Flash Masters
Welcome to the Flash Masters Podcast! Flash Masters recognises and celebrates the best flash photography in the world through education, awards and community. Hosted by Helen Williams and Neil Redfern, we talk all things wedding photography - from the equipment we use to the funniest things which have happened to us whilst photographing weddings - and we have a lot of those stories! To join the community, please visit Flashmasters.co
Flash Masters
Get to know Helen Williams: From Sign Language Skills & Naked Grooms to Award Winning Wedding Photographs
How well do you reckon you know yourself? Buckle up and get ready for an engaging session as we unravel more about Helen Williams in a one-of-a-kind 'get to know you' session. Based on the fun format of Jaackmaate's Happy Hour podcast, we tease out Helen's insights on a potpourri of topics, all while throwing some unexpected questions her way. This laugh-out-loud episode is brimming with surprises, as we also tip our hats to our wonderful Flash Masters ambassador, Ellie Burgueno Chico.
From sharing a laugh about Helen's first crush to debating over the unlikely combination of Italian and Thai food in a single meal, we cover an eclectic range of topics. Helen reveals her secret talent as a qualified sign language interpreter and discusses her desired tattoo. Picture this - Chris Hemsworth, Nan, and David Attenborough in the same room. Intrigued? That's just the tip of the iceberg!
We also pull back the veil on Helen's experiences in the world of wedding photography. Sharing stories about her favourite and least favourite wedding venues, we delve into her plans for a change in her wedding-related role. Helen also offers herself up as a mentor, providing valuable tips for those aspiring to join the wedding photography industry. Her favourite piece of advice? Building relationships and getting involved in the industry. Don't miss out on this fun-filled episode with the amazing Helen Williams!
Join us in the Flash Masters community:
Website: https://flashmasters.co/
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YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@flash-masters
Flash Masters is hosted by:
Helen Williams: https://www.instagram.com/helenwilliamsphotography/
Neil Redfern: https://www.instagram.com/neilredfern/
Welcome to the Flash Masters podcast. I'm Horatio of Horatio Photography and I'm proud to be a member of the Flash Masters community. Flash Masters recognizes and celebrates the best flash photography through awards, education and community. To find out more and to join us, visit flashmastersco. Here are your hosts, helen Williams and Neil Redfern.
Neil Redfern:Hello everybody, welcome to episode 45 of the Flash Masters podcast, with me, neil Redfern, and me, helen Williams. And in today's episode we're going to be getting to know Helen a little bit better because basically I'm ripping off an idea for another podcast Jaackmaate' s Happy Hour where they get to know their hosts a little bit better by asking a series of, like odd questions, basically. So I'm going to be throwing some of these questions at you, helen. You've seen some of them, but I've also wrote a lot of questions that you're not aware of, so they're going to be new to you and a lot of interesting wedding related questions and you have to be honest, they won't all be easy.
Helen Williams:I'm always honest. You might have to put a lot of bleeps in. I'm absolutely, I'm really nervous.
Neil Redfern:Well, you may have a right to be nervous.
Helen Williams:We'll soon find out.
Neil Redfern:So we're going to get to know Helen a lot better in this episode. But before we get into that, helen, do we have any Flash Masters news?
Helen Williams:Not really, neil.
Neil Redfern:I'm joking. Of course, we always have news.
Helen Williams:We do have news, and what I'd like to do is thank our ambassador Flash Masters, ambassador Ellie burgueno chico photography who came live into our Flash Masters members group on Facebook and did a most incredible how I Shot it, detailing how she did some of her fantastic images and lots of them being the big flying dresses that we know, ellie for yeah, they're amazing we learnt so much about sort of her camera settings, her flash settings, how many flashes are needed to use to light all of the fabric, etc.
Helen Williams:Yeah, it was a really was a masterclass on those kind of images there. So, yeah, very well attended, really really enjoyed it.
Neil Redfern:Yeah, it was great. I'd like to echo Helen's thank you. Thank you so much, Ellie. It was amazing and she inspires me so much. And what's really annoying is that I look at all of Ellie's flying dress shots and it's like whoa, and I've got a flying dress over there in the corner and I've not got out of the box yet. So I need to do that and just watching Ellie stream everything, why have I not got that dress out yet?
Helen Williams:I don't know. I think it's knowing that I'm going to like instantly put it on and be running around the place flying dress. There is that, but no.
Neil Redfern:Ellie, thank you so much. It was an amazing live stream. If you've not watched it, you can watch it back. As of the time of recording this podcast it will be out, so you can watch it back on YouTube. Now that's just a shorter version of the interview just to wet your appetite a little bit, but the full length version is also available to watch back in the flashmasters member zones. You log into the flashmasters website and you can watch it back there, along with all the other how I shot it interviews we've done and all the other videos we've done. So thank you again, ellie. You were amazing and also just like to think you didn't seem to know what's coming next, sir Helen.
Helen Williams:No, I'd like to thank.
