Luton Hoo / St Albans micro wedding - Helena and Ben
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Leeds civic hall micro wedding - Amy and Andrew
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The Pumping House Nottinghamshire wedding - Hannah and Daniel
“WOW! What can we say… we are so blown away by how much your photographs take us back to each moment, as if we’re there again.
You’ve captured our day, the essence of us as a couple, and our wonderful friends and family so beautifully and with such intimacy and detail.
We will forever treasure these photographs.
All of our guests keep telling us what a fantastic person you were to have around, and we couldn’t agree more. We were delighted to be in your safe hands and feel truly honoured that you were part of our little Covid wedding!
We really can’t thank you enough - Thank you so much Ed.”
Family or friend of the happy couple? Well, below is just a slideshow selection of my favourite shots from the day, but why don't you take a look at their online gallery and download some photos... for free!
Simply click HERE - Then get the password from Hannah and Dan and download as many HI-RES images as you want. But first… grab a drink… and press PLAY on the slideshow below!
Nottingham micro wedding - Heather and Rob
Family or friend of the happy couple? Below is a slideshow selection of my favourite shots from the day, but if you want to see more why don't you take a look at their online gallery and download some photos… for free!
Simply click HERE - Then get the password from Heather & Rob and download as many HI-RES images as you want! But first… grab a drink… and press PLAY on the slideshow below!
Bridgford Hall Micro Wedding, Nottingham - Collette and Pete
Family or friend of the happy couple? Well, below is just a slideshow selection of my favourite shots from the day, but why don't you take a look at their online gallery and download some photos... for free!
Simply click HERE - Then get the password from Collette and Pete and download as many HI-RES images as you want. But first… grab a drink… and press PLAY on the slideshow below!
Sashi and Alex - St Albans micro wedding
Micro wedding… now theres two words I’d not heard used together until this year.
Sashi and Al contacted me just a few weeks ago after deciding to go ahead with their tiny wedding celebration in St Albans. It was to be my first wedding back after the pandemic postponed all my bookings since the end of March.
I was expecting it to be very different… very restrictive… and also even a bit weird. It was certainly all of them! From seeing their small number of family and friends that were allowed to attend spaced apart inside the registry office, to watching a reading being given through a face mask! Not to mention me having to shoot the ceremony whilst wearing a face mask. It was such a surreal experience. But also one that was still beautiful to witness, and be fortunate enough to photograph.
I’ve shot nearly 500 weddings, and I can honestly say this was the first where I arrived and I wasn’t the tiniest bit nervous. I can only presume that because it had been six months since my last wedding I was so excited to be photographing a wedding again.
Sashi and Al were the perfect couple. They totally got my relaxed style of photography and just wanted the four hours I was with them to be documented in my honest, fun, and emotive style I’ve always given to my couples.
I’m used to photographing wedding days that are normally 12+ hours… sometimes I don’t leave until well after midnight, so it felt very odd saying goodbye as the newlyweds and their friends and family sat down for their meal. But as I now look back at all the images I shot (and also the slideshow below) I’m really pleased with the story I’ve told from their unique wedding.
Thanks for letting me be a part of your special day guys!
Family or friend of the happy couple? Well, below is just a selection of my favourite shots from the day, but why don't you take a look at their online gallery and download some photos... for free!
Simply click HERE - Then get the password from Sashi + Al and download as many HI-RES images as you want!
“You’ve totally captured the essence of us and the day”
A very intimate wedding at The Museum of the Order of St John in London.
I shot this gorgeous wedding just a few days before we went into lockdown back in March. Silvia and Anya, and their handful of family and friends were a delight to be around… even if it was just for a few hours.
It was the first half day booking i’d taken on for a very long time. Which is quite ironic considering smaller wedding days may possibly the way forward for a lot of people… we’ll see!
I was going to use this blog post as excuse to chat about what I’ve been up to during this crazy year, but I think i’ll save that for another blog post. Maybe even another slideshow!
It’s still hard to believe that I’ve not shot a wedding for 6 months, but I’m so keen to get out there and capture more timeless memories for couples very soon.
Stay safe everyone… and please press play on the slideshow below to take a look at the super-lovely wedding day of Silvia + Anya.
London pre-wedding shoot in Battersea Park
Kirsty + Sean
Islington Town Hall / Depot Islington wedding
The first wedding of the year is always an interesting one for me. Even though I’ve shot nearly 500 weddings I still get slightly nervous before each one… and especially before the first one of the year! Its not because I don’t know what i’m doing after the long winter months (honest!) it’s purely because I care about doing a good job so much.
