Wedding photographers in United Kingdom

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

—That they fit in with their day, if they want a relaxed, chilled wedding then find a photographer that will shoot to suit their day and spend hours setting up shots.
I think one of the most important things is that you get along, we are such a large part of the day, to us the relationship between us and the couple is the most important thing.

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

—Chris and I met in our 3rd year of University and fell in love over our love of photography. We used to go on days out with our film cameras and wanted to make it our life. Chris asked me to join him in wedding photography and after our first wedding together we never looked back.

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

—Everything! After over 220 weddings Chris and I couldn't wish to be doing anything else. Having got married ourselves we know how important those photographs are, it's such an amazing pleasure to give couples memories that they can treasure for generations. There are so many aspects to wedding photography, you have to be good at low light situations, details, portraits, landscapes, couple shots, posing, and most of all, all on a tight time limit! Not any other job has all these aspects and I guess that's what I thrive on, trying to make sure I get the best possible outcome to all those situations at every single wedding and going to each one not knowing what to expect. It's also the amazing feedback we get from our couples, they are the reason we do what we do and when you get an amazing letter or e-mail it really does make your day. Being able to do all of that and work hard to achieve our dreams with my husband by my side 24/7 is just the icing on the cake!

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

—A woman owns a Parrot that keeps on swearing so she takes it to the Vet to ask what to do about it. The Vet says to put the Parrot in the freezer for 5 minutes and that should stop the swearing. So the woman goes home and puts the Parrot in the freezer and after 5 minutes goes and takes it out, the Parrot is relieved to be out of the freezer and says "I'm so sorry I will never swear again... but what did the chicken do ? " -- I know its bad isn't it!!!!!!!

—Do you like travelling?

—Yes! As a family when I was younger we were lucky enough to do a lot of travelling. I loved the long drives up to Scotland and had my eyes glued to the window to watch the scenery go by. I love exploring new countries too, America has so much to offer and are excited to be heading back there next year. Wether it's only a 2 hour drive or a night on a plane it's the excitement of somewhere new and new locations to take photographs of!

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

—I think it's cliche to say there is nothing that I dislike about our job but it's pretty hard to think of anything! I guess it would be the fact that there is still so much rivalry between photographs which gets in the way of what truly matters. We all are privileged to do such an important and amazing job and I guess it would be great if everyone put their ego's to one side!

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

—My parents. My dad has always been a wildlife artist and my mum is an amazing writer. Since I was a child they've always worked so hard to make sure me and my sister had the best childhood. They believe so much in their work and don't compromise it for anything. They never give up and always follow their dreams. They are the most hard-working, loving people in the world.

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

—I want to capture the wedding day and the people we shoot in the best light and also with atmosphere. It's not so much about saying anything it's just about making sure their story is being told through my photographs. I want whoever looks at those photographs after to get a true reflection of them as a couple and also of what it was like to be there.

—What is absolutely unacceptable when taking photos?

—Overstepping the mark in the ceremony. Everyone's heard those stories of photographers knocking over the registrar or annoying the vicar and it's really not worth it. There are so many angles to look for that disrupting the ceremony for a shot is simply not acceptable!

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

—I'd have to say Chris (my husband). We've shot together for over 220 weddings and he is just the best photographer I know. We have such different ways of shooting and ways of seeing everything and that's why its so great to see his take on something!

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

—I agreed to be pulled along on a skateboard by a rope atached to a car... that was pretty stupid! No injuries though and the car was going quite slow.. but still. What is was like to be at Uni!

—Are there tendencies in wedding photography?

—There will always be trends in wedding photography, and I have always made sure to stay away from them all! I've always believed that spending too long looking into other photographers work or wedding trends will confuse and change your own vision.

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

—The things going on in the background, at the same time when I have my eye on the couple I always have my eye on what's going on around me!

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

—Good light, movement and emotion. Sometimes only one of these is necessary to make a good photograph but these are the 3 main things I look out for.

—What makes you continue shooting?

