Wedding photographers in United Kingdom

—Give some advice to a wedding photographer who is a beginner.

—Concentrate on what you're best at, looking at other photographers is great but you'll never make any headway until you produce something that's truly your own instead of rehashing old work.

—How did you start working in the wedding photography field?

—To be completely honest I finished Film School and didn't want to make films, so I looked for a way to make a living from Photography and weddings just made sense. There wasn't a burning desire to be involved with weddings. I learned to build a website and offered cheap photography and within two weeks I'd shot my first wedding. During that time I saw Rangefinder magazine and read American Photo's 'Worlds top ten' list and I was completely inspired. When I shot the first wedding I was totally and utterly hooked, I just loved everything about it. Soon after Verity joined be and we never looked back.

—How do you deal with criticism?

—We don't really get much criticism! Certainly not from clients, but if we did we would just try to rectify the situation any way that we could to ensure they still had a great experience. If it's criticism from peers, mentors or each other then we know they have our best interests at heart and try to take it on board so we can improve next time.

—What makes a photo valuable? What are the key features of a great photo?

—Waaaaay to much to write down. From personal connection to technical skill. It all depends on who's judging it, I know most the photos I consider to be valuable aren't technically great, they just have emotional significance. Of course if you can get an emotionally significant photo that is technically sound then you're onto a winner!

—Who would you choose to try taking photos with?

—I'd love to go on a shoot with Ben and Erin Chrisman, Davina + Daniel, Two Mann Studios, they are all couples who've really inspired us. Oh and I'd love a day out with Emin Kuliyev, every day he posts some new awesome lens creation on Facebook, I'd just love to try out some of his exotic kit!

—What is absolutely unacceptable when taking photos?

—Over here in the UK we're pretty reserved when it comes to the ceremony. Our officiants don't tend to like us getting too up close and personal so we have to be careful not to overstep any boundaries there. Oh and other suppliers trying to push you out of the way....but that's another story!

—What key message are you trying to convey with your pictures?

—Nothing, it's about how the couple want their day to unfold and I want the photos to reflect that. Ok, it's in my style but it's their story so it should be their message.

—When are you totally satisfied with the results of your work?

—Never! I love what we do but there's always things that you could improve on and that's what makes us strive to continue pushing ourselves professionally.

—Is there anything in your work that you don't like or even hate?

—Some of the attitudes we encountered when we first started out, with some people worrying more about what others are doing than themselves.

—What makes wedding photography different from other photography genres?

—It's a day that is absolutely jam packed with photo opportunities. As photographers all any of us can ask for is a great moment or two and weddings provide a bounty of great moments. Not to mention the fact that everyones cheerful and it's just a flippin' awesome job!

—What would you have preferred to learn before becoming a photographer?

—The less you see other wedding photographers work, the more you develop a unique style. And not to worry about anyone copying your shots!

—Can you imagine what wedding photography will be like in future?

—Who knows! Everything seems to go full circle so I'm sure a lot of the techniques people are using now will still be popping up in the future.

—What should future newlyweds pay attention to when looking for a wedding photographer?

—They have to connect with their photographer and be comfortable sharing their day with them. They obviously have to love the photos too!

—What is success to you? How can one measure it?

—Are people booking you? That's really all there is to it, everything else in terms of awards etc is lovely but not a measure of success.

—How do you improve your photography skills?

—By watching films and looking at masters of photography outside of weddings. There's so much to learn from other fields of photography!

—Whom can you name as a person/people not deserving respect?

—Where I grew up there was a lot of closed-mindedness and intolerance so I don't have any respect for people like that!

—Where would you prefer to live?

—I absolutely love Yorkshire, but I would like to live in the Lake District one day, or possibly America!

—In your opinion, should your parents have been more or less strict to you as a child?

—I really couldn't ask for a better life, so I'd say neither, I wouldn't want anything to change!

—What would you prefer to change in the world?

—That's a pretty big one! A bit more financial equality around the world would be a good start.

—Whom can you name as people you respect and admire most?

—I don't really have any heroes, lots of people I respect, but not particularly any heroes!

—What is there in your work that brings you joy?

—Getting to do what I love with the person I love most in the world. What's not to like!?

—Are there tendencies in wedding photography?

—Loads! Too many to list and a few that really wind me up. I won't start on those.

—Whose works made an impact on you as a wedding photographer?

—Verity's, I see everything she shoots so that always affects me moving forwards.

