London Wedding Photography - A Bride and Groom's Guide

'Guy Milnes Photography' is a professional portrait and wedding photographer based in the London area. I also cover weddings and family events in the south east. I have a photo-journalistic approach to my work, shooting in the popular ’reportage’ style.

In order to help you choose the right wedding photographer, I have devised a wedding photography guide for couples to give you an insight into how I work and will work with you to achieve the beautiful images that you desire to help remember your big day always.

The photo below is from May and William's wedding, shot in Blackheath near Greenwich. This is an example of one of the few posed shots I will take during an average day.  It was a lovely day and everyone was receptive to my presence. The couple seemed over the moon with the finished images.

Many photographers work as if your big day is a showcase for their photographic talents. They spend time ushering the guests around into various poses, manipulating goings on and often manage very effective results. From chats I've had, this often leaves clients with memories dominated by the photographer. I feel that this should be the case and believe that a more low-key approach is required in order to capture those magic moments and events as they naturally occur.  This is known as photo-journalistic or reportage photography and is becoming increasingly popular with couples.

The next two images may help you in deciding whether a reportage or a traditional wedding photographer is right for you.

Of course, there will be room for some of the traditional at weddings I cover, but I think the first image says more about the feel of the day, provides a more lasting memory and is much more of a talking point for those involved.

Many couples (especially brides) opt to have their wedding day preparations documented. This is a perfect time for photographers to capture the frantic first few hours before the ceremony.  A whole range of emotions are often involved - nerves, anxiety, excitement and now is one of the best times to document these. 

By contrast, May (above), was (seemed) very relaxed.  She set up a mirror in front of the front room window and set about putting on her make up, barely acknowledging that I was there.  The light was brilliant and I captured many atmospheric images which she loves.

Deciding on a location to get ready, try to choose a spacious room with large windows letting in good natural light.  If this is not possible, place lots of candles safely around the main area. This enables your wedding photographer to use natural instead of artificial light such as a flash. If the window view is not the best, place some net curtain material over the window to let the light can in and stop the camera seeing out.

Ensure the room is decorated just as carefully as you would any other of the wedding locations. A good deal of your pictures may be taken here so an aesthetically pleasing room will make for better images. Clear away any messes such as shoes, clothes and bags and any other non-wedding related stuff. A little untidiness is fine as long as it's wedding related mess.

The bridesmaids aiding the bride will make up a lot of these images. However now is a great time to organise little items of still life that always nice to help you remember the day when you look through your wedding photographs in the years to come. These may be anything from rings to garters or flowers.  An old, new, borrowed and blue set-up or an invitation, a good luck note from Auntie Margaret, even a pair of wedding shoes and any combination of the above. I also try to photograph items that point out the transition between childhood and moving on (even if you departed years ago) like an old family photo with you getting ready in the background.  Best of all is to come up with your own ideas and I can help in executing them.

The Groom is generally less bothered about these preparations shots but if his room is close enough to the Bride's, I can divide my time between the two. The Bride must take priority here, but if I can shoot some of the Groom's room goings on then I will do.

Privacy: Having a strange man brandishing a camera about the place whilst you're getting ready is an understandably unusual situation. Some brides feel better about this than others. Let me reassure you that I will uphold the strictest codes of dignity and privacy at all times. If you would like me to leave the room for any reason, then just say and I will go outside until called back in.

The hard work and emotions shared these past months have been leading up to this point. It is important for me to get those all important shots but in a way that shows a sense of reverence for the occasion.  I will endeavour to carry out my photographic duties discreetly as possible. In order to do this, I will need to know if the venue has any restrictions on photography.  I always try to speak to the master of ceremonies beforehand as it is only polite to introduce myself and ask any questions but would be helpful if you can also find these things out prior to the day. I have had several situations where I was only able to photograph the wedding ceremony from near the back or up in the balcony (see picture below). When this happens, it is a shame but I will do my best and as yet have had no complaints from the Bride and Groom.

