Wedding of Gemma and Simon

It's been almost a week since I shot Gemma and Simon's wedding at Oulton Hall in Leeds, but as I sit here going through their pictures I'm so pleased I was asked to shoot such a lovely couple's special day.

They are so obviously in love, as every couple on their wedding day should be.  But it was a real privilege to be there to capture the often missed looks and smiles that they gave each other, which showed a real connection.  It was the kind of wedding that reminded me why I love photographing weddings and makes me hungry for more!

Gemma and Simon were so relaxed and easy going and were a photographs dream to work with! They truly understood the importance of the photography and were willing to take time with me and spend time just 'playing' so that we could get some interesting shots (Having Simon play the Grand Piano in the great hall was a personal highlight for me!... All I can is 'Wow!')

I honestly love shooting weddings as they are all so individual and I learn something new and take something special away with me from every wedding.  I hope that every photographer gets this feeling, but if they don't then I guess they should stop! And I guess this point takes me to a question that every couple, looking to book a wedding photographer should ask; "What makes you want to shoot weddings?"

Anyway, I digress... The point of this post was just to say, now that I'm half way through the editing process for Gemma and Simon I'm excited to see the rest of the images and I already know that they are going to LOVE these images!

Thanks once again guys for allowing me to shoot your special day!  More of these images will be available at www.garyhibberd.co.uk in the coming days.

Go to www.garyhibberd.co.uk for more information and more pictures

Wedding of Tina and Chris

Well, what a scorcher this Easter weekend has been (so far!) and the weekend for me started out exciting AND hot!

I had a fantastic time at Tina and Chris' wedding this week and captured a really beautiful day, in every sense of the word.  The pictures are looking great (although I still have lots to go through!) but I'm really looking forward to delivering a photo album which I know will make them really happy.

The passion and energy that goes into weddings and into my wedding photography really does shine through the images and it's truly an honour to get to be the person who documents these special occasions.

I'd like to thank Tina and Chris, their family and friends for being such good fun and for making the whole day such a joy to shoot.  Congratulations to a lovely couple, I hope you have a wonderful honeymoon and I look forward to speaking to you very soon.

All the pictures will be available on www.garyhibberd.co.uk in a private gallery once Tina and Chris have reviewed them.

RECORD: America's Next Top Model...

Now, I'm not much for watching TV... I don't like 'Coronation Street' or 'EastEnders' and I'm not really into watching serials (I try and watch, but end up missing one or two shows then lose the plot!).  But one show I do record and watch is "America's Next Top Model".  Personally I think the format is more staged than "X-Factor"! But it's a great way to see how top models conduct themselves, both in front of and behind the camera.

As you'd expect, many of the models have a very high opinion of themselves and talk about 'cat fights'! Wow... they can bitch! But there's no denying that when they step in front of the camera these people sparkle!  Hitting different poses, giving emotion and feelings through their looks, bringing the mundane to life.  It's all there on the screen for the world to see.

I would advise any photographer to record and study this show as it can help inspire you to new levels.  But this said, I would definitely advise models to watch this show.  It's amazing just what a model needs to 'bring' to the studio when they're thinking of having a shoot; Clothes, make-up, hair products but most of all they need to bring 'themselves'! Personality, attitude and ideas are all useful things to bring on a shoot!

Two recent shoots I had with Liam and Karene were excellent examples of how to approach a shoot.  Both came with a good selection of clothes to try different looks and both brought their personailty and 'attitude' to the shoot.  The result was a fun shoot with fantastic pictures.  Oh... and these are NOT professional models! (But they should be, because many aspiring models could learn a lot from them!)

Time for a workout...!

Like most people I try and get to the gym and work off the excesses of the weekend... But when I was approached by Liam to shoot him on a workout for his portfolio, I realised I probably haven't been working hard enough!

It was certainly a different kind of shoot for me, but still fun.  It was great that Liam had a very definite idea of what he wanted from his shoot and the look and feel of the images were clearly understood.