As always, the nerves soon disappear when I arrive at bridal prep, walk in, and start snapping. Once that camera is covering my ugly mug, and I’m capturing all the emotional moments and fun the day has to throw at me, I forget I even had the winter break. And as you’re about to see, Sammy + Adam certainly knew how to put on a FUN wedding.
With bridal prep taking place at The Hoxton in Shoredtich, followed by a ceremony Islington Town Hall (one of my faves), and a BIG party at The Depot in Islington, I was definitely not finding myself short of ace backdrops at all.
The weather was kind to us… everyones faces were aching from smiling so much… and the whiskey kept flowing from those hip flasks all day long. Oh, and don’t even get me started on the kilts. I’ve not seen so many willies in one day since I was in the showers at school!
Everyone needs cheering up at the moment. So whether you’re Sammy + Adam (you guys are the best!), whether you were a guest at this beautiful wedding, or whether you’re one of my 2020 couples that have sadly had to put your plans on hold because of recent events, grab a boozy tipple, scroll through this gallery, and just remember how amazing weddings are. Remind yourself of what hugging people looked like. And most of all, remember that weddings can be (and quite rightly SHOULD BE) a day of endless fun and happiness.
Stay safe people.
Ed x
Sammy + Adam
“Hi Ed, We’ve just spent the last hour in hysterical laughter, crying, and remembering so many amazing moments.
Thank you so much. We couldn’t have asked for better photos. You are so talented and captured the day so perfectly. Thank you so so much!”
Were you a guest at this wedding? Above is just a selection of my favourite shots from the day, but why don't you take a look at their online gallery and download some photos... for free!
Simply click HERE - Then get the password from Sammy + Adam, and download as many HI-RES images as you want!
If you scroll through this wedding and think "WOW! Yeah... these are the kind of fun and relaxed photos I want at my wedding!" Then please do get in touch and lets chat.
Couple portraits on your wedding day (the fun, quick,and stress-free way!)
“We hate having our photo taken”… easily the only sentence I hear year after year. So how do I get around this problem?
Simple really, I don’t see it as a problem!
I see it more of a ‘lets work really fast… chat loads… make you guys feel comfortable… and get you back to the party as quick as possible’ solution!
My main goal when it comes to shooting couple portraits on a wedding day isn’t snapping away for an hour to get that one single killer image… its much more based on shooting a great variety of portraits in a short period of time, so that as a couple you’ve got an awesome selection of shots to choose from.
As with nearly all aspects of my photography, fun plays a huge part. I mean, why take you guys away from the party just to be all serious, all smoochy, and all fake and awkward! Sure, some photographers ONLY shoot the very romantic and serious portraits, and they do them well. I however take a much more fun and chilled-out approach to my portraits. I will get you laughing… I will capture wacky expressions… and I will be excited when I know I’ve captured shots that show the REAL YOU!
… even if we have to go to the pub before you get married! (which… I’m totally cool with by the way.)
The hardest part for me when it comes to doing the couple portraits is choosing when to drag you away to do them. And believe me, in some cases I really do mean drag you away! I always try to find a moment when the light is good, and I also like to feel that you’ve had a decent amount of time to chat to your guests first. I don’t personally want to tear anyone away from their friends and family on their wedding day, but I do realise the importance of these images. I tell all my couples that I don’t need any longer than 10-20 minutes of your time to get a great set of portraits of you together… and I like to think I always keep to my word.
(BELOW) In addition to all the fun, and chilled-out natural shots I’ll also always be keeping an eye out for interesting light, dramatic scenes, and constantly pushing myself to capture really creative images.
(BELOW) You can’t beat a bit of dramatic side-lighting from a single window…
… and whether I’m shooting with a long lens (from distance), or up close with a wide-angle, I’ll make sure you’re really at ease with me. Not only will you not notice me, you’ll also look totally relaxed in the photos.
You can still be arty whilst capturing couple portraits… you don’t always need to see faces!
… sometimes these images of connections between couples are far stronger than a standard portrait photograph.
Capturing the details that you want to remember is always high on my list of must-have shots.
Just get cosy - (don’t worry… I don’t actually say THOSE words… umm… maybe I do sometimes!)
