~ The Benefits of an Engagement Session ~

Being engaged is a milestone in its own right!

And should be celebrated! Such an important next step in your relationship and the beginning of a new chapter. A photographer will be able to capture the candid, real moments that showcase your true emotions. 

Get to know your photographer

You’re most likely to choose your wedding photographer based on their work that you’ve already seen. An engagement shoot is a great way to get to know each other. Having already built a raport eases anxiety for the big day. You spend a lot of time with your photographer throughout the wedding day so it’s important that you choose someone you like and feel comfortable with!

Practice being in front of the camera

Let’s face it, most people aren’t used to having professional photos taken, in fact most probably you’ve never had a professional shoot. Having an engagement shoot allows you to learn how to be yourself in front of the camera. Therefore wedding day nerves won’t be heightened by the thought of being photographed.

Images to use for wedding stationery

There are so many ways you can use your professional photos. From save the date cards to photobooks to share with your guests on the wedding day, or a slideshow project during the reception and a guest book to sign. You’ll never regret having high quality photographs to cherish and share with your family. 

See your photographer in action

This is a fab way to see your photographer in action, to get to know what to expect and how you work together. It takes the pressure off the wedding day portraits and will hopefully be something you look forward to rather than dreading.

Whatever your reason to have an engagement shoot, I can guarantee we’ll have fun and laugh our way through it. With the added bonus of some lovely art for your wall.

Kx

10 Reasons Why Hiring a Photographer is a Must!

Professional wedding photography is an essential part of any wedding celebration. After the sun has set, the food has been eaten, clothes put into storage and the flowers wilted, your wedding photos are items that exist long after the celebration. They are there to remind you of the joy people had, the love that was shared and the special memories that last forever. 

Here are 10 reasons why you should consider hiring a professional to do the job of documenting your long awaited special day. 

1. Takes the pressure off the big day. This is a biggy. An experienced photographer already knows the flow of the day, the key moments to look for, and what looks good and what doesn’t. This is their bread and butter. 

2. Professional equipment for better quality. Your wedding photographer will have invested a lot of money into their equipment and know exactly how to use it. 

3. Experienced in all situations ie church, barn, house, outdoors/indoors. This is not their first rodeo, and won’t be the last. Their expertise allows them to make the best of any situation. 

4. Know how to make the most of the lighting for more flattering images. We all hope for the best weather on the day. The reality is this is the UK and nothing is guaranteed! Rest assured your photographer will be keeping an eye on forecasts/times/golden hour etc and prompt you to make the most of the best situations.

5. Top quality images. By hiring someone who has invested many hours of practice, someone who has taken the time to hone their skills and develop their style ensures that you can trust to receive quality images.

6. Your wedding images last a lifetime. Wedding photography isn’t just a collection of photos. They are important memories to last forever. That’s why it is more important to hire a professional to make sure your images stand the test of time.

7. A reliable photographer. Having an experienced photographer will put you at ease, allowing you to be fully immersed in enjoying your day, knowing that your memories are being captured by someone who knows what they’re doing. The sole reason they are there is to document your day. 

8. Stress less. This can only mean one thing: celebrate more! Your photographer has your back. They have been briefed about the day ahead of time and probably have lists upon lists to ensure every detail is covered. 

9. You only have one wedding day, make it count. Your wedding day happens once in a lifetime and many moments in that day have no do-overs. Is this not the most crucial time to invest in the best?

10. Don’t regret it! What if uncle Mark is taken ill on your wedding day? What if auntie Joan’s camera runs out of battery and she forgot the charger? What if Dad was so caught up in the moment that he forgot to photograph your first kiss as husband and wife? What if the groomsman panicked during the confetti shots and all he got were photos of arms and heads and they were all blurry?? We’ve got you covered. We’ve got backups and spares and people to call. Oh and there’s always a touch of Photoshop to fall back on when cousin Kate puts her phone right in the way of you walking down the aisle. There’s nothing we haven’t encountered before and are prepared for all eventualities. And if that isn’t reason enough I don’t know what is!

You're Engaged!! Now What??!

