Mary Smith Photography

Last summer, I photographed a wedding at Crear in Argyll, Scotland. It is the most stunning location for a wedding. Nicole and Simon had an outdoor wedding and we went to the beach for their bride and groom portrait session. Their wedding was a relaxed day full of laughter and I would love to return to this most amazing and beautiful venue.

Relaxed, natural, documentary, candid, romantic.

Turning my dream into a reality and through hard work and training, have developed a wedding business that attracts lovely clients and allows me to do something I love.

Be relaxed on the day, enjoy it and just go with the flow if anything doesn't go to plan.

The mother of a bride, who was a jewellery designer made individual bangles for each of the female guests which doubled as a napkin ring.

I meet with the couple or chat on Skype and discuss their plans and what they are looking for from their photographer. I liked to get to know my couples and what is important to them. I have several examples of wedding albums I show my clients. Once a booking has been made, I send a wedding contract and take a booking fee. We then arrange a pre wedding shoot which is a good opportunity for us to get to know each other. A few weeks before the wedding I will get in touch to discuss final details and arrange a venue visit if it is a new venue to me. Throughout the wedding day, I am unobtrusive in my approach, friendly and chat to the guests. I like to capture the day in a documentary way, telling the story and also creating beautiful, romantic but natural couple shots as well as any group shots that are required. I usually stay until a few dances after first dance. I edit the images from the wedding and upload them within 4 weeks to a private gallery on my website.

Everyone's wedding is unique but if we have a sunset I will always try to persuade my couples to come outside, even if it is in the middle of the meal. Golden hour is the best time for photographs.

A bride and groom with their lovely dog.

Just go with the flow and embrace it. I have an umbrella and rain shots can be amazing.

I have been a keen amateur photographer since I was in my 20's. I lived overseas for 12 years and started as a travel and street photographer and when I lived in Oman, I started to sell my prints to galleries and shops. Fellow expatriates soon asked me to take their family photographs and when I returned to UK in 2010 decided to train and pursue my dream of being a professional photographer. Here I am now, doing what I love!