Frequently Asked Questions

Good honest Q&A to help narrow down your perfect photographer…

Over the years I have been asked many questions by many different couples who are all planning very different weddings to highlight their wants, loves, ideas and personalities from yurts to barns to stately homes to destination abroad. So I thought I would share the most popular ones with you.

There are many different styles of photography and for me it is photojournalism. Moments mean a lot to me and being able to capture them candidly and with ninja like speed whilst blending in, takes me to my happy place and guarantees a collection of beautiful captured moments telling the happy couples story in an authentic organic way.

What is Wedding Photojournalism?

Wedding Photojournalism captures the essence of a couples big day in an honest kind of way. Unlike more traditional wedding photography where a photographer might have the same approach and format to each wedding, a documentary approach is more about immortalising that precious moment than anything else. In all honesty, I feel it more poignant to have moments of guests laughing/crying, the newly weds sharing a candid glance with each other, that look of a proud nan and gramps, uncle Albert laughing so hard he fell off his chair, the groom dying of embarrassment during the best mans speech and the happy couple rocking their socks off on the dance floor late into the night with their friends and loved ones that to have just another tie being done up or just another shot of a bride staring off into the distance wishing she was off hanging out with her friends.

Will you take group shots?

Even thought I am a wedding photojournalist catching all of your candid moments, I feel it is still important to have some group and family photographs are they are visual documents recording who was there sharing your day with you. I have a great way of getting group and family photographs done with minimal fuss that won’t take long at all. My approach to this gives you those shots for nanas mantlepiece and lets you get back to mixing and mingling in no time at all. I will never in a million years ask you or your guests to pose all day.

Will you take posed photos of us?

Definitely… but not in the traditional sense. If I were to ask you to pull off some awkward pose together that didn’t feel at all natural you would probably cringe, feel awks and wince every time you saw that photograph because it triggers the recollection of how uncomfortable you both felt trying to pull of such a pose. Instead what works amazingly well is to go for a walk when the light is right, usually around sunset and use your venue and surroundings as a backdrop with you both taking centre stage. All of the shots in my portfolio of couples are taken with them simply being with each other and being in the moment. I love great light and will guide you to where the light is beautiful and flattering. All you have to do is to be with each other and leave the rest to me.

How long will you be with us?

I do not have a set amount of time and I seriously love what I do. I will be with you from bridal preparations as this is a great way to start telling the story of your day, right through to into the evening for all of that fun dance floor action. My full coverage will give you the most amazing collection of photographs that will cover every aspect of your day. For smaller and more intimate weddings that may not require such extensive coverage, I do have half day packages.

What gear do you use?

I’m one of Canons pro shooters and use their pro cameras and prime lenses. I shoot with two cameras simultaneously and each of these cameras have duel memory card slots. This ensures that every photograph that I take is automatically backed up to a second memory card for extra assurance that your photographs are nice and safe. I love to use what mother nature gave us so I favour natural light. However, this is England and sometimes the sun goes on holiday which means I have to recreate that gorgeous light. As a pro, I’m fully capable of making great pictures whatever the weather, even in a storm.

How long have you been doing this?

I have been taking photographs since I can remember and have a background in documentary, travel and advertising photography. Since I had a “decent” camera, I was asked by friends to photograph their wedding back in early 2011 and fell in love with using a camera to tell their story. From that time I started to photograph more weddings and launched my wedding photography business in the middle of 2011. Documenting weddings is my full time job and even though I am based in the Cotswolds, it takes me all over the UK as well as abroad.

What happens if you are sick on the day of our wedding?

Well touch wood, I never have been but in the unlikely event that I am, I belong to a large network of really awesome wedding photographers and there is always someone that can step in and take over. I am also professionally insured to cover all aspects of my business for your peace of mind.

Does it matter if you haven’t photographed a wedding at our venue before?

Absolutely not. A good professional photographer and a wedding photojournalist at that should be able to capture great moments and document awesome stories in a beautiful creative way no matter where that are. I am based in Gloucestershire and have photographed weddings at most of the wedding venues throughout Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire and the South West. Its great that I am familiar with so many venues and have become great friends with the teams that run them however when Its a new venue I get excited as it really gets the creative juices going. I have won some rather special international awards for my wedding photojournalism and three of those were from venues I had never been to before. I usually familiarise myself with a new venue and pay pay it a visit pre wedding if needed.

How far will you travel?

Most of my work is here in the Cotswolds however I cover the entire UK, Europe and the rest of the world. It dosnt’t cost as much as you might think drag me off to a destination wedding so if this is something that you are looking to do I can put a bespoke package together for you.

So what are your packages?

My packages include full coverage from Bridal Preparations through to late evening. These include both photography and videography options as well as my half day cover for more intimate weddings. Get in touch and request my current brochure via my Contact page.

How do we book?

Either phone or drop me an email and we can schedule in a meeting either face to face over a cuppa of over FaceTime/Skype. It’s great to meet first to make sure the three of us click before any decisions are made. If we click and you wish to secure your date a deposit is taken and contract signed. You will always have access to me from your date of booking so that you can pick my brain over anything wedding should you feel the need.