Neil Redfern:We've had another amazing five star review left for us on Apple podcast, so I'm going to read this out. Massive Thank you to Steve Mulvey. He has said being following Neil for years. Proper stalker, like in my first years of taking wedding seriously, his course was always fully booked, so naturally became a patron and got on board with an amazing two days Fast forward to the launch of flashmasters and I was on board from day one and made with the quality of the work and gives me a target to aim for in my own work and to develop my own creativity. Members are friendly and the ambassadors really are involved and they help everyone, not just a name behind a brand. The podcast of fun bit of education and inspire me to be better. Highly recommended to all photographers using a flashing, some way from first timer to season professionals.
Helen Williams:Oh, that's, really nice yeah thank you so much.
Neil Redfern:We really appreciate it, and if you'd like us to read out your review, simply leave a five star podcast review on Apple podcast and we'll read your review out.
Helen Williams:I really like that segment because I never get to see the podcast reviews, because I don't do that bit. This is your.
Neil Redfern:Yeah, I mean you can see the many times you see two log on to Apple podcast and are all there.
Helen Williams:I don't know how to do that though.
Neil Redfern:Yeah, they're not behind any sort of walls. If you ever want to read the reviews and you can just go on to Apple podcast and you'll read what I've just read out.
Helen Williams:I'm still an Apple newbie.
Neil Redfern:I'm not going to get it.
Helen Williams:It's just nice to have a little surprise every every day. There you go.
Neil Redfern:There you go. But yeah, thank you to Steve and everybody else who has left us a five star review. We really appreciate it. Right, okay, let's get to know Helen Williams.
Helen Williams:Are you sure you want to do this?
Neil Redfern:Yeah, definitely. So again, I need to say that the inspiration for this podcast has come from Jack makes happy hour podcast, which fun facts is my favorite podcast. I listen to that every week. They release two episodes a week and I love it. It's nothing to do with photography, it's just three or four mates chatting, basically, and I just really like them. We actually went to see them, didn't we?
Neil Redfern:in Cardiff last year we did this year and it was brilliant. So, yeah, I've stolen a few of their questions, but also added in a few others as well. Now you do know the first few, so I'm assuming you're going to be on the ball for these, but you're not going to know the wedding ones.
Helen Williams:Well, there's still ones that are down on this list that you've given me that I haven't decided on yet. So you know, if there's one thing, if you want to find out more about me, I cannot make a decision for love nor money. I'm terrible at making decisions. So let's see.
Neil Redfern:Not great for Q&A podcast, no, okay. Well, let's see how we go. We'll see how. I would also like to reserve the right to make fun of this. Some of your answers, if that's all right, go for it. Okay, let's dive straight in Easy one to start off with Favorite film or movie.
Helen Williams:Favorite film or movie. Well, to be fair, I couldn't quite decide, so I have two.
Horatiu Blajan:Go on. So the first one.
Helen Williams:I made you sort of yeah, we don't really sit and watch films at all, but the first one I made you watch since we started our relationship and courting and you never seen it before and I couldn't believe it. It is the classic dirty dancing.
Neil Redfern:Yeah, why'd you like that film?
Helen Williams:Oh well, I just love the soundtrack and I love the love. Looking back it might be a bit creepy. I'm not really sure how much older Patrick Swayze's character is to baby, but I love the dancing, I love the music. You know, baby being a little bit of a rebel.
Neil Redfern:No, but Helen in the corner.
Helen Williams:No, not at all. No, I'd love to learn to do the dirty dancing dance.
Neil Redfern:Yeah, the music was all right, but apart from that, anyway, what's number two?
Helen Williams:The second one I don't think you've watched either, but this is just for nostalgia, and it's the Goonies. No, I've never watched the dirty dancing and the Goonies. Yeah, I'm sure people are like Schindler's List and all these, like really you know much more important like pieces of film history, and I'm like nope, well.
Neil Redfern:I don't know what your criteria is, though, doesn't it? Because I agree. If you say someone likes that what's the best film of all time, then I probably go with one of the boring answers, like the Godfather is phenomenal. I also really like Fight Club, but would I watch that over and over again? No, so if you're thinking about a favorite film being a film that you can just watch on repeat almost, then I think that they're probably much fairer.
Helen Williams:All I know is that if we watched the Goonies, I think you would literally want to hit me with something within the first 10 minutes, because I pretty much know that film line for line.
Neil Redfern:The good news is, you're safe. We're not watching the Goonies. That's really mean. So next question, another sort of popular question that people get asked for these sort of things Death Row meal. You're allowed three courses, so you're going to be executed tomorrow at dawn, but what are you going to eat now?
Helen Williams:Oh see, well, this is another one.
Neil Redfern:I really struggled with. I used to be hungry, I used to be fair. Oh, I'm always hungry come on, you're going to be put down tomorrow.
Helen Williams:Well, give me all the food I'd bought. I forget three courses.
Neil Redfern:Send me 12, or five space no three courses, three courses.
Helen Williams:Right. Well, the whole debate for me is as you know, I love Italian food. I love Italian. However, I also love Thai. And the dilemma comes do I mix Italian and Thai in the same meal?
Neil Redfern:Oh, I like that You're actually thinking about it in terms of what goes well with each course. Ok, fair enough.
