What is your most memorable wedding?
My most memorable wedding has to be the Laxtons'. It was the 1st of June 2022 and it was the most beautiful clear, sunny day with blue skies. The morning of the wedding was an interesting experience: I walked in to photograph the groom prep to discover the groom's trouser zip had completely broken! The groomsmen had to do a mad rush to the nearest town (which was a half hour away) to buy him some new trousers (unbeknown to his bride-to-be)! Luckily, that was resolved - and the rest of the day ran completely smoothly! I drove the bride & groom to the nearest beach at High Newton-by-the-Sea, Alnwick. We came across an ice-cream van along the way, where I managed to blag the couple a free ice-cream (bonus!!) - and we got some fun snaps of them by the van before heading down to the seafront. Their dog, Rosco, was also there waiting with his dedicated handler - and we captured a lovely family shot of them altogether! By the end of the evening, the sun had just started to set, so I took the couple outside to capture some sunset silhouette snaps! We definitely made the most of a stunning venue (Newton Hall) and the perfect weather! What more could you ask for?
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Free-flow, vibrant, relaxed, artistic, considered
What about your business are you most proud of?
I take great pride in my process and approach towards couples. From the initial enquiry to our wedding consultation and the delivery of the wedding photographs, I maintain a calm, relaxed and accommodating approach throughout the entire wedding journey. I have received a lot of positive feedback from couples and their wedding guests about my professional, chilled-out and friendly approach to capturing their weddings! My experience of getting married myself has given me invaluable insight into how it feels to be a bride on her wedding day, which I believe is a significant advantage for me as a professional wedding Photographer! I have been told I am great with children of all ages and abilities. My business is SEND-inclusive and LGBT+ inclusive. <3
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Embrace the unexpected! Something will probably go t*ts up at some stage - but don't let that spoil your day. Focus on the fact that you're marrying the love of your life and that's all that matters! I've photographed so many weddings and very rarely it all goes to plan. And if it does, and everything goes 100% perfectly on the surface, there's always something behind the scenes that you might not even notice. At our wedding, I discovered that our venue staff dropped a mic down the back of one of the fridges in the kitchen - they told me afterwards and I laughed about it, thinking that I'd seen it all before in my job photographing weddings. It went unseen and unspoken of, which shows the professionalism of the staff and the true nature of the typical behind-the-scenes scenarios at a wedding.
My top tip:
Delegate tasks to the venue staff as they will be more than happy to accommodate you on your special day.
You can read my 10 top tips for wedding bliss on my blog - www.mpweddingphotography.co.uk/post/wedding-bliss-my-10-tips-for-a-stress-free-and-unforgettable-big-day
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
It has to be the GIANT pork pie wedding cake (shaped like a love heart) featured at one of my couples' weddings. I wasn't expecting it - and wasn't prepared for it - but it was definitely something I won't forget!
Describe your typical process with a couple.
I would typically schedule a meeting over the phone, or via video call. This gives us the perfect opportunity to get to know one another and see if we're the right fit! I provide plenty of updates throughout my clients' wedding journey, answering any queries the bride or groom may have, at any stage of their journey. I work closely with the couple and their venue to arrange the most suitable time for their pre-wedding shoot and pre-wedding consultation, which are usually scheduled on the same day. During the pre-wedding shoot, we explore the venue together, scoping out the couple's preferred spots for their wedding photographs to be taken. I listen intently to what the couple's preferences are, which often include: photography style, poses they are comfortable with, poses that don't suit them well and whether they feel comfortable and happy throughout!
What is the No. 1 photo that you think every couple should take?
The ceremony exit (complete with plenty of confetti!). I would recommend using confetti cannons, as this will ensure you get a good, even covering of colourful confetti and it will create a more visually exciting, fun shot giving that 'WOW' factor!
What is the most original photo you’ve been asked to take at a wedding?
I photographed a wedding earlier this year at Northside Farm. During the pre-wedding consultation, we discussed shots the couple wanted and the layout of the venue, which happened to have a play park. One of the shots I took featured the bride flying down a zipline after a few Proseccos (and having the time of her life, might I add!) - it definitely made for some fun and unforgettable action shots!
What do you recommend for a rainy day wedding?
I'm going to say something controversial here: don't check the forecast! I'm a firm believer in the phrase 'what will be, will be'. Your suppliers are instrumental in ensuring your day goes as smoothly as possible - myself included! So rest assured that there will be a plan in place for those drizzly days. Personally, I arrive early to the venue and scope out the best locations in which to take photographs. I find that staff are more than accommodating to show me the best indoor locations for my couples' photographs.
Describe how you got into photography.
In 2012, shortly after my daughter Rosie was born, I applied for an Assistant Photographer position at a local photography studio. One of my responsibilities was assisting in photographing weddings for the business. After a couple of years, I gained a steady client base and started my own business, where I photographed events, portraits, and weddings - I loved it! After having my son Harry in 2022, I decided to focus solely on wedding photography. This decision brought me immense joy and satisfaction in capturing clients' weddings, sharing in their special day, and creating long-lasting memories for them.