Apart from the officiant there may be something that you would prefer your photographer not to do? Anywhere you would prefer him not to shoot from? Have a think about any shots that are important for you to be captured. It will help if you remember to take your time. Take time to place the rings on each others fingers. Pause to look at each other tenderly once in a while (I'm sure you'll do this with no reminding from me). For the first kiss, pause just before your lips meet. This moment is the most photogenic for a kissing photograph. The important thing is to be relaxed and enjoy every moment!

The picture below is of Emma and Gary. It was actually taken during the first dance, but they were so absorbed in each other, neither was aware of my presence. It was a total surprise when I produced it a few weeks later!!

After the wedding ceremony there is the mandatory signing of the register. Again, some wedding officials have different ideas about the photography of this. Sometimes we are able to photograph the actual signing, at other weddings a decoy register has been produced for the benefit of staged photographs. This is something else that you may find out beforehand but I will also raise if I meet with the official before the ceremony.

At all times during the day, your wedding photographer should be on the lookout for suitable backdrops and locations for the group pictures. This is often the church or venue but can be at the mercy of the light and weather or permitting time. Direct bright sunlight is not good for photography as it gives shadowy and contrasty images. This can sometimes be overcome with a little fill-flash.  People often squint when out in sunlight, so don't be surprised if a shaded area is chosen. It would be helpful to assign a delegated person who is familiar with the family and could get people into the shots as required. This may be a bridesmaid, best man, usher or a helpful child. Kids love to help out at family events - I'm happy to let them. They often see stuff that adults miss.

If time runs short or the light and weather are bad don't worry. There will be other opportunities to group people together throughout the rest of your wedding day. If time is a concern, non-relatives may be sent on to the reception venue whilst I spend a short time organising more intimate family photographs.

Phew!! Now it's time to chill out a bit. Most of the necessary wedding photographs have been shot and it's time for the true celebrations to begin. There are still a few traditional shots that may be taken such as the throwing of the bouquet, cutting the cake and the first dance. during the wedding breakfast and/or reception, I shall be mingling with your guests and shooting shots of people laughing, chatting, dancing and generally making merry. If I am elsewhere at any point when a something is about to happen that you want photographing, please have someone give me a nudge to tell me so.

Best time to do the couple portraits is when you'll be least missed by your wedding guests. This could be later in the evening after the meal.  Or maybe between the ceremony and reception. This is something that we will discuss at our preliminary meeting.  These shots should only take ten or twenty minutes. The best time as far as the photography is concerned is the hour before sunset when the sun is lower in the sky, casting a mellow light. This and the ceremony are parts of the day when you may feel self-conscious. But by your couple shots, you should have had all day to get used to being the centre of attention so just relax and enjoy the occasion, but most of all each other. When we find a likely spot, I will tell you roughly where to be.  Then feel free to kiss, hug, play, dance or whatever feels good for you at the time. Try to ignore the fact that I am there and have fun. Whilst posing it is best to think of your own ideas. This will ensure your wedding pictures are more personal to you. Of course I may direct a little so as the composition is pleasing to the eye. However, always trying to stay closely within my reportage style, this will be one of the few times that I may direct you.

The above picture is of Jacqueline.  She asked me over to the Donegal coast, Ireland to document her wedding to Matthew.  After the ceremony we ventured down to the rocks where I took some lovely images of her.  It was a windy day which added to the atmosphere and her dressed billowed out giving yet more drama!

Before your day look through websites or magazines for wedding photographs that inspire you.  Send any you like to me stating why they appeal and I'll make a note do something similar - putting your own individual stamp on it, of course.  Remember: Your ideas are best but there's no reason not to look for photographic inspiration.

Except from the previously mentioned posed photographs, I choose to keep a suitable distance throughout the day. My 70-200mm telephoto lens allows me to achieve those natural, reportage shots without alerting you or your guests to my presence. Occasionally, people prefer not to be photographed and if I feel this from anyone then I will respect their privacy. I am also open to guests asking me to capture them in groups and certain situations as long as you, the Bride and Groom, agree.
Last thing before finishing:  Please have a look again at the type of moment I love to shoot. Weddings are one occasion that allows for the full spectrum of emotions. When leaving the church, May's grandfather was overcome with emotion and I was able to catch these tender moments between the two...