My friend has a camera, should I ask them to take the photos?

I’m a massive fan of DIY weddings – you end up with a day which is unique to you and your creativity, tastes and personality. Doing it yourself  also makes total sense in these times and I’ve photographed good friends’ weddings as my wedding gift to them. I would say that if your friend is a professional photographer and happy to give up their time, then yes, go ahead. If they’re not, you may be introducing everyone involved to a lot of unnecessary stress and potential heartbreak. A professional wedding photographer will be able to calmly cope with any situation the day creates. There is still a lot of work to be done after the wedding which you need to take into account – a professional wedding photographer will take time editing each image to show the day at its best and design a quality album for you to look at and cherish for years to come.

Will my album look the same as another couple’s?

I design each album individually to suit the character of the couple and tell the story of the day. Unlike other photographers; I don’t use set templates or get somebody else to design it. Each and every album is a bespoke, quality item receiving personal attention to detail at every stage. I use the stunning handmade Jorgensen Art albums to create a future heirloom. Take a look at my album page for more information.

How many photos will you take?

How many photos I take will depend on many different factors on the day, like any creative medium it can be hard to predict. What I will say is that I will ensure that everything you mention in our pre wedding consultation is covered and of course you will get lots more lovely pictures you never even thought about! As a rule I would steer clear of photographers who draw up packages based on number count or guarantee an absurdly high number of photographs: the old adage of ‘quality not quantity’ couldn’t be more apt when it comes to your wedding photography. You want a photographer who composes pictures with care and attention, not one which ‘machine guns’ away with the aim of meeting targets. Don’t forget your pictures deserve the same amount of individual care and attention in postproduction rather than undergoing batch processes.

Who will photograph the wedding? Can we meet beforehand?

I will be the photographer that covers your wedding. Ideally I would like us to meet up at a convenient point before the wedding and get to know each other a little bit, so that you don’t feel like a stranger is taking pictures of you. It’s also a big help for me as I’ll be able to get a good idea of your personalities and what you would like me to achieve on the big day. If you choose to have the photobooth or the groom’s preparations covered then I will need a second shooter. I will not use your wedding as a training ground for assistants, the circle of photographers I draw on are experienced pro’s who work to a similar aesthetic to me. 

How many weddings a year do you cover?

As I believe in delivering 100% personal service tailored to each individual couple I only cover a select number of weddings a year so that during the process my attention is entirely on creating beautiful images for you to enjoy.

Do you travel?

Yes I love to travel! Recent weddings I have covered have been in such diverse locations as Yorkshire, Chelsea and Portland, Oregon. I am London based, but can be regularly found in Manchester, Bath and Cardiff. Weddings taking place outside a 30mile radius may incur mileage costs or overnight accommodation to ensure I get to the venue with plenty of time to spare.

Will the photos be in b+w or colour?

Take a look at my gallery, I do a mixture of both. I’ll assess and edit each individual picture so that it fulfils its full potential. If you have a preference for either/or just let me know in our pre wedding consultation.

Will my guests be able to see / purchase photographs?

Every wedding I cover receives a complimentary web gallery for all your friends and family to view, they can then purchase prints direct from the website rather than bother you with requests. The gallery can be password protected if you wish and I will have little cards with all the relevant details ready to be distributed at the reception. Don’t worry though – no one will see anything until you approve the pictures!

Will you take over the wedding?

No, I try to be as unobtrusive as possible, as that way I can capture all those lovely relaxed observational photos of you and your guests. If you want group photos done then I will work to get these done as quickly and painlessly as possible so that you can get on with enjoying the day with your friends and family.