I’m privileged to know a special guy who is a very creative and professional wedding photographer, so I thought I would have a chat to him to find out about what the work involves.
Steve, how long is a wedding day for the photographer and do you get well fed?
It tends to begin at about 9am and we stay until after the first dance. Food – ha no, once when someone ordered some sandwiches, but we sneak off with a packed lunch when the party eat. It can be a long day! The problem is that venues would charge as a wedding guest if they provided food for us, and that’s an extra burden for the couple.
How frustrating, I bet the food they have is amazing sometimes. What is it like working with the families?
Difficult because we have to find the right balance, we need to remain in authority without stepping on toes. Cheekiness can sometimes get results but they don’t usually listen, so occasionally you just have to shout.
It’s become a tradition for female photographers to be there while the bride gets ready and I know you have recently spent time with a groom and groomsmen before they left for the ceremony. I imagine that was fun?
It was strange, when it’s the girls it’s very special but with guys . . . well there’s nothing to prepare, they just get dressed, maybe fiddle with a tie and buttonhole but that’s it. First they sat around all morning watching footie on television, having a drink and winding each other up. They tend to be quite chilled in church but some panic and it’s my job to try to reassure them, I’m the only point of contact as everyone else is sitting down. Ideally we get some informal shots.
How do you cope when the bride is . . . shall we say . . . no oil painting? Are there ways to make her look good?
Hahaha, yes there are lots of techniques! Shoot from above if they are short – I’m tall! Never use direct flash, bounce it from the ceiling. Make the background really bright, overexposing reduces shadows and makes them look thinner. A shallow depth of field for close up portraits, ring flash will softens feature and. with the larger brides; say with back boobs, you have to look for the best angles. Never shoot profiles of a large nose; they won’t thank you for it.
Have you witnessed any arguments, the wedding fight?
Only families getting tetchy really, but that’s why I leave after the first dance – before they get drunk.
Have you had any really bad venues?
Yes, the back room of a pub decorated like a night club, with neon cocktail bar signs, led lights and lasers shining around a pitch black room. About 30 people, mainly grandparent’s age, and very, very loud club music. It was pretty difficult to get decent photos. Another time there was a hotel with threadbare carpets, buckets in the toilets where the roof leaked, really scabby inside, but nice outside.
Goodness that sounds like a nightmare, Church or civil ceremony, which is best?
Civil ceremonies are easier. Churches have better results but vicars can be difficult saying only one photo inside for instance. Civil ceremonies are good for close up shots, little details like the rings.
What has been your best ever venue?
Wickham church, followed by the Marriott in Meon valley, a stunning hotel and a perfect day.
Any really unusual places?
HMS Warrior, a Victorian battleship in Portsmouth harbour, it was Great Britain’s first iron clad warship. It was small, intimate, lovely.
Steve, do you ever get emotional at weddings?
Nah, apart from annoyance and that has to be hidden!
That must be tough, have you had any major disasters?
My camera stopped working once but I work with my sister and she had a spare.
Anything funny you can remember?
Loads of things yes. On one occasion the groom’s belt needed an extra hole, so his mum tried a skewer, which didn’t work. So then dad decided to use his electric drill – while the groom was wearing the belt!
Thanks Steve, it all sounds fascinating and fun but I don’t think I would have the patience even if the pay is good.
Ah but, what people don’t realise when they are planning the big day, is just how much work we have to do behind the scenes. Correspondence, checking the venue in advance when possible and lots of photo editing afterwards to create their dream albums.
Lucid Gypsy 
Fascinating post, Gilly. Those of us who have more than super-model proportions should remember those tricks. At my son’s wedding the photographer shot us from slightly below – those double chins did NOT look good 😦 ~ but at least we all had them! 🙂
hahaha I have a couple of chins too and avoid photos like the plague!
Nice post, Gilly! I have to say that I don’t often read all the way through guest posts (they can get long-winded and/or preachy), but I enjoyed this one. You did a fine job with the interspersion of questions and answers. And it’s an amusing subject, so that helps! (Reminds me of my own wedding day and photographer…!)
Have you considered doing wedding photography in the past? I have a few photographer friends, and the answer to that question ranges from, “The pay is great!” to “Never again!” I suppose this interview is the reason why! 😀
Thanks Mayumi, no it would never enter my head to try wedding photography I’m not good enough and I wouldn’t want the responsibility! Glad you liked the interview:-)
Very interesting post Gilly! Can’t be easy being a wedding photographer 🙂
I think you have to be very sure of your skills! glad you liked it Madhu 🙂
hahahahahahaha a skewer vs a power drill for belt holes!!!! doesn’t that just point up the differences between the sexes in SO many ways!!! Great post and REALLY different! Loved it from start to finish!
hahaha thanks so much Cathy!
Very interesting interview, Gilly! It’s fascinating how many details go into all the different jobs we take for granted.
thanks Sharon, I hadn’t thought about it until I started chatting to Steve but it is fascinating!
Great post, Gilly! I love to read interviews like this because it is something that I will have difficulties doing. 😉
Thanks Malou,I haven’t tried an interview before and talking to a wedding photographer was really interesting!
Great Post! I did my first wedding a couple months ago as a favor for a friend, and your friend is right it is a lot of work that I really didn’t realize was involved. I’m glad it was a small one. I don’t think I would do it for a living though.
BE ENCOURAGED! BE BLESSED!
Great Francine I bet you did a good job!
Hi,
A great interview, I had a good laugh about the belt, that was priceless. 😀
Lol you couldn’t make it up could you?
This was a fascinating read, and very funny in places too. 😉
Thanks I’m glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Fascinating interview Gilly. Our wedding photographer specialised in industrial photography and did wedding photography as a sideline. He was choosey about what commissions he would take. When we turned up to ask if he would do our wedding he took one look and said yes. He relished the challenge of capturing our very different skin shades. On the day of our wedding we had the 4 seasons in one hit. Thunder storms, heavy rain, strong winds and bright sunshine – married life in a natural prelude perhaps 😉 The sun came out at 2:45pm just as the priest and I were posing outside the church. The rest is history and our photographer really came up with the goods 🙂 Lots of comments from family and friends who requested copies of the photos about how well he’d captured everyone’s faces and clothing despite the wide range of skin tones present. So, the moral is – don’t go for a photographer who just does weddings – they may not have the depth of knowledge to cover difficult lighting.
Really interesting! Are you going to share your photos? you could do a post for us! Steve is a very talented professional and can turn his hand and lens to anything. He also has taught photography and i’m gradually learning a few bits from him!
Hi Gilly – well… Our copies are on satin paper, so not easy to scan. I might need to photograph the photographs 😉 We’ll see 🙂
Very interesting and insightful post, Gilly.
Thanks Celestine 🙂
Great post, Gilly. Excellent questions. Photographers put a lot of work into researching, planning and post production, for the perfect wedding day for their clients. We don’t always think about those things.
It’s a huge responsibility isn’t it? they only get one chance!
This was fascinating. A look into the world of someones career.
A very nice interview. I enjoyed this. It was different.
Toodles … Izzy
Thanks Izzy it came about because I saw Steve when he had just got back from a wedding and I couldn’t resist asking questions.