Thrive Gallery: Matt Kay aka The Woods Photography – Weddings

Matt Kay aka The Woods Photography joined us at Thrive from his home in South Africa. He brought his unique take on wedding photography, what can we say to do it justice?

He was our Thrive wild card and spoke in the infamous ‘Totty Slot’ at our Thrive conference IYKYK.

Matt aka The Woods Photography reimagines what it means to connect through the lens, he is one of those rare talents and he tells it like it is, so we were very much looking forward to his talk and day two sessions – Matt hosted two wedding photography shoots with a focus on making the best with what you are given plus he hosted a very special Boudoir Session for us as we are just obsessed with this part of his portfolio and his approach to Boudoir – we will post the images from this for you soon.

With a background as a professional sailor and a photojournalist, his journey into photography is as unique as the images he creates. His style is spontaneous, thoughtful, and deeply human – an approach that resonates with his couples and inspires photographers around the world.

At Thrive, Matt brought his signature energy and vision to life through all of his unforgettable sessions including this fast-paced, innovative wedding shoot. Matt’s goal is always to capture not just how the moment looked, but how it felt and he came to Thrive to inspire us to do the same.

Goes without saying, Matt did not disappoint. What an absolute legend!

“Embracing the “In-Between”
With a focus on layering compositions, Matt encouraged participants to look beyond the obvious. His ability to spot those candid, fleeting interactions was awe-inspiring.”

Matt’s Wedding Shoot Session

When it comes to wedding photography, Matt’s ability to create authentic, emotional images is unmatched. Drawing on his background as a photojournalist, Matt delivered a session that was fast-paced, immersive, and packed with valuable insights. Here’s what attendees took away:

Creating Authentic Scenarios
Matt emphasised crafting natural moments that don’t feel overly posed. Attendees learned how to let the day unfold and capture the real connection between couples.
Embracing the “In-Between”
With a focus on layering compositions, Matt encouraged participants to look beyond the obvious. His ability to spot those candid, fleeting interactions was awe-inspiring.
Embracing Street Photography Techniques
By applying street photography’s spontaneity to weddings, Matt showcased how setting creative boundaries can spark innovation.
Turning Challenges into Opportunities
Matt showed us how to use the space we have, turning limitations into positives.

It was a transformative experience for attendees who came away with a fresh perspective and the confidence to tackle even the most unpredictable wedding days.