Max and Amelia are actors and simply wanted a great day with great activities. But having friends who are professional dancers at your limbo comp does make it a little harder on the others!

Max kindly posted a review of our photography on Freeindex:
Both David and Clare were fantastic on the big day. They blended into the crowd seamlessly, and were a joy to have around. 

We just received our photos on DVD and couldn’t be happier!

Everything was situated in the castle same location, which makes it so much easier for photography – no racing around in cars trying to beat the wedding party to the next place!

At the other end of the spectrum, there are couples who believe that their wedding is a once-in-a-lifetime occasion and should be different from how other couples have celebrated their wedding day. As such, they opt for quirky and non-traditional aspects of a wedding — from unusual wedding dresses and wedding venues to creative wedding photography.

Of course, the word “creative” is such a broad term: what may be creative to some people would seem downright silly to some. In a sense, truly creative photos, the ones that have a unique character, stem from the idea of play — play between the couples, their entourage, family and friends, and more importantly, the wedding photographer.

The truly creative and the truly unique photos are the result of the personality of the couple being captured deftly by an experienced photographer. That is one of the reasons why traditional wedding photography is viewed by many as boring – because it is boxed within conventions and traditions. For creative photographs, the first thing that couples should determine is who they really are, what image they want to show to people, and what they are really passionate about. Comic geeks can opt for superhero costumes for their pre-nuptial photos. Musicians can incorporate their instruments in their pictures. The list of ideas can go on and on, but for truly outstanding pictures, it is essential for the personality of the couple to come to the forefront.

It helps, too, if the photographer has an open mind and can play off the ideas and quirks of the couple. Unlike traditional wedding photographers, a creative wedding photographer does not bark orders to the couples to pose in a specific manner. Rather, like an astute observer, he knows how to vividly capture the personality of the couple. In order to achieve this, rapport must be established between the photographer and the couple. Of course, it would not hurt if the photographer is well-versed in photo-editing software like Photoshop to help him weave some digital magic into the pictures. Nonetheless, a photographer with creative flair can take great pictures with just enough tools at his disposal.

Weddings are once-in-a-lifetime events. Would you rather have a set of generic pictures or would you stray from convention?

There was also a time when digital wedding photography was unheard of. Although 35mm films are still being manufactured to this day, the production of more powerful DSLR cameras have rung the death knell for the SLR. Again, that is not to say that pictures taken with an SLR and film are inferior to those taken with a DSLR — different, maybe, but not inferior. Film, as a medium, imparted a slew of values to photographers like careful composition and economy in shots. Sure, it had its own shortcomings, but a majority of photographers who are considered masters in the craft had their head start with an SLR and a roll of 35mm film.

For many photographers and enthusiasts, the benefits of using the digital format are too good to pass up. Consider, too, that prices of entry-level DSLRs has been democratised, making them more accessible. But that is not to say that anybody who totes a DSLR can automatically call himself or herself a pro.

One of the benefits of using a DSLR or even a prosumer digital camera is that the photographer can immediately see the pictures he has taken, unlike in using film wherein the film has to be processed first. Also helpful is the ability of DSLRs to easily change ISO settings to adapt to a lighting situation. With an SLR, you have to load a different film to do such.

The digital photographer also does not have to keep a close count of the number of shots he has taken, unlike with an SLR where close attention must be paid pertaining to the number of photos taken. This gives the photographer some leeway in terms of experimenting with his shots.

In order to get sepia or black and white photos with an SLR, you will have to purchase a particular type of film. With a DSLR, you just have to tweak its settings and then you can have a coloured and a monochrome version of the same picture.

Finally, with the product in digital format, it is much easier for the photographer to tweak the images with photo-editing software, print them, or upload them online.

Despite the prevalence of DSLRs, there are still photographers who use SLRs in conjunction with digital cameras. If you have a twinge of nostalgia or if you think that photos taken with 35mm film have a certain, bolder appeal, ask your prospective wedding photographer about possibly working with this medium.

