Cantley House Hotel Wedding, Berkshire | Chris & Wayne
Fact is, very few people (me included) enjoy being photographed. So I wasn’t particularly surprised when Christine mentioned, in the pre-wedding questionnaire I send all my couples, that she wasn’t looking forward to being in front of the camera. I totally get it. Unless you’re a Hollywood Megastar, it can be quite a surreal experience having someone follow you around with a Sony A7iv around their neck! I think much of the trepidation boils down to a few factors. Will I look good in the photos? I don’t know how (or don’t want to) pose? I don’t like the idea of the photographer dragging me away from my guests for hours at a time?
Much as I like to consider myself pretty adept with a camera, it’s really hard to take great photos unless the subject is relaxed. One thing I never do when I arrive at a wedding venue and greet my couple is start taking pictures. In fact, I probably won’t have my camera with me. I’d much rather start the day with a little chat and enquire how you’re feeling, what you’re most looking forward to and just generally spending a few minutes talking about your day. Once the meet and greet has been concluded, likelihood is I’ll grab my camera gear and start making some ‘detail’ shots. If this is where the bride is getting ready, then it might be things like invites, shoes, earrings, perfume and anything else of interest in the room. This gives everyone a chance to get used to me and the sound of the camera and honestly, after about 5 minutes, I’m just part of the furniture and largely ignored! It’s usually only after this period of ‘acclimitization’ that I’ll begin to take some candids or BTS shots, so that by the time I’m asking anyone to acknowledge the camera they are well and truly comfortable with my presence. In fairness, Chris was absolutely fine and oozed confidence from the get-go, but I still generally take a softly-softly approach upon arrival as I feel that’s exactly how I’d like to be eased into the manic whirlwind of a wedding day.
For most of the day I’m literally just mingling with the guests documenting the day exactly as it unfolds, but there will be times when I necessarily become more visible. This is during the group photos, when I’ll be gathering people together into more formal arrangements (according to a list compiled in the pre-wedding questionnaire) and the couple portraits, when it’ll just be you, your partner and me taking a quick 20 minutes or so away from the party to have a little breather and take some lovely photos together. On the whole, apart from occasionally asking my couples where to stand for the best light, I don’t really direct too much. Much of the time will simply be spend walking, holding hands and talking about what has just happened (ie. actually getting married). There may be a few prompts from me along the lines of ‘get in nice and close’, ‘put a hand on the shoulder’ or ‘give your wife a kiss’ but definitely nothing awkward and certainly nothing that would make you feel uncomfortable. Like I said at the beginning of this piece, it’s very hard to take nice photos if your subject isn’t relaxed and at ease. Thankfully, Chris and Wayne at Cantley House Hotel were a brilliantly chilled couple on their special day and it definitely shows in their gallery.
ARE YOU GETTING MARRIED AT CANTLEY HOUSE HOTEL?
Then I would love to chat with you about your wedding photography.
You can find out more about working with me by clicking here