Why "joie de vivre"?
Joie de vivre offers portrait and wedding photography with a difference. Established by documentary photographer Mark Howell in Poole / Bournemouth on the Dorset coast, we produce beautiful portraits in a range of styles reflecting our clients' personalities and desires, and relaxed and natural wedding photography in a contemporary, reportage style.
The Oxford English Dictionary defines joie de vivre (pronounced jwa de veevr) as a feeling of healthy and exuberant enjoyment of living, literally translated as joy of life from French.
It's a phrase that you must say with energy and confidence for it to sound right and it sums up my approach to portrait photography. Photography is a powerful tool and used well it can record the joy of a day, the power of personality or the beauty of a subject ... forever.
Still photographs can capture a moment in time in a way that video cannot. The eye and brain together can distinguish between the array of human emotions from tiny changes in facial expression. With my background as a documentary photographer and experience in portrait photography, I am skilled at capturing my subjects' personalities, portraying them at their best, as self-assured individuals, loving parents or partners or irreverent, fun-loving children.
My passion for photography shines through in my work.I believe that the experience of being photographed must itself be enjoyable to get the best results and I work with my clients to achieve this. My relaxed and friendly nature allows me to capture the essence of weddings, civil partnerships and other occasions with a series of beautiful and dynamic photographs without detracting from the subjects' or guests' experience.
The photographer - Mark Howell
I am an established documentary photographer with a speciality in portraiture. I am based in Poole in Dorset but work nationally and internationally for a wide range of clients. I am regularly commissioned by magazines and had a book published last year. This background in reportage and photojournalism has given me the creative flair and quick-thinking to create original and powerful photographs. Find out more.
Locations
Most of my portrait work is on location, taking advantage of the natural environment or architectural features in Dorset and Hampshire. Bournemouth, Wimborne, Christchurch, Blandford, Wareham, Swanage and Dorchester are within easy reach of Poole. I also enjoy travelling more widely to shoot weddings and more extensive portrait sessions and often undertake commissions in London.