how I roll.
exciting times.
Firstly congratulations on starting your wedding plans! The time has come for you you to pick your wedding photographer and although it is such an exciting time, it can occasionally feel overwhelming with so many things to plan and options to choose from. So I try to provide as much information as I can so that you can make the right choice and pick the right photographer to capture your wedding the way that matters to you. For me, communication is really important and I try to echo that in all areas of my wedding photography processes. You don’t get any re-runs at weddings so I need to make sure I capture the photos that you have dreamed of and to do this good communication is key.
my style.
Photography has changed so much in the past few years and people are heading away from traditional posed wedding photography. I have a relaxed style that is often referred to as a documentary styled photography but what does that actually mean? Well it means I head away from tonnes of overly staged set ups and endless group shots and focus more on capturing the real moments as the day unfolds which tells a more true and authentic story of your day. I tend to hang back and wait and for the magic to naturally happen; the tears of joy, the special glances and those tight squeezes are all part of the story that are left untold when people just look at the camera saying cheese.
There is certainly a place in the story telling for the traditional sets ups like groups shots but rather than spending 2 hours getting a staged photo of you with every guest, I would rather capture you laughing, dancing or maybe even having shots! (okay maybe not slamming tequila shots with your Nan, well, unless that’s her thing! Actually scrap that, I totally hope it is! ) Basically, I’d rather capture you having real moments with your family and friends instead, it will make looking back your album much more special.
I edit and shoot with a range styles and techniques to help give you a really diverse and interesting range photos to go in your wedding album along with all the classic and timeless photos that you would expects to see. I really enjoy working with natural light. Working from one natural source of light is a stunning, simple way to create drama for those real wow factor photos. I also like to include movement and may include intentional blur and grain for the more creative photos.
I also pay special attention to the details of the day. I know how much love and care you will have put into every single one of your details, from the stationary to the place settings so I make sure I take photos of it all.
the process.
first point of call - An informal video call. You book this on the Wedding/Lets talk page. The booking process also has a short form to fill out so I have the basic details of your day. If I am unavailable for your date I hope to contact you within 24hrs after you book to let you know. If not I’ll meet you online with a link provided in your booking confirmation email. There is no pressure to book on the call, its just a great way to introduce ourselves and for you to ask any questions you may have. The reason I get you to book your initial call on your inquiry before knowing my availability is because it’s easier to cancel a scheduled call if I’m not available then to redirect you go back o the page and book a call if I am available, its just works better this way, trust me.
making it official - After the call, no doubt you’ll both want to have chat about things. If you decide you want to go ahead then send me an email to confirm. I’ll then send you out an invoice for the deposit and also the contract. Once I have received both you are officially booked in!
getting social - I love to follow my couples on social media as it really helps me to continue to get to know you and also enjoy seeing the build up on the run to the wedding. The better I get to know you, the much better your photos will be. You can get my links from the icons at both the top and bottom of my website.
welcome pack - You will received a welcome pack which will contain extra information to make sure we are both as fully informed and prepared as we can be.
3 week check in - 3 weeks before the I do’s I get you to schedule another video call which has another form for you to fill out on booking which is much more detailed. I will require the answers to all the questions I told you I would ask in your welcome pack so you know what information to have ready to fill out.
1 week check in - This is just a simple email to double check nothing has changed for either of us.
Then the next time we talk it’ll be on your wedding day!
on the day.
the preparations - I will arrive around 2.5 hours before the ceremony to do preparations and the details. If the second partner is getting ready at the same venue I will flit between the two of you but if they aren’t and are getting ready somewhere else, I will cover one preparation only. If you would like both partners preparations covered you then you will need to consider a second shooter.
the rest of day - Thought the day, I will have all timings and plan for the day so that you guys can just enjoy yourselves and go with the flow.
the first dance - I will usually stay up until around 30 minutes after to capture the buzz on the dance after your first dance.
the nitty gritty.
some common q & a’s.
