What is your most memorable wedding?
I had a wonderful wedding at Masson Farm in Derbyshire where I trekked up to the farm by cable car and trekking through the woods to reach the bride at the venue. It was a wonderful wedding venue and well worth the hiking to get to such a beautiful and remote location.
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
relaxed, friendly, documentary, personal, fun
What about your business are you most proud of?
I'm most proud of the wonderful lasting friendships I've develop with people through the business. UrbanScot is an investment in people and their happiness.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Meet the photographers whose style you like and book one that you get on with, then you know you can relax around them and trust them to do a fantastic job!
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
I've seen so many beautiful personal touches at weddings that I have been to from handmade bunting to personalised favours. It's becoming increasingly popular for couples to handmade many elements of their weddings from table settings through to presents from their bridal party and I love to know what details the couple have been involved in designing or making so I can make sure they have beautiful detail photographs of these.
Describe your typical process with a couple.
I meet the couple before any booking for a coffee and to get to know one another, after this we arrange another meeting ahead of the wedding to talk through the plan of the day and if a couple want we will meet for a pre wedding photoshoot (engagement session) that is always a lovely chance to hang out and make some stunning images. By the time it comes to the wedding we are usually all really comfortable with each other and they know exactly where I will be on the morning of the wedding (as well as my assistant or second shooter if I am using one).
What is the No. 1 photo that you think every couple should take?
Every could should ensure they have some unplanned portraits of the two of them spending moments together alone, even if just for a few minutes calm during the day - that and some awesome fun action on the dance floor and lots of laughing!
What is the most original photo you’ve been asked to take at a wedding?
All the images I take are original, I rarely get special requests as my couple's like me to document in my style but there was one wedding where there were a lot of dog walkers near the venue and the bride and groom wanted to have a photo taken with the group of dogs and dog walkers...but it had to wait until after the couple were photographed surrounded by a scooter gang amidst a wall of exhaust smoke and dust - a truly memorable wedding and so much fun and laughter!
What do you recommend for a rainy day wedding?
Have umbrellas and stay positive - the weather is what it is and won't dampen the celebration! Splash, smile and celebrate!
Describe how you got into photography.
I grew up shooting film cameras and developing my own photos, my father had a wedding photography business and I have been making images since I was young. I rediscovered my love for photographs in my adulthood through street portraits that led to some commercial work and then into portraits and weddings by request. I've used many different camera systems and firmly believe the camera is simply the tool and the photographer is the thing that makes the difference between good and great not the camera brand you use.