What is your most memorable wedding?
Most recently, a wedding at Froyle Park, where the couple had booked a photographer who then failed to turn up. Being associated with that venue, I was able to jump in at the very last moment and photograph the day for this lovely couple. We missed the bridal prep, due to the situation, but I was able to get there literally moments before the beginning of the ceremony and capture the remainder of the day! The Bride and Groom are beyond grateful and have become wonderful friends!!
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Friendly, relaxed, discrete, adaptable and creative. There's more, but if we are only allowed five...!
What about your business are you most proud of?
In 2020 Galileo Photography celebrates 20 years photographing weddings! I am really proud of my association with some of the best wedding venues in Surrey and Hampshire, and the most wonderful friendships that have come about with my brides and grooms and their families and friends over the years.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Always go with suppliers who are associated with your venue! They are trusted and know the set up at that particular venue. They may also offer special rates for clients using their associated venue!
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
A very solemn moment after the Bride had walked down with aisle with her Dad. Literally a week before, the Bride had lost her Mum, and her Dad was understandably very upset at the beginning of the ceremony. The Groom's Mum walked over to him, and just held him, while the ceremony carried on. It was a beautiful and very solemn moment, and one I will never forget.
Describe your typical process with a couple.
It starts with welcoming you to my home to discuss your wedding plans and show you my album collection and photos from weddings at your venue. There is no pressure to book. I would rather you took your time and came back to me at your leisure. Two or three weeks prior to the day, we will meet up and go through the plan for your day, and also practice taking photos together. This is a really useful exercise, and helps us to get to know each other better, and also gives each of you a good idea about what it is like to be photographed. After the day itself, I will invite you to my home once more to present you with your finished collection of photos, in a digital format. You get to keep all of these and use them as you wish to, and also choose your favourites to go into your choice of album. When you are ready to, we can then design your album together, so that the finished result will tell the story of your wedding day in exactly the way you wish it to. We share quite a lengthy journey, and for me it's personal, from the moment we meet, until the day I can present you with your finished Italian hand made wedding album.
What is the No. 1 photo that you think every couple should take?
Every photo taken at your wedding, should tell a story in its own right. There should be an anecdote attached to each one, so that in years to come, you can enjoy looking back and remember your day through the collection of photos I will be presenting you with.
What is the most original photo you’ve been asked to take at a wedding?
Every wedding is original, purely as each couple is unique! Consequently every collection of images will tell a unique story!
What do you recommend for a rainy day wedding?
It's unlikely to rain all day, and there are generally windows of opportunity to nip outside for a short while to catch up on some beautiful shots around your venue. Sometimes, this isn't possible if the weather is really bad. A good photographer will know how to take amazing photos inside, and make the most of your venues characterful interior. I personally gave up checking weather forecasts before a wedding. Regardless of what the weather is going to do, you are still going to have the most amazing day of your life, and I am still going to present you with an amazing collection of photos!
Describe how you got into photography.
I was asked to photograph a friends wedding years ago. The only qualification I had at the time was to have a camera with a roll of film in it! I quickly grew to love photographing weddings, and started my business in 2000, and life has been amazing ever since!