Walking + talking
The amount of direction I give is extremely minimal. It really is as simple as “I’ll be walking backwards, you walk towards me, look like you like each other! OK?”
(Above) And some couple portraits happen when we’re not even doing the portraits!
(ABOVE) Give me space!
I spent many years working as a photographer for magazines and newspapers, and used to be given the brief of shooting an editorial portrait with plenty of space around the main subject/model. This was purely so words/text could be fitted around them!
I still (out of habit) do this on wedding days. It doesn’t bother me that I occasionally visualise scenes this way as I know couples can easily use these shots for their Thank You cards if they want.
Plus, these upright/portrait shots look ace when they’re nice and big on Instagram. And come on, if you can’t show off your gorgeous faces all over your social media on your wedding day, when can you!
(BELOW) Cool backdrops
I’m forever keeping an eye out for amazing backdrops on a wedding day. Whether its at your home, your venue, or on the street as we’re walking around.
If the backdrop fits with the vibe of your day… then its an absolute WIN WIN situation.
If I can get your venue to be the backdrop, then thats even better.
The golden hour
The last hour of daylight is always my favourite time to photograph the couple portraits. The light is at its most-flattering, and you guys would’ve had plenty of time to get used to having your photograph taken by this time.
You see what I mean?… the light is stunning isn’t it!
Here’s some more…
It really is as simple as it sounds. I’ll choose a sensible time to approach you both to go off to do the portraits, and we’ll spend as long doing them as you want! I only need 10-20 minutes to get a lovely selection of different portraits, and I promise you I’ll make it as fun and as relaxed as I can.
As you’ve probably noticed from looking through my website, and also this blog post, there doesn’t have to be a lot of eye contact between yourselves and my camera. I try to avoid this a lot of the time because from my own experience of having my photo taken, I know I never look as relaxed or as comfortable when I’m starring straight down the lens. Yes, I’ll shoot some like that, but the majority will look like I’ve caught you unaware, or in an embrace, or a fleeting moment without you even knowing I’m nearby.
At the end of the day I just want you guys to be happy, enjoy the ‘photo taking’ part of your day, and succeed in producing a collection of memorable images for you to cherish forever. Put your trust in me, and you too will have portraits like the ones you see here!
If my style of shooting portraits on a wedding day sounds like what you’re after, and you’re still on the hunt for a photographer, get in touch now.
Hampton Manor winter wedding - Katie and Tom
TOM - “You have absolutely nailed these photographs, they are incredible. We’ve both just sat down to look through them all on the blog and it has brought back so many amazing memories. We’re both grinning from ear to ear!”
KATIE - “Just to reiterate what Tom has already said, we LOVE LOVE LOVE them! I can't stop looking at them! Everyone tells you the day will pass in such a blur, and they’re right, it does. Being able to look through these and relive every moment is just magical. You've captured all the fun and the emotion, which to us is priceless!”
Were you a guest at this wedding?
Below is just a selection of my favourite shots from the day, but why don't you take a look at their online gallery and download some photos... for free!
Simply click HERE - Then get the password from Katie + Tom, and download as many HI-RES images as you want!
If you scroll through this wedding and think "WOW! Yeah... these are the kind of fun and relaxed photos I want at my wedding!" Then please do get in touch and lets chat.
What is a documentary wedding photographer?
I’m going to start this blog post with some words from one of my couples I had the pleasure of photographing. Feedback of any sort is always appreciated for us photographers, and when it comes from a fellow wedding photographer (Clare, the bride) its even more special. When I get Google reviews and thank you cards from my couples its not only a written acknowledgement that i’ve done a good job, but also a record of letting me know that the documentary approach I love to shoot a wedding with is still working for me!
“I'm trying to pick a favourite and can't - I love the big moments and the small. It’s easy to talk about the obvious big moments, half the time I can’t believe it’s our wedding I’m looking at. But I love the small, quiet moments too - the light on the floor tiles, Craig's hand on my back, the forest leaves - you've captured these so perfectly they make my skin tingle. Please don't ever underestimate the effect of these seemingly 'small' photos.
You were the best and easiest decision we made for our wedding. I could go on, but I won't because I think you already know just how much these photos personally mean to me (and of course Craig).“
CLARE + CRAIG
These guys got married at the beautiful Pumping House in Nottinghamshire. Click HERE if you want to see more from their lovely wedding day.
