Megan Valerie Photography

For me, there are many memorable moments from each wedding I've photographed! For instance, having the 2 year-old nephew of the bride walk over to me right before the ceremony and letting him 'help' me take pictures, dancing with a couple's family at the end of the night, playing peek-a-boo with a couple's daughter so she'd feel more comfortable in front of the camera and making her belly-laugh. Most of all, the memories I cherish are interacting with the bride and groom on their day, as they're so full of happiness and love for each other, and working with them to create the best images possible. I also cherish the moments they receive their images! Every time I doubt myself, I'm able to reflect on those moments of joy from the couple and remind myself why I do what I do!

Timeless, Authentic, Warm, Emotional, Individualised.

Whilst maintaining an efficient and quality service, I am able to connect with my couples and adapt to their individual needs for their day, whether that's through small details such as photographing a special person a bit more, or even learning to say 'congratulations' in another language (as I did before a recent wedding!). I aim to make my clients feel like they can relax around me, feel comfortable enough to let me know how they're feeling and trust that I am giving them the best experience I possibly can. I am a very charismatic and sentimental person, so I absolutely love what I do and that reflects in my work!

My biggest tip would be, when budgeting and potentially trying to save some money, always have the photography last on your list to cut. Now, this may sound biased, but hear me out! Whether you're getting married in a registry office, on a beach, in a cathedral or on a rooftop in the middle of London, your wedding day will hopefully be one of the most memorable and happiest days of your life! As time goes on, memories will fade and you may not have the opportunity to have all those people together again, and therefore it is so important to capture this day by hiring a photographer whose style you love, who has your best interests in mind and who is invested in giving you both the best gallery possible! There is a huge difference between a professional photographer and someone who can take a picture, and that is where the magic lies.

There have definitely been a few! I've seen a bride driven to the wedding in her late grandfather's car, a bride gift her fiancé a photograph of his late mother to wear as a pin on the inside of his suit jacket on the big day, and a groom wear a welsh-flag pin on his tie to honour his bride's welsh family.

I will first and foremost invite them to meet me, either on a zoom call or in person, so that they can have a true introduction to me and who I am and decide for themselves if I am the right photographer for them. I answer any questions they may have and even help by suggesting ideas for their big day! They can consult with me as many times as they like, before and after booking, to share ideas and ask for advice; anything at all. All of my packages include a free engagement session which is usually booked for a few months before the wedding so that the couple can warm up to me and have the opportunity to feel relaxed in front of the camera before the big day! I personally recommend each couple takes advantage of this offer, as in my experience it has a huge impact on how smoothly the portrait session goes on the wedding day itself, which in turn allows for a wider variety of beautiful images.

The most important picture of the day has to be a solo picture of the couple; it's the one every relative will want framed on their wall and you simply won't forgive yourselves if you don't get at least one! Personally, I prefer my portraits to look a bit more natural and less posed; I refer to this style as 'lightly-prompted'. This means that I will give you guidance for a pose, but then ask you to have a conversation or maybe tell jokes to one another. I may set you up in a certain area, but then ask you to walk in a certain direction and feel free to do whatever comes naturally! This leads to much more relaxed, authentic images without any forced smiles or stiff poses!

Before heading down for the ceremony, the bride at a recent wedding decided to climb into the clawfoot bath in her wedding dress to play with her daughter -- I wasn't explicitly asked to take pictures of this moment, but we got some great and unique pictures which I'm sure she and her daughter will treasure in the future.

Embrace it! Especially in the UK, you can never predict the weather from one minute to the next. Plan a back-up for an outdoor venue, such as a marquee or a room inside a nearby building. If you're planning to take pictures on grassy areas, perhaps arrange for a spare pair of flat shoes to be kept at the venue. For fun, a pair of wellies could make for some fun and unique pictures! Also, you could find large, clear umbrellas online and take creative pictures with those outside. Maybe you could even decorate it to have your new matching titles on the top!

My dad bought a DSLR when I was around the age of ten, mainly to take pictures of wildlife, and he taught me the basics on how to use it. I began snatching it from him whenever we were out to try take my own pictures, and when it eventually broke, I found myself longing for my own. As a teenager, I saved up all my pocket money (with donations from family members) to buy my very own second-hand Canon 550d -- and I fell in love! I began documenting days out, holidays with my family, and pointing the camera at my cat almost every day! However, it wasn't until lockdown that I decided to invest in a course to teach myself how to shoot in manual, the mechanics of how cameras work, the technical terms used in photography and the art of composition. From there, it all picked up speed! I began by asking friends and family to pose for portraits, testing out different lighting and situations, navigating photoshop, and I eventually figured out my own style! It helps that I have always loved photography, specifically when it comes to family and loved ones. I am a very sentimental person, and being able to see emotions and love and real-life connection through an image is a true form of magic; one that I hope translates in my pictures!