in 1946 inspires me deeply.
Oscar Wilde
Before I made the change to full time, professional photography, I was working as a manager in the technology sector. I was fortunate to take a few courses at the Irish Management Institute related to people skills and emotional intelligence. These courses opened the new world of psychology to me and were life changing. Little did I realise at the time how important people skills are in getting natural wedding photographs of people!
In late 2007, there was a big change in my life circumstances. The short story is I found myself juggling a very demanding management role and spending considerable time minding my 4-year-old daughter. I wasn’t able to do both. I took a week out from all the noise to reflect and I decided family comes first. I decided to go full time with photography. Working from home meant I could be there before and after school and have more harmony in my work and home life.
I needed to hit the ground running. Although I had photography skills built up over the years, I knew I needed help to develop my wedding photography skills. I found and mentored with a couple of top UK photographers. I was chuffed when I graduated that class with the only Grade 1 they awarded. I am also a qualified and insured member of the IPPVA - Irish Professional Photographers and Videographers Association"
Wedding Locations
I’m lucky enough to have shot at at Ireland’s top wedding venues. You can see my top 3 locations and the best place to get the perfect shot here.
Reportage Photography
Since those early days I’ve concentrated on developing my ability to shoot weddings without interfering with the natural flow of the day. Robert Capa (founder of Magnum photo agency with Henri Cartier Bresson) said’ “if your photos aren’t good enough, you aren’t close enough”. Close enough means physically close as well as emotionally close.
I believe the only way to get natural wedding photos is for the people being photographed to feel comfortable being themselves in front of the camera. No techniques to create the same photos at every wedding. Real and natural photos that capture real moments will always resonate more personally.
I love connecting with engaged couples, gaining their trust and photographing their wedding days, capturing images that will always connect them to their deepest bliss. Connection is the only way that natural and real style photos can be captured.
My philosophy in life is harmony. Harmony in my work, my relationships, hobbies and spiritual side. The presence that arises from this is what I bring to all my weddings.