So what exactly is a documentary wedding photographer? In my mind its a photographer that doesn’t interfere with the proceedings of your wedding day, and will do their very best to capture an honest, true, and real story of the day through a collection of un-staged and natural images.
Working as a documentary wedding photographer really suits me for many reasons. The main attraction is because of my background in photography before I decided to become a full time wedding photographer. The first decade of my career was spent as a press photographer supplying images to newspapers, magazines, and agencies. It was manic, high-pressured, and extremely fun (very much like how weddings can be!). I learnt so much as a press photographer, and it definitely helped me to develop a creative and reportage style that I use at all my weddings I shoot. Being thrown in at the deep end at such a young age was also the best on-the-job education I could have asked for. I was just 17 years old when I started out and was ridiculously shy. I would be so nervous going on assignments, and I was always worried that people wouldn’t take someone so young at all seriously. Yes, the first few years were tough, but i’m so glad I did it and stuck at it!
Because I had to learn how to build my confidence around complete strangers on a daily basis (sometimes these strangers were politicians, celebrities, sports stars, and even members of the royal family) it quickly made me a much more assertive person, and definitely helped me come out of my shell. Being a press photographer really does make you become a ‘people person’. And if you don’t like people… well, maybe being a press photographer or a wedding photographer isn’t for you.
(BELOW) ME! Busy snapping, and enjoying a chilled-out festival-inspired wedding in Devon.
If you’ve booked me to shoot your wedding, or you’re reading this and thinking “this guy seems OK, and his photos are pretty cool, let’s book him!”, then here is my brief guide to how I approach every wedding in a documentary style.
Don’t worry, I still snap the group shots and the bridal portraits. Click HERE If you’re wondering how I shoot the groups, and click HERE if you’re wondering how I do the bridal portraits. And keep an eye out for a future post where I’ll be chatting about how I do the relaxed couple portraits!
Bridal / groom prep (a.k.a the potential chaos hours!)
The first part of your wedding day where I will be present is generally the ‘getting ready’ stage. My biggest advice for this part of the day is to just pretend I’m not there! Carry on like you were a few minutes before I came through the door, and this way I’ll blend into the background, float around taking really natural, fun, and sometimes deeply emotional images as your wedding day kicks off.
On the way to the ceremony - This really is a great time of the day to put my years of press photography into practice. Walking backwards (fast!) and snapping away. I’m pleased to say I mastered the art of the reverse-run when I was working on newspapers…
The Ceremony - This is where all the emotions can come out. The first time all your guests see you in your wedding dress, and also the first time you get to make a connection with the person you’re about to marry! Capturing connections is what I’m all about. I can’t get enough of people hugging, kissing, or just engaging in conversation with a friend or family member at a wedding.
(BELOW) Its great when a couple forget all about the guests, and just concentrate on each other… even if just for a split second!
(BELOW) All the tiny details. You don’t have to have faces in a photo to capture a connection or tell a story at a wedding.
The wider scene - Some people call them ‘environmental portraits’ but I prefer to just class it as taking a look at the wider scene. Capturing the vibe of the day / the moment in a single frame, and really telling a story with a frame-filling image.
All the fun! - By the time the getting ready/bridal prep/groom prep/ is done, and the ceremony has finished, most people have got used to me being around, and being a part of your day. Nowadays so many people are taking photos at weddings with their phones that I blend in even more by this point. Plus, I don’t lug around loads of equipment so am very discreet. This allows me to wander around, chat away to guests, and capture all the fun of your celebrations. I’m very lucky that my work attracts like-minded couples that are fun and carefree, and just want me to capture an honest story of their wedding day.
(BELOW) Here is a selection of candid shots I’ve taken where I’ve employed the “shoot first, ask later” attitude!
Night time action - I love it when a couple book me to stay late on their wedding day. The fun and antics that can be captured late into the evening is fantastic for a documentary wedding photographer. Its not just the action on the dance floor that I look out for… its everywhere!
Fleeting moments - These moments tend to be the images that pull at the heart strings the most with my couples. They are the photos that I always get the best reactions from after I’ve delivered them. I often hear “We didn’t even know you were there when that happened” or “Thats one of our favourite photos from the day… and our faces aren’t even in the shot!”
(BELOW) Kids at weddings. Whether they’re smiling, crying, or just picking their nose, they always make for great (and cute) candid shots.
(BELOW) Documenting this London wedding was ace. The bride and groom met up before the ceremony for a quick pint at their local. How cool is that?! Click HERE if you want to see their whole wedding. Its a gorgeous wedding, and a great example of how I shoot in a documentary style from start to finish!
