Frequently asked questions

ALTERNATIVE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER EDITION

Choosing your wedding photographer is about so much more than finding someone whose photos you like.

You’re inviting somebody into one of the most important days of your life. Somebody who’ll be there during the nervous moments, the happy tears, the chaotic moments, and all the little in-between moments that make your wedding uniquely yours.

Over the years, I’ve noticed the same questions come up time and time again, so I thought I’d answer some of the most common ones here. Hopefully, they’ll help you get a better understanding of how I work and whether I’m the right photographer for your wedding.

We’re awkward in front of the camera. Can you Help?

The simple answer is yes, of course I can.

But I know you need more than that.

You need to feel safe enough to be yourselves. You need a photographer who feels more like a friend by the end of the process. You need to know that the final outcome will genuinely reflect who you are as a couple, right?

Before you’re ever asked to stand in front of a camera, we’ll have a video consultation where I get to hear all about you. Your hobbies, your music taste (the good and the “bad”, please), who you are as a couple, and any insecurities or concerns you might have.

Knowing all of these things allows me to create a photography experience that’s completely bespoke to you. By the time your wedding day arrives, my goal is for you to feel like you know exactly what to expect, and for your photography to be one less thing to worry about.

And if you’re still feeling nervous about being in front of the camera, why not book an engagement or couple shoot beforehand? It’s a brilliant way for us to get to know each other even better and iron out any wedding photography anxieties long before the big day.

How would you describe your photography style?

My photography style? You could describe it as dark and moody, but it’s also full of life, laughter, and the occasional silly sausage moment.

If I had to pigeonhole my work, I’d say my style is… you. On your wedding day, you are the brief. The inspiration. My muses.

My favourite photographs aren’t created by following the same formula over and over again. They’re created by getting to know the people in front of my camera and capturing the things that make them unique.

My style is all about documenting genuine moments of joy and creating imagery that feels true to who you are. Whether that’s gothic and romantic, whimsical and playful, or somewhere beautifully in between.

After all, we’re all different. We all have our own stories, interests, quirks, and ways of loving each other. So why would I want to tell the same story again and again, when I could tell yours instead?

Can we see a full wedding gallery?

Absolutely.

Just tap HERE and scroll down until you reach ‘VIEW A REAL WEDDING GALLERY’.

There, you’ll find four completely different weddings to explore. Each gallery has its own personality, its own story, and its own way of celebrating love.

I always encourage couples to look through full galleries rather than just the highlights. It’s the best way to see how I capture an entire wedding day, from the big emotional moments to the little details that might otherwise be missed.

You’ll also get a feel for how every couple brings something different to their photographs. No two weddings look the same, because no two couples are the same.

How much coverage do we actually need?

When deciding how many hours of wedding photography you need, it all comes down to your priorities.

A good place to start is by asking yourselves a few questions:

• Do we want morning preparations photographed?

• Which parts of the day matter most to us? The ceremony? The speeches? The dance floor?

• Do we want the whole story told, from the morning getting-ready chaos right through to the party?

The answers to these questions will help your photographer determine the level of coverage that’s right for you.

Every wedding is different, and that’s why my packages offer different coverage times. For example, my Overlord Package includes up to 10 hours of photography, giving me plenty of time to capture everything from the preparations to the party.

Whether you’re looking for a few key moments or the full story of your day, we’ll work together to find the coverage that suits your plans best.

What happens if it rains?

Now, this is one I get asked all the time, and honestly, it’s no surprise. We live in the UK, where even the height of summer can switch from glorious sunshine to a proper downpour in a matter of minutes.

If rain is on the forecast for your wedding day, my best advice is to find ways to embrace it. I actually love that we live in a country where the weather can be so unpredictable. Think about it this way: rain is free drama for your wedding photos.

We can create beautifully romantic and atmospheric images, but we can also capture those natural moments of you both laughing, running for cover, and trying to keep each other dry. Sometimes those end up being the most memorable photographs of the day.

And if it gets dark enough, I can get my lights out and make a real feature of the rain. Suddenly, what felt like bad luck becomes something cinematic and magical. Then, years later, instead of saying, “It rained on our wedding day,” you’ll be saying, “It rained on our wedding day, and we didn’t let it ‘dampen’ our day.”

I also happen to keep a rather ridiculous collection of umbrellas in my car for exactly this reason. Simple black and ivory umbrellas, gothic beauties with Addams Family vibes, and even a bright Pride rainbow umbrella for couples who fancy a splash of colour.

The truth is, we can’t control the weather. We can only control how we react to it. So let’s not spend the day worrying about the forecast. Let’s take advantage of the free special effects instead.

As Lady Gaga famously said during the filming of Marry the Night: “We got free rain. Roll the cameras and turn the lights back on.”

Do you pose us, or do you capture things naturally?

Short answer? Yes and yes.

I’ve been photographing humans for over 15 years, and I’m trained in both lighting and posing. So guidance throughout your wedding day and photo sessions is a given. I’ve got you covered and know what tends to work best.

That said, I also love capturing natural moments. Even the most candid-looking photographs usually need a little direction behind the scenes. Finding the best light, the right backdrop, and creating opportunities for genuine moments to unfold all play a part.