I think the end results are much better for the fact that the client (Liam) understood what he wanted and really understood the power of good photography and the value of it.  I believe that taking pictures, in a studio, at a wedding or in the gym(!) can be greatly improved if both parties respect each other and come to the 'party' with ideas and a willingness to participate.

I really enjoyed the shoot in the gym and I'm looking forward to working with Liam again, but in more familiar surroundings of a studio.  But wherever or whenever it happens, the emphasis is going to be on working together  to get everything right.

Pre shoot with Gemma and Simon

I met with Gemma and Simon last week for a pre-wedding shoot at their venue in Leeds. Finally, we had great weather and the grounds looked amazing.

Oulton Hall is a beautiful location so Gemma and Simon will be looking forward to a fantastic special day and some amazing photos too.

By the time we finished Simon was really enjoying the pre-shoot! So with a couple of glasses of Champagne on their wedding, I'm sure it'll be even more fun! :-)

For more details go to http://www.garyhibberd.co.uk

Wedding Fayres

I’m often asked if I ‘do’ wedding fayres and as a wedding and portrait photographer  I suppose the correct answer should be “Yes and I love them!”  but the honest answer is “Not often... and they’re ok.”  Let me explain. 

I love meeting new people and wedding fayres certainly give you that opportunity, but of the few I’ve attended I feel they don’t offer you the 1-2-1 time that a couple looking for a photographer truly deserves. 

I attended one recently where I watched as a busy photographer constantly looked around at the people passing by her stall as she chatted to the couple in front of her.  You could see the fear in her eyes as all these potential clients walked by, not wishing to disturb them.  I know how this feels, because I work alone at these fayres so I have to be very much ‘on the ball’, but more importantly I try to focus on one client at a time.  If people are interested and want to talk to me, then they’ll return when I’m not talking to anyone or they’ll take a leaflet and give me a call (well, that’ the hope anyway).

Wedding fayres are great for couples to meet the people who will offer them some great services and make their day special, but I wouldn’t rely totally on what you see at the fayre.  I’d always suggest a follow up meeting in more relaxed circumstances where you can ask the all important probing questions about the packages and the style of photography.

I feel the initial meeting should be enough to make you relaxed and confident that person in front of you is someone you can get along with and work with to deliver what you want for your big day.

If you’ve any experiences (funny or otherwise) then feel free to share them below.

Family Photo Shoot

I was really pleased to shoot a lovely (large!) family yesterday and have some fun along the way with props...

Photo shoots should be fun and whenever possible I like to get people laughing and enjoying themselves, even if it's at my expense sometimes!  But the emphasis has to be on 'fun'.  I'm pleased to say it was fun for everyone and I think the results can be seen in the eyes and the smiles... Priceless.

Photography.. it's not easy you know! :)

With the amount of camera's out there and people taking pictures, it's easy to think that taking photo's and photography is easy. Well, it is.. Sort of.  Let me explain...

Cameras have reached a place now that the vast majority have high pixel ratings (quality of image) with sensitive lenses that can work in varying light conditions.  Even the shutter and aperture are taken care of if you set the camera to 'A' (Auto).  So, taking a picture is easy... But does this make you a photographer?

Does buying a Nikon, Canon, Sanyo make you a photographer?  No, it simply means you are several hundred pounds lighter and the owner of a new camera.

Being a photographer (in my humble opinion) means you are someone who tries to look beyond the picture and into the emotion or 'feeling' of what the image is providing.  It's about capturing the values that the picture is trying to convey and holding that up for the world to see.  It's not easy and I practice every day to perfect the art.  I personally believe this can only be achieved through love, passion, hard work, commitment and honesty. I'm not a hobbyist, this is what I do.

I can honestly say that if I were to win the National Lottery tomorrow, this is what I would do for the rest of my life.  Photography is easy... you just have to want it and love it enough.

When I meet with couples and talk to them about their photography needs it's in a bid to understand them and what they're looking for.  I'm not simply after another commission. That would be easy and I'd soon get bored.  No, what I'm after is to understand why the pictures are important to them and to try and get to know them a little better.

By approaching photography on a personal level I know I can improve my photography... As the saying goes; "Little-by-little, day-by-day, I'm getting better in every way." :)

To see my work please take a look at www.garyhibberd.co.uk

What should you look for in a photographer?