(BELOW) All the feels! I always say that I like my fun photos to have energy to them, and all my other images to have feeling about them. This image of Clare wandering through the wood barefoot not only looks great, but will also remind her of what her wedding truly felt like. I like to think the images beneath it also give off great feelings too.
“Just turn it black and white… that will make it look arty right?”
My college years (and also my first few years as a professional photographer) were spent in the darkroom, perfecting the art of black and white photography. Its still a joy for me to convert an image into black and white nowadays. Losing the colour and opting for a mono version is more about trying to create an image with greater impact than the colour version had. And yes, it might make the shot look more arty… which isn’t a bad thing anyway. But I don’t just convert any shot to black and white. It needs to have the right content, and the right light for me to do this.
Emotional connections - These are most probably the hardest, yet most rewarding images for any documentary photographer to capture at a wedding.
If I spot a scene playing out in front of me where something like a hug or an embrace is going to happen I’m quick to grab it, move on, and not be seen. If I’m noticed I feel like I’ve ruined that moment for the person, and it would upset me if that was the case. I’m there to document the connections, not intrude on them.
(BELOW) A few of my favourite connection photos from the past couple of years. (I could’ve posted hundreds here!)
Before I finish I would like to point out that I’m not a totally 100% documentary photographer. I still take my couples away to do portraits, and I still do a few family group photos, but this never takes too long. 10 minutes away from your friends and family so we can get a collection of stunning portraits, then its back to the party!
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer and have really enjoyed seeing these images, then I’d love to hear from you. Drop me a message via my contact page and tell me about your wedding day plans. If you book me I promise that at no point during the day will I ask you to “say cheese” and I most certainly won’t tell the groomsmen to pick up the bride!
Bridal portraits on your wedding day
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!
(ABOVE) The only photo in this collection / blog that was taken with a flash! I prefer to shoot 95% of a wedding day without a flash… using just available light. I generally get the flash on the camera as soon as the party kicks off in the evening, and I’m snapping the antics on the dancefloor with you and your friends and family.
Group photos at weddings (the fun and quick way)
Shooting group photos at weddings is probably the oldest tradition that links photography with weddings. And as much as I dislike doing them, I do realise they have a purpose, and a certain degree of importance to the documenting of your day. I totally get it… at your wedding are the most important people in your lives, taking part in possibly the most important day of your life (so far), so making sure you get a photo of you and them together in the same shot is a huge deal.
The biggest mistake most couples make when it comes to having their group photos taken on their wedding day is the amount of time you put aside for it. Or possibly the huge amount of time your photographer has put aside for it. Believe me, there are some photographers out there that bloody love doing endless group photos… I’m not one of them. I’d rather be spending my time getting fun, emotional, creative, and natural photos of you and your guests enjoying the day without the faff of a boring two hour staged photoshoot. Your day will go by in the blink of an eye, don’t waste it doing something you really don’t want to.
Admit it, we’ve all been to a friends wedding where the group photos seemed to take forever to get done… people started arguing because they were taking so long… or Uncle Dave was missing from the shot (almost certainly at the bar!)… well, this is exactly the reason why I give all my couples two simple instructions to make the group photos part of their day go as smoothly as possible.
Keep your group photos list to around 6-8 groups MAX!
We shoot them 10-15 minutes before you sit down for food/speeches… and the whole process doesn’t take longer than 10 minutes!
Right, now let me ease you in gently. I’ll keep it simple, and with a bit of luck you’ll like the images I’ve captured, and agree that this is exactly how you want your group photos to look like.. If you want any posed/staged photos at all that is!
In an ideal world, all group photos would look something like this…
and these…
…Chilled-out, totally relaxed, sometimes even completely candid and caught in the moment images! That first image may look like some epic staged affair, but in actual fact took about six minutes to setup and shoot. Then everyone was called in for their meal!
(BELOW) Still don’t believe me that group shots can be quick to shoot and totally natural? Here’s a selection of fun alternative shots taken around the time of me shooting the formal versions.
Photo 1 - Taken just after the formal group photo…
Photo 2 - Taken just before the formal group photo….
Photo 3 - THE formal group photo… (as formal as it gets with me!)
(BELOW) The boys!
