Spotlight: Sonia & Simon (S2 Images)
In this series we are sharing some of the wonderful photographers who make up the NineDots Community. Finding out what makes them tick and the what, why and how behind some of the work they are most proud of. Today Creative Midlands Wedding Photographer Sonia & Simon (S2 Images) share their favourite 2 images and why they loves them so much.
WHY WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY?
We’ve been photographing weddings since the week after our very own wedding back in 2011 – it just made sense to go into business together and we setup S2 Images in 2014. We actually met due to a mutual interest in photography, Simon is self taught and Sonia studied it, receiving a first class honours degree.
Since breaking away from the daytime jobs, we’d do anything not to go back into those roles. We used to photograph together, but since having our son, Simon does the photography / editing and Sonia does everything else.
It’s an honour to be part of such a positive and uplifting occasion. Capturing those memories for people to be able to relive the day. Sadly, the reality is that you see the true value of photography when you lose loved ones, so it feels like such an important job. The amount of people that end up using their wedding photos to celebrate loved ones special occasions as well, like birthdays and anniversaries. It’s often one of the few times that families will all get together and especially hire a photographer.
As we try to select images for this feature, we realise wedding photography is not for us. It is for our couples, what they think and especially feel when they see their images, that matters.
Sonia & Simon’s Spotlight photos
The first photo brings back memories from an interesting wedding, where a storm hit and there was a power cut during the preparation. The bride was getting ready in a dark room, with no light. We felt proud to be more than just photographers that ‘take photos.’ We are often so much more and people don’t realise it until the day. We managed to provide lighting during the preparation and also during the ceremony.

The second photo is an image from a pre wedding shoot we did just as the pandemic started easing. This image makes us smile, as the weather was chaotic, yet the couple just embraced it. When people get in contact there’s often the question, ‘what if it rains,’ whether it’s a family shoot or wedding. The reality is, some of the most fun and beautiful photos are created during the most dramatic weather.
We were all well and truly soaked, but because of them embracing it, they came out with an incredible set of images. As cheesy as it sounds, it could be a metaphor for life really. If you live for and embrace the moment, your outcome will be positive, just because of your mindset.
Beyond this, we’ve made clients for life from this couple. From pre wedding to wedding, and a huge wedding album. We’ve just photographed their maternity shoot. And the groom surprised the bride with a newborn shoot for Christmas, for when the little one arrives. Truly honoured to become ‘their photographers for life,’ using the words they used recently. That means everything to us.
WHY NINE DOTS?
Reality is, we’ve not actually been to the NineDots Gathering, but we’ve been members for years. We actually had tickets booked.. Then the pandemic hit, and then we had our son. So sadly we’ve not made it to one yet, but always get serious FOMO. We have met so many of the community through smaller conferences and also through the local meet ups.
The NineDots family are genuinely the kindest of souls. We are honoured to be a part of it. They’ve got us through some tough times but also celebrate the great times with us too. We have never been made to feel so welcome. They turn competition into community. We all succeed together!