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This can vary so much depending on many things such as the start time of your wedding, the size of your wedding and what your weddings plans include. If you’ve hired lots of activities and entertainment with magicians and fire breathers there may be more things for me to photograph. The average is around 400-800.
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There are now so many incredible photography products available and I have found that most people ask to swap and change an item in a package but it’s so hard when you’ve priced a packaged to accommodate specific items and it can all get very complicated. Some people prefer wall art, others want an album, some want metal prints or canvases and the list goes on.
So I will send you an online gallery. You will easily be able to share your album with family and friends with a link and you will all be able to download unlimited photos from the gallery. I will sort your online gallery into ‘scenes’ so that you can choose to share certain scenes with certain people. You may choose to send the reception scene to all of your guests but not send the pre ceremony preparations. It just gives you that flexibility.
The gallery is connected to some common major online printing companies and you can easily browse a whole host of products with your photos ready to add at a click of button and design them yourself with which photos are special to you. It really does put the power in your hands and my clients really love working in the way.
However, I do now offer an album design option where I can design your album for you, working with Wooden Banana to get you a beautifully designed album, inside and out. Prices start at £250.
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A add a second for £300.
There are many reasons people would choose to book a second shooter on their day.
A second shooter helps to get an extra perspective of the day.
If getting both partners pre ceremony preparations and details are really important to you then this is a must if the second partner is getting ready at a different venue.
If you are having quite a large wedding I may actually require. Every wedding is different and I may tell you that I will actually require one to work with to give you the coverage you need for your day.
I work with a few wonderful second shooters that when we work together like make the ultimate dream team.
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This a very good question! Especially in the current covid climate. I have built a network of other photographers than I can call in these situations and will have in place a replacement that is available on that date and we’ll do what is called an associate shoot. This means they will come and take the photos but I will edit them in my signature stye. They will be of the same standard and will have a shooting similar to my own.
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I have recently upgraded my kit and have gone down the mirrorless route and work with 2 cameras the Nikon Z6 and Nikon Z7II. I have a range of both zoom and prime lenses. Each camera will have a different lens and I will switch between them on the day. I will actually be wearing a harness which each camera clipped on each side so I can have quick access to them both so I don’t miss a thing. Think of a quick draw shoot ‘em up like in an old western movie but with cameras not pistols.
I may also bring along my vintage analogue 35mm film camera which can capture some really fun and authentic black and white photos. Theses photo will be digitalised for your album.
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I like to be able to provide you a sneak peak as soon as possible. My aim is always 72hrs after but sometimes this just isn’t possible in certain circumstances as I’m sure you can understand but it’ll be not more than a few days. After that it can take up to 8 weeks in peak season but I will always aim to get them over you before that.
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The deposit is £250 and is non refundable. A lot of work will go into your wedding long before I turn up on the day and your deposit will act a compensation to fund this should you cancel.
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Your final payment will be due 12 weeks before your wedding date. and I won’t be able to provide this coverage unless the full oustanding balance is settled.
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If you cancel less than 24 weeks prior to your wedding date then you will be required to pay the remaining half of the outstanding balance. This is stated in your contract. I know life can throw many curve balls but I do need a certain level protection myself as the likely hood of me re-booking a wedding on your date is very slim as the date approaches. I do recommend looking into your own personal wedding insurance. This can cover you in a whole host of possibilities such as cancellations and rearrangements. It can help to cover you with any compensation you may be liable with your suppliers. It can certainly take the pressure off knowing you are covered incase of the unforeseen.
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I have my insurance in place with Hiscox that covers;
Professional Indemnity
Public liability
Equipment breakdown
You venue may ask you to ask me to provide this paper work for them. This is not a problem. Just pop me an email with the email address of the person I need to send it to.
You may want to consider wedding insurance yourself. This can help to protect yourselves against any unforseen circumstance that may occur such as cancellation and rescheduling in which you may liable to compensate your suppliers.