A North East Wedding Photographer: An Interview
A business directory sent me an interview today: I realised their questions gave me the chance to share a bit more about who I am whilst answering some very practical questions.
The Original Questions
- How did you get into weddings photos and not only?
I’d been a “Fine Art” street, portrait and landscape photographer for years, with also an eye for architectural and fashion photography, the perfect combination of interests and of people and camera skills to be a wedding photographer. Did it mostly for my pleasure : a couple asked me, and then another…..so it became a business whilst remaining a pleasure.
North East Wedding Photographers:a Bridal Portrait in Classic “Fine Art” Black and White Style
- What characterizes your style?
My style is inclusive and dynamic and elegant: I love a journalistic approach but also creating contemporary or classic photographs. Isolating with a long lens is easy, catching people and places interacting is much harder. My palette is traditional colour and high quality subtle tonal black and white work. Before you look at anything like membership to professional associations and awards, look intently at the photographer’s portfolio.
North East Wedding Photographers:documentary,reportage or wedding journalism photography.
Forget the branding and the sales pitch, look at the work and ask yourself, does this person “shoot by numbers” or is s/he a photographer?
North East Wedding Photographers: Contemporary Wedding Photography
- How far in advance should you be booked?
If you like what I do, just call, even if you’re wedding’s just a few months or even weeks away; it’s happened and I was free ! If I’m available …I’ll be delighted to be your photographer ! Generally speaking at least 10 to 12 months . I am not going to pretend being fully booked years in advance, it’s just not the case.
- Do you offer special packages?
My price structure is transparent: my fundamental package is full generous coverage of your wedding, engagement shoot, files to print and share. If you want less it’s possible. Albums are charged separately. I’ve been told that I produce exclusive work at inclusive prices. I do my best to offer a reduced price for different groups and for different reasons. But my price is already low so….give me a call, tell me who you are and I’ll see what I can do.
- What is the turnaround for pictures?
Approximately two weeks, possibly more at the height of the spring and summer wedding season. High quality editing takes time, even for a skilled practitioner: for looking at photos, the internet isn’t brilliant, because unfair to even the best of work, but even on websites I see too many photos that shout out at me “poorly edited ” !
North East Wedding Photographers:high quality editing for those subtle details . Linden Hall Northumberland.
- What type of camera/equipment do you use?
A combination of Nikon Pro “full frame” and electronic range-finder Fuji Pro camera bodies paired with top notch lenses. Lots of people have excellent cameras nowadays but don’t know how to use them: that’s why you hire a pro. And yes, I have back up equipment .
North East Wedding Photographers:professional cameras and lenses to make the best of the available light.
And for those situations were extra light is needed, I bring anything from Nikon flashes to Elinchrom professional studio flashes.
North East Wedding Photographers: knowing when and how to use a professional flash. Alnwick Castle Northumberland.
Cameras aren’t everything; during the wedding, they’re only as good as the photographer’s eye and his legs and back and people skills too. After the wedding, post production skills count just as much. Once again I can only stress the importance of not getting distracted by the packaging on websites, the lovely logos and flavour of the year designs: look at the photos , because that’s what you want to enjoy in the years to come.
- Do you have an assistant photographer with you at the events?
No assistant, occasionally a helping professionally insured hand with camera skills for when I really can’t be in two places at once.
- What do you like about what you do?
There’s nothing quite like being a wedding photographer for couples that believe in your style: it’s fun yet requires great sensitivity, it’s full of emotion, and fast paced, it’s people and places coming together for one of life’s and society’s most significant events . People in love, getting hitched with friends and family, having a party, dressed up for the occasion, capturing moments, documenting, creating: what more could a photographer want !
Bonus questions put to myself
9. Prints and Albums
Well ! well ! There’s a good question ! My short answer: go for prints and albums every time, even if you get the files from me don’t pass up getting the best quality prints and album you can afford. you’ll be able to order good quality prints directly from your client area and you can consult me for albums. There’s a reason why professionals use professional services for albums, that reason is quality and it always comes at a price. Am writing a post dedicated to this issue and will link to it as soon as it’s published
10. Where did you get your accent ?
Ok, I’m French, on both sides of my family and lived most of my life in the outer suburbs of Paris or in Paris itself.I did live a few of my formative years in the States , hence my fluency in both French and English. Sorry, not a trace of that French accent that some find charming. I’m sometimes asked if I’m Irish, or Canadian or American: nobody in the North East of the UK would mistake me for an Englishman that’s for sure ! So amongst North East wedding photographers, I’m the native French and fluent English speaking photographer with that odd accent.