When you are getting ready, I like to get to know your family, friends, so that they start to feel comfortable with me around. I look to capture the interactions between people and the little things happening around you. Occasionally, I’ll suggest you move towards some better lighting, but aside from that, I don’t give a lot of direction during this time.  

For the portrait session, I spend about twenty minutes with the bridal party and like to take a few photos of you all just hanging out, perhaps sharing some champagne. Then we will do some photos of you all together, I’ll also take an individual photo of you with each friend and a couple of photos of you with all your friends; vice versa with your partner and their friends. I want these to be natural and fun, in some of the photos you’ll be looking at the camera, but mostly, I’ll have you interacting with each other.  

 After the bridal party photos, I’ll focus on the two of you for 20 – 30 minutes. We will take a few photos of you looking at the camera, I know how much your parents and grandparents love these shots. Then for the most part, I want the photos to represent you, so I try to read your vibe and how you naturally interact with each other. I encourage movement and connection. Embrace those quiet, intimate moments and if you are all about the fun and laughs with each other, let that shine! It’s important you just focus on each other during this time and I’ll give direction where needed to make the most of the light or backdrop. 

During the ceremony, I’m there to document it all as it unfolds, you and your partner saying your vows, the smiles, the tears, the emotions of you and your guests. I don’t direct anything here. The only thing worth mentioning is, try and remember to stand in the centre of your archway/arbor, if you have one. 

A note on light during your ceremony. When you are deciding on a place to hold your ceremony send your photographer (hopefully that’s me) a message and they’ll give you recommendations about where to position the archway. If you are outside it is best to have the sun directly behind or in front of you. If you are under trees, you’ll need to be careful where you position your archway as you want to avoid dappled light, nor do you want half of the bridal party in sunlight and half in the shade. This will dramatically affect your photos, so have a chat with your photographer before the final decision is made.  

After the ceremony, I can guarantee that you’ll be bombarded with hugs and congratulations from your guests so make sure you allow about 20 – 30 minutes for this. Get the champagne flowing and share this moment with your guests! I personally love this time of the day and I’ll be right there capturing the embraces and special moments between you and your loved ones.  

Then we’ve got family and group photos, I recommend preparing a list before the day and try to keep it under 10 groups. You’ll need to give this list to your MC and one other person who has a loud voice and knows most of your guests as they’ll be organising each group. I will be there to direct your family and friends into position and ask for some big smiles. While some couples opt out of traditional family photos, I always encourage them, this is a very special record of your family all together. Some of these pictures will be the most cherished as the years go on.  

During dinner, I’d love to be seated with your guests or somewhere nearby, this allows me to be fully a part of everything, rather than a stranger lurking in the background. It means I can easily jump up and take photos when speeches start, I’ll be moving around the room getting shots of the speakers and people’s reactions. The best time for me to eat is when the bridal party is served (since people generally don’t like to have photos of them eating.) This means if I do whisk you away for photos at sunset, while your guests are eating, then I know I’ll be able to quickly eat some food before we head away. 

The evening portrait session, fingers crossed for some beautiful golden light! I’ll take you both to a nearby location to take some photos of you together. Have a chat with me about timing for this, it’s worth noting if there are any hills nearby or if there are clouds on the horizon that day, the sunset time will be a bit earlier, so I’ll tap you on the shoulder during dinner to let you know what time I’ll be whipping you away. This session is usually around 20 minutes (15 minutes before sunset and 5 minutes after sunset). It’s such a nice time to have a little moment together, while I creep around in the background capturing some goodness!