People in relationships get a bad rap. When things are going good it’s the "smug marrieds” stereotype. And when they’re not? A rant met with an eye roll. When you find yourself in a relationship, then, it might seem easier just to play down your happiness or keep your cards close to your chest – even around friends. No one wants to be accused of making others feel uncomfortable.
To redress the balance, we asked one of our favourite photographers to shoot coupled-up folk and ask them about their first snog. The pictures are at once a celebration of that moment when you meet someone special and a chance to capture the quiet romance of a longstanding couple... up close and personal. Here's what intimacy looks like between two people who have been together for quite some time.
Merry Kissmas!
AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT
Ed & George
Our first kiss happened after our first date – we were walking back from a bar in Bethnal Green in the middle of the night and we stopped in the empty carpark of a gas station, where he kissed me. I can remember it so clearly despite the fact that I was quite drunk – it felt unusually reassuring – a sign that the night had gone well more than anything else.
Meg & Simon
I must admit, I had imagined the two of us kissing as soon as I met Simon (cringe!) but never ever thought it would actually happen. We had met a few years before in a church choir and had been playing music together one evening when he (very smoothly) started to play Simon and Garfunkel – he knew exactly what he was doing. Kathy's Song + Rosé + Whisky = Enough said!
Our first kiss happened after our first date – we were walking back from a bar in Bethnal Green in the middle of the night and we stopped in the empty carpark of a gas station, where he kissed me. I can remember it so clearly despite the fact that I was quite drunk – it felt unusually reassuring – a sign that the night had gone well more than anything else.
Meg & Simon
I must admit, I had imagined the two of us kissing as soon as I met Simon (cringe!) but never ever thought it would actually happen. We had met a few years before in a church choir and had been playing music together one evening when he (very smoothly) started to play Simon and Garfunkel – he knew exactly what he was doing. Kathy's Song + Rosé + Whisky = Enough said!
Olivier & Stella
The first time we kissed sent my senses on a wild chase of excitement and euphoria. I entered a world where only he and I existed, completely forgetting I was at my workplace haha. I’ve never smiled so much [as I did] after it.
The first time we kissed sent my senses on a wild chase of excitement and euphoria. I entered a world where only he and I existed, completely forgetting I was at my workplace haha. I’ve never smiled so much [as I did] after it.
Mia & Nuha
This was our first kiss!
This was our first kiss!
Fern & Hugo
We barely knew each other. Hugo came to visit me in Gosport on a whim (it's a three-hour journey, including the ferry!). We were outside the local pub, which has a jukebox. We gladly fed it all our change. Despite the seedy setting, I think we both knew we were going to kiss – it was the most romantic thing anyone had done for me!
We barely knew each other. Hugo came to visit me in Gosport on a whim (it's a three-hour journey, including the ferry!). We were outside the local pub, which has a jukebox. We gladly fed it all our change. Despite the seedy setting, I think we both knew we were going to kiss – it was the most romantic thing anyone had done for me!
AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT
Chelsea & Ben
It was two years back at Scandals, a dingy basement club in Portsmouth. I had dropped a pill and can't really remember all that much but apparently I cornered Ben while we were in the smoking area! Haha!
It was two years back at Scandals, a dingy basement club in Portsmouth. I had dropped a pill and can't really remember all that much but apparently I cornered Ben while we were in the smoking area! Haha!
Daisy & Radhika
Our first kiss was probably when we were about 12 or 13 and used to practise kissing on each other! There was a lot of careful criticism and positive reinforcement that led to the killer kissers we (obviously) now are today.
Our first kiss was probably when we were about 12 or 13 and used to practise kissing on each other! There was a lot of careful criticism and positive reinforcement that led to the killer kissers we (obviously) now are today.
AdvertisementADVERTISEMENT