Helen Williams:Yeah, because, oh, but then I love a steak, Right? Ok, I'm just going to go for it. So my death row starter it's going to be bruschetta or bruschetta, I believe it's bruschetta. You're meant to say it, but yeah, bruschetta, bruschetta, yes.
Neil Redfern:Italian on the starter. I'll give you three or four out of 10 for that. Yeah, I know, you're probably not going to agree with any of these. What's your main?
Helen Williams:It's going to be chicken pad Thai.
Neil Redfern:I thought it was a Chinese chilli beef thing that I make.
Helen Williams:Oh, that is my favourite too, but it depends. You didn't say you were the chef on death row.
Neil Redfern:No, I'm not the chef Right, I'm out partying.
Horatiu Blajan:So OK.
Helen Williams:Sort it out, the life insurance.
Horatiu Blajan:Yeah, yeah, exactly.
Neil Redfern:You're well, up to eight out of 10 for a pad Thai. Very strong, thank you Not that? I'm sure we're rating any of these answers OK. So we've got bruschetta, pad Thai and what you're having for your dessert.
Helen Williams:Sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice cream.
Neil Redfern:Ooh nice, yeah, that's decent. Thanks, yeah, not a bad shout. Ok, next question Something. Oh sorry, favourite TV programme.
Helen Williams:Oh, this is easy. I don't actually really watch TV. If someone stole the TV, most days it wouldn't really matter. However, I will say, and I think you know the answers to this one, we've both kind of got into marriage. The first sight, australia. Otherwise, if I was going to go retro again, like I absolutely loved the buffet, the vampire slayer.
Neil Redfern:OK, yeah, we said we'd have one you want, it's your quiz.
Helen Williams:Oh see, I don't like this. I don't like making decisions. I think I'm going to go with. I've allowed two options for each.
Neil Redfern:No, we're not doing that, go on one go Actually.
Helen Williams:no, let's go buffet the vampire slayer. No, grey's Anatomy.
Neil Redfern:No Grey's Anatomy sorry, ok, I've never watched it.
Helen Williams:Right, ok, yeah, no, this is about 19 or 20 seasons. We should do that together.
Neil Redfern:OK, good answer. I have no idea what Grey's Anatomy is. I'm sure it's very good.
Helen Williams:It is, it's very good.
Neil Redfern:OK, something that people don't know about you, which would surprise them.
Helen Williams:I don't think I've covered this previously, but actually a qualified sign language interpreter. Interpreter for the deaf.
Neil Redfern:That's a very, very good answer, thank you?
Helen Williams:Yeah, I learnt it whilst I was in sixth form, just because it was on an evening class at the school and college. I went to and the head of sixth form went have you looked at what we're doing in the evenings or the evening courses, is there anything you fancy? And I didn't have to pay to do the first level because I was still in in sort of college. So, yeah, I started doing sign language and the funny thing is, like spoken language wise, I've kind of got English down all right. I used to teach that too.
Neil Redfern:How can you live in England as well?
Helen Williams:Yeah, but I grew up in Wales.
Neil Redfern:Poor man's.
Helen Williams:England.
Helen Williams:Oh watch yourself, redford. But at the time of you know, through high school, when you had to learn another language, spoken language I'm terrible at French, awful Welsh, terrible. Your niece, adebel, was trying to teach me how to count to ten in Spanish, but I obviously knew uno, dos, tres, cuatro, cinco. Yeah, so I'm not very good at spoken language, but sign language is kind of. I think for me it was almost more like a dance or because I'm very good at memorising dance moves, I just kind of saw sign language because it was kind of movement based as more like a dance and yeah, either way it turns out, I was really really good at it. So, yeah, I've worked as an interpreter for the deaf.
Neil Redfern:Not great for a podcast, but can you say hello, I'm Helen Williams to me now in sign. Oh, fair play, it looks real.
Helen Williams:Yeah, I was a bit messy there, but yeah, my fingers falling needs it's not a great skill for an audio only podcast but, that did look good, thank you very much, that's a really good skill.
Neil Redfern:I'm impressed, Thank you. Ok, next up. This is taken from Happy Hour. Helen, tell us about your first crush, oh, I've got to remember who that is. Was.
Helen Williams:Was oh right, okay, I might even have to Google this whilst we're going, but I really, really fancied one of the actors on a TV program called the Biz. And I think that was like on BBC after school, kind of like it might have been like between something and Blue Peter, Because generally I think Blue Peter was the end of like BBC for Children's Program.
Neil Redfern:Okay, what do we do? We're going to pause this and then we'll give you the answer now. Paul Nichols Never heard of Paul Nichols. Oh, he's in EastEnders.
Helen Williams:Maybe he went. Did he go to EastEnders?
Neil Redfern:Ironically, my mum's first oh, my mum's crush when I was growing up I probably went in the 70s was a guy called Paul Nicholas, I think.
Helen Williams:Oh no, yeah, His name was Paul Nichols and he was in something called the Biz and apparently he's been said. Yeah, he has been in EastEnders, he's done all sorts of different bits and bobs. But yeah, google Paul Nichols and you'll probably go. What on earth? Yeah, when he was younger.
