Owen Howells Photography

Well that's easy, it's our wedding! Absolute best day ever!

I've got to say it, weddings group shots are probably the part of the day everyone looks forward to least. Face ache sets in, uncle Terry has gone to the bar and everyone would rather be chatting away having a good time. While I can't promise uncle Terry won't have gone to the bar, I can ensure that your group photos are taken in an organised, efficient and most importantly, relaxed manner so it doesn't become an arduous ordeal. Actually, if done correctly the wedding group shots can be quite enjoyable and a chance to enjoy the fact you and all your loved ones are all together in an photo. You never know, you might not need to force a smile after all.

While group shots aren't for everyone, I do feel they are an important part of the day. It's a good chance to make sure everyone is accounted for and create a record of the families present on this wonderful occasion.

I'm very proud of my portfolio, but more importantly I'm proud of the 400 or so weddings I've photographed with an equal number of very happy couples.

As soon as you've got your date set, start booking your suppliers. If you get onto it nice and early you'll have the pick of the best! I usually get booked up 1-2 years in advance, but it's always worth a shot to see if I have your date available as there are often gaps in the calender.

It's not a requirement, option 3 on the pricelist is a digital only package. I am very passionate about the final piece, an album really is the ultimate way to receive your images, printed as intended by your photographer. A printed album is also a beautiful family heirloom and a piece of history that future generations will treasure...will the digital files really pass the test of time in the same way? You can see example of previous albums here

If you feel I am the right photographer for you I'll book off your wedding date in my diary and no other engagements will be planned for that day...my focus is on you. Leading up to the wedding I'm available for phone calls and e-mail discussion to help answer any questions you may have about the photography. Before the wedding I like to arrange a meeting at your venue to allow me familiarise myself with the location and also to discuss the schedule and any photo requests you might have. Also if we haven't yet met it's nice to get a chance to get to know the couple I'll be spending the day with. I usually do this on the day before the wedding so it's all fresh in my mind the next day. However, the day before can be very hectic for a couple about to get married, so if you feel you'd like meet on a different day that's not a problem.

On the day I'm booked for 10 hours (more hours can be added if needed) so it's up to you when I start and finish (time starts on arrival at first photo location and doesn't stop for any travel time or breaks thereafter). For both bride & groom coverage I recommend I start 2.5-3 hours before the ceremony (we can fine tune this depending on logistics). If I'm capturing both I'll usually visit the guys first as they can get in their suits a little sooner (and easily take the jackets off after photos!). I'll then get myself to the bride & bridesmaids to catch the atmosphere of the bridal preparations. Usually I finish just after the first dance to capture a little bit of the dancefloor action, but I can stay for fireworks, sparklers, whatever else you might have planned!

Throughout the day I'll be concentrating on capturing the story of your day as it takes place, occasionally pausing the action or posing images where necessary or requested.

I'm happy to travel anywhere in the UK and beyond to cover your wedding. For weddings a long way from home I may ask for a supplement towards fuel costs and accommodation the night before your wedding. I'm not fussy when it comes to accommodation, a basic Travelodge takes care of my needs perfectly!

Umbrellas, a contingency plan for a photo location and a carefree attitude to having a great day. Rainy weddings can be as good, if not better than sunny ones...nothing like jamming all the guests onto the dancefloor at the end of the night while the rain pours down outside!

I actually got into photography as a teenager because I enjoyed capturing our skateboarding exploits! This pushed me to get better at using my camera and understanding how to take a good photograph. In my early 20s a friend asked me to photograph their wedding, aside from the overwhelming nerves and anxiety I really enjoyed it. My photos got noticed by a few couples and next thing I was flying to the USA to capture a wedding out there...at that point I started to realise this was the career for me. That was 15 years ago!