What is your most memorable wedding?
That's such a hard question because I love all my weddings! I find they are all very special and unique. Just like no two people are the same, no two weddings are the same. I loved an urban, Cardiff wedding I did last year :)
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Relaxed, discreet, fun, reportage, passionate
What about your business are you most proud of?
The feedback I get from my clients ... I've had some amazing reviews in the last couple of years (can be found on my website, Facebook page and of course Google)
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Stop worrying about all the little details, concentrate on each other and enjoy your day :)
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
I felt quite touched at a wedding last summer when I was in the bedroom with the bride and bridesmaids capturing the pre-wedding nerves and fun! There was a knock on the door and the groom had sent up a gift for his bride-to-be ... a beautiful card with a lovely message and some stunning pearl-drop earrings for her to wear on their wedding day! Nice touch!
Describe your typical process with a couple.
I like to meet up with my couples not long after they've booked me to chat about their plans for their Big Day. I make lots of notes and keep in regular contact beforehand. If it's a full day wedding, I am usually with the bride-to-be and her bridesmaids doing pre-wedding shots and then go to meet the groom and his groomsmen/ushers before the bride arrives for the ceremony. Once the ceremony is over, I try to slink into the background once the group shots are over documenting the fun goings-on until I get the opportunity to take the bride & groom off for their one-to-one shots with me away from the crowds. Making time for this is really important to me as generally, these are the images that get printed off and put on their wall at home!
What is the No. 1 photo that you think every couple should take?
Time away from all the other guests to be on their own with their photographer as these 'couple shots' of the bride and groom on their own to me are the most precious.
What is the most original photo you’ve been asked to take at a wedding?
Oooh now again that is a really hard question .... some of the very rural 'farmer type' weddings have been very funny using tractors and trailers in images, hay-stacks in the barn ... even the cows got in on the action!
What do you recommend for a rainy day wedding?
It's good to be prepared depending on what time of year has been chosen for the wedding. I always have a couple of big white or transparent brollies with me to shelter the couple (I've even used the white one to shelter from glaring sun! I often bring a pashmina or throw with me for the bride just in case. It's not nice to see a bride in a beautiful strapless gown shivering because she has no little fur jacket, pashmina etc to cover her shoulders.
Describe how you got into photography.
I got married very young (19) and my husband had a film SLR camera. When My babies came along, I would often try taking photos of them but didn't really know what I was doing with the camera or how to adjust the settings. He left when my girls were 6 & 8 and as they were in school, I started college as a mature student studying IT and photography! I studied for the next couple of years and did my first wedding around 2001. For many years after that I did a few weddings each year but only ever by recommendation. I never advertised or promoted myself as my main priority was bringing up my two children on my own. My youngest daughter then studied photography for a few years and excelled in it and she then set up her own business, so we have often photographed weddings together. We're a great team to have around on your wedding day! It's only when I was able to move back to Wales in 2015 that I finally went fully self-employed and set up my own website, Facebook business page etc. It's been very challenging but great fun and I love what I do!