Neil Redfern:He did have curtains. He did have curtains, not what you would get in a shop. Yeah, I think Mark Owen was at the similar time.
Helen Williams:I was going to say actually now that as soon as you mentioned curtains, I was like oh, I absolutely love Mark Owen from Take that Shine, let it shine.
Neil Redfern:Oh, it's like he's here in the room, yeah, Just checked and my mum's crush was Paul Nicholas from Just Good Friends oh Program from the 70s. There you go, how strange. And yours was Paul Nichols, yes, anyway, next question Okay, so favorite place you've ever been to?
Helen Williams:I think this is quite an easy one actually.
Neil Redfern:Well, no, it's not Go with your gut, go with your gut.
Helen Williams:Go with my gut, okay. So my first, it is Iceland. I absolutely. Oh, it's a good shout, very good shout I adored Iceland and thank you so much to Flash Brassist Men. But Ken who booked you, although I'm like Kenneth and then you just crashed it.
Helen Williams:Well, ken always used to say he was a huge fan of my work. Too bad, who did he book for his wedding? You, but yeah, thank you so much, ken. Iceland was absolutely incredible and yeah, I don't mind saying that. Yeah, that first day I arrived I was exhausted and when he took me to the waterfall where Kenneth and Vicky got married, I stood there and cried, just because it was so pretty and beautiful and it felt really nice to be sort of at one with nature.
Neil Redfern:Yeah, iceland is very, very hard to. I think that will be in a lot of people's places if they've been to it. So very good answer, thank you Quick one Also.
Helen Williams:my second one was going to be Switzerland, though Switzerland is absolutely breathtakingly beautiful.
Neil Redfern:Never been.
Helen Williams:Very expensive.
Neil Redfern:Got good chocolate there, though, yes, ok. Next question Very simple Do you believe in ghosts? We asked Demi this.
Helen Williams:I don't think it's that simple an answer, though.
Neil Redfern:Oh OK.
Helen Williams:I think I kind of. Well, I'd like to say that I don't. However, anything that's on the TV like a car watch, like old reruns are most haunted. I really enjoy them, but I get really scared. So the thought of ghosts like really scare me. So I'm thinking if I didn't think they existed on some level, then I wouldn't be scared. And when I was younger, my parents will tell me and I've confirmed that I haven't made this up in my older days that my great-grandma passed away when I was quite young, and I think it must have been about four or five years old and back in the day I don't know whether how common this was the night before the funeral my grandma's coffin was actually in what we called the front room of the house. So she was in the house.
Neil Redfern:Yeah, that used to be a tradition, didn't it?
Helen Williams:Yeah, to be taken. Then, obviously the next day for the funeral and apparently the night before the funeral I'd gone to bed and apparently I came down very upset, or I was crying, and I said that I'd seen my gran at the bottom of the bed. But I was too young to remember that myself. My parents said that you know, I came down crying and saying that she was at the bottom of my bed. So younger Helen apparently did see her ghost, or maybe she dreamt it, but I yes, maybe I do.
Neil Redfern:No, nothing like that. Fair enough. Okay, if you go in to get a tattoo right now, we're going to get in the car, go to the tattoo parlor. What tattoo would you get?
Helen Williams:Well, I've already messaged a tattoo artist recently. Yeah, I thought it was quite an easy one for you.
Neil Redfern:This is from the Happy Hour podcast again, but I know that you actually know this.
Helen Williams:Yes, and I messaged a tattoo artist and there was a particular sort of block of time that I wanted something doing and they weren't available. So I need to go back and get that done. And it does sound a bit cheesy, tacky, like live, laugh, love on your walls, but I would like on my left forearm in very fine scripture you are enough. Because, yeah, I am someone that struggles an awful lot with that. I don't necessarily believe it very much.
Helen Williams:I've, you know, I've gone to counselling regarding this and how I never feel like what I'm doing is enough or that I've achieved enough, or I'm always putting myself down and I really want to make a change and I think that's something I really I'm going to need to work on for quite some time. But, yeah, every time I kind of think about a tattoo or a mantra or something, if there was one sort of piece of advice I could give myself and finally listen to, it would be that phrase you are enough and that I am enough. So I would like to have that on my inner left sort of forearm in really nice, fine scripture. And then, because I love butterflies, I've added to the end of the H of enough, maybe like like three little dots and then a teeny, tiny sort of butterfly emerging or flying off and being beautiful, because I think that the moment, if there is a moment when I can start to truly believe that I am enough, then that's when I'll flourish.
Neil Redfern:That's a really lovely answer, thank you, and you are enough.
Helen Williams:Oh, that's, very sweet.
Neil Redfern:Okay, next question again from happyowboy has been asked so many times for these sort of things, if you could have three dinner party guests, dead or alive. The standard thing is people say I prefer to be alive. But you know, dead or alive, who would they be?
Helen Williams:Well, my first one is, of course, going to be my current all-time man crush, not you. Yes, chris Hemsworth. Yeah, okay, aka. Thor because, I'm sorry, he is just one delicious specimen.
