Ask me a question…
I know it can be quite a daunting process looking at wedding photographers and there are so many questions I get asked all the time. I get why people ask them because they are the same questions I would be looking for the answers to when looking for a wedding photographer. I love getting a chance to meet potential couples wanting to book me to capture their day and below are some of the questions I get asked frequently when on a call or meeting someone in person. Have a look through and hopefully one of yours is on here, if it isn’t then feel free to ask me when we have a chat about your wedding plans.
Tap on the each question to expand it and see my answer or use the filter to organise the questions by category.
I offer a single package with add-ons as required. My main package is based on telling your day’s story and is for a full day of wedding photography cover. However, I understand that some couples don’t want the entire day or perhaps don’t want particular add-ons. I am also happy to assemble some bespoke packages based on your needs. From slightly less coverage through to albums, prints and second photographers. You can find out all about what I offer on my pricing page.
My preferred method would be whatever is easiest for you guys. Ideally, email, but if you have a burning question or something small that needs a quick answer, feel free to message/WhatsApp me or call me on my mobile phone.
I have a clause in my contract about rescheduling, and I understand that it is often the last thing that anyone wants to have to do. I, therefore, know that if you’re coming to me to have to reschedule, then it must be pretty profound, and I take it on a case-by-case basis to work with you in finding the best solution. All I ever ask is for couples to be truthful about why they need to reschedule and to work with me to find a date that works for everyone, if possible.
I don’t insist my clients buy me a meal during the wedding day. But as many of my clients know, I love food, and it’s a great way to my heart, so if you organised for me to have a meal, I’ll always be super appreciative. But I also understand that budgets can be tight, and getting me a meal certainly doesn’t need to be top of the list. All I ask is for my clients to let me know either way. It means I can make provisions for a meal by grabbing something from the restaurant/bar at the venue, going off-site to get something, or even bringing food with me.
My style focuses on documenting your day (I love capturing stories unfold) and taking a short time out to get you some fantastic wall space-worthy wedding portraits. One thing I’m not is the photographer who will spend hours lining people up for list after list of photos when all you want to do is enjoy this fantastic day with your guests. But don’t get me wrong, I will still get some essential family photos if you wish; read my post about whether you should have family group photos on your wedding day. The most important thing for you though, in my opinion, is to have amazing images that tell the story of your once-in-a-lifetime special day.
It’s what I live for. After all, that is the basis of documentary photography, telling a story. That story often lives in unexpected candid moments. Enough said!
Firstly, the only reason this would ever be an issue would be because I am either on death’s door or because of an apocalyptic event preventing me from being at your wedding. That said, though, I am lucky enough to be part of a much more comprehensive network of other professionals I can call on to document your day. Of course, if anything like this were to happen, I would communicate with you as a couple through the entire experience and take away all the problems for you guys. Without wanting to jinx myself, though, in over 13 years as a wedding photographer, this protocol hasn’t had to be invoked!
At the time of booking, there is a booking fee to pay along with your signature on the contract. After that, the wedding photography package balance is due 28 days before your wedding date. I will always contact you before the 28 days to check any final details, get the family group shots from you, and supply the invoice for payment.
I use two Canon R5 cameras all day and will always have one of them in my hand. I use two cameras for a couple of reasons: I am a photographer who prefers to use prime lenses. That means that my feet become the zoom part of the lens, and I like this to make sure you get a better view of what’s happening in the photo by feeling like you’re in the moment. The second is that a dual camera at hand means I have a level of redundancy should something go wrong with the other camera at a crucial moment. As well as my Canon cameras, I also carry a variety of flash units for use in darker scenes and a drone for some alternative aspects of photos.
Being a wedding photographer for over 13 years means I have seen my fair share of weddings. I have been thoroughly lucky enough to have documented over 250 weddings in that time, from my earlier years building up the number of weddings I photographed each year to my average of around 25-30 per year. Writing this answer down now makes me realise how many unique weddings I have been a part of and a little reminder of how much I have enjoyed being a part of them! Check out some of the latest wedding stories on my blog.
I typically look to shoot 25-30 weddings each year to make sure I can deliver the best customer experience for all my clients. It also allows me to ensure that I am giving time back to my family by not being away every single weekend of the year documenting weddings. Both reasons are super important to me.
