What is your most memorable wedding?
One of my favourites was a wonderful country wedding! The weather had been dreadful, the reception was in a gorgeous marquee in the middle of a field and it has rained for days before the wedding. The bride was so worried about the weather and the effect it would have on her special day. On the day, the sun shone, the lovely bride arrived on a beautiful horse and carriage, the field was a beautiful lush green and everything was so beautiful. It was a wonderful day, everyone was so happy, children running through through the grass, parents playing silly games in the field and lots of laughter, bubbly and super food! Of course, lots and lots of wonderful photographic moments for my lovely clients to treasure forever!
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Relaxed, spontaneous, romantic, happy and dramatic with posed shots as required.
What about your business are you most proud of?
The happy, relaxed relationship that I have with my clients. I do love my wedding photography work, and am so lucky that most of my business is from people remembering me from their friends weddings and wanting me to be their wedding photographer too!
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Start planning early... and do not just go with the first supplier you see! Lots of suppliers see nasty pound signs the minute you mention a wedding... so do not pay more than you need to... but make sure that all your wedding suppliers have insurance, recommendations and see proof of lots of previous weddings! Oh yes... and keep smiling, its all so exciting!
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
I do love it when a child brings the wedding rings to the couple, or comes down the aisle carrying a sign like, 'look Daddy, here comes your Bride!' Also when a family gets together to create special decorations like bunting, flowers etc.
Describe your typical process with a couple.
Firstly, I will visit them, or they will come and see me. This way, we can have a relaxed chat, they can meet me, see my work, certificates etc and I can take down, (lots!) of notes on their special day and what they really want from their chosen photographer. If we all like each other and they are happy with what I am offering, I will provide a letter outlining what we have agreed. To book my photography services, 50% of the basic price is usually paid as a booking deposit, (the remaining amount is nomally paid about 2/3weeks before the wedding).
If we have agreed a pre wedding photo-shoot, we will then organise that; which is a great way of becoming more familiar with eath other and getting used to the cameras and how I do my job! We meet again around 3 weeks before the special day, to go through timings any any special requests that the couple may have. On the day, we relax, take lots of fabulous images, (usually around 700), which are then edited, (yes, each one!), and then put on a disk for the clients around 8 weeks later. At this point, if albums are required, they choose their favourite images, which will then be re-tweeked, and a wonderful album created, the way that the couple want it to be done.
What is the No. 1 photo that you think every couple should take?
A relaxed, cosy, intimate photo of just the two of them, taking time out of their wedding day to just be themselves and to revel in the wonder of their special day. This romantic image will stay with them for the rest of their lives as a wonderful memory of the day they became husband and wife.
What is the most original photo you’ve been asked to take at a wedding?
The most original was a football crazy groom who insisted that I take a photograph of the bride in the distance on a football pitch, with him holding a football, making it look like she was a mini bride, standing on a football!
What do you recommend for a rainy day wedding?
A couple of large, white umbrellas, wellies if the bride agrees, a sense of fun and lots of large smiles! Romantic stolen kisses in doorways, under pretty umbrellas, under trees, holding hands jumping over puddles, all are wonderful images. For the less adventurous, all venues are capable of providing lots of wonderful photo opportunities!
Describe how you got into photography.
My uncle was a photographer and he bought me my first 35mm camera on my eleventh bithday!