Neil Redfern:Is he the dessert?
Helen Williams:Oh, yes, please. I think I don't know if I'd cry or faint, or yeah, literally, I think I bet Chris Hemsworth in person. I'm not really sure if I could get words out of my mouth. So yeah, it wouldn't be a very interesting dinner party if I just sat there, probably not worry about the conversation.
Neil Redfern:That one is here, I'm guessing.
Helen Williams:No, that's more for the after dinner treats.
Neil Redfern:Okay, chris Hemsworth, then.
Helen Williams:Of course, like I still think you're way dishier, but obviously like I can't say you Maybe I'm offy.
Helen Williams:one of the remaining two then no, sorry, babe, my second one's going to be my nanomay, because that was my mum's mum. And yeah, elizabeth May, yeah, she was an absolute gem of a woman. I've got so many fond memories and my nan passed away when I was 21, I believe, and obviously it wasn't that long ago, but yeah, she was just such a huge part of my life and, considering she, yes, she was alive when I graduated from university and I'm not sure if she was still alive when I graduated as a teacher. I think she might have passed away on the in between, but I definitely had photos of my cap and gown for my degree. I just think my nan would just be really proud of what I've achieved and where I've gone with my life and how the different, you know, it's taken different directions and I'd just like to see her again, if I'm honest.
Neil Redfern:Oh, lovely answer. What's your favourite memory of nanomay?
Helen Williams:This one's easy and it just sounds really bad. We used to do the food shopping every Wednesday and we went to a particular like supermarket and, growing up in the valleys of south wales, to go to a big supermarket you had to travel quite far. But yeah, either way, we went to the local supermarket I think at the time it was called Food Giant and whilst we were outside of it, there was one particular time that my nan slipped on a crisp packet and fell straight on her back. Now, the worst thing is my nan was probably like 82 when this happened.
Neil Redfern:Is she being on the prosecco as well?
Helen Williams:No, but yeah, I can't even skip strips. We found something funny at the particular time about the name of the crisp packet that she fell over and it was linked to falling in some way. I think it might have been like a skip saw trip. Somebody said, oh, did you enjoy your trip? But she slipped Anyway. No, that's the worst thing, that one of my favourite things about memories of my nan, orcas. Does that work? Orcas, it might be something like that, but yeah, it's bad. But I just remember how much we all laughed. Maybe not so much at the time because she was very old and she literally hit the concrete quite hard, but when we got her back home and she was fine, I just remember how much you know, my mum, my sister, my nan were just absolutely just crying, laughing at that. So yeah, it would probably be my nan falling over.
Neil Redfern:Okay, so we've got Chris Hemsworth, your nan, and David Attenborough A weird combination.
Helen Williams:Well, like I said, chris Hemsworth is there for the after dinner entertainment. Nan away he's there, so obviously I can just chat and cry and, you know, just get to see her again because she was an absolute superstar legend. And yeah, david Attenborough because he's like a national treasure and obviously he's done loads of his life and I love animals. So I just want to know stories about animals really.
Neil Redfern:Yeah, who do you think your nan is chatting to? Out of those two you might be helping serve the food and stuff.
Helen Williams:Oh, I don't know, maybe Nan. So three of them in a room.
Neil Redfern:Won't you nan up too?
Helen Williams:Oh, probably floating with Chris Hemsworth. I'd like to think so anyway.
Neil Redfern:Okay, there we go. So those were the non wedding related questions. I feel like we've got to know you a little bit better there.
Helen Williams:I'm not really sure. If you have, neither am I.
Neil Redfern:Okay, so the next one.
Helen Williams:We all scrape in the barrel.
Neil Redfern:All wedding questions.
Helen Williams:Right, okay, some.
Neil Redfern:Of these won't be that easy and Helen does not know these in advance. Oh, if they say anything incriminating, then don't worry, we will obviously bleep it out. I mean, this is quite a basic one, but there is a twist Favorite wedding venue you've shot at, but you have to have shot there twice. In other words, so if you by saying, oh, I've shot a wedding in Santorini and Rome, you're not well, I'm assuming you can't do those because you've only done those once. So your favorite wedding venue that you shot at more than once.
Helen Williams:This is gonna sound bad. It's not gonna sound bad. I'm gonna go with Santolo Barne.
Neil Redfern:Oh, it's a nice venue. It's a nice venue. To be honest, I'm laughing. I'm only laughing because it's like 20 miles up the road, but I'm less than that. I'm not even short my hands. I it's not like I've got a cool answer either. So it's just weird to think favorite ever wedding venue and it's somewhere that you were at a couple of weeks ago.
Helen Williams:Yeah, it's just the barn that's like 25 minutes away from here, but I bet you can guess why I'm gonna slag it off.
Neil Redfern:I mean Sandhole is. I do know the answer. Why Sandhole for those that aren't aware, which will be the majority of people listening, is a barn next to a lake, but they are very well known in the wedding industry and I'll let you explain why. Imagine this has probably got something to do with your answer.
Helen Williams:Yeah, because they just have wonderful caterers in called top table events and considering we've had an absolute nightmare for the last two weddings.