In the field of wedding photography, trends come and go, year in and year out. While you have staples like contemporary wedding photography, traditional wedding photography and fine art photography, soon-to-wed couples are continuously on the lookout for what’s hot. Of course, wedding blogs and celebrity weddings play a crucial role in dictating what is going to be trendy.

Vintage photography will continue to be popular among soon-to-wed couples, albeit to a lesser degree. For this year, bright and bold colours like yellow and red will figure prominently in decors, clothing and even post-production of pictures.

Posed candid composition may sound like an oxymoron, but this trend presents a happy medium between traditional wedding photography, which emphasises set poses, and photojournalism techniques, which seek to capture the spontaneity of the moment. With this trend, the couple is asked to position themselves in a particular setting where they can interact naturally with each other while the photographer snaps pictures of them.

The use of negative space is predicted to figure prominently this year. Unlike traditional photographs wherein the picture is composed in such a manner that the focus is on the couple, this trend allows the elements in the empty space to be a part of the picture.

The couples and their entourage can pretend to be A-list celebrities with movie-star style photography with the photographer acting as the paparazzo.

Colour drain and depth of colour are techniques that have long been used by photographers. This year, however, more couples will appreciate the use of the backdrop of a clear blue sky (colour drain) or the sunset (depth of colour) and how these add a romantic flair to their photos.

Segmented pictures are also seen to continue to rise in popularity. Basically, it is a play on the superstition that the groom cannot see his bride before the wedding, lest they tempt the Fates and attract bad luck. With segmented pictures, the couples are allowed to be together without seeing each other through the use of some physical barrier or through digitally composing two separate pictures into one.

Whatever trend you want to incorporate in your wedding photos, know that what is important is to enjoy your big day with your friends and loved ones.

I’m very fond of the picture with the Vicar signing the registar and Helen and Ollie in the background – it’s nice when a plan comes together like that.

I received an email from Helen who was still on her honeymoon when I mailed her the images. I always aim for a couple to be able to see the images whilst still on honeymoon and 9 times out of 10 we can make it work.

Hi David,

Thank you so much! We are still away and these have really made our day – we LOVE them! We are so pleased you enjoyed the day. We had an amazing time and these photos really help capture that!

Thank you again

Helen

As with most things, becoming a topnotch photographer takes years and lots of practice. The best photographers can take good pictures with only minimal gear in tow. On the other hand, the right gear for the right situation can help a photographer take better pictures.

If you are a certified gearhead and if you are curious about what a pro lensman uses for the coverage of a wedding, here are a few items that a wedding photographer should have in his arsenal.

In the world of photography, lensmen are mostly divided into two camps: those who use a Nikon and those who use a Canon. While there are other cameras produced by other manufacturers, the two brands are on top of any professional lensman’s list. Curiously, both camps are intensely loyal to their brands. But whatever brand is chosen, it is crucial for a wedding photographer to have at least two cameras for his coverage. This ensures that if any untoward accident happens to the first camera, the photographer will not have any excuse to cut his coverage short.

In addition to a normal zoom lens (which is versatile enough for a variety of situations), a professional photographer knows the value of bringing additional lenses. There are some instances when he might not be able to get close to his subjects. To remedy this, a telephoto zoom lens is the perfect solution. Additionally, one cannot discount the possibility that the lens a photographer uses might break so it would be prudent to have a backup for such instances.

In addition to these, a capable photographer knows the value of lighting. Aside from bringing one flash, he knows that he must come to the event bringing another one to be safe.

In lieu of films, the modern professional photographer uses a memory card for his DSLR. Memory cards come in a variety of storage capacities. A true professional photographer not only chooses a memory card with a high storage capacity but also brings an extra card. A photographer knows the average number a storage device can keep, but when you are in the heat of covering an event, it is easy to lose count of the number of pictures you have taken. It is always a good idea to have a backup card just in case the one you are using quickly gets full.