Your confidence level, comfort, personal preferences, and the style of shoot you’re looking for will all influence how much guidance I give. No two couples are the same, which is why getting to know you beforehand is such an important part of the process.

The more I understand who you are, the better I can tailor the experience to suit you. Whether you’d like plenty of direction or prefer a more relaxed, documentary approach, we’ll find the balance that feels right for you.

Your session, your way.

How long will it take to receive our photos?

The day after your wedding, you’ll receive 5–10 sneak peek images from your day. These give you a little preview of your gallery, a chance to relive some of those magical moments while everything is still fresh, and something beautiful to share with family and friends.

Many of my couples use their sneak peeks to thank guests on social media, and some even use them for thank you cards, which is another service I can help with.

Your full wedding gallery will then be delivered within 6–12 weeks. Summer seasons will be quicker than Autumn seasons.

Engagement and couple shoot galleries are usually delivered within 2–4 weeks.

These timelines apply to your digital gallery, where you’ll be able to view, download, and relive all the magic from your session or wedding day.

If your package includes albums, prints, or other photo products, these can take a little longer. Please allow up to 8 weeks for the design, approval, and ordering process.

I know waiting for your photographs can feel like forever, but I promise I’m not just sitting on them! Every image is carefully selected and edited by hand to ensure your final gallery tells the story of your day in the best possible way.

If you’d like to learn more about what happens after your wedding day, including the editing process and gallery delivery, I’ve written a full blog that walks you through the entire journey.

Have you photographed at our venue before?

As my couples are scattered all over the UK, from the North to the South, Wales, and Scotland, there’s every chance I may not have photographed at your venue before.

And honestly? That’s not necessarily a bad thing.

A professional photographer will always do their research. Before your wedding day, I’ll speak with your venue coordinator, learn any rules or restrictions, familiarise myself with the space, and make sure I know exactly what to expect.

Most venues will happily point out where group photographs are usually taken and where previous couples have had their portraits.

But here’s the thing…

I’m not particularly interested in creating a copy of the last wedding that happened there. I want your photographs to feel like yours.

So whilst I’ll absolutely make use of the venue’s best features, I also love finding different opportunities. Maybe that’s shooting from a different angle, bringing in creative lighting, or discovering little corners that help tell your story in a way that’s unique to you.

For me, great wedding photography isn’t about knowing every inch of a venue before I arrive. It’s about understanding people, adapting to the environment, and creating photographs that reflect your personalities and your day.

My dedication to your wedding photography goes far beyond knowing my surroundings.

What makes you different from other wedding photographers?

Ah… this is always a funny question to answer. You’re basically asking me to brag about myself, and that’s not always as easy as it sounds!

If I had to choose the thing that makes me different from other wedding photographers, it’s the amount of time and care I put into getting to know my couples.

I don’t just want to know the details of your wedding day. I want to know what makes up your relationship, who you are as individuals, your hobbies, interests, and the story that brought you together.

Because you are the brief. You are the inspiration.

A lot of the people I photograph describe themselves as awkward, shy, introverted, neurodivergent, or simply uncomfortable in front of a camera. The more I understand who you are, the easier it becomes for me to create an experience that feels natural and comfortable for you.

There’s no pressure to perform and no expectation to suddenly become a model. We’ll find an approach that suits your personality, whether that’s gentle guidance, a relaxed walk, a game of Uno, or simply having a good laugh together.

And if things get a little weird? Even better. I can usually out-weird anybody.

By the time your wedding day arrives, my goal is for you to feel like you’re spending time with a friend who happens to have a camera.

I don’t want your photographs to look like anybody else’s wedding.

I want them to look like yours.

Will you help us plan our timeline?

Absolutely.

I’ve photographed enough weddings over the years to have a pretty good understanding of what tends to work well and what can sometimes cause unnecessary stress or delays.

One example that always sticks in my mind is a couple who decided to split their speeches between each course of the wedding breakfast. On paper, it sounded like a brilliant idea. Short speeches, broken up throughout the meal.

The reality was a little different.

A few speakers ignored the couple’s request to keep things brief, which delayed food service, pushed back the room turnaround, and had a knock-on effect on the evening schedule. Before anyone knew it, the cake cutting and first dance were running late too.

Since then, I usually suggest having speeches either before or after the wedding breakfast.

Before means they’re done and everyone can relax. After means guests aren’t waiting for their food and, after a few drinks, people often become a little more confident and interactive too.

Of course, every wedding is different, and this is just one example of the advice I can offer when helping you plan your timeline.

That said, your venue team will always know their own schedule and logistics best, so I work closely with them to make sure everything runs as smoothly as possible. I’m always happy to adapt and fit in with the way your venue operates.

The goal is simple: less stress, more time enjoying your wedding day.

STILL HAVE QUESTIONS?  

Hopefully, this has answered some of the questions you might have about wedding photography, how I work, and what it’s like to have me by your side on your wedding day.

If you’re still unsure about anything, please don’t hesitate to get in touch. I genuinely love getting to know my couples and chatting all things weddings, photography, alternative culture, and the little details that make your day yours.

And if we’ve learned anything from this blog, it’s that no two couples are the same. That’s why I believe your wedding photography experience should be tailored to you from the very beginning.

So, if you think we might be a good fit, I’d love to hear your story.