A relaxed and straightforward approach
I’ve photographed weddings for more than ten years and I like to keep the process straightforward.
Most of the day is photographed naturally, without constantly stopping or directing what is happening. I’ll step in when some guidance is useful, particularly for family photographs and portraits, but I won’t turn the day into a long photoshoot.
You still get the important photographs, while spending most of the wedding with your guests.
Relaxed and stylish wedding photography across the North East
Before your wedding
Your initial enquiry
When you get in touch, tell me your date, venue and a little about what you have planned.
I’ll confirm whether I’m available, answer any questions and help you decide how much coverage would work best for your wedding.
Not every celebration needs photography from early morning until late. I offer short, half-day, extended and full-day coverage depending on what you actually need.
Confirming the booking
Once you are happy to proceed, I’ll send the booking agreement and invoice.
Your date is secured when the agreement is signed and the booking fee has been paid.
Planning the details
We’ll keep in touch as the wedding approaches.
Around a month before the day, I’ll send you a questionnaire covering the schedule, locations, important people and any family photographs you would like.
The purpose is to make sure I understand the day properly while leaving enough freedom to photograph it naturally.
If a pre-wedding session is added to your booking, we can arrange that at a suitable location and time.
On the wedding day
Arriving and getting settled
My arrival time will depend on the coverage you have chosen and the schedule for the day.
For longer bookings, this may include preparations, clothing and personal details, and the atmosphere before the ceremony. I keep this part relaxed and work around whatever is happening rather than trying to stage everything.
Wedding mornings can be busy enough without a photographer adding to the noise.
The ceremony and reception
During the ceremony and reception, I work as unobtrusively as possible.
I’ll photograph the main moments, but I’m also looking at what is happening around them: family reactions, guests catching up, nervous glances before the speeches and children doing their own thing.
These are often the photographs that bring the day back most clearly afterwards.
Family and group photographs
Yes, I take them. Before the wedding, we’ll agree a sensible small list of the groups you genuinely want. Around seven to ten combinations usually works well and helps prevent this part of the day becoming tiring for you or your guests.
I’ll organise them efficiently, take the photographs properly and get everyone back to the celebration.
Couple portraits
We’ll usually set aside around 15 to 20 minutes for relaxed portraits together.
This is often a welcome chance to step away from the crowd for a little while. I’ll suggest where to stand and give you some simple guidance, but nothing will feel heavily posed or forced.
Nearly every couple tells me they feel awkward in front of a camera. That is completely normal, and you do not need to know what to do beforehand.
The evening
For longer coverage, I’ll stay into the evening to photograph the first dance, guests on the dance floor and the point where the atmosphere becomes a little less formal.
By then, people usually stop noticing the camera altogether - which is often when some of the best photographs happen.
Albums and prints
Professional prints and albums are available if you would like something physical as well as the digital gallery.
Album design can be arranged after the photographs have been delivered, giving you time to choose the images that matter most to you.
Where I work
I’m based in County Durham and regularly photograph weddings in:
Durham
Newcastle upon Tyne
Northumberland
Sunderland
Gateshead
The wider North East
I’m also available for weddings elsewhere in the UK and abroad.
Any additional travel or accommodation costs will be explained clearly before you book.
After your wedding
Your preview
I’ll send you a preview of approximately 20 to 30 photographs shortly after the wedding.
This gives you a selection to enjoy and share while I work through the complete gallery.
Your complete gallery
Your finished photographs will be individually selected and professionally edited by me.
They will be delivered through a private online gallery where you can view, download and share them with family and friends.
My current expected turnaround is approximately 8 weeks, although off peak this is often much sooner.
The online gallery will remain available for at least 12 months, although I always recommend downloading and backing up your photographs as soon as possible.