Finally, it is always prudent to bring a fresh set of batteries. While a decent photographer knows that it is important to have his batteries charged to their full capacity, it wouldn’t hurt to bring an extra set.

Ideally, couples should give themselves ample time to prepare for their wedding to ensure that every minute detail is ironed out before they exchange wedding vows. It would also be helpful to enlist the help of your friends and relatives to help you tick a couple of boxes off your checklist. Some even hire wedding planners to relieve themselves from the stress and inconvenience of planning a wedding.

It is fairly natural to experience stress, particularly during the days leading up to the nuptials. On one hand, you have to attend to what seems to be a million details at once whilst on the other hand, you have to prepare yourself for the joys as well as the uncertainties that come with married life.

If you find yourself biting off your fingernails because of anxiety, here are a couple of tips to help you get some relief from the wedding jitters.

First, remember to eat and sleep at regular intervals. With the flurry of meetings and tasks to attend to, it is fairly easy to skip a few meals and lose a couple of hours of sleep. Neglecting your body’s needs will not only leave you feeling more stressed but can also make your body vulnerable to illnesses. To counter these, remember to eat well and get yourself some adequate shuteye.

It would be also a good idea to save time for yourself just to decompress from the stress that comes with all the things you have to accomplish and the people you have to meet and coordinate with. A quiet walk or a short run around the local park or on the treadmill can help you get away from the things that give you stress and help you find your centre.

Finally, if you feel yourself trapped in a whirling vortex, always remember that your wedding day will be all about you and your partner. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Delegate trivial matters to other people and focus on things that really need your attention.

One of the reasons many couples opt for reportage photography is because they feel that they cannot handle the additional stress of dealing with a photographer and debating about which poses they should do. Unlike other forms of photography, this type of photography is all about letting things unfold and letting an expert with a trained eye for detail capture them as they occur naturally. The same philosophy applies to your wedding. Let the special moment unfold, be present, and enjoy it.

Every couple has its quirks and every wedding is unique. Relatedly, not all wedding pictures are equal. Some are simply stunning while there are others which newlyweds would rather have buried in some storage bin. The key to producing great wedding pictures is not only based on finding the right London-based photographer, but also by establishing rapport between you and your chosen lensman and taking the time to communicate what you specifically wish whilst giving room for the photographer’s input and personal style.

Ideally, couples should take the time to interview photographers rather than opt for the first one recommended by a friend or a relative. This gives the soon-to-wed couples the opportunity to view the photographer’s previous works as well as gauge his personality. Many couples fall into the trap of choosing the photographer which has the lowest rates without finding out the quality of his work or his temperament first. This results in pictures that are less than stellar. As with most things, you get what you pay for.

After narrowing down your list of prospective photographers, the next step would be choosing the coverage package that suits both your budget and your personal taste. More or less, a private online Web gallery and a digital copy of the wedding pictures are standard inclusions. Depending on the photographer, the coverage time allotted varies, and that is why it is important to clarify this with your chosen photographer beforehand so that you will not feel shortchanged.

Once you have booked the photographer, it is now time to have a little chat with him and discuss every detail that needs to be clear between both parties. This includes discussing his personal style and disclosing information on any additional personnel who will be tagging along with him for better coverage of the event. This would also be the opportune time to ask the photographer about the turnover period of the wedding pictures. Again, turnover varies from one photographer to another, but you should know that post-processing is an integral part of the process to make your photos more stunning.

For many couples and photographers, an engagement or prenuptial photography shoot is the perfect opportunity for them to work together prior to the wedding; it is also one good way to establish rapport between them. It is a good idea to avail of this to get to know your photographer better as well as to add more memorable pictures to your wedding album.

Cotton sheets just aren’t as strong as they used to be.

Now you see him…

Now you don’t…

No injuries, and the band played on!