Day off from the cameras today. Bit of Tri training on the bike and pool, few cold ones then back to a fully booked portrait studio tmw! Great bonus last night when we bumped into to photographer Syd Shelton and his lovely wife Carol whos been exhibiting his photography work in Pula. You may remember Syd for his work with Rock against Racism and other great rock photography. I cut my photographic teeth in the music industry so it was a pleasure to share a few stories and beers! Congrats to Carol on Her Phd
Got some great wall art out here and its a definate comeback place for my limited edition photography, art and culture. See you tmw!!
Just back from shooting new art and landscape images in the beautiful towns of Rovinj and Groznjan on my creative trip to Istria in Croatia. Finishing off with an evening shoot in Pula with its stunning amphitheatre (better preserved than the one in Rome, and less tourists!!) Sorry cant download any work as connections not liking downloads, but will be displaying the finished work on my new art site connected to this site very soon.
Julie has moved into the studio full time to give 24hr cover whilst Im away as usual, so please contact her with any queries. See you all far too soon!!
Look at the photographers wedding (and other) work, then REALLY look at it! Is it REALLY different? I know its an old cliche, but the difference is the difference. Is there just a lot of nice shots of wedding shoes and dresses and not many fantastic shots of the people in them! If they are claiming to be “art” images, make sure its not an excuse for badly composed, badly exposed snaps (a poor shot is a poor shot, no matter how its explained away!) A photographer trained in photographic art does not automatically make a wedding photographer (as much as some would like to think!)
If their wedding style is reportage or fly on the wall make sure they have the personality to create some groups and beautiful images with the minimum of fuss and effort as they dont just happen. Most fantastic wedding images are created and not left to chance. A photographer(s) hoping something will happen is more likely to disappoint. The result of an average/inexperienced photographer taking his mate/wife/girlfriend along to help , will generally provide you with twice as many average/inexperienced images to choose from!
I have been blessed with a great sense of well placed humour and the ability to relax the most nervous of wedding couples and guests. Combining this with a vast knowledge of all photographic styles, drawn from over 1200 weddings, I would invite you to pop down to visit my Beverley studio nr Hull and let me help you have a fantastic day. I hope these posts will help you make an informed choice on the person to capture your wedding day, and remember, if your not sure dont be afraid to ask!!
Sophie and James are actually having their wedding reception in Hull as I post this blog! Now it doesnt get much faster than this! Lovely wedding day and the rain has stopped so were going out to play when the coffees been drunk….
Sophie made her own beautiful little speech that had the room in tears. www.kingstontheatrehotel.com is looking good with helpful staff and good food. Two lovely families and a privilege to be capturing it. ps neil, if your reading this, mines a lager and Ill see you in two minutes!!
Ask the person who you are meeting if it will be them who is taking your wedding photographs on the day. Also ask if the portfolios and albums (there should be many!) are the work of the person who will be capturing your day and not mixed together with the companies various other photographers or franchisees. If the person selling the work is not the possible photographer for your wedding day, ask to meet them and if they too are a full time professional. Getting on with your photographer is one of the most important things on Your day, dont leave it until the wedding to find out the chemistry isnt there!
All of my weddings (portraits, PR and commercial shoots!) are photographed exclusively by myself to ensure the highest quality and service. Its also me you will chat to when drinking our lovely coffee and viewing my work!
The lovely Laura and Tony married at the very photo friendly www.cavecastlehotel.com . Great group of friends and family made for a relaxed wedding photography shoot ! Many thanks (as usual) to Debs and the staff at Cave Castle. Ive taken wedding photography at this venue over 150 times and still find new and different places and photographic styles to shoot! All images live on here at end of the week. Enjoy
Question 4 is really a follow on from No 1. Its about EXPERIENCE, which I believe is one of the most important things your photographer must have.
When booking your photographer, you are paying for some one who can not only capture great images on a beautiful day, with a couple who love posing, fantastic location, loads of time and a bride who arrives on time, but some one who can still produce the same quality on a wet, cold day with a bride running 25 minutes late, an angry vicar, awful location and a groom who really doesnt want to be in any photos anyway! ( I know, Ive photographed that wedding!). Experience doesnt mean 10-20 weddings for mainly friends and family but hundreds, in all places and all conditions. Many wanna be snappers have seen a top pro such as myself working effortlessly through the day and think “easy money, I can do that”. Many Brides who have cut corners are now discovering that is not the case.
Ask your wedding photographer how much experience they REALLY have. Ask to see weddings taken on a rainy, cold day. Ask to see real weddings, not set ups with their mates/models in dresses borrowed from the local bridal shop or photo shoots with the wedding dress designer. They have their place but not in portfolios or adverts for real wedding photography.
Naive overconfidence should not be confused with professionalism brought about by that word again, EXPERIENCE.
Ask if they are a PROFESSIONAL wedding photographer, then check that they really are! Not a graphic designer, builder or beautician etc taking wedding or portrait photography “on the side”.
In my eyes, a professional wedding or portrait photographer is somebody who is a full timer and earns the majority, if not all, of their income from that trade. How would you feel about the butcher offering to rewire your house as hes done a two day wiring course and has some nice tools but can only see you inbetween dealing with his real customers!
If they are members of an organisation, that also doesnt mean they are professional. Ask if its a professional photographer only organisation and if they are qualified.
I have been a professional photographer for over 20 years and am a QUALIFIED member of the Master Photographers Association. Being a qualified member of such an organisation shows higher levels of photographic skill have been achieved and gives the client a professional photographic body to approach in case of issues.
A perfect wedding day on Saturday with the beautiful Hannie and Jonathan. Top vicar Andy from St Augustines church nr Hull led the service followed by a fabulous reception and evening celebration at Rise Hall overseen by the totally professional Chris and his team. Dress from the Deborah Moore of Hull, flowers from Glenholme of Beverley and Cars from Silver Lane of Hull all came together to create a brilliant day. The ever young Shaun Finch and his band rocked the evening wedding celebrations!