Neil Redfern:Oh, we're on a stinking roll at the moment of food.
Helen Williams:Yeah, supplier meals have been shocking. Look, you can't even call them meals, it's been supplier what scrapings? Yeah, supplier scrapings for the last two weddings, which is crazy because they've both been, you know, big budget, lots of money spent weddings and we've had awful food. However, whenever you go to Sandhole, I love the staff atop table, so shout out to all of you like you're all amazing. The day always runs on time. Yeah, they're so friendly and so lovely, but, best of all, we always get three courses.
Neil Redfern:And the desserts.
Helen Williams:Trio of desserts.
Neil Redfern:Trio of desserts.
Helen Williams:Oh yeah, so you obviously get three different terms and sometimes you have like a brand new stat basket with ice cream.
Neil Redfern:I don't know what I was having like a fair ground combo, what. I'm sure that one was like candy floss. Another one was like crackling ice cream oh, popping candy ice, I'm sure it was. Oh, and maybe a donut. It was all fair but it was very cool. But yeah, I totally agree. I mean not so much about me. I love Sandhole, obviously, but no, the food.
Helen Williams:The food is incredible yeah it's a bit bad that I'm literally choosing a wedding venue based on what food I get there, but the food's always delicious and I know.
Neil Redfern:I'm going to get three courses.
Helen Williams:You can get good sunsets at Sandhole and yes, you can get incredible sunset and, to be fair, the kind of people who choose to get married at Sandhole tend to be very relaxed, really chilled, just wanting a party and not really there for bells and whistles and being fancy. They just want a good knees up. So I tend to really, really enjoy the sort of couples who get married there too.
Neil Redfern:Cool, good answer. Okay, in the same vein, the same question, but rather than best, worst. So you've needed to have shot this venue twice. Yes, if need be, I will bleep.
Helen Williams:Easy, absolutely easy. And the worst thing was I had an inquiry for this this morning.
Neil Redfern:Go on.
Helen Williams:Oh yes, it's a place called.
Neil Redfern:It's a beauty.
Helen Williams:It's a hotel with a car park.
Neil Redfern:There is a bridge. There is a little tiny bridge outside.
Helen Williams:Yes, there is, and I mean it's about what?
Neil Redfern:five foot long.
Helen Williams:Yeah, there's a teeny tiny bridge.
Neil Redfern:This is going to give clues to people who don't know where some people listening will be able to guess.
Helen Williams:Yeah, definitely. So it's on a main road, a really busy main road but there's lots of cars going past. You come straight off the main road. To the left, there's a tiny patch of grass with a I don't know. You can call it a lake, it's usually. There's a pond with lots of green algae in it, but you can't get a reflection in, so there's some water with green on top and there's a little bridge that goes over it.
Helen Williams:But my favourite thing was the last time I shot there. I'm just like maybe I'm missing something here and I thought you know, I'm going to speak to a member of staff Maybe there is a field or there's something that I just haven't quite discovered yet.
Neil Redfern:There is a field, it's just. It's about three miles down the road.
Helen Williams:Yeah, I have done that previously and I have taken couples off on an adventure way away from it just to, because there's nothing. The thing that made me laugh was the member of staff. And oh, don't forget, you've got this. It's literally a patch of grass with a hedge, and just behind the hedge is more of the hotel. So they have one piece of grass and a hedge and then there is a. Yeah, there's a little pond at the front, but literally all around the pond is car park.
Neil Redfern:Okay, question for you then. Helen, you said that that venue is your worst. Yes, you also, I know, had an inquiry for it today.
Helen Williams:Yes.
Neil Redfern:Did you tell them in your reply that was the worst venue you've ever worked at?
Helen Williams:Absolutely not. I love it. I love it. The food's amazing. To be fair, I don't recall the food there, but the funny thing is because of the location of this hotel you liar. Oh yeah, completely lied. Obviously, best of yeah, I love, I love that place. Yeah, fantastic. Yeah, we're going to get some great shots and you're just like you know if it wasn't for the fact that you know.
Helen Williams:At the moment you've got to say you know business is. You know it's not quite what it was. It's not exactly booming right now. We're in a cost of living crisis, of course. So if it was on any other sort of year, I probably would have just gone and booked I'm not available. But yeah, of course today I was like oh fantastic, here are some galleries from there. I love it there and in reality, like I said, there is just nowhere to go.
Neil Redfern:Go down, go down. I can't. I haven't worked there myself a few times. I can't argue with that one at all. Okay, favorite photograph you've ever taken at a wedding I'm just pointing in at a wedding, because you could say oh, it's something outside, but this one's easy because it's me lots and lots of money is going to be my naked groom photo. Oh yes, good answer. Do you want to talk about why? It's only lots of money?
