When most people look at my website the first thing that is quite obviously clear is my love for shooting a wedding in a totally natural, and documentary style. I don’t really like to interfere with the day one bit. The only time I probably make a suggestion to actually do some posed-up shots is when we do your couple portraits, or in this case, the bridal portraits of you on your own. I won’t take you away for ages to get these shots in the bag. Instead I’ll just use common sense to pick and choose a convenient time to grab a bridal portrait or two!
If you really don’t want any photos of yourself on your own, then thats cool with me! I’m more than happy to just shoot your wedding day in a totally 100% documentary style!
(BELOW) This image is a prime example of why I actually like shooting portraits on a wedding day. I spotted the beautiful light coming in from a side window at the top of the staircase as I was leaving bridal prep to head to the ceremony. So I waited a few minutes until Sophie came out, quickly asked her to stand in the light, and shot a few frames! I chose to focus on the dress to capture the amazing detail in it.
Bridal Prep - When you’re getting ready in the morning is a great time for me to get some natural portraits of you on your own. Yes, some of the weddings I shoot are absolute chaos at the bridal prep stage, and those are the ones I obviously wont even attempt to get a moment alone with you to get a beautiful portrait… but some are a lot more relaxing, and chilled-out… and if the room you’re getting ready in has awesome light (like these below) then that makes it a no-brainer to do some portraits.
(BELOW) Clare photographed during bridal prep at the stunning Pumping House venue in Nottinghamshire.
(BELOW) These three images are taken seconds before the brides leave bridal prep to head to their ceremonies. Again, you can see on their faces that they don’t look mega-stressed do they. So I’m clearly saying something to relax them, or they’re just very chilled brides… either way, a bit of common sense allowed me to realise that this was the moment to take a very quick portrait.
(BELOW) Tess, just feet from the bridal room at The West Mill in Derbyshire. No need to take you on a long trek to a different part of your venue for a photo… when the light and location is perfect I’ll just choose to do it in a convenient place. This again was taken just a few minutes before the ceremony.
(ABOVE) Lori, at the The Old Vicarage Boutique in Southwell. This time taken in the bridal suite. Make up and hair all finished and in plenty of time, so a perfect chance to ask the bride for a quick photo by the window.
(BELOW) Gemma got ready at an amazing Air BNB before heading off to her wedding at the Elmley Nature Reserve in Kent. It had a gorgeous wooden decking area out the back, and just before she and the girls set-off for the venue I took a few relaxed, and very simple portraits of her. The wooded setting really worked well with her beautiful Rue De Seine dress.
(BELOW) Most couples book me because of my light, bright, and colourful images, but every now and again I do like to go dark and moody for some atmospheric and dramatic portraits.
(BELOW) Outside the church - You will not believe the amount of times I’ve had a vicar snap at me and say “Have you finished taking photos yet?” As soon as I arrive at a church with a bride. When in actual fact I’d never stop a bride on her way into a church… I’d much rather just observe the excitement/nerves of arriving at the church than stop proceedings and get in the way.
(BELOW) Any bridal portraits taken after the ceremony are likely to be taken with your partner nearby! This works for me, especially if it provokes a reaction like this cute photo I shot in Lake Como.
(BELOW) Looking for light - I’ll always be on the hunt for the best light for the portraits. This can be anything from harsh sunlight (image 1), side-light coming in whilst a bride is taking shelter from the rain (image 2), and bright light coming in from all angles in a light and airy room (image 3). If you’ve had a good look around your venue and you’ve seen a room that you love, wither because of the backdrop it can offer, or if the light inside it is sensational, please mention it to me on your wedding day, and we’ll capture something amazing in there!
(BELOW) Portraits throughout the day - These 4 images all look like they could’ve been taken in the space of a few minutes, when it actual fact the first 2 were taken at bridal prep in the morning, the 3rd was taken at the drinks reception after the ceremony, and the 4th was shot a few minutes before the first dance in the evening. None required me taking Jeni away from the party for long. They’re very simple setups that are take when a great backdrop has occurred when the bride has been nearby to it, rather than me scouting out a venue weeks in advance for good locations. Some wedding magazines and blogs will tell you that your photographer has to do this. They’re wrong!
(BELOW) The setting - Steph and some simple poses in front of backdrops that I felt worked really well with her dress/style/vibe. The first shot taken in front of a farmyard over the road from the cottage she got ready in…
… and these shots, taken in the garden of the cottage.
(BELOW) If you’re not afraid of getting your dress slightly dirty (which, lets face it, if you’ve chosen a white dress its highly likely you will) we’ll get on like a house on fire! Jen was an amazing bride to photograph. It rained SO much on her wedding day at The Old Vicarage at Elkesley but she didn’t let that stop her from having the best wedding day, continuing to smile, and just going with the flow when it came to taking some portraits in the extremely wet conditions. And as you can see from the 2nd image, when we did have a very brief glint of sunshine we definitely made the most of it to get a vibrant and punchy portrait.
(BELOW) Keep smiling and just have fun - Be yourself in front of the camera and your personality will shine through!
(BELOW) I never over-complicate things. I keep things dead simple, and am very aware that any time we’re spending on the portraits is time you’re away from your celebrations. And yes, that is a bathroom thats halfway through a renovation!
(BELOW) The golden hour - Probably my favourite time to do the portraits because this is generally when the light will be at its best. Believe me, it really is the most flattering light. Its also a big hit with me because by this time you would have got so used to being photographed by me that you’ll be super-chilled (and possibly a bit tipsy by this point of the day!).
So there we have it… what were you worried about? Having your photograph taken on your wedding day doesn’t need to be some elaborate photoshoot that goes on for hours. It certainly wont be if you choose me to shoot your wedding!
