How I capture a Wedding Day
I approach each wedding day with a little flutter of nerves and excitement in my stomach. I cannot wait to see what images and opportunities the day brings. I like to be close and in the mix of a wedding day, but not right in your face, and I try to stay as unobtrusive as possible, but still capturing the love, feel, emotion and energy of the wedding day. I love to see and capture the embraces, the kisses, the expressions, silly moments, and quiet reflective moments too. I want to document it all, moving and mingling throughout the day capturing it as it unfolds.
I aim for my images to feel honest and genuine, to tell a story of the day, to make someone who wasn’t there feel like they were, and to provide a visual journey for the end viewer, and a beautiful set of images you will treasure for a lifetime.
I will cover your wedding day from the bridal preparations, the ceremony, to your first dance.
I always stay until I am entirely happy that I have captured a really good feel of the dancing and made sure I have caught some fun moments. If things do not run as planned on the day, please don’t worry, I don’t clock watch. A full days wedding photography, means a full days wedding photography – your wedding is important and deserves to be fully captured!
Each moment I capture is one small part of your wedding story, and I do not want to change anything or contrive any moments. I aim to capture each moment as it happens, and will photograph details with in their context, rather than composing images to make a story. I photograph each wedding uniquely, because each wedding is totally different and each bride and groom is totally different and design their wedding personally to reflect them. I find myself travelling to all sides of the UK and consequently I rarely photograph in the same location twice. This enables me to always keep my approach to a wedding day fresh and varied. It forces me to think creatively and I am unable to stick to a ‘shot list’ or ‘set poses’ and no recreating past photos – your day is totally unique, so your photos will be too.
Throughout the day I will aim to stay out of your way, yet capture all the key moments.
During the day I will constantly be making creative decisions and potential images will be springing into my mind as we walk through the day and watch how the light changes and the surrounds lend themselves to different scenarios.
The available and natural light always shapes my portraits, so when it comes to that quiet moment when then couple and I get to take 15mins or so out of the reception and go for a wonder around the venue or a little further afield, I am always keeping a close eye on where the light is.
I am a great believer in just allowing couples to be themselves on their wedding day. I want my images to reflect them, their personalities and the landscape around us. I am not posing you, but rather capturing you both naturally interacting. My lovely long lens lends its self brilliantly to this.
I love to suggest to couples that they go and take a few minutes and just tell each other what they have loved so far of the day. It’s up to me to then to capture them using the light and the surrounds to create stunning portrait images.
I am always aware not to take the couple away from the guests for too long and to ensure they do not miss out on the canapés either. So, often I suggest another 10min shoot when the light changes. I gently tap on the shoulder when I think the light is at it’s best and we will pop out for a few more lovely portraits in a softer and richer evening light during the evening reception.
The first thing couples say to me is, ‘how long do these normally take’ and ‘can we make them as quick as possible’.
I totally understand this desire, and try my best to accommodate but know that group family shots are a really important part of the day too and need to be got right.
It is very rare to have all your friends and family together under the same roof so I always make sure you get the groups you want. I usually suggest no more than 10 otherwise you do end up standing around, which is definitely not what we want on your wedding day.
I ensure the best man, sibling or bridesmaid go and find the people needed and get them ready so we can take the photographs nice and efficiently as well as having a bit of fun too!
All the laughter,Jokes and moves need to be caught.
When it comes to the dancing I like to set up a few off camera flashes. This enables me to be really creative with the light and keeping the ambiance and atmosphere of the dance floor.
I shoot the rest of the evening documentary style and will not leave the dancing until I feel 100% happy I have captured friends and family throwing a decent amount of moves on the dance floor.
The conclusion is a wonderful array of images that take you back, and remind you of all the many different and changing feelings you had on the day, and giving you memories that you will treasure for a lifetime.
If you would like to get in contact to chat and find out more about my photography then please get in touch anytime.
I always reply to any email with in 24 hours, and am available for to meet in person, on Zoom, or a chat on the phone. I am happy to answer any questions and love to hear ideas for weddings.
