He’s mastered the art of blending into the background but there’s no hiding Dean Dampney’s photos.
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The South Coast resident recently topped The International Wedding Photojournalism Association's (WPJA) list for best of the best Australian Wedding Photojournalists of 2016.
It’s the third time Dean has taken out top spot nationally, and he is now listed at number 26 internationally.
The competition features a range of categories, from the ceremony and reception, to children enjoying the big day and people recording the the action on their own phones – all captured discreetly by wedding photojournalists.
“There’s no set-up, it’s 100 per cent natural,” Dean said.
“As a photojournalist, our emphasis is to be discreet, unobtrusive and capture things naturally.
“For me to have this recognition in Australia and an on international level is just amazing.”
Our real goal is be ghost-like and ninja-like.
- Dean Dampney
This niche genre of wedding photography does come with its own challenges.
While he needs to be close to the action, Dean, of Lake Tabourie, said it’s important he doesn’t create any disruptions.
“Our real goal is be ninja-like,” he said.
“We need to be right in the thick of things though so most of us take the perspective of trying to get as close as possible, with a wide angle perspective.”
Dean started as a photographer at the Milton Ulladulla Times and later went on to shoot for other Fairfax publications and News Limited outlets in Sydney.
Throughout his career he remained focused on a photojournalistic style and in 1999 was given the opportunity to capture his first wedding for close friends.
Two thirds of the way through the Byron Bay wedding, his manual photography equipment failed.
Five-hundred weddings later and Dean still remembers it as his biggest learning curve.
“I kept shooting with optimism that the problem didn’t exist but it was just devastating,” he said.
“Fortunately we still got a lot of great photos but I’ve never let anything like that happen again – I feel like I’ve been making amends ever since.”
In 2007 he started his business CloudFace Photography and has shot around 50 weddings a year ever since.
He generally covers weddings from Narooma to Berry and has seen many changes in the industry over his 10 years in the industry.
With every wedding guest now armed with a smartphone and a better eye for a good shot, Dean has had to evolve his style.
“Times are changing; it’s a market flooded with wedding photographers and we’re all shooting with our phone and becoming better at it,” Dean said.
“If you’ve got 50 people in the wedding audience and they’re all taking photos on their phone, I’ll photograph what’s happening and I think down the track we’ll see it as a really interesting, humanistic study.
- Dean Dampney
“Wedding photography is kind of the last professional photography that’s still viable and people recognise that, so I just keep raising the bar myself and upping the ante.”
When it comes to guests living the big day though their smartphone screen, Dean sees it as another story to tell.
“As a photojournalist, my stance is that’s a part of the time we live in,” he said.
“Personally, if I was having a wedding because I would suggest people don’t do that because they’re not in the moment but I accept it for what it is and document it for what it is.
“If you’ve got 50 people in the wedding audience and they’re all taking photos on their phone, I’ll photograph what’s happening and I think down the track we’ll see it as a really interesting, humanistic study.”
With Sydney and Canberra couple’s tying the knot on the South Coast, Dean often only meets his clients for the first time on their special day.
He said going in essentially blind brings into place one of the greatest skills of a photojournalist.
“To be able to walk into the environment and be fearless and non dominating and accepted in a matter of seconds so people allow you to do your job is crucial,” he said.
Dean has photographed hundreds of local weddings and while he doesn’t always remember their names, he can still picture everyone’s images.
He recently captured local couple Glen and Amanda McDonald on their big day. The couple transformed their Milton home and hosted their wedding in the backyard, with a stunning view over Frogs Holla.
“I’ve seen Glen go from an 18-year-old surfer in the lineup to where he is now and to be able to capture that day was just so special,” Dean said.
“To have all that effort come through at this amazing place, and the local community coming together with the catering and the band, and just all their friends together celebrating – it just does not get better.”