What is your most memorable wedding?
Alex and Stephanie at Calziel Castle on the west coast cliffs of Scotland. Beautiful Gardens on one side, Grand Castle in the centre and seascape beyond!
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Contemporary, Unusual, Fun, Relaxed, Natural.
What about your business are you most proud of?
Excellent quality images and value for money.
What is your No. 1 wedding planning tip for couples?
Make sure you use a professional photographer with lots of Wedding experience. Don't try to economise on the person who captures your precious memories by using a friend, relative or inexperienced novice with a professional looking camera who has taken a few nice shots You will regret your decision for the rest of your days. Please don't also be victim of the "gift" of Wedding photography given by a friend or relative. Ask them to just be a guest and enjoy the day taking a few shots along with all the other guests. You will never get another chance to have everyone in one place, the ceremony and be in your Wedding dress and suit ever again!
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
An aerobatics display over the wedding venue by a stunt aeroplane complete with trailing smoke.
Describe your typical process with a couple.
I always like to meet my couples for a personal chat about all aspects their "Big Day" It can be a brief chat or include a FREE shoot which can be viewed on our website. It is important that the couple can feel at ease and have complete confidence in their photographer so a meeting and shoot usually gives us time to get to know each other on a more friendly / business basis. If the couple like their images having been given 2 weeks to decide just £100 deposit secures our services for the day. If after 2 weeks the couple do not come back to book our services we open their Wedding date for other enquiries. Any further consultations leading up to the Wedding day are free.
About 6 weeks before the Wedding we send the couple a shots list to fill in which is sent by email. They can add other shots of their choice to the list if they so wish. The balance will also be due at that time.
A week or two before the wedding I organise a conference call with the couple to iron out any details or changes and briefly discuss timings of the required shots and fix a time they require our services to start. With all the detail, shots and timings discussed that just leaves turning up on the day to do what we do best -Take the photographs!
What is the No. 1 photo that you think every couple should take?
Relaxed natural shots of the couple and their friends and family enjoying their first few hours as Husband and Wife.
What is the most original photo you’ve been asked to take at a wedding?
One bride wanted a shot of her lying in a stand alone old fashioned bath tub with a glass of wine, I had been hinting that it might make a great shot but she finally requested the shot and it eventually got into a photography magazine - Digital Photographer issue 88 along with a few other shots of ours under the heading - Emotive portraits.
What do you recommend for a rainy day wedding?
I always bring along a Dozen white umbrellas Just in case however, indoor photography is usually possible with our top spec cameras and lighting equipment.
Describe how you got into photography.
It all Started as a hobby, I then spent 2 years helping a friend on professional wedding bookings as a second photographer. I enjoyed the experience so much I decided to go into business as a professional Wedding photographer myself.