The Team

MEET THE COUPLES 

BEHIND ByLUMIERE

BRENT – LEAD FILM-MAKER & DRONE PILOT

Sony Europe Imaging Ambassador

A strong vocational calling to become a professional photographer drew Kate from her high-profile jobs in Marketing at ITV, and as an Account Director for the branding company Lambie-Nairn.  Working with clients including FIFA, O2, and the BBC showed her the power that photographic imagery can have on clients and customers alike. Having worked as a creative storytelling photographer for the past 15 years and having written regular articles and columns for the trade’s press, she is regarded as one of the industry’s leading lights. Under her brand Kate Hopewell-Smith Photography she became one of a handful of global ambassadors for Nikon when she shot on DSLR and now both she and her husband Brent, are not only Sony European Imaging Ambassadors, but also Rotolight – Masters of Light.    Kate also shoots with Elizabeth under the Luxury Boudoir brand – MUSE and together the team run visual content agency CREATE.

Brent, likewise, spent over 25 years in Global IT specialising in CRM and Mobile prior to becoming a celebrated cinematographer.   As an ex-developer of cutting-edge tech, he has a vast knowledge of website and mobile phone technology which helps CREATE stay ahead of the field.  Combine that with his CAA GVC drone pilot licence and his Navy diving qualifications and you have a truly formidable set of talents in one neat little package – a bit like a Jedi.

Kate & Brent have recently relocated to Cornwall but still shoot weddings all over the UK and Abroad.  They describe themselves as people ‘who need water to breathe’.

ELIZABETH – LEAD PHOTOGRAPHER

Mark and Elizabeth bring a truly unique set of storytelling skills to byLUMIERE.  Again a husband and wife team, their journey has been filled with a deep appreciation for visual arts and a love for captivating narratives.

Elizabeth’s passion for acting and oil painting started as a lifelong hobby but soon turned into a profession, setting the stage for her artistic endeavours. Meanwhile, Mark, during his doctorate at Oxford University, made the decision to become a storyteller and embarked on a journey to London. This decision ultimately led them both to be in front of TV cameras, perform in London’s West End, and even grace the stages of Broadway. It was during their time in New York that they purchased their very first Sony camera kit and invested in months of 121 training, igniting their love for photography.

On returning to the UK, Elizabeth and Mark worked with the BBC and it was during these years that their true film and photographic journey began. Transitioning from being in front of the camera to being behind it, they had the opportunity to work with some of the industry’s most innovative and influential directors.  Their time at the BBC also afforded them the chance to work on live shows as well as working on location. These years immersed them in highly creative and competitive environments, shaping their artistic vision and storytelling abilities.

Driven by a desire to work alongside Kate & Brent, Mark and Elizabeth found their calling in capturing the essence of love through wedding film & photography. Over the course of the last 10 years, their dedication to their craft has only grown stronger, as they strive to tell authentic stories with a perfect balance of honesty, truth, and creativity, bringing aspects of direction, presence and vocal technique to each shoot and immediately putting those who feel uncomfortable in front of the camera, at ease.

SPECIALISTS IN HISTORIC (AKA DARK) VENUES