You can expect to receive anywhere from 600 images and higher for most of my full-day weddings. It all depends on a few factors, such as what’s happening at the wedding, the number of guests, and whether or not you have chosen to have a second photographer with me on the day. Essentially, because I am documenting what’s happening at your wedding, the more moments that take place, the more there is to capture. One thing you can be sure of is an excellent set of images that tell the story of your day.
Generally speaking, I specialise in full-day wedding coverage. Usually, this is around 2-2.5 hours before your wedding ceremony and an hour after your first dance. Essentially, you are often looking at 10 hours of coverage. For specific dates, I can offer a smaller level of coverage at a bespoke price based on where and when the ceremony occurs. But my primary coverage is a full day, without which I can’t effectively detail the story of your wedding. You can find out more about my packages on my pricing page.
Within a few days after your wedding, you will receive a selection of preview images uploaded to your gallery and a feature on my social profiles. You can view the preview selection of images, which usually consists of around 50 pictures or so, and even share the selection with family and friends through a sneak peek link. I aim to get you the complete set of images within six weeks. I certainly don’t rush my editing because I would rather you have excellent-quality edited images than rushed edits. However, if it is a busy part of the season, I may need a couple of extra weeks, but I will communicate that with you if that’s the case.
You should book as early as you can. If you have your venue booked (and registrars if required) and know I am the photographer you want to book, you should do this early. If you leave it too late, another couple could have booked me. Most of my couples tend to enquire and book on an 18-month timeline. But people who want to get me for their date sometimes book even earlier than this. I limit myself to a certain number of weddings per year, so if I have hit the maximum number I wish to capture in a year, I will also close my books for that year. I would apply this principle to all the suppliers you have set your heart on.
As soon as you can is my best advice. If you like my photography style, editing, and work, get in the diary as soon as possible. The reason is that people are booking wedding photographers well before their wedding day, and I often take bookings 12-18 months in advance. It would be a shame if you had decided I was within your budget and you would like to work with me to find out someone else had managed to sneak into the diary before you. Meeting me on a call or in person at your earliest convenience is a great way to start things rolling, though I usually always meet people before booking to make sure we are a good fit to work together.
Before your wedding day, I will have already spoken with you about your timeline. I will have the key elements that are taking place there, where everything is, and at what time. We will add any photographic elements we need to consider into the timeline, such as some time for portraits and your family and friend group photos. I always have a copy of the timeline documentation on my phone and a nifty app on my Apple Watch, so it’s always on hand! If anything changes on the day, I usually roll with it and work out a solution if it impacts something else. Quite often, though, there is either some form of planner or coordinator to work with at each wedding, which also makes things run smoothly. I will always aim to stick to your timeline, though we don’t want to make anyone late for any food or drinks, now do we?
I always assign image usage rights to you as a client, and you will get that in the form of a document stating you have the rights to use the images. All the pictures supplied are high-res files without any watermarks or restrictions to use other than for sale without prior agreement.
Well, that’s the beauty of documentary photography. I am living for the unexpected to ensure I document it correctly to tell the story of your day. I have been there when the wedding party has had to retire indoors because of a freak snowstorm or singing waiters doing an ensemble between courses at the wedding breakfast. If we know there will be foul weather, I will always try and have a plan b and c. Lousy weather can often create the opportunity for exciting and dramatic photos if you guys are up for participating.
How I would handle a low-light situation depends entirely on what is happening. For instance, if it’s for a portrait session and enough ambient light is available, I would use it to my advantage. In situations like this, it could well create some gorgeous dramatic portraits. But on the other hand, if it were something like the dancefloor, I would use my flash lighting to ensure I capture the action. I take each low-light situation based on what is happening at the time and work accordingly to what I think is the best option.
I start with a list. This list will have all the groups you would like me to photograph, with each person named individually. Take the group shots at a specific part of your wedding day timeline to ensure they fit in at an appropriate point without taking anything away from the day. I’ll usually find a suitable spot to take the photos that works well for composition and lighting. I will always bring a few copies of the list with me and ask a few sensible people at your wedding party to help gather each set of people. Usually, some bridesmaids or groomsmen do this bit, and I always ask them to bring a couple of groups at a time to help prevent any time standing around and waiting. I’ll always talk to the group and keep the humour levels high to make it as much of an experience as possible for everyone. You can learn more about the group photos in my blog post.
