How would you summarise documentary photography in one line?

Knowing how to be in the right place at the right time!

So you won’t be ‘setting up’ the shots?

Absolutely not. The beauty of documentary wedding photography is that it captures your day as it happens naturally. The photos then have a more natural, authentic feel to them. It’s a very honest way to record the day and I very much like to take a ‘backseat role’.

Will you need a ‘photographer’s checklist’ from us?

No, this isn’t how I work. These kind of things can be distracting and can disrupt the natural flow of the day. I want you both to enjoy your day without even giving the photos a second thought. Just trust me to take care of the rest!

What will you need to know about our wedding day?

I’ll get you to fill out a basic questionnaire when you book me, just so I’ve got all the official addresses and times etc. Then we’ll have a bit of a chat so that I can compile my own ‘timetable of the day’ - this is what tells me where to be, at what time!

we love the photos in your portfolio and we’ve decided we want to book you! what do we do now?

Please fill in the Enquiry Form in the ‘Contact’ part of my website and I’ll get back to you ASAP. I require a 25% booking fee to ‘secure’ your date, with the remaining 75% balance due 28 days before your wedding day.

Do we sign a contract?

Yes, as part of the booking process- but don’t worry, it’s nothing scary. It just allows both of us to manage expectation. It covers you just as much as it covers me.

What will you be wearing to our wedding? do you have a uniform?

I wear a smart shirt and trousers on the day. Not only does this allow me to stay in keeping with the theme, but it allows me to blend in with the guests. For my style of work it’s best if guests don’t alter their behaviour upon spotting the photographer!

what time will you be arriving at the venue?

I need to arrive at the venue 45 minutes before the ceremony starts. Guests arriving at the venue are a very photogenic part of the day - all those old reunions, all those hats and outfits!

Are the guests allowed to take photos too?

Of course they are! They are your friends and family after all. All I can hope is that a little basic etiquette is followed regarding not blocking my view. I take no responsibility if Aunt Mabel jumps out at the last minute with her iPad and blocks a critical moment!

Do you take group photos?

I try and limit the amount of group photos I take to a handful, for two reasons. Firstly, this process can very easily spiral out of control and become quite time-consuming. This is your big day, you’ve spent a few quid on it and you should be soaking up every minute of it! Secondly, there’s nothing very ‘documentary’ about group photos. I could be missing all sorts of shots if we’re all distracted lining people up etc. I prefer to catch the fun, action, natural and emotional scenes.

Is the photo editing included in the price?

Yes it is. I adjust things like highlights/shadows, colour vibrancy and sharpness etc to help your images ‘pop’. Then I ‘pop’ them on a USB stick for you to treasure forever.

are you a photoshop kind of photographer? do you airbrush things out at our request?

Nope. I make no apologies for considering myself a ‘purist’ documentary photographer. When you look back on these photos in decades to come, I want you to be able to feel the authentic nature of them. Not whatever I have ‘fabricated’ to make it look like. Real memories, of real scenes as they happened naturally.

will the photos be in colour or black and white?

Some will be in colour, some will be in black and white. For me, the scene and the lighting dictates this. Sometimes a simplistic, minimalistic scene might lend itself to a classy black and white edit, whereas in other scenes you might really want to see that green grass or that blue sky. Maybe that’s what they mean when they talk about the ‘photographer’s eye’!

are your travel costs included?

I require an additional £100 travel fee if your wedding is taking place outside a 75 mile radius of Birmingham City Centre. Take a look at my ‘Pricing’ page for further details.

do you need to visit our venue before the big day?

No, my style of photography works just as well ‘on the fly’. It’s not like I need to prepare a room with backdrops and soft boxes etc. I’ll just follow the action and photograph whatever you and your guests are doing - the more natural, the better!

do we need to provide you with food on the day?

I wouldn’t say no! I’ll be taking a break when your guests are eating their meal anyway - Uncle Bob doesn’t want me photographing him with a chicken drumstick in his mouth. If the caterers are able to put aside a meal for me it would be very much appreciated, I can sit in a back room somewhere out of the way.

What will look good in our photos? any particularly photogenic tips and tricks or props and ideas?

This is a tricky one to answer because different weddings have different styles and themes, but to try and answer it generically as possible - confetti usually provides the ‘million dollar shot’ but make sure it’s biodegradable so you don’t get told off by the venue! If you’re booking a marquee then festoon lighting adds a great atmospheric backdrop and a personal favourite of mine - sparkler runs - are becoming increasingly more popular but just remember ‘safety first’ as most guests will have had a drink by this stage of the evening!

what happens if you’re ill/unavailable last-minute on our wedding day?

I’m a member of several network of wedding photographers - in the unlikely event that I became unavailable last-minute then every effort would be made to find you a like-for-like replacement - but let’s not worry about that though, eh?

do you offer a printing/album service?

At the moment I’m only providing a digital file service but there are plenty of of printing options open to you once you have these images.

how long will we need to wait before we receive our images?

I will deliver your images to you 4-6 weeks after your wedding day on a USB stick - but just so you can mark the occasion on social media I’ll send you 5 edited images the day after your wedding!