Ruth Segaud : Wedding Photographer

Whenever I think of happy jobs, I always think of Wedding Photographers.  Everyone is celebrating, people are genuinely glad to see you and you are quite literally part of the happiest day of your customers' lives! The others usually involve musicians, storytellers and dog walkers!

Ruth Segaud then, by my very unscientific measures, must be one of the happiest people out there! She started her professional life as a violinist and set up The Dotted Crotchets String Quartet back in 2011 with her husband Michael. Since then they have performed for over 1000 weddings and events across the UK, specialising in performing pop and rock covers.

Michael has recently taken more of a lead in the running of the quartet, so that she can focus on her Wedding Photography Business, but she still performs with them when she can. 

Outwith the wedding days themselves, Ruth usually works from home, and fits all of her admin and editing around the couple's 18 month old daughter, Thea. It is the days out photographing weddings that she loves though;

"There’s always so much to capture that the adrenaline keeps me going."

On days off you'll find her and Thea checking out the cafes and soft play areas of Perth and she loves an afternoon in Dunkeld and Birnam, complete with a trip to the Aran Bakery.

"You can’t go wrong with a scone and cup of tea from the Blackwatch cafe followed by a trip to the North Inch play park. Brunch at Gloagburn is always a treat too!"

However, when we ask about how she relaxes, she reminded us what life with a baby is really like: "I have an 18 month old, I don’t remember the last time I relaxed!!"

Tell us the weirdest / funniest thing that has ever happened to you at work? 

When we moved to London one of our first string quartet gigs was a bit unusual. We received a phone call at 12pm from someone wanting to book us for 4pm that same day. Turned out it was a friend of Rita Ora, and we rocked up to her house as she was trying on outfits for X-Factor, to perform Happy Birthday for her and a couple of her friends. It was very surreal! Turned out it was a friend of Rita Ora, and we rocked up to her house as she was trying on outfits for X-Factor, to perform Happy Birthday for her and a couple of her friends. It was very surreal!

The funniest thing that’s happened at a recent wedding was the bride saying the wrong name during the vows (in true Ross and Emily style), and all the guests continued to call the groom by the wrong name for the rest of the day!

What signals the start of your days off?

Being self-employed and working in the wedding industry means that Saturdays are usually a work day, so Sundays tend to be our day off together. We start with an early breakfast (sadly no lie-ins for us anymore!) and then head off to Thea’s swimming lessons with Turtle Tots, which she absolutely loves. We usually finish the day with a roast, it wouldn’t be Sunday without a roast.  

What might people be surprised to know about you?

After I finished my music degree I trained to be an Early Years Practitioner. Although I never went into that field, what I learnt still comes in handy when working with babies and children during my family and newborn photography sessions.

What is at the top of your bucket list? 

I love to travel and I’ve been very fortunate to have spent time in some amazing countries including Thailand, India and New Zealand. There are lots of other places I would love to visit one day, including Japan and Vietnam, but top of my bucket list would be an African safari tour. 

What is the worst job you’ve ever had?

I once did a Boxing Day Sale shift at Next, and my sole job was to pick up the clothes that had fallen on the floor. I completely wrecked my back and couldn’t move for days! 

Who or what inspires you? 

With all my different hats - Photographer, Musician, Mum, DIYer (we’re currently using any spare time we have to renovate a little holiday flat in Errol) being selfemployed can be exhausting, but I wouldn’t want it any other way. Thea inspires me to keep going and hopefully one day she’ll be inspired to persevere until she also finds a job that she truly loves. Thea inspires me to keep going and hopefully one day she’ll be inspired to persevere until she also finds a job that she truly loves. 

Tell us about the day you’d love to live again. What would be your groundhog day, one you would never tire of living over and over?

It’s a cliché, but as someone who genuinely LOVES weddings, it would of course have to be our own wedding at Forgandenny Church and Errol Park in 2014 (if you fancy a nosy you can read about our big day here - www.rockmywedding.co.uk/ruthmichael). It really is true that the day goes so quickly, which is why booking a professional photographer is so important, and means you can relive the day again and again.

What’s the best part about your job? 

No two weddings are the same, and I love seeing how each couple chooses to make their day special to them. I’m always eager to see the cake, flowers and the bride’s dress. The couple portraits are probably my favourite part of the day, as it’s my
chance to be creative, plus it’s a nice opportunity for the couple to spend some time together after the ceremony.

Complete this sentence; the best things in life are…

Always worth photographing! 

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Find out more about Ruths Amazing photography business in our "Best of Perthshire" wedding supplier feature here.

If you would like to get in touch with Ruth and enquire for her to come and photograph your dream wedding. Book in a consultation with her here.