Helen Williams:Because the naked groom is in one of my sample albums that I take to wedding phase, and I'm sure anyone who's listened to previous podcasts will know that I always have this specific album open up to my naked groom. Don't worry, you can't see anything around the front. You've got a bit of a cheeky butt there and actually he wasn't drunk at all, I thought he was. He was actually stone cold sober and he's just a bit mad. But yeah, one of my grooms got naked many years ago. I always have my album open to that because I find that my couples will at least have a good laugh, a good short laugh at it. And generally I then start my, instead of going to every other wedding supplier and a wedding fair going oh see, you're getting married, have you booked? You've any? Yet I'm able to like approach people and go, so you're going to get your kiss off for me. And where it might not work for lots of people, it does work for me and it's a fantastic sort of like conversation starter.
Neil Redfern:No, having helped you out a few wedding affairs, I will confirm that is. It is a brilliant starter and, like you say, it puts off some couples but it also really attracts others and it gives you that great starting point, doesn't it? You're into a conversation, it's fun.
Helen Williams:Yes.
Neil Redfern:So yeah, that's a very good answer. I thought you were going to say Bex flying around.
Helen Williams:Oh, that is see, that's technically. I love that image, that's my favorite shot of yours.
Neil Redfern:However, I think your answer is really strong. Yeah, I didn't think of anything like that.
Helen Williams:Yeah because that literally leads me into so many conversations and so many bookings. You know it's helped build my business. So, yeah, I will say thank you to my group, andre for getting a kid.
Neil Redfern:Okay, if you could take out one part of a wedding day, what would it be?
Helen Williams:I'm going to go for the traditional expectation of signing the register photos the staged ones, because they're just absolute rubbish Most of the time. The lights behind the couple. I have on a couple of occasions turned them round to face the window now so that the windows lighting them instead of having it behind them. But yeah, they're usually just a backlit mess of just cheesy poseness and I just don't think they really mean anything.
Neil Redfern:No, I agree, it's a good answer. I mean, there's lots of weird traditions, aren't there which if you were designing a wedding now, you just wouldn't include? I think that's one cutting of the cake. What's the point of that?
Helen Williams:It's no sense.
Neil Redfern:So yeah, good answer Thank you. Okay, very straightforward. Favorite lens oh, not quite as straightforward as I thought.
Helen Williams:Well, I do have a favorite lens, and it has to be.
Neil Redfern:Well, then, what is it?
Helen Williams:then that's the question. Well then I thought, but it's not very practical for a lot of the time. But yeah, my favorite lens is my G. Master 135 f 1.8. It is delicious.
Neil Redfern:Cool. What do you think of the current trend of blurry photos?
Helen Williams:Absolutely.
Neil Redfern:But what do you really mean?
Helen Williams:I hate them. I'm sure there's people who can do it. Well, no, no, it's not for me, it's not good photography.
Neil Redfern:It's not getting very animated here. No, I don't like it, it's just so out.
Helen Williams:Chris Hemsworth no they're not for me. They pair that with the trendy cool direct flash paparazzi look and like geez, yeah, they get.
Neil Redfern:They make me mad, not for you, okay. Oh, what's this? A genie? A genie has come down and is going to gift you one photographer related item. Oh, what are you going to ask the genie for?
Helen Williams:I'm the genie. Oh my God, that was quite scary.
Neil Redfern:I'm doing the happy hour genie, because I do this as well. I have a present for you. I can actually do this.
Helen Williams:I'm a genie, I have a present for you. Well, Mr Genie, actually I would like another Sony A9, but I'm going to push it out, sister genie, and go for an A9 too.
Horatiu Blajan:Are you sure that's what you want?
Helen Williams:Oh no, actually, because they're more expensive, I'll go for a Sony A1.
Horatiu Blajan:Very good answer.
Helen Williams:That's what you were trying to get from me going.
Horatiu Blajan:Alan, this is a GD go for the expensive kit. I grant you one Sony A1.
Neil Redfern:Good answer okay.
Helen Williams:Can I say the reason?
Neil Redfern:Yes, please do.
Helen Williams:Yes, I'd like to, because, yeah, I'm still shooting with a mixture of bodies. Oh, I'd still be shooting with a mixture of bodies, but my other body is a Sony A7 III which I will say, you know, people might try to take the mic out of Sony cameras or mirrorless cameras and say they don't last very long, but my A7 III has been phenomenal, but I can't shoot silently indoors over a hundredth of a second, so I'd like the ability to shoot silently throughout the day on both of my cameras.
Neil Redfern:Yeah, good answer. Okay, next question, helen, and the thanks for this question actually go to my friends Adam Wing and Howard Wing. They have a podcast called Think Wedding Business and they very kindly had me on as a guest a couple of weeks ago and they asked me this question. I thought, oh, that's very clever, so I thought I'll include this in your questions. Helen, if you could do another wedding related job not a photographer or a videographer what would it be?
Helen Williams:Easy peasy. I would be a celebrant, or I'd want to be the person who's conducting the ceremony.
Neil Redfern:Oh, okay, reasons.
Helen Williams:Well, I still get to be centre of attention. I like talking. It's kind of like a role that I can play and obviously, with my drama degree, I quite enjoy that and I just absolutely love love. So, yeah, plus, you don't have to be there for too long. Turn up, be the centre well, obviously, the bride's the centre of attention, but you know, you get to play a really cool role within that. Yeah, I think I just really enjoy conducting the ceremonies.
