Choosing a wedding photographer isn’t just about whether you like their editing. It’s about who they are, what you value and your budget!
You’re inviting somebody into a very personal day. They’ll be around your favourite people, present during the emotional bits and occasionally standing nearby while someone tries to work out which side a buttonhole goes on.
You need to like their photographs, obviously. But you also need to know what having them there will actually feel like.
So, let’s have a chat about what happens when you book me.
First, send me what you know
When you get in touch, I’ll ask for your date, location and a rough idea of what you’re planning.
“Registry office, pub, about 30 people and possibly a guest appearance from the family dog” is already extremely useful information. Frankly, it’s a strong start.
I’ll let you know whether I’m available and talk you through the coverage that makes sense for your plans. I’m not going to persuade you to book ten hours if you only need three. If your wedding is still taking shape, that’s completely fine too. I can help you work out when photography would be most useful based on the moments and people you actually care about.
Coverage that fits the wedding you’re actually having
For full wedding days, I offer coverage designed to tell the story from the preparations through to the evening celebrations.
For shorter weddings, elopements, vow renewals and intimate celebrations, I offer flexible hourly coverage through Short Wedding Stories. This starts from 90 minutes and can cover anything up to six hours.
Depending on your plans, that might include:
- Arrivals and the ceremony
- Family and group photographs
- A short wander together
- Drinks, food or speeches
- Confetti and congratulations
- The beginning of your evening celebration
- Everyone heading to the pub
You don’t need to stretch a short wedding into a full-day package because the wedding industry has decided that’s the normal way to do things.
Small weddings aren’t less important. You’re still getting married. Your people are still there. Somebody will probably still cry, and there is still a very real chance of an older relative becoming the star of the dance floor.
You simply need photography that fits the day you’ve chosen.
Once you’ve booked
Your date is secured when your contract is signed and your booking fee has been paid.
After that, I’ll send you planning information to help with timings, photographs and the practical details people don’t always realise they need to think about.
Closer to your wedding, you’ll receive a rather obnoxious questionnaire covering things like:
- Your timings and locations
- The people who matter most
- Any family groups you would like
- Details or moments you particularly care about
- Family situations or sensitive circumstances I should know about
- Anything unusual, brilliant or mildly chaotic you have planned
We’ll then have a final check-in to go through the day and make sure everything feels manageable.
I like a useful plan. I don’t need your wedding scheduled to the minute, but knowing what matters means I can be in the right place without repeatedly appearing beside you with another question.
What I’m like on the wedding day
I’m calm, observant and capable of being usefully bossy when required.
Most of the time, I’ll blend into what’s happening and concentrate on your people, their reactions and everything going on around you.
When you need direction, I’ll give it clearly. When you don’t, I’ll get out of the way.
I’m not there to take over your wedding or turn it into a lengthy photography production. You should be able to talk to your guests, eat the food you paid for and experience the day without constantly wondering where the photographer wants you next.
I’ll also happily help with small practical problems when I can. Years of weddings mean I’m quite good at spotting when somebody needs a hand, a safety pin or a reminder to take a breath.
I cannot guarantee I’ll know how to attach every buttonhole correctly, but in my defence, I’m not convinced anybody truly does.
If you hate having your photo taken
Excellent. You’ll fit right in.
Most of my couples tell me they feel awkward in front of a camera. They’re worried they won’t know what to do with their hands, where to look or whether they’ll suddenly forget how to stand like a normal human.
I don’t expect you to arrive with modelling experience or a personal catalogue of flattering angles.
For photographs of the two of you, I’ll give you simple guidance and keep you moving and talking. I’m looking for natural expressions and the way you are together, not trying to fold you into a selection of poses that feel nothing like you.
We usually only need a short amount of time away from everyone else. You won’t disappear for hours while your guests drink all the fizz and begin placing bets on whether you’re coming back.
Yes, you’re allowed to want family photographs
Candid photography doesn’t mean refusing to take the useful pictures you and your family will value.
We’ll agree on a sensible list beforehand and work through it efficiently, ideally with help from somebody who knows who everyone is. I’ll organise people clearly, make sure everybody can be seen and then let them get back to the drinks.
You probably don’t need 47 different combinations, but you also don’t need to pretend you’re too cool for a lovely photograph with your nan.
We can find a sensible middle ground where you get the important photographs without the whole wedding becoming one enormous school picture day.
Travel and the practical bits
I’m based near Wimborne in Dorset and regularly photograph weddings across Dorset, Hampshire, the New Forest, Wiltshire and Somerset. I also travel throughout the UK.
If your wedding involves additional travel or accommodation, I’ll explain any costs before you book. There won’t be a surprise invoice afterwards because your venue was twelve miles farther away than expected.
I carry public liability and professional indemnity insurance up to £5 million, and I bring backup camera equipment to every wedding. If your venue needs proof of insurance, I can provide it.
It’s not the most thrilling part of wedding photography, but it does mean you can book me knowing the practical side is taken care of.
What happens after the wedding?
Once I’m home, I’ll back up your photographs and begin working through the gallery.
You’ll usually receive a preview within a week, so you have something to share while the wedding is still fresh and your group chat is still mostly photographs of people mainlining carbs at midnight.
Your finished photographs will be edited in my colourful, realistic style and delivered through an online gallery.
You’ll be able to download the high-resolution files, share the gallery with your people and order prints if you’d like them. Your gallery remains online for a year, but I’ll always recommend downloading everything and keeping your own backup too.
Are we a good fit?
We’ll probably get along well if you want colourful, people-led photographs and a photographer who can offer guidance without running your entire wedding.
You don’t need to be wildly alternative, incredibly confident or planning a huge celebration. You just need to care about your people and want photographs that feel connected to the day you chose to have.
If you want several hours of highly styled editorial portraits, I may not be the right photographer for you.
If you want to spend most of your wedding with your guests while I keep an eye on the important, hilarious and emotional things happening around you, we should probably talk.
Tell me your date, where you’re getting married and whatever you know about the plans so far.
“Ceremony, pub and chips” is still a perfectly good place to begin.