I absolutely LOVE photographing the getting ready stage! It’s so charged with emotion. You can never quite anticipate how that part will feel when you’re in the moment… nerves, excitement, an eerie sense of calm… It’s when your wedding day properly starts so surround yourself with awesome people, soak it up, remember to eat something, crack open a bottle and make an awesome playlist.

So how do I approach capturing it all?

Well first off, unless you’re getting ready in the same location it’s not possible for me to cover prep for both of you.

Timing is key at this point in the day… I’ve learnt that if you’re not careful, even with the most lovingly crafted timeline in the world… getting ready can run over and easily run late. Usually I suggest that I arrive about 2 hours before you plan to leave for the ceremony to give plenty of time to capture things happening without you suddenly feeling like the paparazzi have descended.

I recommend being dressed and ready at least half an hour before you plan to leave for the ceremony. You’d be surprised how little things like having to pack a bag for the day, waiting for others to get dressed, a quick touch up, lacing a dress, attaching buttonholes or tying a bowtie can snowball. Not only does this mean that you have plenty of time for those last minute things, but it means that I have time to get to the ceremony ahead of you to capture the action there that you otherwise wouldn’t get to see. Then, should something crop up that puts timings out we have that extra time.

If you’re getting ready in a hotel, try to make sure that there’s enough space for everyone in your room. I have been known to have to do a ninja roll over a bed when there’s no space to move round the room otherwise. I’d also recommend looking for somewhere with plenty of natural light because window light is just dreamy and one of my favourite kinds of light to shoot. It’s also the best light to apply make up in, if that’s something you’re going to be doing so: win/win.

If you’re getting ready at home: awesome. I love photographing people in their own space, surrounded by their things, favourite photos hanging on the walls. Don’t stress about it being perfect… in years to come you’ll love to remember what your home looked like at such an exciting time in your life.

If you want me to shoot specific details such as rings, outfits, accessories please get these ready to show me when I arrive. These kinds of shots can be great for setting the scene but detail shots are never my priority because my focus is on documenting the action. So, I’m not going to spend a long time meticulously arranging dresses or shoes because I could end up missing some brilliant moments.

I don’t tend to do much posing during this point of the day, partly because timings can prevent it and also because with so many nerves flying around it’s much easier to get relaxed posed group shots later on in the day. I tend to keep any direction during getting ready to a minimum, sometimes suggesting a good spot in gorgeous light to stand in to get dressed, or grabbing a quick portrait.

 

 

Most of the time my preference during the ceremony is to shoot from the front, if I can do so without being a distraction. I may move around a little but again, I will always try to make sure that your ceremony isn’t interrupted.

 

Some officiants have very strict rules about photography and I have, in the past, been told that I cannot photograph at all during the ceremony. It’s best to ask ahead of time if there’s a policy that we should be aware of to avoid disappointment. In some cases it’s not possible to know ahead of time who your registrar/celebrant/vicar is going to be before the day, and each one may have their own particular rules. I will always endeavour to capture the ceremony as best I can but there’s not much I can do if I’m given strict rules to follow.

 

Let’s talk about group photos!  I always try to make this process as stress-free as possible but with the best will in the world… it can be a bit like herding cats. It’s really important to keep your list of photos short and sweet because the more time we spend doing group shots, the less time you have to spend with your guests and the fewer natural shots I will be able to take. I’m guessing you’re looking forward to actually getting to enjoy your wedding, taste the canapés, hug those people… so how do we make more of that happen?

My top tips for group photos:

• Make a list of up to 8 group shots. This is usually enough to allow for a few different family combinations, a shot of everyone, friends and wedding party, without it becoming too much.
• Trust me to find a space that works for the shots. If we’re outdoors on a bright sunny day I will try to find an open, shady spot. Don’t worry if the weather seems a little disheartening… so much of wedding photography is problem solving and I love a challenge.
• Have at least two people on hand as your designated photo helpers. Pick people who know names and faces, arm them with the list and then while we get one group shot they can be gathering the next.
• Relax! This bit doesn’t have to be all fixed grins and eyes front… I’ll also shoot the moments before and after the photo, when people are chatting and giggling… sometimes that can lead to some really natural moments in amongst the posed bits.

I absolutely love shooting couple portraits… but I don’t want to whisk you away from your wedding for ages. I want to get some relaxed, creative shots but I also don’t want you to feel like you’ve not had the chance to chat to your guests. So, I will try my best to find the right time in your day’s schedule when we can take a little break, you guys can just focus on each other and we can make some beautiful portraits in the process.

Lots of my couples prefer to take a couple of breaks for portraits… Sometimes the right opportunity or some beautiful light is just too good to miss so I may grab you both to get some extra shots at a couple of different points in the day. Trust me and be spontaneous!

If there’s a special place that you’d like to go for photos close to your venue then I’m more than happy for us to go on a mini adventure to find some awesome backdrops, but you’ll want to allow some extra time for this. We can even do this before your ceremony if you’d like to have a first look earlier in the day.

 

Just in case you haven’t got the memo so far: I am all about natural storytelling shots. It’s great to make sure you have some portraits and groups but there’s just something awesome about shots of the people you love in the moment.

Most of the photos I take are unposed. I love to get in amongst the action, capturing the big moments, little looks, hands, belly laughs, speeches, tears and everything in-between.

There’s not much I can give you in terms of advice for these photos. Just trust me to do my thing and find those moments. Hug your friends. Forget about your hang-ups. Have the very best of times.