What’s a pre-wedding shoot?  I hate having my photo taken, do we need one?

That is exactly why you should have a pre-wedding shoot, to prove that having your photograph taken is a painless and actually pretty fun experience! It’s a rare chance to get some natural, relaxed shots of you both together and you can see how I work on your wedding day - quickly, easily and I might even make you laugh as well...I’m not going to bring out a load of studio lights and make you pose like catalogue models (unless you want to, mentioning no names Jo and Fraser!) and you may even enjoy yourself and love the photos I give you. You can even make a personalised wedding guest book with them.

Are you insured?

Of course! I’ve got public liability and indemnity insurance. Touch wood I haven’t had to use either yet but it’s better safe than sorry!

What camera do you use?

Hmmmm do  you really care if I shoot Canon or the ‘N’ word, or has a bridal magazine advised you to ask me? Just be assured that I use professional SLR cameras that are perfect for shooting weddings. I’ve also got some pretty cool lenses as well.

But if you’re a camera geek like me then I shoot with Canon 5d’s and have lots of lovely, fast Canon lenses, all capable of shooting in low light and are responsible for the photos that are making you read this far on my website...

Do you have backup equipment?

I’ve got back up equipment for my back up equipment! Honestly! I’m not taking any chances and having a camera break, or dropping it, on your wedding day. We all know how temperamental technology can be! I’ve got backup cameras, lenses, flash and more batteries and memory cards than you can shake a stick at. If the very very worst does happen and ALL my cameras, back up cameras, last resort compact camera and iPhone (joke) break then I can always resort to the trusty Holga. It’s film, almost nothing can break on that!

I love your photos but why do I need to hire a pro photographer? My mate has a great camera!

Read that first part of your question again, you love my photos so go on, treat yourself and hire me, it’s your wedding day after all!

Seriously though while there are some great cameras out there and I’m sure your mate can take good photos with it but there are lots of reasons to hire a pro photographer on your wedding day. Firstly, and most importantly, don’t you want your mate to be a part of your day not spending it with a camera stuck to their face and (probably) panicking that they might miss something or make a mistake and risk  you never talking to them again? Give them a break, let them drink, dance, socialise and spend the most important day of your life with you without worrying about anything.
Secondly, a great camera does not make a great photographer and weddings are not the best time to practice. Trust me, I’ve been to a few and they’re pretty fast moving days with a lot going on.

Last, but not least...this is the day you’ve been dreaming of, that you’re spending months (or years) planning. Don’t risk regretting not hiring a photographer after it all, you won’t get chance to do it again. There are too many stories out there of couples hiring a cheap photographer, or using a friend to get the photos and now they are so unhappy with the images they’re left with. You don’t want to take that chance.

Ok, I’ve looked through your site, I’ve browsed through your blog and I want to hire you to shoot our wedding day. What do I do now?!

Brilliant, thank you very much! First things first though, get in touch, tell me about your day (and your wedding date most importantly) and see if I’m available. I’ve got a few dates left for 2012 so it’s always best to get booked in as soon as you make your decision.

Once you’ve got in touch and I am available on your wedding date let’s meet up if we can (I’m based in Lancashire) or have a chat on the phone. Then if you’re both happy to go ahead I’ll send over the contract (it’s nothing scary) and I’ll require a signed contract and a deposit to hold your date. Unfortunately I can’t hold dates without either of these and it is first come first served (but I’ll be nice and let you know if anyone else is enquiring about your date in the meantime).

Then you’re all booked in, I’ll be shooting your wedding and we can get a date sorted for the pre-wedding shoot!

If you get in touch and I am booked, don’t worry! I’m lucky enough to have some fantastic wedding photographer friends who are all pretty talented at what they do so I’ll put you in touch with them and see if they’re available to shoot your day.