MJT Photography UK

I worked with a couple whose wedding was split into two parts. Their ceremony was Covid-restricted in 2021 and their main celebration with friends and family was in the summer of 2022. I really got along well with the couple, the family, and the guests. At the end of the second celebration, the couple came up to me and told me how it felt like they had invited their best friend along instead of a photographer, which really touched me and I genuinely felt the same way. I put my camera away, stuck around for a couple more hours, and joined in with the fun! I couldn't resist on such an occasion, it was a genuinely pleasant experience to be a part of and it's days like this which is why I love my job!

Candid photojournalism, modern and stylish, whilst relaxed and fun.

One thing couples say that differentiates me from other photographers, or one thing they said they've really enjoyed, is my use of verbal prompts. I fully understand that 99.9% of couples do not feel comfortable being in front of the camera. Sometimes it's not as simple as telling a couple to stand there and smile, as it can often still lead to awkward-looking photos. So I have devised a number of different verbal prompts which help relax my couples and draw out authentic, genuine smiles and emotions to bring out the joy in both the most introverted and most extroverted people. If you're with your partner right now, face them, close your eyes, and both lean in for a passionate kiss, but in super slow motion... It's ridiculous, silly, and guaranteed a laugh! This is just one of many of my prompts.

From the moment you wake up on the morning of your wedding day, it will be non-stop talking, laughing and all-around organising to make sure everything is perfect. If you don't take a break, you will burn out long before the evening. I recommend taking 10 minutes to sneak off with your photographer after your ceremony. This is a perfect moment to socially detox and enjoy a couple of minutes with your newly-wed partner.

My favourite personal touch that I've seen at weddings is where the couple incorporates things into the day which are meaningful to them. It doesn't have to be big or grand, but sometimes something as simple as replacing the table numbers with the names of countries that the couple has travelled to together goes a long way to making the day really special.

Once booked, me and my couples will sit down together, whether that be in-person or virtually, to go through the plan for their day. Off the back of that, we write up a photographer schedule so that the couple knows exactly where I will be at all times and I know what will be expected of me. This schedule will be based off the day plan and I often give my personal recommendations on how best to order certain moments throughout the wedding day so that things go as smoothly and stress-free and possible.

"Catch of the Day" is always a classic! It's where the groom's party pick up the Groom and holds him horizontally like a fish on a lads holiday. Always a funny photo that guarantees a laugh. Another great way to spice up any photo is to use haze or fog to create some really beautiful, bold, dynamic photos.

Tiny hands! I was once asked to do an entire couple photo session where the bride and groom were wearing tiny hands on their fingers. We got some absolutely hilarious photos!

Using flash and back-lit photography, you can capture some absolutely amazing photos in the rain. I always bring a couple of umbrellas, so if you're happy to stand in light rain for a couple of minutes, let's go out and capture some stunning photos!

In 2012, my aunt asked me to take a couple of photos at her wedding, as she knew I had just bought a new camera which I was excited to use. I did and absolutely loved it, it was such a fulfilling experience for me. Sadly, she passed away at the beginning of 2022, so I look back now at my first experience in the wedding industry with different emotions, but I know deep down she would be proud to know that she was the one who kick-started my career! Teenager me was thrilled to make £50 from that job, but looking back now I realise how sweet of a deal my aunt and uncle got!!