Photographer Colin Todd

—Are you photogenic?

—No, that's why I'm on the other side of the camera.

—How did you get in the photography industry?

—Photography was my hobby before leaving school. I studied photography at Napier University and trained in Wedding Photography with a long established and well known Edinburgh photographic studio, many years ago.

—What are the most important components of a good photo in your opinion?

—In terms of wedding photography, a photograph which tells the story of that particular moment in time, which can never be repeated or revisited other than by looking at the photograph.

—Do you love traveling?

—I enjoy visiting new places and some places which I've visited many times before.

—What do you like most about your profession?

—New challenges, regularly meeting new people and I get a real thrill when I capture an image which even I'm impressed with.

—What do you like least about your profession?

—Camera manufacturers over recent years have made cameras more and more 'automatic' which in turn, encourages non-professional hobbyists to believe they can become wedding photographers by owning such a camera at the expense, distress and disappointment of couples who entrust them to photograph the most important day of their lives.

—What will be the future of photography?

—The same thing that happened to family portrait sessions at the local photographer's studio.

—What is special in the photography genre you specialise at?

—Everything! Every wedding is completely unique and can never be repeated. Every minute of the wedding day provides memories, many of which the Bride & Groom are too busy to even notice. It's the wedding photographers responsibility to capture and save for posterity, as many of those memories as possible.

—How do you handle criticism?

—If it's from an expert who knows their subject I would welcome it otherwise, I would have to balance politeness with understanding the critic's point of view.

—Are there any trends in photography?

—In my experience, there are fewer weddings in the colder months and more in the warmer months, most couples are over 25 other than that, every couple has their own ideas on venues, type of wedding, reception venues, themes etc..

—What should be the criteria for a customer to choose a photographer?

—Like their work, like them as a person, trust them, consider their response times to your enquiries and queries, their packages and prices and how flexible they're willing to be to ensure your relationship with them is pleasant and without stress.

—What things are to be avoided when shooting?

—I always advise the people I'm photographing that while I have no problem with guests taking photographs, they should ensure that they are looking at 'my camera' rather than all the mobile phones and iPads surrounding them. Anything else should just be common sense.

—What details that usually pass unnoticed can a photographer notice?

—Lighting. Professional photographers paint with light. Light can make a fantastic photograph or turn it into a snapshot, if not understood.

—What influences the value of a photo? What are its elements?

—Light, composition, expressions, timing and often luck.

—What person can be the symbol of the 21st century in your opinion?

—Not one comes to mind ...

—Who do you want to take photos of?

—More weddings

—Do you have any professional taboos?

—Fake tans do not photograph well.

—Who would you like to shoot with?

—No one else would capture images in exactly the same way as I do so the answer is obvious.

—What do you worry about, and why?

—Photographing a wedding is a massive responsibility and I am aware of the many things which can go wrong, from equipment failure, car breakdown, accident, ill health to mention just a few. I have backup equipment and a network of professional photographers who I can call upon if required, however, I still worry about these things.

—What is the most impressive moment in your life?

—Being the only photographer present when the Queen Mother visited an address in Hanover Street, Edinburgh, many years ago. That was just luck, the impressive part was when she pushed aside her bodyguards to pose for me and I got the most incredible close-up head and shoulders and a beautiful smile .... quite a lady.

—If you were a cartoon, book or movie character, who would you be and why?

—Never thought about it, I'm just me and I do my best to be very good at anything I do.

—Who inspires you in your life and why?

—My wife who doesn't feed my ego but, says it like it is and my Border Collie puppy who makes me take a break from work, by throwing my shoes at me when I'm spending too much time editing photographs and ignoring her.

—How do you define success? How do you measure it?

—Success is when I receive a great review from a client when they have just seen their photographs for the first time.

—Would you rather be liked or respected?

—Liked

—What is the biggest mistake you have ever made at work?

—Back in the days of film, I was processing, in a Darkroom, the 3 films I had just taken at a wedding, the boss asked me to make him a cup of coffee and I switched the lights on, in the Darkroom, to fill the kettle .... thankfully, we were able to save the images.

—When you're going to travel, what do you take with you and why?

—To wear, as little as possible so I can take all the equipment I need.

—Is there anything among your gadgets that you wish you haven't bought? Why?

—No, I love all my gadgets.

—How do you educate yourself to take better pictures?

—Constant study of training videos and live practice as often as possible.

—Whose work has influenced you most as a photographer?

—Grand Master Photographer 'Yervant' is internationally celebrated as ‘The Most Influential Wedding Photographer Of Our Time’Wedding Photography: "no stylists, no art directors, see it, capture it and get it right".

—What is the one thing you wish you knew when you started taking photos?

—Everything that I know now, then I could have spent all those years getting even better.

—What do you want to say with your photographs?

—I want every individual photograph to tell a story.

—What motivates you to continue taking pictures?

—The testimonials and reviews from previous couples.

—Should your parents have been more or less strict?

—Neither, I had good parents.

—If you could go back in time, what would you do differently?

—Try to avoid the misguided decisions which I sometimes made.

—What about life on other planets?

—Where does space end? It would be foolish to assume that Earth is the only inhabited planet

—Who are your heroes?

—Can't think of any hero's although there are many people who I respect and appreciate what they do.

—Who do you have no respect for?

—Liars and those who don't care about others.

—What do you do in your spare time?

—Play guitar, sing, walk the dog, take photographs, swimming, horse riding.

—What's the side of you that the public never sees?

—Shouting at politicians on TV

—When are you completely satisfied with your work?

—Rarely, I always want to do better.

—Do you believe in the traditional roles for men and women?

—No

—Do you make friends easily?

—No, I need to trust first.

—Where would you like to live?

—Rural cottage or farmhouse in Scotland

—What's the stupidest thing you've ever agreed to do?

—Too many to mention :-)

—Is there life after marriage?

—Yes, a much more complete life.

—Do you have a favourite joke? Tell us.

—Can never remember jokes.

—Do you like dogs or cats?

—Both

—Who or what do you hate?

—Don't hate anyone, but I do hate milk puddings.

—The best thing in life is:

—Good health and happiness.

—The most annoying thing in life is:

—Politicians

—Is there anything around you that you would like to change?

—Politicians

—What would you like to change in yourself?

—Be more thoughtful.

—What would you like to change in the world?

—Greed

—Can you give a few tips for photographers who are just starting out?

—Know everything about your equipment, fully understand the Exposure Triangle and how to use a flash, in all settings, then go to many weddings with a professional photographer, as a second shooter, before offering to photograph someone's wedding day.

—If aliens come to the Earth and you are the first person they meet, what will you tell them?

—Don't waste your time here, we have nothing of any value to offer you.

—If you are called to shoot a movie, what genre will it be?

—Movie making and videoing are a totally different skillset from being a photographer, I would have to decline.

—Tomorrow I will go and do...

—More image editing for the last wedding I photographed, then make a slideshow presentation with music, reliving the couple's big day.