What is your most memorable wedding?
I can't name one, as I've photographed 300 amazing weddings. But the days full of love, emotion and laughter are the ones I enjoy the most!
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Editorial, natural and modern
What about your business are you most proud of?
The incredible testimonials I receive from past couples. It gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Book early and budget for a good photographer. It's the pictures that remain after a wedding day and is what you show off to family and friends for years to come. So book the right photographer for you, get the style and quality you want. There are many types of photographer, so do your homework and know if you're a couple who favour modern, documentary, arty or even traditional. There's someone out there for everyone.
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
I'm a big fan of when a couple make some of their own details. From jam jars to wild flowers. The DIY approach can really give a wedding it's own identity.
Describe your typical process with a couple.
After the booking has gone through, we meet for an engagement shoot a few months before the wedding. This helps with wedding day photography nerves and gets the couple used to me and how I work. It also means I'm not a stranger on the day and intact another friend in the congregation. On the day itself, I'm with the couple from bridal preparation until first dance, photographing all the key areas and generally enjoying the whole day with everyone. After the wedding a publish a small teaser of the images on my website within a few days. I then send the couple the full set of images 6-8 weeks after the wedding on a personal gallery for the to see vis the interweb. A week or so later the couple then receive a USB in a cool wooden box that houses their entire collection of images. If the couple have booked one of my amazing hand made leather albums, we then start the preparation and design of that.
What is the No. 1 photo that you think every couple should take?
There isn't. I don't believe in planning the must have shots! Why try to envisage what the day will bring and pre plan the wedding photography? Why not let the day unfold and create natural images that best tells the story of that day. For example why try and re-create an image you have seen on Pinterest, when you could create a new and unique image that other couples will be pinning themselves for years to come.
What is the most original photo you’ve been asked to take at a wedding?
Far to many to mention. Take a look at http://www.rosshurley.com and make your own judgement. :-)
What do you recommend for a rainy day wedding?
Get out there and get a little wet! Don't try and hide away and pretend it's not raining. If it's raining on your wedding day, do not worry. I believe in telling the story of the day. So if it's wet, then let's use it to our advantage. Use the rain to get some unique and amazing images. I actually get couples booking me on my wet weather images alone.
Describe how you got into photography.
After university, I started my photography career in the music industry in 2001. I photographed many large bands from around the world from The Strokes, Blur and The White Stripes to Usher at Wembley Arena. From there I moved into press photography for newspapers like News Of The World, The Daily Mail, The Sun, The Mirror and photographed many 'celebs' from Angelina Jolie to Kate Moss. In 2013 I moved into wedding photography and brought over all my previous skills to create my own unique approach.