Being aware of what is happening while I focus on telling the story of a wedding day helps me to see those unique moments. Often, people think the photographer is just there to ‘take photos’, but to capture the fun and feels in those moments, you’re paying the photographer to ‘be aware’. I love seeing connections between people, and that curiosity drives my awareness of being present and seeing what is happening on the day to enable me to document those unique moments as they happen.
I don’t spend vast amounts of time capturing posed photographs, including a few VIP photos with family and friends. Then, some directed couples portraits are taken, and the rest is spent documenting your wedding day. You are striking the perfect balance to give you the essential posed photos you want while allowing you to spend time with family and friends on your wedding day.
I work with second photographers from time to time whenever it is necessary to need a second photographer. That being said, I have photographed around 95% of my weddings alone. That doesn’t mean you don’t have to choose not to have a second photographer with me, but it’s certainly something to discuss to see if you need two of us.
I work great with other suppliers and am certainly used to working with them. I have several suppliers that I have worked with regularly and would recommend to my couples, too. The only advice I suggest is to make sure that you choose your suppliers based on how they work and the styles you like. For instance, if you’re selecting a videographer who likes to do a lot of posing and creating shots but chose me as your photographer because you wanted a laid-back approach. You’re essentially booking opposite styles, which might not give you the experience you’re after. I always enjoy a wedding when working with a great wedding planner, too, as they help keep things on track, and the lovely ones sometimes help me with a few things, too.
When booking, I will ask you to sign a contract binding my services to your wedding date. You will have plenty of time to review the contract, which has all the usual elements you can expect from a good and honest wedding photography contract. If you wish to see one before booking, let me know when we chat.
I photograph weddings all over the UK and even abroad. As much as I love an excellent Peak District wedding, I don’t limit myself to this area. There are so many unique venues and people around our isles that I am more than happy to travel to document a wedding. It just means that my prices for my packages farther away will be a little higher to allow for travel and accommodation. If you want me as your wedding photographer, don’t let your location limit you. If I’m available and can work within your budget, I will be there, camera and all!
Prints are something I am big on. I encourage all my couples to print their photos, and I love it when they share their printed images on the walls of their homes with me. I include some print credit in my full-day package so you can put some money towards having something nice done for the home. My packages don’t include albums, but I offer them as an add-on service, so you can choose to book one at the time of booking, or if you decide you want one later, I can do that, too. If you have some spare time, why not read about why I think it’s a great idea to have an album? You can also read about my experiences of how I feel about my mum and dad’s wedding album.
Absolutely. I prefer to call them pre-wedding photoshoots since you guys are already engaged. I also take surprise engagement photos for people about to get engaged, so it makes more sense to distinguish the difference between them! A pre-wedding photoshoot is an excellent opportunity to get some fantastic photos and feel more comfortable in front of the camera. Have a little read of a few reasons why I think it’s worth having a pre-wedding photoshoot.
I have both public liability and equipment insurance. If your venue does need to see evidence of a certificate for any reason, then it’s not a problem to supply it.
I have experience photographing destination weddings and have been lucky to have visited some beautiful locations. If you’re thinking of getting married outside of the UK and want me as your wedding photographer, please contact me.
I do have experience photographing multicultural weddings, which I love to capture. It’s lovely to witness a variety of cultural weddings, and I always look forward to capturing cultures at a wedding, which I have yet to document. My style of photography means that with a documentary approach, I can still capture great images, even if it’s a ceremony with which I am not overly familiar.
This is an ambiguous question to have in an FAQ section, but I would love to answer it on a call and explain why it’s not always as important as people think. Having photographed at a venue before can be a great advantage because of various perceived advantages. But in saying that, I love going to a venue for the first time because it allows me greater creativity to see something for the first time and capture it without any preconceptions. I have worked like this with many venues where it’s been my first or my only time documenting a wedding there. You can see some real wedding stories and their locations over on my latest wedding story blog.