—The couples we photograph! The amazing feedback we get and just the ambition to leave as many couples with awesome wedding photography as possible!

—How do you improve your photography skills?

—Every shoot I do I make sure I either mentally note down or write down what I could have improved on or things to rememeber for next time.

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

—If you've managed to capture the atmosphere of the moment, with emotion and from a perspective that makes you feel imersed in the moment.

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

—Neither! They always encouraged us to do what makes us happy, whatever it was, and to me that was the best advice they could have given.

—Do you shoot wedding photos only?

—As a profession I just shoot weddings and engagements – yes. But I always have a camera on me and love taking photographers of anything!

—How do you deal with criticism?

—As best as I can, I always make sure that when ever it happens to do everything in my power to correct and understand the situation.

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

—I'm not sure, I always believe that everything that you've done – mistake or not – has got you where you are today... so nothing!

—Who would you choose to try taking photos with?

—Erika and Lanny Mann would be awesome! I've always loved Jonas Peterson so I would have to say him too.

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

—That it would be what I would end up doing forever! And that exposure is just opinion.

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

—Pikachu, because it's cute and crazy! (this is what Chris said when I asked him!)

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

—I try hard not to worry as worrying doesn't change the outcome to anything!

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

—When I know I have put everything I have into a photography and it shows.

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

—People that complain about something but don't do anything to change it.

—Cats or dogs?

—Both! I love all animals, if we had a bigger house we would have a zoo!

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

—No idea really, probably having 10 photographers at once or something!

—Where would you prefer to live?

—Somehwere in the Dales in Yorkshire, not too far from where we do now!

—What would you prefer to change in the world?

—I think everyone would say the same, end all the suffering and war.

—What makes wedding photography different from other photography genres?

—The unique way every photographer sees a moment differently.

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

—I don't really like the word hate but I don't like TV Soaps!

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

—Early on in the business I believed too many sales callers!

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

—Having a happy family, friends, pets and a home.

—How do you spend your leisure time?

—Go on walks, go to the gym and cuddle my cats!

—The most troubling thing in life is:

—Seeing other people not enjoying what they do.

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

—Camera, not sure I need a reason for that!

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

—Never stop believing it's possible.

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

—I'm not really a gadgety person!

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

—I'm usually quite shy I guess!

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

—Hi! We are all weird...

—What are your plans for tomorrow?

—more photograph editing!

—Do you look good in pictures?

—In who's opinion? Haha

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

—I'd like to think so!

—Do you make friends with ease?

—I'd like to think so.

—What would you alter in yourself if possible?

—To be more confident.

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

—Marrying Chris.

—Is there life in the Universe?

—Definitely!

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

—My parents!

—Do you believe in life after wedding?

—Of course!

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

—Respected

—Can you specify whom would you love to shoot?

—Anyone!

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

—Sci-fi.

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

—Obama.

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

—Nope!

—Life is great thanks to:

—Love.

—What would you prefer to change around you?

—Nope!

—Do you believe in the traditional gender roles?

—No.

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

—I don’t think there is anything specific. A good wedding photographer will have an eye for a moment or an interesting composition or great light that most won’t have, but the key thing is that when you’re employed to shoot a wedding you approach it from a different angle to a friend or family member who is there to enjoy the wedding. I am paid to be observant. Plus, I see what the common people are doing. I’m there to photograph everybody, not just the couple.

—Are there tendencies in wedding photography?

—Always somebody doing something that everybody else copies until something else comes along. Trends get old quickly (see ‘couple in rain with flashgun’, etc.)

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

—For me it’s all about the genuine moment, captured without any intervention by the photographer. A moment that would have happened even if the photographer wasn’t there. A moment of action, emotion, great light, etc.

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

—For me, whoever does the most to increase education and encourage the use of reason and logic in decision-making from the top to the bottom of social and political hierarchy.

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

—A Panasonic GF1 that I barely used and that my wife dropped and damaged after I’d had it for a couple of weeks. I don’t get on with cameras without viewfinders.

—Do you make friends with ease?

