why, i think, you should have an engagement shoot
Let’s get straight into it. Engagement Shoots are a brilliant thing. It puts myself, and more importantly, the couple, at complete ease before shooting their wedding. See, a lot of what the engagement shoot is about is simply us building a chemistry. I keep it very informal and relaxing and I just try to get to know the couple as much as possible, and hopefully, the couple do the same with me.
The more the couple and I get to know each other, the more relaxed the couple will be on the day in regards to the photography. When I may suggest an adjustment to a shot, they are less likely to feel awkward as it is no longer an almost stranger instructing them on their wedding day, but, dare I say it, a friend. Perhaps “friend” is too strong, but for the day, that’s what I want to be for the couple.
The best photographs of people are those where the subject is completely comfortable. People usually seize up when the lens is pointed at them, it’s a completely natural reaction. However, let’s say that subject saw you having a laugh with the bride and groom. The subject will likely think “that photographer seems nice”, and with that in mind, when I point the camera at the subject, they are less likely to react awkwardly. Does that make sense?
On the wedding day itself, an engagement shoot proves crucial when it comes to the alone time shots with the couple. This is a part of the day that some couples can dread, as they usually, particularly the groom, just don’t like getting their photo taken. If the couple did an engagement shoot with me, then they tend to be way more relaxed because they know exactly what’s coming, which makes my job incredibly easy.
When doing the engagement shoot, like I said, I keep it light and breezy, as its not really about the photography. Sure, you will get some lovely photos of you in your natural setting, but like I said, its all about building a rapport. When it comes to some sort of direction from myself, it is very casual. I’d say something like “maybe walk this way holding hands” or “maybe stand just here, why don’t you just stand behind x”. Nice and simple, nothing complicated.
What I will not be doing is instructing the couple every step of the way. This is dull, awkward, boring, unnatural…I could go on. I keep it natural, with some, but minimal input.
So to quickly sum up, engagement shoots are great to break the ice as it works as a rehearsal for the big day. That is why I offer all my couples a discounted Engagement Shoot. Wedding photographers are a big investment and how do you know if you are getting the right one?! This is a wonderful option for a couple that may not be too comfortable in front of the camera or wants some natural loving shots in a location of their choice. This is also a great way for us to meet in person.
The price is £100 for a half-day shoot. There is no obligation to book me as your wedding photographer after this, but if you do, you will get £100 cashback! So, it’s basically FREE, upon booking me of course :)
Get in touch to learn more.
Thanks and all the best
Colin
why is natural photography important (part 2 of 2)
I want to talk a little more about Natural Photography vs. Posed/Staged Photography. From the offset, I want to make clear that not one type is correct. There are many times in all walks of photography that both are required and this also goes for weddings. I will stick with weddings for now as that is the genre of photography I am most specialised in.
So just to reiterate, I would define natural photography as images with no influence from the photographer and posed/staged photography that has had influence from the photographer. I do not include post production in this, as all photographs need to be edited professionally, which I made clear in Blog 1 of this article.
As a wedding photographer, it is important to use both styles of photography, but what is more important is when you choose to use natural or posed photography. There are terrific books by an incredible Wedding Photographer named Roberto Valenzuela, called Wedding Storyteller Volumes 1 & 2. For any Wedding Photographers reading, I’d highly recommend his books, no matter your expertise. Anyway, in it, he describes the five styles of photography, and they are:
Photojournalism
No alteration to the scene and capture with no influence
Adding foreground/background elements for depth and using framing, leading lies, camera angles, depth, selective focus, reflections
Interactive photojournalism
Influence elements/people by improving lighting, composition, natural expression
Based on activities clients are engaged in
Stylized unaware posing
Subject placed in beautiful light and a pose to fit the scene
A soft portrait and they don’t look at the camera
A feel as if the photo is a genuine moment
Stylized aware posing
Same as above but the subject does look down the lens of the camera
Story development
A number of photos telling a single story. For example, the bride and the wedding dress.
