FORGED IN LOVE
PHOTOGRAPHY
How Is It Going :) I’m Andy
Thought I would add a little about me section….. so here goes!!!
Cavan based documentary style wedding photographer, Coffee obsessed (I say obsessed more of a necessity now ha) , Dad to our fur (not so little)baby Luna, I have a beard but thats only so I can see where my face ends and my neck starts, Weakness for jellies (I will steal from your candy cart) I honestly can’t just eat one its bad, Lack of filter, I love the odd conspiracy theory!! Bake Off fan, a Paul Hollywood handshake is the goal isn’t it, Partner in crime to my amazing girlfriend Kerri, Sunsets over sunrises I’m just not a morning person, I broke both arms when I was 8 and had to eat with bended spoons, Pineapple does belong on pizza and I will fight someone who disagrees, Deserts over starters, lazy Sundays, I love the beach it calms me down and it where we go when we need figure life out, Disney’s The Lion King is the greatest movie ever and Mufasa dying still haunts me to this day, Cereal is better at night than the morning - I once ate a whole box of cinnamon crunch something or other and thought I was gonna die I do not recommend trying it and Coca-Cola is better from a can (well that was before I had Mexican coke in NYC from las tacos no1, I think they might have actually left the cocaine in the recipe its insane}
I’m a big fecking softie really and I’m a sucker for a good love story!!! I also sing to Westlife at the top of my voice in the car. And from the first moment I picked up a camera all I wanted to do was to capture peoples happiest moments. I strive to be the best photographer I can be. But more importantly to give the best experience I can. I want you to look back on the images I provide and know that I told the truth. I captured your story the way it was meant to be told.
I became a photographer because I wanted to leave something of value behind in this world, I wanted to get old and know I gave people something to hold on to and pass down. When I worked in retail the hardest days were the ones after I shot a wedding, knowing I was returning to something that didn’t fill my cup. I knew this was what I was to do in life. My images are not for now or for instagram. They are for 20 years from now. When your kids ask what were you like or what was Grandad like or Aunty Jane etc hopefully my images can show them.
My mam said that even as a child I would just people watch non-stop. So I guess I was always destined to do something involving people and what better than wedding photography huh!!! I’m so grateful I get to call this my job!!! Forged in Love was literally forged from a love of photography, with the help of people I love, for couples who are in love and I’m so proud of what it’s becoming.
“He made us feel so at ease as well as sometimes not even realising he was there.
It’s like having a really talented friend who was able to take the most amazing pictures of us join us for the most special day of our life, not just a photographer.” - Conor & Aoife
To get the best pictures you have to unapologetically yourselves….
A statement I live by as a photographer because here’s the thing - what truly matters is who we are creating the images for. One day my couples will look back on their images and know whether I told the truth.
If I could I would do this for free I truly mean that (I can’t Luna costs a fortune to feed haha she’s worth it though). And I pinch myself knowing that people love my work, that people even take an interest in what I do and I never dreamt that when I picked up a camera I would win international awards from Wedisson and be recognised as one of the top 30 wedding photographers in Ireland from them. Win 6 awards from Wedwar and be classed as a rising star. This is reportage member, Nine-dots member and be accepted into the I.P.P.V.A (Irish professional photographers and videographers association) update I place 5th in Ireland and 59 worldwide for This is reportage for 2024. which is a mind blowing personal achievement for me.
But most of all have people come to this little space on the internet I call my website and be like yes he’s the one for us, he’s who we chose to capture one of the biggest days of our lives….
I’m forever grateful, I’ll continue to be grateful and I hope the love and passion I have for this art comes across in everything I’ve done and everything I do in the future.
Andy x
A man that works with his hands is a labourer,
A man that works with his hands and his head is a craftsman,
A man that works with his hands, his head and his heart is an artist.
I can certainly tell you that Andy is an artist. He has a great talent for capturing special moments and making them memorable. He's there at every moment, invisible when he needs to be and methodical in leading people throughout the day.
Thank you Andy - Mark November 2024
My approach to YOUR wedding day!!!
is simple….. the photos should be about the wedding, the wedding should not be about the photos!!! I shoot in a documentary style also known as photo journalism or candid. This means that I don’t like to set shots up and I want your day to unfold the way the universe has intended it to. My goal is to shoot your wedding from the inside out, I get close with the camera, making it feel like I was a VIP guest with a camera in the inner circle when you look back on your gallery, showing you things you didn’t even realise was happening on your day. As a photographer I am influenced by modern day street photographers. I always wanted my images to be about something more than just of something. Incorporating layers in my images meaning there is something in the front, middle and back wanting you to delve into some images like they were a Where’s Wally book from your childhood. Emotion and human connection are high on the agenda. But showing people having just FUN is my favourite. I do shoot some family photos I always advise between 6-10 groups of the most important people, these are legacy photos unfortunately people won’t be here forever so they are as important to me as they are to you and for your couple portraits well don’t worry thats just a walk in the park.At the end of the day its a wedding its a celebration and remember how your photos make you feel in 20 years is so much more important than what others think of them for 5 mins on instagram.
“Andy is the 1st phone call you need to make when you set your wedding date. He is not only professional but so much fun to be around, putting everyone at ease. His photography ozze of the emotion and love of your big day. Highly recommended”
— Morgan & Assumpta 2023
Awesome Wedding Photos
Don’t Need To Be Set Up!!!
My Gear….
So when deciding on what cameras I wanted to use as a wedding photographer the conditions where simple look cool and be small. Fuji gave me all that and more. They look like they’re old with their retro styling but don’t be fooled they are full of the latest technology. Not only do they provide stunning colour and high resolution, they also allow me to shoot a wedding the way I want. Their small form allows me to get in on the action without being intimidating to you and your guests. You will never see me standing in a corner with a massive lens “snipering” people from the outside. Dual card slots in camera mean your photos are safe on the day and are backed up to 2 hard drives and a cloud when your day is over. I’ve taken the precautions to insure that your images are as safe as they can be. So all those amazing memories can get to the people they are meant to!!!
Enjoy Every Minute Of Your Wedding Day!
“He has an amazing ability to capture the important and emotional moments without you even realising he is there.
- Ciara & John