As well as using two cameras that act as backups between each other, the reality is that I could manage an entire day just using one camera, and each camera has an image backup system within them. Each camera has 2 card slots, and every photo I take is replicated across these cards to make two copies of each photo. This means that if something were to go wrong with one card, the images would be safe on the other. As well as the cameras, I have multiple lenses to cover the focal lengths I need. I also have numerous flash units. Should anything go wrong with one of them, I always have a backup available to cover that, too. I also carry many spare batteries and memory cards, so each eventuality is covered on a wedding day.
I have been lucky enough to work with some fantastic suppliers over the years, and you can find out more about them on my recommended suppliers page. Or you can ask me for anything specific about another supplier you are considering. I’m here to help.
I most certainly do. It is one of the most critical parts of me being your photographer. I take my photos with my editing in mind, so I wouldn’t want to leave that to chance by outsourcing it to someone else. I edit each image individually using professional software before each photo is output as a high-resolution file for delivery.
I include my travel and accommodation costs within the package, so there are no surprises you may need to account for. Quite often, anything significantly far from my Peak District base will mean I must stay overnight, at least the evening before the wedding. I always prefer to travel a short distance on the wedding morning since it leaves too much to chance regarding travel disruption.
If you need to hear anything from past client’s experiences, look at my website’s feedback page. But if you want to dig further and ensure the reviews are legitimate, you can check out my Google Business listing or my Facebook Page feedback. I also created a couple of highlights on my Instagram: kind words and reasons people chose to book me.
I encourage you to share them on social media. Why on earth shouldn’t you? I would never want to prevent anyone from sharing one of the happiest days of their lives with other people. I will also share your images on social media and tag you wherever possible. When sharing them, I would ask you if you can tag me in yours so that people know who took the photo (and so I can see what you love sharing, too).
Of course you can, you can see most of my work on my website here and, more specifically, over on my portfolio page. You can also see my latest up-to-date work on social media, especially on my Instagram feed. If you need to see a full wedding gallery as well, I am always happy to share a gallery privately to help you do your due diligence in my ability. Better still, check out my Best of 2023 wedding photography.
If you need to see a full wedding gallery as well, I am always happy to share a gallery privately to help you do your due diligence in my ability. Better still, check out my Best of 2023 wedding photography.
My style of photography is documentary with a tiny element of posed photos and some couples portraits. The posed photos would be your family and friend shots that you want to get, and I would always encourage you to have them since they form your family legacy. As part of my pre-wedding communication with you, I will always ask you for a list of these groups before the day. You can read more about having group photos in an article I have written. If you have had a pre-wedding shoot with me and there are some poses you liked and want to do again in your couples portraits, just let me know. Other than this, I request that you do not have a list of photos you would like. I will be there already for all the essential moments and documenting the day as I see it. If I have a list to refer to constantly, it drastically inhibits my ability to remain a documentary photographer and do what I do best. If this question interests you, I’d encourage you to learn more about my style.
Please meet me. Meeting before you commit to having me as your photographer is important because a wedding day is so emotional and intimate. It is essential for everyone to feel comfortable around one another, especially as I will be one of the suppliers with whom you spend the most time during the day. I love to meet up at a local pub or a coffee shop for a chat. I am happy to come over to your home if you’re not too far from Hathersage and are comfortable with that. Alternatively, I can drop you an invite to chat on Zoom to keep things efficient and get around any long-distance chats. That was at least one good thing to come out of the Covid situation!
I am happy to assemble some bespoke packages based on your needs. From extra or less coverage through to albums, prints and second photographers. You can find out all about what I offer on my pricing page, and if you are looking for something different, contact me and let me know.
Share and then share some more. I love it when couples share the gallery of images with friends and family. I encourage you to do this, and my gallery system makes it easy for you to have complete control over your gallery. INcluding who can and can’t have access to the photos. When in the gallery, people can order prints (cost dependent on the photo size) and download the images they like entirely free. They won’t even have any watermarks and will be the high-resolution versions, too.
None. The price you get for your package includes everything in it. If I need to travel or book accommodation to be your wedding photographer, I will have already made allowances and include it in the price. The only additional costs would be if you decided you wanted to create an album afterwards, you needed me to stay at the wedding longer or something else like deciding you need a second photographer if they’re not already quoted in your package, that is. I like to keep things simple and offer straightforward pricing without hidden extras!