I'm sure you've seen this kind of question on many many wedding websites and blogs, offering you the answer to a question, which I think you already know.  The interesting thing for me is that you don't often see websites with articles entitled; "What should you look for in a good mechanic?" 

Let's be honest, most of us KNOW what we're looking for when we look to someone offering a service; Honesty, integrity, reliability, professionalism (i.e. do they know what they're doing?!).  All these things are 'intangible' and speak of the service you are paying for.  You should expect that the person KNOWS how to take a picture and to use their camera so you shouldn't need to see a list of their equipment and their insurance details and CV!  (If you do, do you usually ask to see the garage and interview the person working on your brakes when you take your car for a service? Why not? :) )

Photography should be a professional service, offered to you professionally and that means the person offering it should have some integrity and be able to demonstrate that.  How do you get to this?  Well, simply put, I believe in 'gut feeling' and when you're meeting and talking to your photographer, it should tell you everything you need to know about them.

Do their words and actions match up to what you expect?  i.e. Are there things that come out of the woodwork as you're talking?  Hidden 'extras' which cost more than you thought?  Do they talk about having lots of experience, but don't ask you what style or kinds of things you like? Do you get a sense this is more about THEM than it is about YOU?

Do they make you laugh and/or make you feel comfortable?  No one is saying they need to be the next Peter Kay, but at the very least they need a personality! You're going to spend your most precious day with them so PLEASE pick someone with heart and a little life about them!

When they arranged the meeting with you, did they turn up when you expected them to? Can they be relied upon to give you the due respect by being on time?!  And if they're late do they let you know and do they offer you a reasonable explanation?  It may sound like a small thing, but this screams respect!  You are busy people and they want YOUR business, so shouldn't they respect you by being on time?

Being professional, offering you a great service that makes you say "WOW" at least once during your interaction with your photographer. That's what your photographer should be aiming for.  If they're not, then they're in the wrong game and you have the wrong person sat opposite you.

So when you next meet with your photographer, please do trust your gut!  If it doesn't 'feel right', then it's probably not. Happy hunting!

Photoshop Art

Well, it's been another busy week for me and I'm looking forward to more photography and photoshop work this coming week.


Wedding requests are coming through thick and fast and I'm sorry to say there seem's to be a lot of people out there choosing the same day(s) as I've had to turn down three weddings over the past couple of days as they had selected the same date!  It's sad as I really wish I could be there for everyone, but it's just not possible (obviously!).


Anyway... Photoshop Art work this week has seen me create a couple of funky images for models I've worked with recently.  Below are the 'before and after' shots so you can see what I've done.  But let me know what you think... I love creating individual images which gives the subject that something extra.


Stacey 

Stacey's shoot was a fantastic opportunity to capture images that reflect her great, individual look but I also wanted to give her a funky mysterious look which focused on her hair and her eyes.  

Using a number of layers, brushes and lighting techniques I gave her a 'hot' look that would look great on a movie poster!  I think this really works well and makes her eyes 'pop', accentuating her lovely features.  And if you're wondering how long it takes to create an image like this... "Smouldering Stacey" took me over an hour to complete, but I believe the results are worth it, and Stacey loves it too!

Sarah
Sarah has a genuinely classic look and I wanted to give her a funky, grungy picture which would give her something out of the ordinary and would again add a different dimension to her portfolio.

 

The image required a grungy background and layers which would give it a sprayed and cracked paint feeling.  Added to this is the lighting and we end up with an image which looks 'dirty' by comparison to the clean lines of the original shot. Great fun to create which took almost an hour to complete.

Photoshop Art
Photoshop is an amazing tool which allows me to make wedding and studio photos sparkle and shine but it also gives me the opportunity to be creative and deliver something different to each person I'm lucky enough to work with.


I'm pleased to say that all the subjects I work with go away with something truly unique and I hope gives them something different to think about when looking at our work.


I'm REALLY looking forward to all the studio work I have lined up for 2011 and I hope you book me too so I can create something just for you!


