*The following is for when we can resume to normal after Covid*
After the guests have gone home, the presents have been opened, the dress is put away and the cake is eaten, your photos are the only memories that you can look at again and again to remember every part of your wedding day so make sure your photographer is ‘the one’ for you! There really isn’t one size fits all!
Your date is set, venue booked and you are looking for a Photographer to capture your special day!
So who do you choose?
Obviously you want to know that your photographer has experience photographing weddings and that you like their photographic style but what many couples forget is how important it is to feel comfortable with them. Your photographer is the only person who spends ALL Day with you, your whole special day! If you have never met them before the day, then how do you know you will be comfortable with them? I always advice anyone who contacts me to shoot their wedding, that no matter whether they hire me or not, make sure you meet your photographer and ensure you feel relaxed and happy around them. Ask yourself, can I be relaxed with this person, if the answer is no then this is going to show in all your photos, photos which cannot be taken again. I cannot make this point too strongly.
Whilst the photographer needs to be in control of timing, to make sure all photos are taken in the times allocated, they also need to flow with the day, after all photos is not the only part of the day!
One small tip for the day: When it comes to the group photos, ask a member of the groom party to be in charge of finding people who need to be in the next photo, they know who they are looking for and this saves lots of time.
Happy Photographer hunting and Happy Wedding Day!
Janet Simmonds, Marsh Photographic
I am sure as a Photographer, you have heard these words….”Your camera takes great photos” Frustrating, isn’t it? I understand that this is by no means meant to be an insult, however, Photography is a skill that people work very hard at so giving all the credit to the camera is like telling a baker that the oven makes great cakes, of course you need the oven but the baker did the creative part, the oven finished the job. The camera is the same, the creativity, images come from the photographer, the camera just captures the idea.
As for the camera, yes it does take great photos, because I set my camera up to take great photos! My camera does what I tell it to do! With the dial on ‘M’ so I can control the Shutter speed and Aperture, the correct lens and ISO speed I have total control over all aspects of how the image is taken. My relationship with my camera is one of control, I am always in control.
Before digital took over from film, I had never heard these words before, not one single person said it to me! I wondered why this was, maybe since the digital age, everything has become more accessible to everyone so they feel there is a better understanding of what goes into making an image. The strange thing is, nothing has changed about creating an image from film to digital, of course we have so many more options with portrait modes, sports modes etc. but ask pretty much any photographer, especially one who worked with film back in the day, that nothing has changed for them. They still set their camera up using Manual, setting the aperture, shutter speed and ISO, according to the lighting inside or out, lens etc., that they are working with. When you have been doing this for many years, knowing this information comes as second nature.
I have worked with many photographers over the years and like me, they take huge pride in their work, usually striving for perfection so to them….YOU take great photos!
“The single most important component of a camera is the twelve inches behind it.” – Ansel Adams
Marsh Photographic is run by Janet Simmonds and has been providing photographic services for over 25 years. We currently offer Weddings, Commercial, Headshots, Product Photography and coverage of events. We also offer exhibition stand design.
Who is Janet? I grew up fascinated by cameras and photos and after school attended 4 years of College studying Photography and Media Studies. Since then I have worked in the Photography industry starting as an Assistant Photographer, then Photographer and before leaving the UK I taught Photography for 4 years to High School students.
I have run Marsh Photographic for 18 years and have photographed many families, weddings, babies, commercial shoots and events. Being a photographer is who I am, it is not only my job but my passion and I take pride in providing all my clients with the best service and photography from start to finish.
On a personal level, I am a mum, wife, runner, golfer and writer.
I look forward to meeting new clients and catching up with returning clients in 2021.
Janet Simmonds