The best advice I can give you for getting really relaxed shots of lads, is to have a drink! Have a few beers… chill out with each other, and then I’ll approach you and take a fun group photo. And you never know, I may even catch a fleeting BROMANCE moment too.
(BELOW) A perfect example of a candid group photo. The bride and her bridesmaids all gathered, waiting to go through to the ceremony room.
(BELOW) The girls! Here’s a small collection of extremely simple setups. As you’ll see, whether you’ve got 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more bridesmaids… I like to keep the frame filled, but a nice simple and clean shot. Minimal distractions and always a cool backdrop.
(BELOW) Here’s a collection of group photos that really benefit from vibrant colours. I always edit my images in a subtle manner. I’m not a fan over over-saturated filters/presets at all. I want my photos to look natural, and truly representative of the day you got married!
(BELOW) For this large family group photo I shot in France last year I continued shooting after I’d taken the simple group photo. I personally prefer the second shot! It has a lot more energy and humour to it than the first. But what I like isn’t always what everyone else likes, so I will always deliver both options to the couple.
(BELOW) Mix it up! Blending the boys and girls together for a fun and (moderately) formal shot.
(BELOW) Find the perfect location… and stick to that perfect location.
(BELOW) Go with the flow. I shoot SO many frames when I’m doing the groups. Probably because I’m rattling through them as quick as possible so you can get back to the party, but also because I always capture the unexpected, and random events that happen in the moments in between!
(BELOW) In my experience the wider picture is ALWAYS more interesting…
(BELOW) This kid was slowly sliding out of the shot… I think he heard an ice cream van go by!
(BELOW) Suggesting something a little different - Its not unusual for me to say to a bunch of flower girls “JUMP!”… this instantly makes them do something fun, but also creates a cool portrait.
Asking a groom and his groomsman to climb onto the roof of the fire engine that brought the bride to the wedding…
Or even asking the bridesmaids and the bride to have a little dance to loosen up!
So that’s it… my very brief guide to getting your group photos done in the easiest and most stress-free way possible. Just have fun, keep smiling, and PLEASE just stick to the 10 minute rule! Trust me, you’ll thank me in the end.
Thanks for taking the time to look at this post I’ve put together. If you like the look of these images I’ve shot, and think I’d be a perfect fit for your wedding day, please get in contact with me and lets chat!
If you’ve already booked me, GREAT! Please take these tips on board and I promise to give you a collection of amazing images from your wedding day that you’ll love looking at for the rest of your lives.
Oxford pre-wedding shoot in autumn - Sarah and Jamie
“Hi Ed!
Thanks for the link, we've now had a chance to sit down and look at the photo's and we love them! Thanks for spending the time with us, it was a great idea to do this before the wedding and we are excited for the pictures on the day.”
Happy New Year! Hope you all had a lovely festive break.
Hasn’t the weather been terrible though?! Dark days and constant rain seem to have been around for ages now… roll on Spring!
Well, what better way to brighten up your new year than by showing you a pre-wedding shoot I shot back in November (you know, that month we had all the floods!). Yes, we did encounter some flooded areas on our stroll around Oxford, but that didn’t stop Sarah and Jamie from smiling, and getting a bit of time in front of the camera before their wedding this year. It may have been a damp day, but look at those vibrant autumnal colours still on the trees! I absolutely love shooting in the Autumn months. The golden tones of the leaves really does make for a gorgeous natural backdrop on photos.
Thanks for a lovely afternoon Sarah + Jamie, I really can’t wait to see you again when I photograph your wedding.
If you’ve booked me to shoot your wedding day, and you’re a bit anxious about being photographed, booking in a pre-wedding shoot is a great way to not only see how much fun having your photo taken can be, but its also a great way to meet me, so it doesn’t feel like a stranger arriving on your wedding day. We can always go for a coffee afterwards to chat through your plans for the big day… or if you need a bit of dutch courage before the shoot we can always meet at a pub first!
2019 - End of year slideshow
I’ve edited and delivered over 35,000 images this year, so narrowing that number down to just 55 of my favourite frames for this slideshow was extremely hard.
2019 started off with my first wedding of the year on Valentines Day with a lovely London elopement. Made even more special by the fact that the couple only booked me a couple of weeks before the wedding day.
With weddings all over the UK, France, and Spain, I’ve really enjoyed visiting lots of new venues I hope to shoot at again soon. One thing I’ve really noticed this year from my enquiries is that it seems a new wedding venue opens up every week in the UK!