I'd love to hear what you think of these images, or of PhotoShop editing in general.  Do you think PhotoShop editing has gone too far? 

Go to www.garyhibberd.co.uk to see more work and find out more about the services I offer.

Must Have Shots!

When you’re planning your big day, you put so much effort into getting every little detail right so doesn’t it make sense to make a list of the ‘Must have’ shots, so that your photographer knows what you want to capture?

When all said and done, the photos of your big day are the one’s which will (or should) last a life time.  They’re the things you want to pass on to your children and on to your grandchildren.  Sorry to say it but, your wedding dress will be out of fashion within a few years and everything else will quickly begin to fade, disappear and be lost, which is why getting the right photographer and the right photos is SO very important.

When you’re thinking about your big day you should make your photographer aware of the smaller details which you want capturing, that he/she might not be aware of. 

Don’t get me wrong, any wedding photographer worth his salt will be aware of the standard ‘must have’ shots;

•          Bride’s dress
•          Flowers
•          Walking down the aisle
•          Exchanging of the rings/vows
•          The first kiss
•          Cake cutting
•          The first dance

The above is a VERY brief list of ‘must have’s for the photography, but it’s important to supplement these with the pictures you want of the things and the people who make your special day, well, special!

The following may give you some ideas on what you want from your photographer and what you want to see captured.  Believe me, it’ll help you, it’ll help the photographer and more importantly you’ll have images which reflected the hard work, romance and thought you put into the big day.

The Dress

After deciding to marry, the next big decision is the dress!  It’s probably going to be the biggest and most beautiful dress you’ll ever wear and is often a work of art in itself!  So before you put the dress on, ask your photographer to take pictures of it hanging in a well lit area.  Maybe hanging over a chair or hanging near a window.  The photographer should know what they’re doing here, but if there’s any little details you want to point out, then you should.  For example I shot a wedding where the bride had a small blue hanky sown in to the lining of the dress.  The hanky belonged to her, when she was a child.

I wouldn’t have known this small item was there if one of the bridesmaids hadn’t mentioned it, but I was able to take a lovely shot of this intimate item which she may have forgotten about in years to come.

Once the dress is on, then ask the photographer to take pictures of the back being tied up... you don’t get to see the back of the dress very often so this is a great chance to capture images of something you’ll not be seeing much of!

Bridal Preparations

Sometimes the most emotional, fun and exciting pictures to take throughout the entire day are the bridal preparations.  With everyone excitedly getting ready there’s opportunity for some great behind-the-scenes shots, where some of the most natural and beautiful photography can happen. 

But if you’re giving gifts to your bridesmaids and/or expecting arrival of someone special, then be sure to prime your photographer so that he can capture the expressions on people’s faces.  This isn’t as contrived as it sounds and leads to some fantastic pictures that will make you laugh and cry at the same time!

The Table Settings

It’s taken months to organise; the venue, the dress, the grooms outfit, the music, the guest list, the table settings with the favours, the candles, the flowers and every other little detail you’ve put in to make the table setting ‘just so’.   Yet there is a very good chance that you won’t see the room until it is teaming full of guests and they’ve already started opening the favours and have started to play with the table decorations!

So ensure when you’re talking to your photographer that they know you want some pictures of the tables and any special items you’ve placed on there.  It really will make a nice back drop for your album and allows you to appreciate the hard work you put in!

Let’s not forget the Groom!

Before the ceremony the Groom is likely to be a bag of nerves and not in much mood for photographs, but pictures of him and his Groom’s party are excellent shots to capture because it’s just ‘the guys’ together and they can help calm each other’s nerves by focusing on a few photographs! 

When you enter the room all eyes, quite rightly will be locked on you so getting some candid emotional shots of your groom’s face as you approach are timeless classics which melt the hardest of hearts!  So speak to your photographer so they know that you’re wanting this kind of shot, so that they can position themselves in the best possible place to capture that moment.

Group shots(!)