—What are your plans for tomorrow?

—A triathlon, without any training at all since it's been a busy wedding season.

—Imagine that you can travel back in time. What would you do differently?

—I'd worry less about having the best kit. It really doesn't make a difference!

—How do you spend your leisure time?

—Take photos, train for Ninja Warrior and train and compete in Triathlons.

—Is there life in the Universe?

—What about it? It has to exist somewhere and I'd love to see where!

—Do you believe in the superstition that a photo replicates the soul of the pictured person?

—Not really, but hopefully we capture their spirit in the photos.

—What side of you do you never show to the public?

—The 'sitting at home and watching chick flicks with Verity' side

—Do you shoot wedding photos only?

—Professionally yes but we take plenty of others in our own time

—What person in your life is your muse & source of inspiration?

—Photographically there are too many awesome people to list!

—Is there anything that worries you? What & why?

—I don't really worry about anything, I'm not a worrier!

—The most troubling thing in life is:

—There only being 24 hours in a day during wedding season

—What moment in your life you treat as the most significant one?

—I don't know really, hopefully there's lots to come!

—What would you alter in yourself if possible?

—Nothing really, I'm pretty comfortable with my flaws!

—Imagine aliens come to our planet. You are the first human they meet. What would you tell them?

—Leave, before the government locks you in a bunker!

—What mistake in your professional experience you treat as the biggest one?

—Touch wood I haven't ever made any huge mistakes!

—Do you believe in life after wedding?

—What an odd question! I love life after marriage!

—Do you like travelling?

—Yes, although until recently I've not done much!

—What details that usually pass unnoticed can a wedding photographer capture?

—Intimate moments between the bride and groom,

—Who is the 21st century symbol to your mind?

—Haha that's a pretty odd one, I have no idea!

—When travelling, what do you usually take with you & why?

—A camera because it's part of who we are!

—What devices that you own you regret you bought and why?

—Not really, I love all of my gadgets!

—What are the key elements that make a photo attractive?

—Composition, originality and light

—Can you specify whom would you love to shoot?

—I'd love to photograph Zach Braff!

—If you have a chance to shoot a movie, what genre will you choose?

—I'd like to shoot a comedy drama

—What cartoon, film or book character would you become if you had a chance?

—Totoro, because he's awesome.

—Do you hate anyone or anything? Who or what?

—I don't really HATE anything!

—What makes you continue shooting?

—I just love taking photos!

—Cats or dogs?

—Both, but I prefer dogs!

—What thing is the silliest one you've ever agreed to do?

—I have no idea!

—Have a best-loved joke? Share it with us!

—Not really!

—Do you look good in pictures?

—Hell no!

—Life is great thanks to:

—My wife!

—What's better – when you are liked or are respected?

—Liked

—Do you make friends with ease?

—Yes

—Is there anything in your work that you treat as prohibited "tricks"?

—No

—Do you believe in the traditional gender roles?

—No

—What would you prefer to change around you?

—No

—The secret we all want to reveal – who is the best wedding photographer in Manchester?

—Oooooh crikey, that is a very good question. There are many that I admire from my home city, but I'll plump for Pete Farrell of Pixies in the Cellar. His eye for composition is just ridiculous!

—What should future newlyweds pay attention to when looking for a wedding photographer?

—If I was looking for a wedding photographer then I'd obviously be looking for someone whose images connected with me in some way. Once you've established that you like the images then I would advise any future newlyweds to meet up with the photographer, go for a beer/coffee/cake, have a chat with them, see if you like them as they are going to be around for pretty much all of your day.

—How did you start working in the wedding photography field?

—If you'd have told me 5-6 years ago that I'd be a wedding photographer I'd have laughed at you. I believed that all wedding photography was contrived nonsense and it didn't appeal to me at all. However, once I'd photographed a couple of weddings as a second shooter I realised that wedding photography could be whatever you wanted it to be. So I took the plunge!

—How do you improve your photography skills?

—Practice, practice and practice. Take photos, thousands of them. And if you don't like them or they don't look right, figure out why that is, and then work on it. That's pretty much how I managed to become an established full-time professional. I lived and breathed photography until I was confident I'd reached a certain level of competency to be able to charge money for my work. Oh, and practice more. Did I mention practice?

—What makes a photo valuable? What are the key features of a great photo?

—Any photo can hold value to anyone. I've probably taken thousands of "average" simple photos that could be so valuable to my couples and their families/friends. For example, someone who has recently passed away. Those photos then become priceless.