On a personal note its been a very joyful year with us welcoming our beautiful second son Jonah into the world in April. His arrival prompted me to choose to take on less weddings this year than ever before and it has not only allowed me to give my couples the best service they deserve, its also allowed me to spend lots more time with my family.
Unlike previous years I’ve gone for a bit more of a slow song for this slideshow. At just 2 minutes long I promise not to take up too much of your day. Even though its a shorter slideshow than I’d normally make, its still full of fun, emotion, relaxed portraits and most off all (and my favourite)… documentary style wedding photography!
Many thanks to all of you that booked me to shoot your wedding this year… I hope you love the moments I captured for many years to come.
I’m really excited about my 2020 weddings, and have still got dates available if you’ve not yet booked a photographer… just get in touch!
Have a great Christmas everyone, and a very happy new year.
Ed.
Clapton Country Club London wedding - Lauren and Tim
Were you a guest at this wedding?
Below is just a selection of my favourite shots from the day, but why don't you take a look at their online gallery and download some photos... for free!
Simply click HERE - Then get the password from Lauren + Tim, and download as many HI-RES images as you want!
If you scroll through this wedding and think "WOW! Yeah... these are the kind of fun and relaxed photos I want at my wedding!" Then please do get in touch and lets chat.
Quorn & Woodhouse steam train wedding - Emily and Jack
“We are so thrilled with our photos!
Ed is a very warm and friendly chap and really put us and our guests at ease on the day. We had many comments after the wedding about how unobtrusive he was, and looking through the pictures there are so many moments he's captured where we didn't even realise at the time that he was there. He fitted perfectly with the fun and relaxed day we wanted. We were aware when looking for a photographer that our ceremony venue would be tricky to photograph because of the lighting but Ed perfectly captured the atmosphere.
We can't stop looking through the photos - there are so many beautiful pictures and we could not be more pleased with our choice of photographer. Can't recommend Ed enough if you are looking for a less formal, more relaxed vibe to your photos. Thank you Ed!” - Emily & Jack
Were you a guest at this wedding?
Below is just a selection of my favourite shots from the day, but why don't you take a look at their online gallery and download some photos... for free!
Simply click HERE - Then get the password from Emily + Jack, and download as many HI-RES images as you want!
If you scroll through this wedding and think "WOW! Yeah... these are the kind of fun and relaxed photos I want at my wedding!" Then please do get in touch and lets chat.
Outdoor Lake District wedding - Emma and Ollie
The Lake District has always been one of my favourite places to visit on holiday. And whenever I get a wedding enquiry for the Lakes I always think about the stunning scenery and peaceful settings the area has to offer… a photographers dream.
Emma + Ollie got married in the colourful gardens at Another Place hotel and spa, on the shores of Ullswater. The venue was just as amazing as I was hoping for!
When it comes to fitness I think these two wrote the book. They are both insanely fit. Emma went for a swim in the lake at 8am on the morning of her wedding… and Ollie and the lads went off to the nearest Park Run. Plus, as I was heading to the venue to photograph the girls going for their refreshing dip in the water I drove past Emma running towards me on the road… getting in a few miles under her feet before getting married!
The beautiful ceremony was conducted by a friend, and included some very emotional readings, and a great sing-a-long to “Are you ready for love?” by Elton John.
After some mingling and being congratulated by all their family and friends we made our way down to the lake some portraits in the glorious sunshine. It was then back up the hill to the yurt where the speeches and wedding breakfast were held, before making their way back into the main building and partying the night away with another friend helping out on DJ duty, and a band providing the music for a fun-packed and lively dancefloor. Seriously, I could go on and on with words about how gorgeous this day was… but its easier just to let you scroll down and see for yourself. Make sure you’ve got a good 30-60 minutes free before you dive in though.
Emma + Ollie, thanks for having me along for the day to document your wedding day as it so beautifully unfolded in front of me. You were both such a joy to spend the day with, and totally embraced my relaxed and chilled-out approach to photographing weddings. I hope you and your families enjoy these fun and natural images I captured for many years to come.
Were you a guest at this wedding?
Below is just a selection of my favourite shots from the day, but why don't you take a look at their online gallery and download some photos... for free!
Simply click HERE - Then get the password from Emma + Ollie, and download as many HI-RES images as you want!
If you scroll through this wedding and think "WOW! Yeah... these are the kind of fun and relaxed photos I want at my wedding!" Then please do get in touch and lets chat.
