Your North West Wedding- February / March 2021 (Issue 66)

THROUGH THE LENS Q – We’re both a bit camera shy and are feeling anxious about photos on our wedding day, but also want a lovely album to look back on. Can you offer us some advice? There are many styles of photography to consider when choosing a wedding photographer. Some of these can be quite formal and require you to pose in front of the camera. A style that may be better suited to you is reportage or documentary. These capture events as they naturally happen, letting the story of your day unfold in a sort of guest’s view. I believe that this type of photography is perfect for people who feel awkward in front of the camera as it’s done in a less intrusive way. It captures the joyful moments and natural smiles of the day without needing to be staged and everyone looking at the camera. Your wedding should be about having a great time, and your pictures should reflect that. Stacey Jackson | Photographer | www.darklemoner.co.uk MAKING MEMORIES Q – There are so many photographers out there – How do we choose the right one for us? It can be tricky when it comes to selecting the right photographer for your big day, but there are some simple rules for choosing wisely. The first thing to consider is the style of your wedding and how it impacts the type of photographer you’re looking for. Take inspiration from magazines, movies and television shows. It’s important that the work of any prospective supplier gels with your preferred look, for example, if you’re after dramatic imagery that evokes classic Hollywood vibes then perhaps look for a professional that specialises in natural light. Secondly, start with a long list and work down to your favourites; you must spend time reflecting on their existing body of work to get a feel for their signature style. Do you want most images to be posed or candid shots where people are unaware of the photographer? Choosing between these two techniques will help you whittle the potentials down. Lastly, consider if you’re the right kind of client for the photographer. Clients often assume that it’s about the supplier being right for them, but unlike many aspects of your big day, there is a constant interaction between you both, whether you realise it or not during the event itself. Someone that shoots editorial may not be at their best if the celebration is outside of their comfort zone and that’s a risk you wouldn’t want to take when you’re investing thousands of pounds on one part of your wedding. Scott Wigglesworth | Photographer www.blackfellphotography.co.uk MOMENTS THAT MATTER Q – What are your suggestions for creative night-time shots? I think every photographer should aim to get at least one amazing night-time shot of their couple. It will leave them with a great lasting impression, and if you get it right, it could be the shot that stands out from the rest. Your photographer will need either a video light (I use the ice light) or they can use off-camera flash to help with producing a creative night portrait. Your supplier should get you to pose, light you with video light and aim for the rest of the scene to be completely black, producing a classic minimalistic portrait. Alternatively, you could do the same as above but face each other with your noses barely touching. Put a coloured gel on the video light and place a light behind you, close to your faces but out of shot. This will create a beautiful outline of your faces. Another option is to stand four feet in front of a wall, facing each other with the flash behind you pointed at the wall. This will create a wonderful silhouette and is a very simple but creative technique. If you’re fortunate enough to have booked a grand venue that is beautifully lit at night, take the opportunity to have some photos in front of it. Inside the venue, try to look for interesting angles, use mirrors as a reflection and ways that light can be used to frame you. David Hobson | Photographer www.davidkhphotography.com www.davi dkhphotography.com www.blac kfellphotography.co.uk www.dark lemoner.co.uk EXPERT ADVICE 43