Now as you can see from the above, this is a mix of Natural and Posed/Staged Photography. Many photographers out there will tell you they are purely use the photojournalist style for their wedding photography. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this as there are some hugely successful wedding photographers that just use this style. However, I believe that if you want truly outstanding photographs from your day, you need to incorporate all of the elements above. This is what creates the story of your day. There are times throughout the day when some are more important than others, but overall, you need a photographer that is going to give you all of this.
If you have any questions on this, just drop a comment below :)
Thanks and all the best!
Colin
why is natural photography important? (part 1 of 2)
If I were to define Natural Photography, I suppose the simplest way to explain it is photography without any manipulation from the photographer. However, this does have to exclude post editing, as without editing, photos simply do not come to life. If you find a photographer that does not edit their photos and leaves them as “natural”, then avoid them at all costs!
There are two ways in which a photographer can shoot…RAW or JPEG. JPEG you have probably heard of. These are the image files that you will usually find on your computer and most cameras use this format. When a camera takes the photo, the file is usually auto edited by what the camera thinks the best settings are for that photo, so basically, the camera does all the work for you. Now with RAW, the image is NOT edited but the camera. It is a simply a file ready for editing, by the photographer, and then once edited it is likely saved as a JPEG file. I have gone slightly off topic here but I just wanted you to understand the difference if you did not know already and why Natural Photography still requires editing. Do a quick Google search of RAW vs. JPEG and you will find more in depth articles on this matter. I will probably write about it too in the near future.
Back to the topic in hand, Natural Photographer is important in mostly all aspects of photography. A Photograph must have a sense of realism, otherwise, to the viewer, it is just a fabricated picture with no meaning.
I see time and time again on Instagram amateur photographers overediting their photos that they just lose sense of the natural, real image, that the photo becomes unrealistic. Sunset shots are a good example. The sky will be a real weird blue, the sun will be a ridiculous orange and the green grass will be nearly yellow! I get that you want to improve your image, but when editing, you need to ask yourself “is this really how I saw it?”. Usually the answer is no.
An important aspect of Natural Photography is basically not interfere with your subject. Let’s take wedding photography for example. Now, I much prefer taking the natural shots. I prefer to be the fly on the wall and I prefer my subjects, in this case the couple, to be completely relaxed and not feel like they are modelling for me. More often than not, the couple don’t want to be told how to stand, when to kiss, where to put their hands, etc. If you were insistent on a posed shot every time, you are going to end up with a couple that had a bad experience with their photographer, and it is essential to avoid that.
What I like to do is to simply let the couple find their own way to pose their shots. If you leave them to it, you will usually find that no interference is required and you get the beautiful, natural shots you want. Having said this, it is perfectly OK, and indeed advisable, for the photographer to add something to the image if they feel it could be improved slightly. I like to call these “adjustments” rather than poses. So I might say “oh, just look back that way a sec” or “maybe take a walk along that bit there”, and not much else. I keep it nice and simple and the couple simply fill in the gaps. I would never say, “OK now kiss for me”…no, no, no! This is a totally unnatural kiss and I think it will show in the photos. Your couple will kiss when they want to!
I think this is likely to be a part one of two in regards to Natural Photography, as I need to talk more about Natural vs. Posed Photography, but for now, I will leave you with the quick summary that Natural Photography is so important as it simply presents the real image to the viewer. Simple as that really. You don’t want the viewer to feel that your image is fabricated. If it is, you want to make it clear that it is.
Thanks for reading. Look out for Part 2!
All the best
Colin
why you should select a storyteller wedding photographer.
For today’s Daily Blog, I am going to focus on Wedding Photography, and in particular, why you, if you are looking for a Wedding Photographer, should focus on finding one that can tell your story.
What do I mean by this? ‘Cos it sounds kind of cheesy right?
What I mean by a Storyteller Wedding Photographer is a photographer that focuses on the development of your wedding day in its natural form. If you think of what makes a good story, there are many subplots and twists that keep the viewer excited and interested. It is my aim to replicate this format but from the images. The photos need to speak for themselves and write the narrative of the day. So, naturally, the wedding day usually begins with Bridal Preparation. This is our first chapter if you like. As a photographer, or storyteller, I need to capture the scene and develop the story, so this would be the interaction between the bride and their bridesmaids, the pouring of many glasses of Prosecco, the attention to detail of the makeup, the admiration of the wedding dress. I can go on and on.
