Behind the Lens at Chalk & Cheese
Candid Storytelling. Calm Energy. Zero Awkward Vibes.
Candid Storytelling. Calm Energy. Zero Awkward Vibes.
Almost every couple tells us the exact same thing during our very first conversation: "We're really awkward in front of a camera, and we don't want to spend our wedding day posing." We understand completely. In fact, that exact feeling is why Chalk & Cheese exists. A wedding isn't an editorial photoshoot where you are expected to perform for the lens, and it certainly shouldn't feel like a high-stress production. It is a room filled with the people you love most, celebrating the start of your marriage. Our philosophy is simple: we don't manufacture moments—we create the relaxed, reassuring environment where genuine laughter, quiet emotion, and unscripted memories happen naturally..
Meet Cedric: Experience & Philosophy
The People Behind the Photographs
Hi, I’m Cedric, founder and lead photographer at Chalk & Cheese.Over 14+ years documenting weddings across Sydney, the Blue Mountains, Hunter Valley, and the Southern Highlands. I’ve learned that photographing a wedding is never just about getting the "perfect shot." It’s about understanding the people, relationships, and little moments that make the day meaningful. What happens before the wedding day can be just as crucial as what happens in front of the camera. A thoughtfully structured timeline, a calm word when nerves kick in, or simply knowing which family members matter most makes a real difference to how your celebration feels.On the day, I pay attention to the people around you, not just the two of you. That means helping a camera-shy bridal party relax, remembering family members' names, making sure children feel included, and quietly adapting when timelines shift or weather changes.
"A great photographer doesn't take over your celebration—they feel like an experienced friend who keeps everything calm, effortless, and on time."
The Working Style: Direction & Storytelling
Natural Moments, With the Right Guidance
You don't need to be confident in front of a camera, you don't need to know how to pose, and you certainly don't need to spend your wedding day performing.
Our approach combines unobtrusive documentary storytelling with gentle, flattering direction when needed. As one of our couples, Amanda and Melvin, described it, they appreciated a style that delivers “a candid feel with a mixture of direction.”
We’ll guide you naturally during couple portraits and family formals so you look and feel great without any stiff posing, then step back during the ceremony and reception so genuine, unscripted moments can unfold uninterrupted.
Culture, Heritage & Family Traditions
Every Family Has Its Own Story
Sydney weddings bring together people, cultures, and traditions in countless unique ways. Some celebrations honor long-standing customs—like Chinese or Vietnamese tea ceremonies and door games—while others combine multicultural heritages, multiple ceremonies, or intimate civil vows at the Pyrmont Marriage Registry.
These details aren't simply items on a photography checklist; they carry deep generational meaning for the people involved.
We take the time to understand which rituals matter, who needs to be included, and how the day is expected to unfold. That preparation ensures we document every sacred custom and spontaneous interaction without ever turning your celebration into a rigid photoshoot.
Why Couples Trust Chalk & Cheese
Thoughtful Planning. Unobtrusive Media. Total Peace of Mind.
1. Stress-Free Runsheet Planning
Good wedding coverage begins months before the cameras come out. Four months before your wedding day, we help you build a practical, tailored photography timeline—factoring in travel buffers, family group configurations, and optimal sunset lighting so you never feel rushed.
2. A Synchronised, 2-Person Photo & Video Team
If you choose our combined photo and video collection, you won’t have two separate crews competing for angles or crowding your space. Our tight-knit team moves in lockstep with matching color profiles and a shared timeline, capturing candid stills and cinematic films that couples tell us their partners "watch on repeat."
3. Ironclad Data Security
Your memories happen once, so we leave nothing to chance. Every photograph is written simultaneously to dual memory cards inside professional cameras, then backed up at the wedding reception. As soon as we get home, we duplicate the files into another hard disk.
What Our Couples Say
"Cedric somehow managed to turn 1 groom and 2 groomsmen, who have never taken a nice photo in their lives, into 3 very handsome men on camera with no awkward hands or arms! When we received our highlight video, my husband Jesse couldn't stop crying. They completely understood the importance of family and culture on our day."
Ally + Jesse
"Even when things became rushed and the schedule didn't go exactly as planned, Cedric remained calm, focused, and professional. He knew exactly what needed to be prioritised and managed everything without adding any stress to our day."
Jodie + Bob
"We've now used Chalk and Cheese for three special milestones in our lives: our wedding, our baby's first Christmas, and our baby's first birthday. Every experience has been amazing."
Claire + Aiden
A Little About Me Beyond the Lens
Outside of weddings, I’m a husband and a dad.
Family life has given me an even greater appreciation for how quickly the years slip by and how much emotional weight photographs hold over time.
This photo was taken with my girls at a family wedding. Photographing a celebration for people you love brings its own unique pressure, but it’s a constant reminder of why this work matters.
Decades from now, these photographs become far more than a record of events. They bring back the voices, the laughter of grandparents, the warmth of the room, and the people who stood beside you. That is the perspective I bring to every couple I document.
Let’s Start With a Conversation
The best wedding photographs happen when you feel completely comfortable with the people behind the camera.
You don't need to have every detail or timeline figured out right now. Tell us a little about your wedding date, venue, and ideas - whether you're considering photography alone or a combined photo and video collection, we'll help you shape the coverage that suits your day.