—I really don’t. I’m friendly and approachable and I get on with most people, but I’ve been burnt too many times so I keep most people at a few arms’ length.

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

—I would make better use of my enquiring mind and study science or engineering, so that I could be of more use to the world and future generations.

—Cats or dogs?

—I prefer cats to dogs, but I don’t like the damage they do to your house, so am currently resisting my family’s desire to own one.

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

—Approach is key for me. They either want to just get on and enjoy their wedding and have a record of it, or they want to spend the day modelling for pieces of art or fashion photography (or somewhere in between). A connection with the photographer’s portfolio, and a desire to see themselves in those images, is a good guide.

—Where would you prefer to live?

—In a huge warehouse apartment in NYC, or in a cosy old manor house surrounded by a few acres, or on top of a hill in Scotland.

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

—Nobody specific, but seeing in 2004/2005 that a documentary approach was a viable option for wedding photography was the push I needed to start doing it myself.

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

—The assumption by some that I’m at the wedding to take control of everything and to take boring, posed photos of the guests.

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

—The old story of the couple with no money, an old uni friend with a decent camera and a firm agreement that there’d be no posed photos.

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

—Running up the stairs of Marylebone Town Hall with a zoom lens precariously perched in a jacket pocket didn’t end well.

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

—Not sure I even know what the ‘present’ of wedding photography is. I just do what I do and hope enough people each year want that.

—What would you prefer to change in the world?

—I’d like to ensure everyone gets a quality education and eradicate dependence on myth, legend and violence.

—The most troubling thing in life is:

—Procrastination. And people constantly changing speed on the motorway when I’m using cruise control.

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

—I won’t work for people or companies that I perceive to be helping to make the world a worse place.

—Do you look good in pictures?

—Not really, mainly because I pull stupid faces when I find myself on the wrong side of the camera.

—Is there life in the Universe?

—Presumably, but we’ll wipe out life on our own planet before we make contact with life on others.

—Do you shoot wedding photos only?

—Mostly. I also photograph the odd birth, the odd commercial job and not enough personal photos.

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

—“Some people like cats and some people don't. Apparently the Pope's a cataholic.” Milton Jones

—How do you spend your leisure time?

—I do DIY, or I play my ukulele, or I go to (mostly metal) gigs or I do a crossword.

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

—Butthead from Beavis & Butthead, because he.. he… he. You said would. He.. he…

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

—Time and money and my misguided perception that I have a shortage of both.

—Do you like travelling?

—I do, but in comfort. I’m more of a city person than a wilderness person.

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

—Those who promote fear, intolerance and lies to feed their own greed.

—Do you believe in the traditional gender roles?

—Like most traditions, best left in the past. Live and let live.

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

—I don’t really have any. They’d only ruin it at some point.

—Can you specify whom would you love to shoot?

—Anybody that trusts me completely and who will ignore me.

—How do you deal with criticism?

—Depends who it’s coming from and how constructive it is.

—Life is great thanks to:

—Freedom. And Five Guy’s Bacon Cheeseburger, All The Way.

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

—Take your own (decent) food, and wear comfortable shoes.

—Do you believe in life after wedding?

—It’s just a certificate and a great party. As you were.

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

—I’m not good at absorbing or recognising inspiration.

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

—Working for myself and (kinda) gatecrashing parties.

—What makes you continue shooting?

—People keep paying me to come to their weddings.

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

—Depends who is doing the liking and respecting.

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

—Most of my sides. I’m a fairly private person.

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

—Clothes, money, phone, a camera of some sort.

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

—That I want a ride in their spaceship.

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

—My mum got it pretty much spot on.

—What would you alter in yourself if possible?

—I’d like to have more self-belief.

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

—A very dark and gory horror film.

—What are your plans for tomorrow?

—…something less boring instead.

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

—Dunno, it hasn’t happened yet.

—Who would you choose to try taking photos with?

—Nobody. I like working alone.

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

—Completing this interview.

—How do you improve your photography skills?

—Take more pictures.

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

—Overuse of hate.

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

—The truth.

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

—No.