This is the time you really do need to speak to your photographer because this can make all the difference to you, your day and ultimately to your photographs.  Talk through the style of group shots you’re looking for with your photographer and give them an idea of what you’re after (formal groups or informal gathering).  Most couples want a mixture between the two, so think about groups you want and then make a small list of about eight groups.  This will allow your photographer to work with the best man to arrange the next set of shots. 

The more planning at this stage, the faster the group shots can be carried out and everyone can go back to having fun!

Your First Dance

This is usually the last part of the day that you want ‘formally’ capturing and is still all important for your album, so that it tells the complete story of your day.  Tell your photographer if you have something special planned and if you don’t then why not just make it up?!  On the dance floor, simply waltz, or look deep into each other’s eyes and enjoy your first dance as man and wife.  The photographer will be looking to use all the various light sources to capture some great shots, but it’s always helpful to know what the song will be and if you have anything planned.

Communication, communication, communication

When I’m lucky enough to be invited to shoot a wedding, I want to know I’ve got as much information about the couple as I can possibly get.  This includes their likes and dislikes and what they’re wanting to get out of the photography.  At the end of it all, it’s about communicating, communicating and then communicating some more.  It’s following this process that I’m proud to have turned past clients into friends.

So when we meet, be sure to let me know just what you're looking for from your Photography.

www.garyhibberd.co.uk

Buck the duck in London!

Ok... so it was a brief visit to London, but 'Buck the Duck' came along too... he had his own double bed and spent most of his time watching TV and in the bath... But the shots we took are available soon.

Happy sunday everyone! :-)

By Royal Appointment... almost!

Ok, so we all know that there is a Royal wedding planned this year and that they will have an army of people helping to organise their big day.  Well, when the announcement went out I thought it would be kinda fun to send a letter to Prince William and Katie Middleton, offering my congratulations but also offering my services as a photographer.

We all know that having great photos is important so I don't see the Prince and his new bride as any different, which is why I wrote to them offering great pictures, exceptional service all at affordable prices (I'm sure budget is something that is on their mind too).

Well, I didn't have my hopes up too high but I sent the letter, a leaflet and a business card to see what would happen...

Now, a really nice end to this story would be that they got in touch and have accepted my offer, but no this isn't quite what happened.  I did however receive a very nice letter from St James' Palace thanking me for my kind offer.

The point is, I really believe it's important to ask and not assume (who knows, they might still need a backup photographer!)  I also think it's great just to do something that makes you smile, when you think of it.

Finally, it does mean that I'm still available on 29th April so if you're planning on getting married on the same day as HRH Prince William and Katie, then do get in touch... If you don't, you might find that I've had a call from the Palace!!

(Letter to be framed!)

Wedding Movies!

In a previous article I spoke about my ‘pre-wedding’ checklist and actions… but what about you? The bride? The groom?  What do YOU do?  I’ve often asked what the couple did the night before their big day and how well prepared they are for it.  Generally the response is that they had a relaxing time with close friends (Hen-parties and Stag-parties are now held many weeks in advance… just in case! J ).

Sometimes choosing what to do can be a difficult one… getting an early night is a good idea (but a little boring) as it’s going to be a long day at the wedding! But if you’re stuck for something to do, then why not rent a movie and have a few drinks with your friends? If you’re in the mood for a good film then why not grab one from the list below (which I created just for fun!) and you’ll be bubbling up with excitement for your big day!

1.       Four Weddings and a Funeral – Classic.  What more do I need to say?!

2.      Father of the Bride – Steve Martin is fantastic and makes you appreciate just what your Dad’s going through!

3.      Runaway Bride – Julia Roberts & Richard Gear reunited in this movie… the chemistry is still there!

4.      The Wedding Singer –  It’s an Adam Sandler classic! And even the fellas will love this one!

5.       The Wedding Date - Kat Ellis is stunning in this romantic comedy.  It’ll have you laughing and crying at the same time!

6.      Bride Wars – Anne Hathaway and Kate Hudson kicking each other’s butts! Fun all the way!

7.       27 Dresses – Katherine Heigl doing what she does best!

