Anyone can photograph a wedding!
Newly engaged to be married and surfing the internet for a local wedding photographer or videographer / filmmaker can be so very confusing.
There’s tons and tons of people online offering to record your marriage for all kinds of prices and they have so many differing levels of ability and quality of service. In this blog, I’m going to discuss my style and approach to the wedding photography industry.
Timing the fleeting moments that pass in the blink of an eye.
So, yes, anyone can photograph a wedding because all you need to do is buy a camera and then convince someone to pay you to make photographs at their wedding. That’s all there is to it really and it’s down to the people choosing the creative person to work out who’s good, who’s offering the best service for their budget and what style do they want etc.
You can choose from a classic style of photographer that does all of the stiff posing, with hours of family portraits dominating the wedding day. You can hire a beginner, an amateur, a semi pro, a pro. Even somebody that does hero shots and the kind of photographs that are made for wall art and to enhance the photographers portfolio. You can get photographers that use flash all the time, some mix it up and some never use it. You get technical photographers that have all the gear and believe it’s all about the equipment.
It’s no wonder you find it difficult to choose someone!
Teeth are one of the most important features, led by the eyes and followed by the cheeks! That’s where the fun hides, in the emotion.
In all of the years that I’ve been photographing and filming weddings, I’ve learned that the single most important thing is to make photographs that show how much joy and fun the couple have had and how much pleasure the guests have enjoyed.
So essentially, the most important thing is composition, timing, emotion and story, in my opinion.
Story is king!
Telling the story has become my USP!
Marriage is thirsty work, tying the knot, even thirstier!
My style has become all about unveiling the real story behind the wedding. I tend not to do much staged photography because it gives a false representation of the day. Of course I make pictures of groups of friends and families stood together at the request of the couple but my real skill is in following the wedding as a guest but with a camera and a professional set of skills that have been acquired through the professional study of photography and video to degree level at De Montfort University and studying the worlds best photographers.
I concentrate on making a large series of photographs or film sequences that document each step of the way in the most fun, pleasing and accurate way possible.
If you have a fun day, your photographs and film will show that.
I’m a natural storyteller.
In a dark room I’ll use flash but I try my best to avoid it because it changes the way the pictures look, alerts people to the photographers presence and takes away the ability to get true natural and candid photographs. As you can see in this photograph that I’ll use it if the lighting is so poor, the only way to make the photographs are to use flash.
Black and white versus colour is determined by potential colourful distractions, remembering that the story is the king.
My style of wedding photography and filmmaking is completely natural but with proper training from highly experienced experts. My storytelling style is filled with my love for humour and emotion and I try to inject both in to each picture or sequence.
So of course, you have some huge choices when trying to pick a creative to either photograph or film your wedding day. The best course of advice is to look at pictures and watch films of the creatives you come across and compare the quality of the work. Forget price at this point because that comes once you’ve picked out a shortlist of who’s work you like.
My pricing isn’t too shocking and sits around the average / middle of the range mark. I’m not one for going overboard because I don’t try to do the hero shots and my work is essentially intended on creating the real story of your day as opposed to making up staged photographs.
I aim for the middle of the market but do have a budget service for those not wanting the whole shebang!
I’m such an easy going person with a huge heart, very easy to talk to, so please get in touch with me and let’s chat about your wedding. I’ll give you a price list and you can choose how you want to build your package.
The pricing is mainly subject to how you want the work presenting afterwards.
In the main, I offer a digital package, which can be upgraded with one of my special slideshows, second photographers, story books and many other add ons (as required).
The best thing to do is get in touch with me first and let’s see where our journey goes.
The underage daughter caught the bouquet! The Bride (mother) wasn’t impressed!
Seeking the comedy at a wedding reception
Whatever the weather and whatever the storm! I’ll photograph anything that moves!
That magical moment that must remain in the couples history forever and a day!
This is my wedding photography showcase in a beautifully crafted slideshow…
I’ve been making films for the past 5 years and telling visual stories since 2012, the below film is my first wedding film, please watch and if you like my style, please make an enquiry about filmmaking too.
Thanks for reading.
Paul