Recently, I had the fun job of getting a behind the scenes look of GM Photographics’ studio. The aim? To put myself in the shoes of a bride and find out more about the team, their process, their vision, and ultimately the experience couples have when working with GM.
The studio is located on a sunny corner of a street in Mosman, which is located about eight kilometres northeast of the Sydney CBD. The first thing you notice when you walk in is its freshness and simplicity of design – it’s cheerful and welcoming (they even roll out the red carpet for you!). Graham Monro, founder of GM Photographics, says, “We wanted a space that reflected our style and brand. It is simple and contemporary. It is a great studio to visit and spend time in designing wedding albums with us.”
The front room is split in two – one side is about all things weddings, with large photographs lining the walls in ornate black frames. You can even spot Guy Sebastian and his wife, Jules, up there. You’ll also find examples of the albums you can whip up with the GM team as part of your package. The other side is dedicated to portraits, as well as Portrait Couture by Simona Janek.
So what happens when a new client comes into the studio? “They meet with our team and we ask them all about their day,” Graham says. “We want to establish what it is they are looking for and how our style can be adapted to meet their needs. They can discuss their likes and dislikes with us.”
Graham also stresses that he wants clients to feel welcome and relaxed when they visit the studio for this initial meeting. “We offer a variety of delicious treats and beverages as well as a comfortable ambience of music, smiling faces and candles burning for a great aroma. Couples are often excited to see what we have to offer and to look at other couple’s wedding days.”
After looking through the examples in the front room, couples are then taken through to the cinema room out the back. Graham describes this space as amazing. “It has a full screen projection and a leather lounge to recline on. Clients are presented with images set to beautiful music. The reactions that we hear and see in there are fantastic. Tears of joy and laughter are experienced in there in every session.”
The images they see are sample wedding albums and wedding slide shows of previous clients. These are uploaded to GM’s Vimeo channel, where they’ve created collections based on themes, details, locations, etc.
The cinema room also boasts a mini kitchen that’s stocked with champagne, soft drinks, danishes, shortbread, roasted nuts, Lindt chocolates, coffee, and a range of tea from T2. Everything you need while you’re getting inspired and planning. This is also the place you’ll come back to after the wedding to design your album, so you’ll be comfy and well looked after during these sessions too.
First impressions? While I was visiting the studio, Graham and I talked about everything from wet weather options to how to select the right photographs for your wedding album. These guys pride themselves on thinking of everything and being prepared for all situations. They achieve this through sitting down with their clients in the studio, listening, and helping plan details and timing so they get them the shots they’re after. The place smells like a dream too, and I left with a stomach full of cake and tea. Mmm!
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