8.      Made of Honour – A guy trying to be a ‘maid of honour’?  That’s got to get you laughing!

9.      My Big Fat Greek Wedding – Ever feel like getting married is a battle ground? You’ll love this movie!

10.   Wedding Crashers - John Beckwith and Jeremy Grey enjoying all the best that a wedding has to offer!

I know there are many I’ve missed, so if you can think of any pre-wedding movies that are better than these, I’d like to hear about it! But whatever you do on the night before your big day, just be sure to have fun. Safe in the knowledge that all the hard work is done and you can relax into your big day!!

Portfolio shoots

When was the last time you pampered yourself and had a REALLY good photo taken?  Think about that for a second... When was the last time you had a picture that you thought, “Yeah.  I’d like to have that printed and in a frame in my front room!”  The sad truth is that most of us would say we’ve not had that feeling for a long time and the reason is that there are so many ways to take a picture that we’ve lost what a picture can mean.

Pictures are a fantastic gift either for a loved one or for yourself.  But getting the right kind of picture usually means waiting until you’re at a wedding or some special event and then getting someone to take that picture for you, which you then HOPE will turn out ok. 

So why not treat yourself, or someone you know to a fantastic photo shoot in a studio, where you know that the light can be controlled (along with the elements!) and you end up with a set of photos you really like.

I love photographing weddings as they offer something truly unique in photography that you rarely get in others forms.  But I feel that offering studio photography adds a further dimension to my wedding photography as it allows me to spend time with a subject, playing with light and directing a position to get ‘just’ the right look we’re going for.  This, I believe makes me a far stronger and more rounded photographer than I would be if I didn’t have these skills.

You’ll see from the shoots below the look and feel of both are very different, but that’s intentional and I love creating the mood with lighting (painting with light) and working with angles to achieve different results.

  (Jessica having fun at the studio)

Photo shoots should be fun (well... mine always are) so like wedding photography you should feel comfortable with the person behind the lens so that you will look at your most relaxed in front of the lens.

(Stacey's shoot was great fun and she has some really unique pictures for her portfolio) 

(We had a fantastic shoot for Sarah (below) and again, the look is completely individual and great for Sarah) 

If you’re interested in a photo shoot with me, then please drop me a line or give me a call.  Whatever the look or feeling you’re going for, if it’s a gift for you or for a family member, I’d love to hear from you. 

I have access to a couple of studios in Sheffield and Rotherham, both of which provide me with the flexibility to shoot different styles photos, but the main aim is to capture some great images that you can use as gifts, promotions, portfolios or even for yourself! (If your New Year’s resolution of shedding pounds is working, why not capture it?!).  

Introducing.. Buck the Duck!

I'd like to introduce you to my new apprentice.  He's small, cute and very good with a camera...  His name is 'Buck' and he's a duck (obviously!)  He is the star of his own online cartoon site (www.whattheduck.net) but he's decided he'd like to come with me on a few wedding shoots and generally hang out with me when I go on my travels.

Today we spent a little time hanging out in Sheffield looking at some local sculptures, Some great work there by an unknown artist.  These are actually seats, which are located on a little spare land, which if you blinked you'd miss them!  It's great to see that art can 'spring up' in the most unlikely places and can sit (no pun intended) so well amongst the urban landscape... If you know where these are, then go take a look and take a seat!  

Photography should be about fun and personality so please check out www.whattheduck.net and if you decide to 'adopt' a duck then let me know where and when you'll be featuring him in some of your work.

A day in the life of a wedding photographer

Did you ever wonder what it takes to be a wedding photographer or fancied the job yourself?  If you have then the following may either inspire you or strike fear into your heart so you never consider the question again!  Someone once said to me that a wedding photographer has to be a clown with nerves of steel... and that’s not too far from the truth!

What I’m about to tell you is my approach to photographing a wedding... it’s not meant to be a “how you SHOULD prepare”, but it’s my approach and it’s how I like to work. 

“One Month Before the big day”

Contact the couple and check that all is well and there hasn’t been any last minute changes to the schedule (which was created months in advance of the wedding!).

“Two days before the big day.”

Format all the memory cards to be used on the day and put batteries for both primary and backup camera on charge.  Also charge the batteries for the flash and the backup flash (yes, backup equipment is vital!).

