When I turned up one minute late and got a hug from the Bride who was in tears as the Hair and Make-up artist had rung an hour earlier to say she was ill and couldn't make it !! Becki was so relived, and together with her bridesmaids did it themselves and we got some wonderful photos of them all mucking in !!
Natural, creative, passionate, unobtrusive and unique !!
Every email, card or gift I've ever received from a couple gives me a buzz as does seeing your work being regularly featured in weddings magazines, especially when my children see my work on the front cover !!
Trust your gut instinct and do as much as you can to make it unique, its your wedding. Closely followed by choose a professional photographer (don't leave it to cousin Jonny with his DSLR) and make sure you have looked at a complete wedding to see it changes how the photographer captures the light as it changes throughout the day. Its one thing shooting on a cloudy day (easy) as opposed to strong overhead sun, or when its dark or blowing a gale.
When couples write their own vows, so they say what they mean using their own words.
Every situation is unique as I've photographed weddings without ever meeting couples, through to several meetings with detailed timelines and lists of photos over one or two glasses of wine. Getting to meet beforehand creates understanding a developing a rapport and often couples often comment that they feel relaxed as when you think about it when was the last time anyone took a thousand plus photos of you on a single day !!
The time set aside just for them where they leave their wedding guests, catch their breath, and realise they've just done it. The relaxed nature of these moments means that they become themselves, relax and without question thats when the magic happens.
A chainsaw shot which was real with cake flying everywhere - see gallery !!
Smiles, umberela's and embrace the weather !!
Loved documenting my hill walks then when I became a Dad, perfecting my portraits quickly before the moments gone. Now I combine the two and capture beautiful environmental portraiture !!