Wedding photography - bit of a minefield!
Discussion
I'm not usually found in this part of the forums but, rest assured that I come in peace!
I'm getting married next July and, of course photography has come up. I don't know where to start or what to look for. I'm sure it's dead easy to just pick someone from out of the Yellow pages but I don't want to do that, I'd rather take a bit more care in who I book. The pricing does seem comical I'll be honest, but, I understand that it's highly skilled and uses very expensive equipment. I also have no doubt it's very much "you get what you pay for".
What we'll be looking for is photography from about 12:30, with a 13:00 ceremony and the usual group shots afterwards. We'd like something very relaxed and photos to appear quite natural with regards to poses. I have a cousin who is very handy with a camera (as a hobby and has covered various courses and studio work) but am unsure if he'd be willing, or provide what we want.
Anyway, what should I look for? And, any recommendations for a wedding in Castle Donington, Derbyshire?
Thanks in advance.
I'm getting married next July and, of course photography has come up. I don't know where to start or what to look for. I'm sure it's dead easy to just pick someone from out of the Yellow pages but I don't want to do that, I'd rather take a bit more care in who I book. The pricing does seem comical I'll be honest, but, I understand that it's highly skilled and uses very expensive equipment. I also have no doubt it's very much "you get what you pay for".
What we'll be looking for is photography from about 12:30, with a 13:00 ceremony and the usual group shots afterwards. We'd like something very relaxed and photos to appear quite natural with regards to poses. I have a cousin who is very handy with a camera (as a hobby and has covered various courses and studio work) but am unsure if he'd be willing, or provide what we want.
Anyway, what should I look for? And, any recommendations for a wedding in Castle Donington, Derbyshire?
Thanks in advance.
Not sure where he is based but the chap below is a PH'er and has been recommended in other similar threads. Can't remember his PH name!
Could be a good starting point
http://blokewithacamera.co.uk/Contact.htm
Could be a good starting point
http://blokewithacamera.co.uk/Contact.htm
SIMPO!This guy is a friend of mine, and pretty damn good at what he does.
Some friends got married here, although you only rent the grounds and have to sort out marquee etc... the location was awesome. It's about 10 minuts outside Donington itself though.
There are a few other places that spring to mind, Donington Manor has been good when we've eaten there, and Yew Lodge, 10 mins down the road in Kegworth, looks nice as well.
For the true PH wedding, I think you can hire suites at Donington Park
If you want a local opinion on anything, drop me a PM as I live in the village.
Fun Bus said:
And, any recommendations for a wedding in Castle Donington, Derbyshire?
If you're after a venue, we got married here. Pretty little hotel sat on the river with some nice grounds for the piccies.Some friends got married here, although you only rent the grounds and have to sort out marquee etc... the location was awesome. It's about 10 minuts outside Donington itself though.
There are a few other places that spring to mind, Donington Manor has been good when we've eaten there, and Yew Lodge, 10 mins down the road in Kegworth, looks nice as well.
For the true PH wedding, I think you can hire suites at Donington Park
If you want a local opinion on anything, drop me a PM as I live in the village.
Edited by SlidingSideways on Monday 14th November 08:56
Fun Bus said:
I have a cousin who is very handy with a camera (as a hobby and has covered various courses and studio work) but am unsure if he'd be willing, or provide what we want.
Don't ask the cousin, it's not fair on him, you're either inviting him as a guest OR booking him to be the photographer, it can't be both. Nick Grant said:
Fun Bus said:
I have a cousin who is very handy with a camera (as a hobby and has covered various courses and studio work) but am unsure if he'd be willing, or provide what we want.
Don't ask the cousin, it's not fair on him, you're either inviting him as a guest OR booking him to be the photographer, it can't be both. My wife was at the wedding too, but I didn't really get to spend time with her until later when things had calmed down. But the two things that really annoyed me was that the guests that didn't know me thought I was hired to do the photos so I got some 'looks' when I 'stayed' for the reception, and during the speeches when everyone and anyone got thanked, I didn't get mentioned once!
Windy Vortex said:
I was once in this situation, I was asked, as I coming to the family wedding anyway would I take some snaps, when I agreed I was then asked to take some formal photos, before I knew it I was the official photographer.
