Gate Street Barn

Gate Street Barn  is  set in the Surrey Hills, next to a working organic farm and small landscaped gardens.    It’s location lends itself to a lovely  secluded, quiet atmosphere;  and whilst this offers photography with a rustic dimension, it can still be quite dramatic.

From the beginning the couple and guests feel there are ‘away from it all’ and are very relaxed – which helps the photography.   The staff are very organised and friendly too.   This is strengthened by allowing the bride to get ready in an adjoining dedicated room.   This allows the photography to flow right up until the Registrars come over to interview the bride!

The barn itself – which has recently been refurbished and can hold 130 guests – has the space and light conducive to capturing the ceremony and speeches well.

For Natural Read Staged…..

“You don’t take a photograph, you make it.” Ansel Adams

Many of us remember “the bad old days” of wedding photography, when it was really just a few shots of the couple outside the church and then an endless list of dull formal group shots.  In fact, some of the lists we see in bridal magazines of the “must have” group shots seem to be still stuck on the past!  Modern wedding photography has come a very long way from this, but it’s still seen by many as the responsibility of a good wedding photographer to “make the image happen” at key moments of the day, and not to simply rely on chance.

This is why couples should seriously consider photographers who are able to vary their photographic style throughout the day.  There are times of the day when unobtrusive photojournalism is the only option (for example, during the ceremony).  But natural, posed images are the best option for creating flattering and artistic images of the couple at other key points of the day.  For example bridal portraits, when her hair, make-up and dress are perfect before the ceremony will be posed,  as will shots of the groomsmen before the wedding (even if it’s done in a relaxed and contemporary way).   Read more about photographic styles here.

Some couples worry that posing will be difficult or awkward but in fact most people are surprised by how much they enjoy it, especially once they have seen the results it produces!  Choosing a photographer who includes an engagement photo-shoot as part of the wedding package is a great way to get to know your photographer better and practice posing.  You’ll feel so much more relaxed on the day.

So when looking through a photographers’ portfolio, ask how particular images you like were achieved:  you’ll probably be surprised by how many of the “natural” shots are posed, so be prepared for this at your own wedding!

Big Is Not Beautiful………

Wedding photographers are sometimes approached by guests who have a story to tell about how dreadful their wedding photographer was.  These stories follow a pattern: firstly the couple have booked with a big wedding photography organisation; and secondly they are disappointed with the service they receive.  The disappointments are varied but this author has heard about a photographer who ran off with his lover after the wedding (taking the couple’s wedding images with him!), another who simply failed to ever produce the album that had been part of the original package; and one who simply refused to photograph the bride at the “getting ready” stage.

The underlying problem is that these stories relates to clients who think they are playing it safe by signing up with a large organisation.  But buying wedding photography services is not like buying a car.  Most people would assume that with other types of big purchase (such as a car) you are better off buying from a big organisation – like a high street dealership – than from a small organisation (like an advert in the motoring press).  The reason for this being that if anything goes wrong (such as the car breaking down within months of purchase), the dealership will offer a warranty; will want to protect its reputation – and will have the resources and incentive to correct any problems.

Of course, problems with wedding photography cannot readily be rectified after the big day anyway.  But there are other reasons why wedding photography is different.   The big difference is that virtually all talented wedding photographers work for themselves.  They do not work for big organisations, as these companies usually only pay a “day rate” to their photographers, which is not enough to earn a living (many photographers who do this work are unqualified, and have a Monday-Friday job that pays the bills).  All the photographer is expected to do to earn the fee, is turn up on the day, take the photographs and then hand over the disk containing the images to the parent company.  If the photographer doesn’t hand over the disk, all they lose is their fee.  They are not incentivised to “go the extra mile” for the couple.  The images the couple have seen when being sold the service are often not those produced by the photographer they get on the day.

Of course, opting for a particular size of photography business is not the solution in itself. The key point is that clients should not take comfort from large companies in the way that the public might do in other areas of commercial activity.  Instead wedding couples should look at a range of factors when choosing a wedding photographer.  Start with our checklist.

Wedding Shoes / Footwear

Choosing your shoes is one of those big wedding decisions for the bride.  But you do need to think about your comfort and whether they will be suitable for wearing for your photographs.  It is not a great idea to hire a fantastic photographer and then tell him that you are not prepared to go anywhere! 

However, the shoes you wear to walk down the aisle do not necessarily need to be the ones you will wear all day. If you have a long wedding dress, your shoes do not really show much. So in the summer, many brides like to have a pair of stylish white flip-flops handy.  They can be worn if their “Jimmy’s” become uncomfortable!   They are also useful for any photographs which involve walking on a soft grassed surface to avoid your heels digging into the ground. Of course, if you do go for this option, treat yourself to a pedicure in the week before the wedding too.   An alternative way of preventing sinking heels is to use transparent high heel protectors; but they can be a bit fiddly to attach and will not prevent your shoes from getting wet if it’s been raining (Tszuji sell some which you can view at: http://tinyurl.com/ya3edpu .

In the winter, a funky pair of wellies can be a good idea if you will be walking on wet ground to get that fabulous shot. My1stwish.co.uk have some great ones which you can see at: http://tinyurl.com/yc6q2ls.