“The night before the big day.”

Go through a full systems check and ensure all equipment/materials are prepared;  

·         Batteries and memory cards in the primary camera and flash – take test shots.  Delete test shots(!)

·         Batteries and memory cards in the backup camera and flash – take test shots.  Delete test shots(!)

·         Clean lenses (18mm-200mm and 15mm prime)

·         Flash equipment

·         Check off camera flash equipment

·         Check the Tripod is working ok

·         Ensure the camera bag contains; lens wipes, confetti, hankies, mints, headache tablets, Rennie, Bottle of water (I could need a combination of these on the day!)

·         Umbrellas (x2)

·         Blanket/white sheet

·         Sandwiches/snacks/drinks for the day

“The morning of the Big Day”

Now is the time to go through the above again and ensure it’s all packed in the car safely.  I would also use the time to review the running order of the day and highlight any key points (such as special ‘Must Have’ shots).

“The Venue.”

Arrive at the venue early and if it’s a church, ensure the car is parked somewhere I can make a quick get-away before the guests!  Once at the venue I'll let the Bride know that I’ve arrived and go to their room when they're ready for me.

“Picture time!”

Time to start taking those all important pre-wedding shots, which depend upon the wants and needs of the couple.  This could mean taking pictures of the brides preparations, the grooms preparations or both.   Either way, the day starts with a flurry of activity and it’s when the nerves of the photographer start to be tested.  Personally, I love this part as it’s all about meeting new people and establishing a rapport with the bridal party.

“Show Time!”

It’s the time of the wedding and now there’s the all important ceremonial shots to capture.  By this stage I’ll have already spoken to the wedding official and the wedding organiser to establish where I can stand and what shots they are happy with me taking (i.e. flash, or no flash!).  The bride enters the room and the music strikes up... the time to capture those special moments really steps up a gear and capturing the emotions on people’s faces is key.  So it’s important not to get lost in the moment!

Capturing all the special moments, like the first kiss is important but it’s important to capture the smaller details too... little looks from the bride to the groom, a simple smile or the touch of a hand.  It’s these special moments which make each wedding individual and all the more special to document.

“The Register”

The signing of the register is always an interesting event as it offers a little time for the bride and groom to sit and relax a little as they make their union legally binding.  The wedding official will generally let me know when they’re ready for some ‘posed’ shots, and it’s here where a little direction helps to get the couple looking as comfortable as possible.  For me it’s also one of the first opportunities to offer congratulations to the happy couple... and always an honour to be able to do this.

“Arrrhgghhh.... Group shots!!”

Once the ceremony is over and everyone is led out of the ceremony room, or church it’s time to capture some lovely candid shots of friends and family congratulating the happy couple. Then, it’s on to the ‘dreaded’ group shots!!!  Dreaded by most because of past experiences or because of pre-conceived ideas of what it’s all about.  My role is to make the group shots as painless as possible and to make them fun for everyone (honest! They CAN be fun!).  For me the trick is to complete the group shots as quickly as possible and this means knowing what the Bride and Groom want and who they want in which shot... it’s all about prior preparation!   

“Aaahhhh... Romantic shots”

Ok, so the group shots are out of the way and the guests are making their way to the bar.  Now it’s a little time with the couple to get some individual shots of them, relaxing or enjoying their first few moments as man and wife.  I don’t like to stage these shots too much, as each couple and each location is individual so I look for shots where the couple can engage with each other and I am looking to capture those moments and the little things between them.  This makes a picture standout and really adds depth, colour and individuality to their album.

“The Wedding Breakfast”

Some are formal, some are very relaxed.  Either way the wedding breakfast is eagerly anticipated by everyone as they’re usually hungry by this time!  The couple are announced into the room to a rapturous applause and I’m there to capture them entering their special meal as Mr and Mrs! It’s at this point that I leave them all to enjoy their meal whilst I go and have a well deserved Coke and a sandwich.  It’s during the wedding breakfast that I get my first chance to go over all the pictures I’ve taken that morning.  Basically, here’s the routine;

·         In camera editing  of all images taken so far (including deleting duplicate pictures or one’s I’m not happy with)

·         Eat sandwich

·         Change memory card

·         Change battery in both camera and flash to new, fully charged ones.

