What is your most memorable wedding?
This is one of the hardest questions but always asked. I think for me it has to be the wedding of Tammy and Ian at the wonderful Boathouse in Norfolk.
Tammy had been diagnosed with cancer and was going through chemo, even on the day of her wedding.
I have never met a more positive person in all my life! I wanted to capture every single moment for them both and make sure she was ok on the day.
An amazing day I will never forget!
The pre wedding shoot was just joyful as I got to know them both and we had so much fun and the laughter captured in the photos were even mentioned in the Father of the Brides speech.
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Happy, Smiley, Positive, Creative, Courteous.
What about your business are you most proud of?
The main thing that I always hear in my feedback is that their wedding day would not have been as good without me because I make sure I get involed in the day, talk to everyone, make people smile and capturing the love that is present on the day.
In short, I use my entertaining skills to get the very best out of people and ensure that they have the best day as well as the happy couple.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Always, ALWAYS meet your potential photographer. Ask them lots of questions, get to know them and give enough of yoruself so they get to know you as it makes for such a better experience knowing that they have your back and know you enough to give you the very best and make you feel relaxed.
Describe your typical process with a couple.
I try, as best I can, to get to know as much about the couple as I can. From the free Pre Wedding Shoot, it gives me the opportunity to get to know the couple in a relaxed place they know and love. I keep in touch with regards to the timeline of the days events, to make sure I know exactly where I need to be at what time, so that I can capture the bridal party, then onto the groomsmen or vice versa.
My main aim is to capture the little moments as well as teh bigger ones, so if there are gifts to be opened by each other or the bridesmaids and groomsmen, then I want to be there.
After the ceremony, I usually give the couple 5 minutes and organise the confetti shot and then get all the groupshots done before everyone disperses as it can take forever otherwise, but it is my opportunity to interract with everyone at the same time, showing them that posing for a photo is not painful, and I will make it fun for them.
I pretty much stick with the bride and groom, taking them off for newlywed shots either twice or three times during the day and evening (more creative shots) to make sure I have all aspects of the day covered.
After the first dance, I usually stay for another hour at least to capture the evening guests enjoying the dancefloor also as they are also a huge part of the couples day.
What is the No. 1 photo that you think every couple should take?
FUN! Yes ok, so we always need to get a hero shot of the couple looking amazing in a field or a backlit silhouette of them looking amazing, but what I also try to capture is the fun and more importantly, the love between them. It's not the kiss I'm looking to capture, it's the slightly awkward laugh afterwards of having them kiss in front of the congregation. Or should one of them stumble over the vows, laughter usually always follows. It's the little things like that which show the happiness and love on the day.
What is the most original photo you’ve been asked to take at a wedding?
Without sounding all divaish hahaha (Honestly I'm not... promise) - I have not actually been asked to take a specific photo, but I do suggest a few options that I see opportunities for and make sure I get everything set up for it and just go for it.
I will always try to something completely unique to each wedding that I have not done for another couple, just to give them something that nobody else will have.
What do you recommend for a rainy day wedding?
Wellies!!! I literally have a boot full of umbrellas in my car for such occasions. I keep and eye on the weather and if it rains, then there is not really alot we can do to change that, but don't get upset, just embrace it and make the most out of it. If you look in my photos, you will see that I have a photo in the puring rain that looks absolutely amazing. They were a relaxed couple and the rain really did not bother them one bit.
Describe how you got into photography.
I have always had a passion for anything creative. When entertaining and on tour in the UK, I was always the person who took along the camera to capture the memories we were making. I was then asked by 3 of my friends to shoot their weddings for them, which I happily did and it slowly progressed from there.
I then went to work for Sony, just as they bought out Konica Minolta and have been using the Sony Alpha cameras since 2008 and never looked back.