Approach and philosophy

I believe—passionately—that wedding photographs are only really any good if they provoke an emotional reaction. They should make you smile, laugh or cry with joy. I think laughter is essential and I like people—you can see evidence of this in my wedding galleries.

Photographic style and influences

I am a storyteller, of course I am. You won’t find many wedding photographers who don’t claim to be storytellers; to specialise in reportage; to practise “photojournalism”. This kind of “modern” wedding photography is both fashionable and an understandable reaction to the “traditional” caricature of a bossy, shouty wedding photographer who interrupted the flow of the day by lining-up everybody identity-parade-style in all weathers. But in some cases it’s an over-reaction that leads to some contemporary wedding photographers striving for ninja-like invisibility; for a “pure” wedding photojournalism where any intervention or interaction with the photographer is seen as compromising the art form.

I hope you’ll be pleased to hear that I am not any of those kinds of photographer.

It is true that many of my best wedding images are “pure reportage”. People often say that they weren’t aware of such a special moment being photographed. And I am committed to the modern, informal narrative approach. But I am not dogmatic about this. Wedding photographers who insist on pure fly-on-the-wall photojournalism and tell you that they aim to be invisible, almost by definition, cannot develop a valuable rapport with you and your guests.

I capture many wonderful moments while I am prompting, joking with, even directing happy couple and guests. Many great shots come from not quite formed photo-opportunities that present themselves and need just a little professional direction to make them happen for the camera.

Reassurance, insurance, equipment and back-up

Imagine the disappointment if something preventable went wrong on your wedding day that ruined or stopped the photography.

Professional equipment and back-up

A professional wedding photographer isn’t allowed excuses.

On your wedding day you’ll see me using two identical, professional Nikon camera rigs. Together these amount to £6000 worth of equipment. Then there’s a long list of essential gear I bring along that adds up to double that. If you have had a look at that list you may have spotted that there’s two of practically everything, which means if a camera or other piece of equipment fails, there’s another one to carry on with.

Before or after the speeches (while you are eating) I take myself off  to refuel and to back-up the images from the day so far. I even back-up the back-ups to a separate portable hard drive, which, if there’s a safe on the premises, gets locked away. By the time the photography festivities resume I have duplicate copies of your images in three physical locations. I have never lost any images on an assignment. But if it ever happens, I am prepared.

Insurance

I am providing a professional service so I see it a my responsibility to have I specialist professional and wedding photographer insurance. This includes public liability and professional indemnity, so if I drop a heavy lens on the Best Man’s foot, all of our loses are covered. But seriously, whoever you choose to photograph your wedding, do make sure they are properly insured. Nothing is likely to happen that needs insurance, but having it is one more thing that demonstrates a professional approach.

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If you’ve Googled me you may have seen that I am also passionate about landscape photography, which I pursue and teach outside of the wedding season.