·         Eat more of the sandwich... finish sandwich... take a drink (you get the idea!)

“Speeches”

Once the wedding breakfast is over it’s on with the speeches!  It’s enough to bring a grown man to his knees and I’ve seen some big men crumble at the prospect of speaking in front of their family and friends.  Here’s my advice for anyone giving a speech;

• Groom – You can say ‘virtually’  anything!  Just remember to thank everyone on behalf of you and your ‘beautiful wife’.
• Father of the Bride – Again, you can say ‘virtually’ anything! A few jokes about the bride growing up and sincere thoughts and wishes for the future are fine.
• Best Man – (The toughest job of all!) You can say most things about the Groom, but remember that he is your friend and you should not use bad language or jokes that may offend (there may be children present!).  One tip I would give to any best man, is share the speech with the Father of the Bride.  If they don’t get offended then you’ll probably be ok!

I’ll take candid shots of the speech makers and the audience, looking for emotion and reaction to the sentiment and the jokes being relayed.  It’s often a mix of the two which gives the greater depth of feeling of the day and I really look forward to hearing the speeches because again, they are always different and as individual as the couple getting married. 

“Time to relax”

Ok, so all the formality of the day is over and it’s time for the Bride and Groom to relax with their guests until the evening.  It’s at this time that I take more candid shots of people relaxing in the bar, catching up with each other.  If I’m able to, I pull together small groups of friends and get some additional group shots together to add a little more diversity to the usual group shots.  This enables the time between the day and evening to be used constructively and offers the Bride and Groom more than they expected.

“The Evening Guests”

It’s night time now and the evening guests are arriving.  Usually to screams of excitement as the Bride see’s friends from across the room and then run over for a huge hug!  Great pictures to capture now as friends and family excitedly talk about the day’s events, how gorgeous the bride is and how beautiful the venue is.  As more and more people arrive, the evening is starting to buzz with excitement as the moment where the cake cutting will happen and then on to the first dance!

“The Cake Cutting”

The DJ announces the cutting of the cake and everyone (including me) makes their way over to the area where the cake is standing.  I’ll direct the groom to hold the knife and place his arm around his new wife as she places her hand on top of his (she’ll have the upper hand from this moment on! J ). Then on the count of three, the cake is cut; One... The couple look nervously at the cake. Two... The cake is about to be cut. THREE... The couple cut the cake and burst into laughter! As a loud cheer erupts and cameras flash in all directions.  A couple of shots of the couple kissing and even taking a bite of the cake and then it’s on to the dance floor, for...

“The First Dance”.

The final shots of the evening are generally the first dance and it’s this special moment that presents the opportunity to capture more amazing shots.  The music, the lights from the DJ and the gathering crowd all make this an emotional part of the day and is such a joy to photograph (but also a challenge too, as the lighting is often very low!) .  Not wishing to kill the emotion of the dance, keeping flash to a minimum is important, but I can’t miss the important points of the dance.  A few changes in position allow me to capture the lights in front, behind and to the side of the couple which allows me to mix the final shots to give them a variety to chose from.

“The end of the day”

Once the dance is over I will wait for an appropriate time and then will look to bid my farewell, thanking the Bride and Groom for their hospitality and also remembering to thank and bid farewell to others I have met during my day with their family.

“Home”

For me the wedding party is over and it’s time for the hard work to begin.  When I get home my routine is generally a simple one; I down load all the photos taken, onto my computer and immediately back these up to protect them. I then have a beer and toast the newly married couple!  Then it’s off to bed, because tomorrow I’ll have circa 700 photos to run through and polish, so that every picture I deliver shine’s perfectly.

So that, in a nutshell is the process I go through for a wedding... It has many variations as you would imagine but it gives you an insight into the work and planning that goes into capturing those all important moments.

I'm sure you'll agree that there's a lot to think about, but I love every second of it and the day literally fly's by! Amazing :-)