How To Get The Beautiful Relaxed Wedding Photos You Want Without Killing The Vibe.

As a published wedding photographer with around six years under my belt, I'm about to make a big confession. I didn't have a photographer on my wedding day! Instead, I left it to my friends and family to cover the day using a number of disposable cameras scattered across the venue.

Why you might ask? Well, I was scarred by some of the weddings I had attended. Scarred by bossy photographers monopolising the day and "disappearing" the happy couple before their kisses had dried, only to reappear hours later at the reception, looking world weary and more than ready for a drink. I've also never been comfortable in front of the lens and preferred to allow my friends to snap away - largely without my knowledge.

Do I regret it? Hell yes! I now have a handful of badly composed, under exposed and faded photos amongst some drunken guest selfies. Memories, sure, but it would have been nice to have some beautiful professional relaxed wedding photos in the mix. I should have got over myself.

There are so many options now when it comes to photography, but no matter how good the mobile phone or instant camera, there's a little more to getting a beautiful photo than just pointing and shooting. Everyone's a photographer these days, but I see my job as more than that. I often say that I've trained for this job my entire life. My Dad was camera crazy and a keen walker so I've grown up immersed in the natural world. I've been shortlisted for the National Trust Handbook cover competition (my work making it into the inside rear cover) and I volunteered as a photographer at the Black Country Living Museum (a location on Peaky Blinders). I've soaked up inspiration from popular culture, art, people and places, created styled shoots, photographed numerous weddings and fascinating people - from Steampunks to cross dressers - as well as amassing a wealth of knowledge of what not to do.

I shoot fully manual which means I have total control over my camera; how much light I let in, how that light is represented, where my point of focus is, how to manipulate my subjects and the backgrounds. Framing and composition are as important to me, no matter whether I'm taking a group shot or capturing a floral detail or cute stolen moment. I'm the guest you can ignore!

I also professionally edit my photos and send them to my clients in high resolution. I avoid AI cheats where a particular generic look is applied to every single image to "save the photographer time". Editing is an integral part of the artistic process and a fundamental part of the package! I treat them all individually. I aim to evoke the mood of your day and ensure that the feeling I had when I framed and pressed the shutter button is accurately reflected in the final image. The final set will be uniquely yours to keep forever. If you want to, you can blow them up to the size of a billboard!

Here are a couple of examples. One photo is a standard colour edit. The second version I created to emulate a film camera with imperfect light entering the camera to stunning effect. The clients received both versions.

So back to my original question. Can you get beautiful wedding photos without killing the vibe? Abso-flaming-lutely! Here are my top tips.

Tip No. 1

Request a face to face consultation with your photographer. Consider your chosen aesthetic and how you want your day to feel. For example, You might be having a woodland wedding where soft and ethereal is the vibe. I like to know the colour palette and consider how can this be enhanced in the photography? Alternatively, you may be opting for a gothic wedding and so your preference might be for dark and moody photos. If you're having a traditional or city wedding, you may prefer some timeless and classic black and white photos. If your photographer doesn't ask you what you want (and they really should) then make sure you've given this some thought yourselves and communicate your wishes.

Darkly Romantic

Timeless Black and White

This leads nicely to Tip No. 2

Consider asking for documentary wedding photography. Documentary wedding photography does exactly what it says on the tin. It documents your day, but in a way that requires no posing. You and your guests will be encouraged not to look directly at the camera, but to concentrate on enjoying the experience and the photographer will do the rest. Read more about this style of photography in my previous blog, A Wedding in Ten Pictures, here:- https://www.winterpeach.com/post/a-wedding-in-ten-pictures

A stolen moment

Tip No. 3

Agree in advance with your photographer a short list of must have group photos. Keep the groups small if possible, in order that your guests' smiling faces will be visible.

Tip No. 4

Consider a smoke bomb...or three. Smoke bombs are a great way to inject some unpredictability into a photo...and unpredictability = fun. The photo at the top of this blog of Jayne and Darren's recent festival wedding is evidence of this. If you prefer natural laughter and reactions as opposed to stage managed perfection, ask for a few smoke bombs.

Tip No. 5

If you want some naturally posed couple portraits but are intimidated or unsure about PDAs in front of the camera, talk to your photographer. There are numerous ways around this for photographers. They can direct you and achieve beautiful shots in a matter of moments by simply asking you to take a walk for example...

...or shooting from a distance.

Tip No. 6

Consider the timing of your portraits. You're in charge. Obviously, the longer your photographer is with you, the more opportunities there are. That's not a hard sell for an all day booking by the way. In reality, I would say that 4-6 hours is plenty of time to get some beautiful photos without feeling that you need to rush them immediately after the ceremony. If you're on a budget, maybe opt for ceremony and reception coverage of 4-6 hours and leave out early morning preps coverage. That way, you get some time to relax after the ceremony, maybe have a glass of fizz or a beer, mingle with your guests for a while and then you'll feel ready to face the camera. You could even utilise props to help you relax, as per this bridal golden hour portrait of Laura with her ribbon.

Tip No. 7

Remember, photographers have you covered. I take multiple shots during portrait sessions, so if you think you blinked or pulled a funny expression, don't let it worry you.

Tip No. 8

Collaborate with your photographer. If a certain location or photo concept occurs to you, don't hesitate to ask! Communication is key...before, during and after the event.

Tip No. 9

Keep on moving. Agree a time frame for couple portraits with your photographer and keep moving. I like to explore the location with my clients, chatting and pausing when it feels natural to do so and making the most of interesting backdrops and views.

1. 

   

   Poolside

   
   

   Tip No. 10

   Take a deep breath, relax and visualise yourself looking back on this day, the best day of your life (trust me, all my couples tell me that it is) and make sure you don't allow the little voice in your head to stop you from getting the photos you want. Seize the day!

   
   

   Oh and an extra little tip. If the first dance fills you with terror, ask the DJ to demand that all of your guests join you on the dancefloor to your chosen track. The more the merrier and uninhibited dancing makes for great photos!

   
   

   

   
   

   

   Big Dipper

   If you would like to talk to me about your wedding plans and how I can capture you at your most beautiful and relaxed, then drop me some details here:-https://www.winterpeach.com/contact

x Claire