About Wedding Photography 

What is a wedding photographer?
A photographer who specialises in photographing weddings.

What makes a wedding photographer different from other photographers?
Photographing weddings requires a certain skill set. There a number of technical challenges presented at weddings. lighting conditions can vary from one extreme to the other in a very short space of time (think inside a church and then stepping outside on a bright summer's day) this means working very fast to maintain the correct exposure. Inside venues can present a whole host of lighting difficulties, converted barns can often be dark with high ceilings and when the DJ or band starts the disco lights can play havoc, I actually quite like disco lights as they add a new dimension to photographs but it can easily be ruined by a green light on the brides face!

You have to be a product photographer in order to photograph all of the detail shots. Capturing ring shots, bouquets, jewellery, shoes, stationary etc required close up detail shots and many couples love these shots. Whilst you're unlikely to print these and hang them on your wall they are are great images to include in your wedding album as they help to tell the story of your day. The biggest trait required of a wedding photographer, especially a documentary one is to be personable. You need to be in amongst the action all day. During bride preparations you will be in usually fairly confined spaces. You need to be comfortable working and being in the company of the whole bridal party as well as the brides family and other friends or relatives. A wedding photographer is able to blend all of these skills into a friendly face. You need to be a real peoples person. Photographing weddings lets you into so many peoples lives. You meet so many people, some that become great friends, others you’ll remember forever and then some you wish you could forget. The thing about weddings is that no two are the same, the occasion the people the venue, the styling, everything differs and this makes being a wedding photographer the best job in the world. You never quite know what type of day you’re in for.

Is it hard work being a wedding photographer? 
Sure, it may look like a lot of fun and let me tell you it certainly is! But, wedding photographers work really hard for their money. It's a labour of love so there are usually never any complaints.

What equipment do you need to become a wedding photographer?
A camera is a good start but actually you will need at least two. Ideally 3 plus lenses, and these will depend on the type of photographs you want to take. A good starting point is two DSLR camera bodies, one with a 70mm - 200mm lens and the other with a 24mm - 70mm, this will give you the full focal range you need. Many photographers (myself included) prefer to shoot with prime lenses as they tend to be much faster, better in low light and render a nicer bokeh. You’ll also need a minimum of two speed lights, spare batteries and memory cards. Don’t skimp on memory cards, buy high quality fast cards. This is where your data is stored, a corrupt card is no good to anyone and could ruin the entire wedding shoot.

How much does a wedding photographer cost?
Anything in all honesty. You will find photographers who are just starting out that will photograph your wedding for free or you can spend 10’s of thousands on high profile photographers. There is literally a photographer for all budgets. 

Should I print my wedding photos?
100% yes! Be sure to print your wedding photos. It doesn’t matter who, how, what or why but be sure to print some. Printing photos is not only a beautiful way to view them but it also creates a true archive. I have written a blog post all about this which you can read here.

How much does a wedding photo album cost?
Online wedding albums are available from budget printers from £40 these will typically have a printed cover and fairly lightweight printed pages similar to that of a typical hardback book. If you can afford it then investing in a professional wedding album is definitely advisable. It will last for generations, display your entire day in a high-quality images and the pages will be much thicker boards, often a millimetre or two thick. These can be wrapped in luxury materials such as leather or fine fabrics. There are many choices in page material and covers so it’s best to get a quote which fits your requirements and budget. My prices start at £400 for a 40 page album.

Do I need one or two wedding photographers?
This depends on the specifics of your day. Personally, I like to work alone. My style of photography requires me to blend in. I can shoot weddings (depending on the venue) up to around 200 guests alone and still capture all the guests. If your venue has a particularly challenging environment which means it is difficult to move around between guests or is set over a much greater area then additional photographers may be required to ensure the whole wedding is captured to its full. If you require bridal preparation photos as well as groom preparation in locations that present logistical issues a second photographer may be required.

Is it normal to sign a contract for a wedding photographer?
Absolutely, every time you employ a professional photographer you should expect to sign one. Remember, contracts work both ways and are there to protect all parties involved, including you. You should perhaps question if you have not been asked to sign one. There will be various items covered in the contract in particular about copyright and usage. You want to be sure that the photos of you are only used in places you are comfortable with.

Should you supply food for your wedding photographer?
This will depend on your photographer, their contract and the length of time they are being employed for. In my contract, it stipulates a meal is to be provided for full day coverage. This is usually served at the same time as the guests. This is not a full wedding breakfast but a more simple dish. Wedding venues and caterers are very familiar with this and will cater for suppliers requiring food such as band, photographer, DJ etc. 

Should a photographer be insured?
Yes, without a doubt. All businesses should be insured against public liability. We all hope that insurance is never required, especially on a wedding day. But if an unforeseen accident happens on your wedding day you’ll want peace of mind that your photographer (or any supplier) is insured. Quite often venues will require all suppliers including the photographer to hold public liability insurance.

How long does it take to photograph group shots at a wedding?
This depends on the number your require and other factors such as venue limitations. Typically I work fast through this stage and aim to have the group shots wrapped up within 30minutes.

What is candid wedding photography?
Candid wedding photography is a popular documentary style of wedding photography. If you want to read more about candid photography read my post here.

Do you need a wedding photographer?
Your wedding day is your choice so you don’t need to do anything you don’t want to. It’s a common question though. Everyone has camera phones these days and people think that this will cover their wedding photos. However not having a dedicated photographer means you will potentially miss the important moments. A professional photographer’s only job is to capture your day, you’ll receive an album of photographs which are high quality and can be printed and enjoyed forever. They are not going to be forgetting to take pictures because they’re chatting or having a drink at the bar. They will be there in the thick of the action telling the story of your day. The biggest everlasting memory you will take away from your wedding day is the photographs. You should focus much of your attention on choosing a photographer that is right for you.

Should I do an engagement photoshoot?
This is down to preference, some people like to feel comfortable with the photographer shooting their wedding. Having an engagement shoot before the wedding day is a great way to get used to the camera and the photographer. The other great benefit is you will come away with professional images to enjoy. These photos can be displayed on your wedding day, used for invites or save the date and even on personalised guest books.

What happens if a wedding photographer is sick or cancels?
It is a concern that your wedding day rolls around and then the dreaded happens, your photographer goes sick. This is down to the photographer and how they handle it. Most will do whatever they can to arrange a replacement. If you have two photographers booked usually the second photographer will take the lead. If you have only one photographer booked then they will almost certainly help arrange a replacement. In my case, I am part of several large networks of wedding photographers which I can call upon last minute to help. We all support each other in times of need. Saying that I have never missed a wedding yet.