The moment has happened, your dreams have come true and you’re engaged to be married to your true love. Now comes the fun part - planning your dream day. There’s just one slight problem… where on earth do you start?? It can be quite overwhelming thinking about all the decisions to be made to plan a day of celebrations, the choices are endless. So, I’m here to help! Here is a succinct guide to the most important details to bring your perfect day to life.

1. Venue - This is probably the most fun part, but also the most overwhelming. First of all, decide what type of venue most suits you and your vision of the day. Would you prefer a country house? A barn in the countryside? A city do in a town hall? Maybe a marquee in the garden? Or maybe your dream would be to elope with a small group of family and friends. Whatever your desire, this is the place to start.

2. Date - There are a few things to consider when choosing your wedding date. First of all, the season. A marquee in the garden probably isn’t best in the winter.. A castle or country house may seem too expensive but a weekday wedding out of season could be more manageable on a budget. Bank holidays are very popular and get booked fast, so you may be looking at planning a wedding for a couple of years time if it’s a bank holiday weekend that you’d prefer.

3. Vicar/registrar - As soon as you’ve booked your venue and chosen your date, you should register your intention to marry and book a meeting with your local registrar. Alternatively, if getting married in a church, meet with the vicar.

4. Budget - This part is vital. Weddings can be expensive and soon spiral into £££’s but there are so many ways to cut back and save in certain areas (that’s a whole new blog post for later). Working out what you can afford and a timeline for saving is crucial.

5. Wedding insurance - Not the first thing you think of when you hear the words “Wedding planning” - it’s certainly not the most exciting aspect. But it is probably one of the most important. Although you don’t want to dwell on the worst-case scenario, this is probably the most money you’ve spent on anything up to this point in your life. Taking out wedding insurance would be a good idea before you spend too much money. Prices vary depending on the level of cover.

6. Guest list - Often your choice of venue depends on how many people you plan to invite to your wedding day. Think about who is most important to you and who you can’t get through the day without.

7. Photographer - the most important detail in my humble opinion (should be number one on the list!) Seriously though, if you have your sights set on a particular person, book them soon so that you’re not disappointed that they are already booked on your chosen date.

8. Flowers - Its a good idea to book your florist as soon as you know your theme and venue. Lots of florists will work on more than one wedding per day so if it’s something elaborate you’re after, let them know early.

9. Caterers - If your chosen venue is not going to be doing your catering, you’ll need to consider how to feed your guests. Think about the type of food you’d like and go from there. Would it be a 3 course sit down meal, a slightly more budget friendly buffet, or maybe you’d like something less traditional and call in some catering vans. The possibilities are endless and a great way to make your day more unique and memorable.

10. Entertainment - DJ, live band, magician, Photo Booth, singing waiters, what have you enjoyed as a guest at weddings? What would add that special something to your day? This is where you can really put your own stamp on the day and give your guests a day they’ll never forget!
    
    
    

I hope these hints and tips are useful. It’s not an exhaustive list but a great place to start. As daunting as it may be to plan a wedding day, remember to have fun along the way and enjoy the experience.

Happy wedding planning! Remember to save, share and like my page!

Lifestyle

As the crazy wedding season is coming to an end alongside the long, hot days of Summer I thought I’d take a moment to look back but also look forward to a few projects that are non-wedding related. With Autumn around the corner, I, like every photographer there ever has been, am looking forward to the amazing colours and hazy sun light it has to offer.

This time a couple of years ago I was asked by an old friend of mine to take some family pictures of her and her beautiful children as a birthday gift for her mum… We had a great time at St Catherine’s Chapel in Guildford and the results were amazing!

If there’s a special occasion, a big birthday or you just want a reason to have some up to date family photos then Autumn is the perfect time to do so. I still have some availability in the next few months so please contact me and we can discuss what you’re looking for.

To learn more about my lifestyle photography click here or on the tab above and you can see just a small selection of other shoots I have done; from new teeny tiny people, little and big birthdays/anniversaries and even some work with local business’ to help them promote their products.

In the mean time, enjoy the last few days of Summer!!

Katy x