A little while ago, when I was feeling quite wordy and articulate I commented in a forum that wedding suppliers are like musicians in an orchestra.

Each one of us has a little role to play under the conductor – the bride and groom. When it all comes together it makes the most awesome symphony, but every so often one of the musicians decides to play their own tune. Result – a cacophony of noise.

It pains me to say this, but quite often it’s the photographer who is the errant solo artist in the orchestra of your wedding. That person who can’t work to schedule, who takes far too long trying to set up a photograph which will impress all his photography chums, who holds up the rest of your wedding. Sure everyone has a job to do, but why is it so often I hear complaints about other photographers who took three hours to photograph the bride and groom with scant regard for the other professionals working at the same wedding?

Right, lets not get super negative about things – I also don’t like to hear people bitch and moan about stuff – that’s what the newspapers are for..

Getting back to the symphony of your wedding. When everyone works together, they’ll create a beautiful expression of joy. I’m always taking the time to check the details with my couples before the wedding day. What time is the bride getting ready, when is the car leaving for the church, when would your caterer like to serve the meal. All these times are times I need to bear in mind when photographing at your wedding. Can you imagine if things on the day got held up because of me? OMG I think I’d die of embarrassment!

I’m not one of these overblown ‘all about me’ photographers who turns up at your wedding with a truck full of gear and lights – who then proceeds to spend an e.t.e.r.n.i.t.y posing and reposing couples while the caterer edges closer and closer with that cake knife as those delicate soufflé starters start to collapse in on themselves. ‘Oh but the light is lovely, it’s award winning’ comes the cry from the photographer as the couple collapse like their soufflé..

Observational, reportage, documentary, photojournalism – call it what you will – this is how I like to photograph a wedding. Just watching and photographing the real emotions of the couple and the guests. What’s better, a picture of a bored looking couple posing for their umpteenth photograph in front of a tree, or a photograph of a couple exchanging little loving glances with each other as they enjoy their glorious soufflé? I know which one I’d like to look at from my wedding. Sure, I do a few posed photographs of the bride and groom, after all Gran would love to have a simple photograph of you both to show off to her friends. I always keep it short and sweet and always, always make sure that I know what time the caterer would like to serve the meal.

So, how do you know if you’re going to end up with an ‘all about me’ photographer?

It’s a bit tricky really, but you really do need to ask about how they will work on the day. I tend to ask for between 20 and 30 minutes for formal portraits with the bride and groom, but some of the more, shall we say, equipmentally involved photographers can spend upto a few hours! Are they laid back and accommodating about any plans you have for the wedding day? Have a look through their wedding portfolio – is it full of stuff that looks like it’s out of a magazine, where every element is ‘just so’, or is it full of natural, un-posed, emotive photography?

Ultimately you want to fill your wedding orchestra with people who can create you perfect wedding together. Common sense should get you far – but asking a few questions can’t hurt…

If you like to find out more about my emotive style of photography for your wedding, I’d love to hear from you (click on the contact link below)

Thanks to Jacque at Anglian Events for suggesting this topic on my Facebook page