Lapwing Films

Weddings with ceilidh bands are always great fun. I've attended two with ceilidh bands - by the time the ceilidh starts, the guests have usually had a few and struggle to remember any of the steps! When the guests do get a handle on things though, it always makes for good filming.

Friendly, personal, discreet, unique, adaptable.

That I manage all aspects of the business myself, from the administrative side to the practical side. I feel it gives me a good handle on everything that's happening booking, filming and deadline wise.

Keep photography and videography separate, otherwise you may find that one gives way to the other. I fell victim to this at my own wedding - our photos were great, but the same people were also doing video at the same time and the resulting product was very lacking.

It's always interesting to see what the favours are going to be, whether it's a miniature of Jägermeister, a personalised peg with each guest's name on or a stick on tattoo of the couple!

I have an initial phone/video call with prospective couples to discuss what they're after and to see if we're a match. I then send over my contract for them to look over, ask any questions, or sign if they're happy with it. Then it's a 25% deposit to secure the date.

Following this, there's a second phone call three months before the wedding to talk about the finer details as timings are often sorted by that date. This is accompanied by another 25% deposit.

Finally, four weeks before the date, there's a last phone call to talk about anything else that's popped up in the planning stage. I also take the final 50% deposit at this point, just so couples aren't thinking about wedding admin the day before their wedding when they're undoubtedly thinking about other things!

This is a tricky questions. Though there are bits I capture throughout the day that make me think, 'That's going to look great in the film,' it all comes together in the editing process. Finding clips that flow well together, adding in effective transitions and putting a great piece of music over them can make any clip stand out. For that reason, there isn't really any one example I could give from the weddings I've filmed.

That being said, whenever I go on holiday I always put together a travel film. A few years ago I went to the far north of Norway and managed to capture several time-lapse sequences of the northern lights. The results were breathtaking!

I wouldn't have wanted to direct any of the films I like as I don't think I'd enjoy watching them if I'd have been the director as well!

This is another tricky question and I don't feel there is one answer. It depends on what the couple want - some want dreamy, romantic music whereas others like a more upbeat, folky track. I often have more free rein with the trailers I produce though and, if it fits, I often like to put an epic, building orchestral piece over it to create excitement for the coming films.

As I mentioned above, whenever I go on holiday I make a travel film so my wife and I can look back and relive the memories (even if it is accompanied by feelings of overwhelming nostalgia!) That's how I got into videography - making films with my iPhone and action cameras. I learnt all about the editing process through making these films.

Over time, I upgraded my equipment to include drones, gimbals and professional cameras. Nothing on holiday is scripted, so you've got to be ready to capture something in an instant. It's the same with a wedding day - you've got to always be ready to capture the special little moments that are unplanned but that add in to the final film.