I have photographed around 500 weddings in the UK and across Europe, and love wine gums, mountain biking, snowboarding, Bruce Springsteen and Stephen King. I’m married with three children, and work from a big cabin on the corner of two cornfields.
By far the most important thing for me is to capture human interaction – to recognise the dynamic between the couple, their family and their friends, and create beautiful and interesting images from moments occurring naturally. My photographs have often been described as honest, warm, happy and gentle, I think this is a result of my fascination with people and their relationships.
I have been told I am an indispensable calming influence at a wedding. I shoot using natural light whenever possible which helps me to go unnoticed, and my pictures are all the more honest and intimate for it. I get the family portraits done with minimum fuss and pre plan every wedding so no time is wasted. I will not make the ushers lift up the bride, I will not use filters to make your pictures look like they were taken in1930, and will not take you away from your guests for most of your drinks reception.
Digitally
Canon cameras and lenses. I have two back ups of everything, but keep my gear to an absolute minimum. I find less is more, especially when blending in at a wedding. I don’t want to bring attention to myself with lights and stands and lots of lens pouches hanging off my belt.
About 50/50
I have one very simple option – standard coverage and all the photographs on a branded USB drive, with an online passworded gallery and slideshow to music. Hours can be added to the coverage if required, and beautiful professional wedding albums are here if you want one!
In most cases one to two weeks. I do all my own editing and processing, and do not outsource this. It is very important to me what happens to the pictures once they have been shot. I treat every single frame individually, and love watching the photographs emerge from an unretouched file, to the eye catching final result.
As far in advance as they can. I get booked up anything from two weeks to two years.
An online form is sent to the couple about a month in advance asking for all the information required – names, times, numbers, post codes etc. I’m very proud of my short term memory – I learn all your close family’s names, your ushers bridesmaids etc. before the wedding, and I remember them all on the day. Then we meet to run through it all, so nothing is left to chance and no time is wasted on the day. I also use Skype and Facetime for communication throughout the planning – it’s indispensable.
Firstly I would ask my friends, and my venue. Word of mouth recommendation is very important, and your friends will tell you the absolute truth. Don’t be fooled by websites and minimal portfolios. Ask to see complete weddings, and most importantly, talk to the photographer at length, about your wedding, life, the universe and everything. It’s as important to know you are all on the same wavelength as it is to love their portfolio of pictures.