Neil Redfern:So do you want to be a celebrant or a registrar? Because the two very different things. A celebrant will do a lot of research before the day and get to know the couple and basically write a bespoke ceremony. The registrar no offensive, they're still very good, but well, they can be very good, they can be very bad, but we'll basically just read from a script.
Helen Williams:Yeah, no, I prefer to be a celebrant, although I will say that our local registration team have always said that there is a job ready for me whenever I'm ready to give up wedding photography.
Neil Redfern:They are particularly nice, aren't they? The Cheshire people? They are lovely. Don't give a shout out because you know them well, don't you?
Helen Williams:Yeah, especially to Bex, who's sort of the superintendent registrar or the top lady. All of them, though, prue, like there's so many on that team who, when I see them, like literally squeal and give hugs to. We have the best registrars of Cheshire East. But yeah, they always say, whenever you're ready to give up weddings or doing the photography, there's a job ready for you and I know all the lines so I'm ready to go If ever, like a registrar dropped at a ceremony, be like, fear not, I got the lines, but I'm not sure if I'm legally able to do it.
Neil Redfern:Okay, next question what is your all-time favourite wedding photograph Not taken by you and it's not a photograph of someone that you know? In other words, it's been taken by someone that you follow in the industry. Anything to bring to mind?
Helen Williams:Yes, I would have the black and white, just because it's rude. Really, I'd have one of Lanny and Erica's, of Two man. I would have the dance floor one, but I think it was the groomsmen that had stripped down to their little thongs. So yeah, it looks like they've got like almost like bow ties on some like thongs. And yeah, there's a guy who's sort of gyrating with his bum right in the bride's face. Her reaction is brilliant. Yeah, I just think it's a really funny photo.
Neil Redfern:So I know that. I tell you what you know, that it's a good photo, when I can also picture it in my head as well. Okay, last question In the get to know, helen Williams, if you could give one piece of advice to a person looking to become a wedding photographer, what would it be?
Helen Williams:Don't do it.
Neil Redfern:Oh Neil's rolling his eyes out, I just sign language to hell. That was a bad answer.
Helen Williams:That was a rude sign If you could give.
Neil Redfern:Come on, these people out here thinking Helen, I love what you do, I want to learn from you. I've watched the Goonies, I've done all this research. What piece of advice would you give to them?
Helen Williams:Joy flashbusters.
Neil Redfern:Okay, yeah, okay.
Helen Williams:And Joy Neil's Patreon. It's just that you have to get stuck in, you have to get involved in the industry and you have to sort of put yourself out there Because, at the end of the day, no one else no one cares about your business, and that's quite difficult to understand when you're just starting out, Because obviously it's something that's really important to you. However, beyond maybe your parents or like your immediate friends and family, no one else cares about who you are or what you're doing, and you have to put yourself out there in order for them to give you time to learn, to grow, to second shoot, etc. You know, if you think you can just start a business by saying I'm going to be a photographer and setting up a website and unfortunately the chances are you're not going to go very far Until you're able to put yourself out there within photography communities, get involved with different communities and trying to talk to other photographers and people within the wedding industry, then things won't grow as well as they do, as if you do do that.
Helen Williams:So when I started, I did lots of networking business to business etc.
Helen Williams:And one of the first things I did was to get involved in the local photography groups and as soon as there was a meetup, as soon as there was any socials, I threw myself out there. I got involved, I showed up into rooms and to bars with people I'd never met before. I'd turn up on my own and just put myself out there and from there, being able to make those personal collections and really risking, you know, going out there and talking to people that you don't know, it's just one of the best ways to build relationships and from there you can get experience in second shooting, you can get advice, etc. But yeah, unfortunately, if you are someone who's not in the industry at the moment, who doesn't currently have a background in photography and starting out, you kind of need the support of other members of the industry with you. So you just really have to put yourself out there Because, unfortunately, an Instagram page or a website on its own isn't really going to drive you as far forward as a community can. Very good.
Neil Redfern:Thank you Excellent, Helen. Thank you so much for all of your honesty in this episode. Thank you.
Helen Williams:I'm feeling a bit tired. If I'm honest, that was draining Well.
Neil Redfern:I think we've all learnt a little bit more about Helen this episode, so well done.
Helen Williams:I'm just very, very indecisive.
Neil Redfern:No, you did really well. Oh, thank you, you were straight on some of their answers Dirty dancing, boom, boom, straight off Goonies in there. Rashetta, no, you were quite new, you did really really well, well done.
Helen Williams:Well, thank you very much. I hope that one day soon we get to ask you the same questions.
Neil Redfern:Well, we'll see. Who knows what we have coming up in the future.
Helen Williams:I don't know, because we tend to make it up a lot.
Neil Redfern:Thank you everyone for listening. We hope you've enjoyed this episode, as always. If you'd like to join us in the Flash masters community, you can do so at flashmattersco, and I think, helen, you can have the last word in this podcast.
Helen Williams:Don't forget to keep flashing.
Neil Redfern:And don't shoot at.
Helen Williams:Oh, that was naughty.