Wedding Photography: Coltsford Mill, Surrey.

In amongst all the wildlife, Coltsford Mill is situated near Oxted in Surrey.  The Mill and adjoining barns are set in some really beautiful gardens and fishing lakes.

One of the advantages that wedding photography has from the outset is that the couple and guests feel there are ‘away from it all’ and are very relaxed.  The staff are very organised and friendly too.   This is strengthened by allowing the bride and wedding party to get ready in Mill Cottage which is on the same site.   This allows the photography to flow right up until the Registrars come over to interview the bride!

The Mill room itself is fairly tight for photography during the ceremony, although it is a very characterful space.

After the ceremony,  there are some great photographic opportunities by the lakes, which are behind the buildings and away from the guests, cars and fences!  This can be potentially be a touch more work for the brides – and particular their dresses – but it is worth the effort.

Surrey Wedding Photography – Bingham Hotel, Richmond.

The Bingham Hotel – situated on Petersham Road in Richmond – is a fabulous venue for wedding photography.  The hotel was originally two Georgian town houses, but has now been converted into a style that it (accurately) describes as contemporary and luxury, but with a vintage twist.

In the interior, the hotel offers some unusually high and striking  windows with lovely soft light.  In fact the whole interior of the hotel is characterised by interesting decor and lighting which the more skilled wedding photographers will relish.

Outside the hotel has a wonderful private terrace and landscaped gardens.  And best of all, it back on to the River Thames!  The river is always busy of course, but with patience, there are some great images waiting to be captured.

Sussex Wedding Photography: Alexander House Hotel

This hotel describes itself as a boutique retreat set in stunning private gardens and parkland. It is a fabulous place to photograph, partly because of the mix of traditional and modern settings it provides. The gardens and terraces are very traditional and pretty; and while the photographs are being taken, the guests feel very secluded and relaxed.

The interior of the hotel continues in that vein with some very interesting wood-panelled rooms with lovely directional but soft light.

But the hotel has modern aspects to it – particularly in the spa areas – which can offer the photography some extra contemporary dimensions. The staff seem to be very efficient – and mindful of the need for support for good photography.

Top Ten Checklist: Hiring a Wedding Photographer

1. What style of photography are you looking for? Are you excited and enthused by the photographer’s porfolio?
2. Do you like the photographer? Remember that you are sharing on of the most important days of your life with him or her.
3. Is the photographer professionally qualified?
4. Does the photographer have Professional Indemnity and Public liability insurance?
5. Meet at least two photographers and make no decisions at the meetings. (Walk away from any hard selling).

6. Look at the photographer’s testimonials.
7. Ask to see photographs from a couple of single weddings. This way you will be able to assess their consistency and mix of styles.
8. What awards has the photographer won? This gives you a guide to how top peers rate his/her work.
9. Do not just look at digital images. Review the quality of their prints and how they are presented.
10. Check that the photographer you meet will be the same one who does the work on the day!

Bridal Preparations: Photography Timings

Some of the best images of the bride are often taken before the ceremony.  These photographs are often referred to as “bridal preps”, but this term is a little misleading.  The images that are ultimately treasured by wedding couples are NOT of the bride in a raw state (hair and make-up being applied).  Rather, the best images are from the period when the bride has just dressed and is applying her final touches.  Providing the timings have been planned properly, this a quiet time – away from vying guests – when the photographer can capture the bride and her dress in their optimal state.  There is a time when the photographer should be able take creative and flattering images using controlled natural lighting.  Bridesmaids and parents can also be involved at this stage for some nice intimate photographs.

It is important that this period is planned and timed properly.  For example, if the ceremony is scheduled for 1pm, the photographer will typically meet the groomsmen at 12:15 for photographs.  Allowing for 15 minutes travelling time, this implies the photographing the bride between 11am and 12 noon.   And in turn, this also means that the hair and make-up stylists finishing in time for the bride (and bridesmaids) to dress by 11am.

Dressing 2 hours before the ceremomy starts is a price most brides find worth paying for some lovely pre-ceremony images. Many brides actually take the view that they would like to be wearing the dress for the longest possible time on their big day anyway!  Other brides concerned about the increased potential for creasing, will take the dress off again temporarily after the photographer has left to photograph the groom.

Wedding Photography: Professional Qualifications

If you are hiring a wedding photographer for your big day, we recommend that you choose one who has qualified with a recognised professional body.  In the UK the primary qualifying (not for profit) bodies are the British Institute of Professional Photographers (BIPP) and the Master Photographers’ Association (MPA).  In both cases there are levels of professional and image-making competence that a photographer has to demonstrate before being allowed to join.  Members are also bound by a professional code of conduct.  Other bodies such as the SWPP do not have any membership criteria other than subscription payment – and are populated by many part-time and aspiring photographers.

Of course there some very good photographers who are not affiliated to a professional organisation, and some very indifferent photographers within them. But a professional qualification does minimise the risk and should be used as one of a number of factors in choosing your wedding photographer.  At the very least, professional affiliation with a recognised body signal that the photographer is keen to keep up to date with changing trends and new technologies and techniques.