—What is there in your work that brings you joy?

—Perhaps a little cliched, but I like the idea of leaving behind images for future generations to enjoy. Plus I get to work alongside some amazing people. I've made friends for life since I started out.

—Is there anything in your work that you don't like or even hate?

—Of course, there is always going to be something. The only part I don't enjoy is doing the staged group photos, but that's only a tiny percentage of the wedding so I can live with that.

—What is absolutely unacceptable when taking photos?

—For me, not much. I'd photograph anything if it happened at a wedding. Obviously, if someone objected for any reason then I'd stop. But I'd also use my common sense and gut feeling.

—What are the key elements that make a photo attractive?

—For me it's all about the moment and composition. I'm not overly technical and don't stress about a little over/under exposure. The moment is so important to me.

—Whose works made an impact on you as a wedding photographer?

—There are a few whose work I admire and these were inspiring for me when I was first dipping my toes into the world of wedding photography. Andrew Billington, Alan Law, Steven Rooney, Adam Johnson, Two Mann Studios & Pete Farrell are all wedding photographers that I admire. There are more, but these are the ones off the top of my head.

—How do you deal with criticism?

—I take it on the chin. If it's unsolicited then I'll always question it, but any constructive feedback I get is valued as it'll help me to improve.

—What details that usually pass unnoticed can a wedding photographer capture?

—One thing I learned quite early on was to step away from the couple for most of the day. There is so much going on around them that you can miss if you are too focussed on photographing just the couple. My couples seem to appreciate that I can show them images from moments they had no idea happened on their wedding day.

—What are your plans for tomorrow?

—I'm going out with some fellow photographers for drinks in Manchester. Our weekends tend to be during the week given what we do for a living.

—What makes wedding photography different from other photography genres?

—Wedding photographers have to deal with a myriad of changing lighting situations throughout the day. This is definitely one of the most challenging aspects, especially when there are restrictions placed on you by churches for example, where you are rarely allowed to add any flash.

—Are there tendencies in wedding photography?

—A lot of weddings in the UK do follow a similar pattern, so it's quite easy for your images to eventually become repetitive.

—What makes you continue shooting?

—The genuine love for what I do. Being surrounded by happy people is infectious and good for my soul. I rarely do negativity.

—Do you like travelling?

—Yes. I love it. Thankfully I've been able to travel rather a lot and being my own boss has enabled me to do more than ever.

—What is success to you? How can one measure it?

—Happiness is the only measure of success. People who equate money to success are totally missing the point, in my opinion.

—Do you hate anyone or anything? Who or what?

—Hate is a strong word. Wow. That's a hard one. Perhaps Donald Trump or Theresa May could fall into that category.

—In your opinion, should your parents have been more or less strict to you as a child?

—Possible more strict, especially at meal times as I have a lot of mental blocks to certain types of food.

—How do you spend your leisure time?

—With my family and friends plus lots of napping with my dogs, reading, traveling and being idle.

—What side of you do you never show to the public?

—My insecurities tend to be kept under lock and key. But I worry myself to sleep most nights.

—Do you shoot wedding photos only?

—Yes, pretty much now. Charity work also, but 99% weddings as it's what I truly enjoy doing.

—Can you specify whom would you love to shoot?

—Easy one. I'd love to spend some time photographing and chatting with Sir Alex Ferguson.

—Do you look good in pictures?

—No. I absolutely hate having my photograph taken as I have a head like a thumb.

—Imagine that you can travel back in time. What would you do differently?

—I'd probably have traveled more in my late teens/early twenties.

—Can you imagine what wedding photography will be like in future?

—I honestly have no idea. Who knows what the future holds?

—Is there anything that worries you? What & why?

—Yes, the constant wars all over the world. Utterly awful.

—Is there life in the Universe?

—Based on the laws of probability, I'd say yes.

—Have a best-loved joke? Share it with us!

—Why was the sand wet? Because the sea weed.

—Who is the 21st century symbol to your mind?

—Mark Zuckerberg, undoubtedly.

—Do you make friends with ease?

—Yes, I like to think so.

—Where would you prefer to live?

—Reykjavik, Iceland.

—When travelling, what do you usually take with you & why?

—I travel light.

—What's better – when you are liked or are respected?

—A bit of both.

—What cartoon, film or book character would you become if you had a chance?

—Bananaman.

—Cats or dogs?

—Dogs.