Some of you are probably thinking you can get a friend or relative to take your wedding photographs, yes you can, but I have heard so many stories from people who are disappointed by the end result, that when they come to the second marriage or the wedding vow renewal one of the first things they book is a professional wedding photographer. Also if your friend or family member is taking the photographs they are unlikely to be in the photos. So why do professional photographers do it so much better than your friends or relatives? Because I have:

1/ the right equipment for the job, high quality camera, good quality flash units, flash bracket to get the flash above the camera for less direct light (therefore less hot spots on faces), a camera with a battery that will take over 2000 pictures before needing recharging and studio lights for inside photography.

2/ spare equipment including spare camera, spare flashes (in case the main one stops working/is dropped (things do happen)).

3/ been fully trained in how to take superb wedding photographs, I know how to arrange the people and how to deal with the awkward members of your family that never want to be photographed.

4/ photographs taken with flash to ensure that all are beautifully lit with highlights in peoples eyes.

5/ often been to the venue before and so know the best places to use, if I don’t know the venue I take a trip there to reconnoitre the venue.

6/ colour correction software to sure that all the images when printed are colour corrected, i.e. take the redness out of those indoor shots, make those awful grey days seem a little warmer than they really were.

7/ a vast array of poses that I can use to make for more interesting photographs, not just stand you all in a line like. I know how to use differential focus to make things more artistic and when to use a fast shutter speed to capture that moment in motion.

8/ an array of beautiful albums to choose from to treasure forever, that you will want to open time and time again, not just pass on a pile of 6×4 inch prints that end up curled up in a box for ever more, unloved and un-viewed.

9/ £5,000,000 insurance cover for public liability (in the event someone falls over me or the equipment I use) and indemnity cover.

10/ And in the event that I cannot make the day due to unforseen circumstances, I have an array of excellent photographers that I can call on in order to make sure that you have someone there that can do the job for you just as well as me, well almost!!!!

11/ I am a member of the Royal photographic Society who have awarded me a Licentiate which means that you can be sure I know how to take superb photographs.

12/ and if you still aren’t sure you want a professional you can trust and know will do a great job (take a look at my galleries under ‘weddings’, ‘portraits’ and ‘architecture’ above) then take a look at this link and read about some disasters: taken from the BBC news website.

How will your friend or relative answer all these questions?