My wife was at the wedding too, but I didn't really get to spend time with her until later when things had calmed down. But the two things that really annoyed me was that the guests that didn't know me thought I was hired to do the photos so I got some 'looks' when I 'stayed' for the reception, and during the speeches when everyone and anyone got thanked, I didn't get mentioned once!
I'm a photographer and although not a wedding photographer (well, I wasn't. I seem to do quite a few now!) have often been asked to do family and friend's weddings too, and usually say yes since I enjoy doing it, and I'll have a camera with me anyway even if I wasn't doing the 'official' photos. If I don't do it, I either worry that the person they book instead will not be good enough, or I get annoyed that I can't take all the photos I'd like to since out of professional courtesy I try to keep out of the official guy's way. My wife accepts that I'm a photographer so at weddings I will be rushing around. Sometimes I charge a reduced rate, other times I don't charge at all and do it as a gift, but doing friends and family's weddings has in fact now led to a new business for me when their friends like the shots and come to me too, and I can charge them full price. (Drop me a line if you want to know more, I'm in Wiltshire but do travel.)My wife was at the wedding too, but I didn't really get to spend time with her until later when things had calmed down. But the two things that really annoyed me was that the guests that didn't know me thought I was hired to do the photos so I got some 'looks' when I 'stayed' for the reception, and during the speeches when everyone and anyone got thanked, I didn't get mentioned once!
If you ask your cousin to do the shots, be very clear about what you're asking - what you want, is he to be paid, etc. It's not worth falling out over it later! But most of all be clear about why you are asking him. Do you want him to do it because he's cheap and available, or because he is a good photographer?
Windy Vortex said:
I was once in this situation, I was asked, as I coming to the family wedding anyway would I take some snaps, when I agreed I was then asked to take some formal photos, before I knew it I was the official photographer.
My wife was at the wedding too, but I didn't really get to spend time with her until later when things had calmed down. But the two things that really annoyed me was that the guests that didn't know me thought I was hired to do the photos so I got some 'looks' when I 'stayed' for the reception, and during the speeches when everyone and anyone got thanked, I didn't get mentioned once!
My Father re-married coupld of years ago and asked my wife to do the photgraphy- she was very stressed about it (asking by her father in law to photgrpah their wedding!)- like you she didn't get any thanks, nor a present- but they did tell my wife how well one of the other attendees had done in putting her photos in an album! My wife was at the wedding too, but I didn't really get to spend time with her until later when things had calmed down. But the two things that really annoyed me was that the guests that didn't know me thought I was hired to do the photos so I got some 'looks' when I 'stayed' for the reception, and during the speeches when everyone and anyone got thanked, I didn't get mentioned once!
FWIW decide what sort of photographer you want- do you want something quite formal, or very informal where you don't really notice the photographer? we used http://www.alexharephotography.com/ and could not have been MORE pleased- in fact missus is on the home page on Father-in-laws arm
The scramble bell has gone off at Bloke HQ!
Thanks to those who kindly mentioned me, and yes, happy to quote but I'd need to travel up the day before. So the distance will add a bit to the total (travel and a modest hotel room) but it's doable, as I covered a wedding in Leicestershire that way. It wasn't practical to do a recce trip the week before so we met an hour earlier than usual on the day and did a tour then.
Have a look at my site and if you're interested, drop me a line
Thanks to those who kindly mentioned me, and yes, happy to quote but I'd need to travel up the day before. So the distance will add a bit to the total (travel and a modest hotel room) but it's doable, as I covered a wedding in Leicestershire that way. It wasn't practical to do a recce trip the week before so we met an hour earlier than usual on the day and did a tour then.
Have a look at my site and if you're interested, drop me a line
SlidingSideways said:
If you're after a venue, we got married here. Pretty little hotel sat on the river with some nice grounds for the piccies.
It's the Priest House we've booked too. Great location and whilst a little way out of Nottingham I've no doubt it won't put people off.Thanks for all the advice and PM's. Just been talking to the OH about it all and we've both decided (well, me) not to ask my Cousin. I don't think she is in total agreement but it's a decision I'm happy with.
We've also come to the conclusion that all day for a photographer is not something we'll have so looking for someone to cover about 3 hours from 12:30 on the day.
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