Local wedding photographer capturing every special moment in Bath!

For the past seven years, Beata Cosgrove, an accomplished professional photographer in Bath, has been capturing her clients’ special moments including portraiture, personal branding, engagement shoots, engagement parties, weddings and secret proposals.

“What makes me different is that I love capturing people.  But the first thing that I would like to know from them is who they are, what really makes them to get up in the morning.  And then when I establish who they are I like to know what their dreams are.  Everyone has dreams and through our dreams we show our character.

It is basically finding what makes a person tick as a person.  What drives them to get up in the morning.  Basically, I’m taking people on a journey with me, and it can take half an hour, or it can take an hour, it depends on the person.”

“Many people just see the professional behind the camera.  But once the subject stops seeing just your camera and starts seeing the human behind the camera, they allow the photographer to photograph them, capture what is unique about them.  For instance, with something like a wedding, what I love to focus on is to really know the couple, so I can capture the day with different kinds of emotions, but also look for things which bring humor, and focus on feelings and great energy, which bring people together.

As part of a wedding package, I give couples a free engagement shoot before the wedding day, it allows us to get to know each other and when it comes to the big day, I’m no longer just the photographer, I’m more of a friend who wants to capture them during the best moments of the day, but also in the best light.”

Beata Cosgrove is the owner of Beata Cosgrove Photography in Bath and she is also a local mum. Her mission in everything that she does is to minimise the impact of her work and her family on her surroundings and environment.  Beata’s whole family aim to walk most days, and on their journeys they collect and sort out litter in order to make the world a better place to live.

We sat down with Beata for a quick interview.

Q: Why do you do what you do?

A: “I believe in excellent customer service, and I believe in a very personal approach to customers, because to be honest with you, what I really love about the job is that every job is very different.  What any photographer should do is look deeply into how they can approach each job and find different ways to do it.  A good photograph should freeze a moment in time and connect us as people and connect the past, capture the present and stay with us for the future.

Sometimes I take photographs to make couples look bigger than buildings for example, because their love is more powerful than anything around them. If it’s a windy day, I use the wind to my advantage to show emotion and the force of nature around them.  The overall experience should be really themed to who they are, to show the intimacy between them.  Some shoots are so beautiful that I sometimes shed a tear, which I have to try and hide.”

Q: How did you get into this profession?

A: “My husband and I went to live in India and one day I decided, okay I’m going to do a photography course, because of the amazing light and people in India.  It’s a beautiful country with stunning scenery and I had this need to express myself through photography.  To be honest with you, the course was in Hindi which was a challenge.  But I stayed on the course, and I picked up some of the language, so I can speak some basic Hindi now.

We moved back to England, in 2002, located in Bath, and then I started my MBA in Business Studies.  When I became pregnant with our daughter, I thought to myself, I actually want to do something, I always wanted to do,  the challenge to capture whatever is around me, sunsets, portraiture and events.

I have been a Creative Bath Finalist 2020, Southwest Photographer 2020 Finalist and my pictures came in the top, 12% of the best pictures in the 35 Awards, where the public vote for each picture.”

Q: Being a professional photographer, Beata works directly with many people, we asked her what’s the most unusual situation that ever happened to you on the job?

A: “A while back I shot a series of photographs for Ladies in Beef Week, and one of the ladies just jumped on a bull and started riding it with a British flag in her hand, that was really unusual and made for a great photograph.  As I was photographing the cows, they basically surrounded all of us, it felt like they were giving us access to their world.  It was magical, I love being with nature and spending time with nature. “

Q: If you could share one tip with the readers for choosing a professional photographer, what would it be?

A: “A lot of people say, ‘okay I’m looking for a photographer for my wedding or I’m looking for a portrait photographer.’  A lot of time they would then go and look at photographer’s website, they will look at their pictures, they will look at their style.

I think what is really important is to tell the photographer what they really want, for example as a couple, what brings them together as a unique couple.  A great photographer should have the right attitude, the right observational skills, and to be different in how they perceive and see their subjects and the world.

The photographer you choose should be 100% focused on the client and doing the best for them, to give them a chance to show who they are, with individual ways to frame a couple to demonstrate what makes them belong together.

When taking pictures I feel the subjects, I don’t have to look at them, my mind, my camera almost feels as though it’s part of my body, because I’ve been doing it so many years.“

Q: What do you do in your spare time?

A: “I love listening to all kind of music, especially on vinyl as it has that special crackly sound.  For sunsets I enjoy jumping on our inflatable boat and watch the river settling down for the evening.

I love to walk around Bath taking pictures.  The buildings are beautiful, it feels very, very slow, but in a positive way.  My favorite part of the day is just as the sun’s coming up and everything is coming to life. It’s magical, and peaceful, it feels like it’s just for you as you capture the moment, I love it.

If I’m not walking, I try to cycle, some days we collect rubbish on the way.  We’ve been doing this for a couple of years now.  I enjoy swimming and I’m a qualified open water diver, I loved that it’s really quiet and calm and peaceful.“

Q: Do you have a family?

A: “I’m married and have an eleven-year-old daughter.  I met my husband on vacation when I stopped him in the street and asked him for directions.”

This is what some of Beata’s clients say about Beata Cosgrove Photography.

Andrew F

Beata made our wedding even more perfect.  She put us at ease as we were very nervous and made the whole experience relaxed and enjoyable on a very hot day.  Photographs are wonderful and really made our day.  Excellent in every way.  Thank you, Beata, for all your hard work!

 Manveer S

I contacted Beata to do my surprise proposal in Bath.  Beata was absolutely incredible, she made our day even more special.  10/10 for everything!  Also, a lovely person, thank you again Beata!

Chris K

Beata is an excellent photographer who is very friendly and professional.  I enjoyed the entire experience of taking my LinkedIn profile portrait.  Beata guided me and captured my best character (confident, smart, passionate) through some nice conversations and a relaxing environment.  It is good value for money, and I really like my photos!

Louise C

We recently had our family engagement shoot with Beata ahead of our wedding next year.  We were a little nervous about this as I’m not a huge one for posing for photos, but Beata made us all feel so comfortable on our first meeting and the shoot even getting a smile out of our teenage son.  Beata is an incredibly talented professional photographer and is so welcoming that you forget it’s a shoot.  All of the images were amazing quality and came back to us super quickly.  We can’t wait for the wedding shoot next year.

Rúben B

I planned a secret engagement proposal in Bath, and I couldn’t have had a better photographer!  Beata was extremely professional in her approach.  She helped me to choose the best place and the best time for a perfect photo session. The photos are amazing with great quality!  I’m very pleased, thanks :))

Emily C

Beata took a series of portraits of our daughter, who needed some professional headshots. They had an absolute ball and Beata really captured her character.  We are delighted with the results.

For those of you who are looking for a professional photographer for portraiture, personal branding and weddings, Beata at Beata Cosgrove Photography should be your first choice. You can call Beata on 07738129191, or visit:

https://www.beatacosgrovephotography.com

https://www.instagram.com/beatacosgrovephotography

https://www.facebook.com/BeataCosgrovePhotographer

http://www.bathphotoprints.co.uk