Although I can adapt to most situations, awareness of these points will greatly improve your wedding photography.
Look up!
Brides, you may be worried about stepping on your wedding dress, and Grooms, I know that’s a lot of people looking at you, but please, don’t look down. This is the most common photograph I delete.
Vicars, Priests, Registrars, Brahman and Rabbis
I would love to photograph reactions during the ceremony. Please make sure you are clear to them about my presence as a photographer. Some officials are wary of wedding photographers, even hostile, so re-assurance may be needed. We can’t risk a difference of opinion on the day. They are usually unfamiliar with my style of wedding photography, so it’s worth mentioning that I don’t use flash and my behaviour will be respectful and discrete. My favoured position is facing towards you, usually to one side, but definitely not at the back.
Speeches
This is a brilliant time for documentary wedding photography, and daylight gets the best results. Please check your timings.
Big hats
Ladies (especially mothers of Bride and Groom), big hats cover your eyes, leaving a view of noses and chins. Is this how you would like to be photographed?
Guest Photography
Photography is a great hobby, but your wedding is not the place to practice. I’m not concerned about pocket cameras, it’s guests with big cameras and all the kit that become a problem. Put simply, they get in the way and I have to work around them. A few keen photographers will turn your wedding into a media circus, which is exactly what I try to avoid. They may mean well, but after a glass of wine, they often behave like Paparazzi, and your guests will feel self conscious. I work hard to build trust, and I get great results because I don’t make people feel uncomfortable. I will try to be tolerant of keen amateurs, but you are paying me for a guaranteed result. If I feel this is at risk because of an indiscreet photographer, or too many of them, I have to step in. Besides, why hide behind a camera when you are a guest at a wedding? It means you’re not joining in! My advice; encourage your guests to leave their big cameras at home, and unless you tell me otherwise, I reserve the right to stop any photographer who affects my work.
Video
For similar reasons, video affects my work adversely. Please speak to me before you book professionals.