The point is, by capturing the natural development of the Bride Preparation, as the viewer goes through the photos, the story develops. The same principle applies for the rest of the day. Chapter 2 could be the Groom Preparation, Chapter 3 could be arriving at the Church. What is also important in any story is the characters. Of course, you have the two main characters of the Bride and Groom, but you also must include the other major characters, such as the parents, grandparents, children, best friends, dogs, and anyone else that develops the story, even Uncle Rob on the dance floor who's had one too many but doesn’t know it!
All of this creates the narrative, but what about the meat of the story. There need to be moments in the story that is significant. Situations like the alone time of the newlyweds is a good example. This is an opportunity to really hit home what the story is all about, the couple. This is my chance as a photographer to give a little direction on how we create beautiful photographs and to show the world the conclusion of this epic story. With a little direction, a nice photograph can turn into a stunning photograph. This is not to say that these moments won’t be natural, because they will be. What I will be doing is adding a little flavour to the shot to make it even better.
Couples always say they want 100% completely natural photos. This is all well and good, but when it comes down to the alone time with myself and just the couple, I quickly find the couple can become unsure on how to look or walk. This is completely understandable of course as they have never done this before. This is where a little direction from myself is crucial. It eases the couple and eventually, it is completely natural to them.
I will wrap this up as I think you get my point about the importance of getting a photographer that can balance natural photographs with photographs that require a little direction. The result is epic. One of the best things any couple can do is to also get an engagement shoot prior to the wedding with their photographer. This takes away all the pressure from the couple and it’s just a great chance to break the ice and get to know one another. I am actually offering a sort of “Try before you buy” service, where you can get a free engagement shoot from me.
For more details on this, just head to my contact page.
All the best and thanks for reading!
Colin
barry and sonia - wandsworth town hall, london.
The wedding of Barry and Sonia was a small, but wonderfully intermate one. Many weddings in 2020 were impacted by Covid-19, and Barry and Sonia were no exception. They were supposed to be getting married in Portugal, but unfortunately, that could not happen.
Instead, they had a small, wonderful wedding here in London, at Wandsworth Town Hall. It may not sound as glamorous as Portugal, but Wandsworth Town Hall is actually a beautiful building with stunning architecture with a grand marble staircase inside.
Grand Marble Staircase, Wandsworth Town Hall, London
The Marble Staircase from below
The wedding was a small one, with only the couple’s immediate family attending. But I think it has been proven that this sort of wedding can be, and it was, wonderful! Of course, they wanted the wedding of their dreams, but due to today’s difficult circumstances, when it came down to it, these love birds just wanted to get married, end of. And so they did!
In these times, wedding photographers have had to adapt their pricing structure and how they can deliver. This was a short day in contrast to a normal wedding day, so of course, I cannot charge full wack! That’s why I have come up with my Micro Packages to accommodate virtually any size wedding! You can see more details on this right here.
Back to the wedding, and the day started as any other wedding would, bride prep. Sonia decorated the living room beautifully and really deserved a large crowd to witness and be a part of. The makeup was completed exquisitely by Nour and you can just see from the photos, and although I am no expert with makeup, she did a wonderful job! Sonia looked incredible. The dress was made by Monga's London, and they design beautiful Asian Wedding pieces. Check them out on Instagram. Sonia’s Henna was completed by Erum the night before, where they had a Henna party. The detail was incredible and I know Sonia absolutely loved it, as she asked me a few times to make sure I photographed her Henna!
Precision skills from makeup artist Nour
Applying the finishing touches to hair and makeup
One happy bride!
Nour and Sonia…job done!
The attention to detail didn’t stop with the makeup and the living room. The jewelry, shoes, cake, all beautifully detailed. Barry also looked great in his stunning jacket (I believe is called a Sherwani).
In taxis, we headed over to Wandsworth Town Hall where the couple would get married in the Victoria Room. There was little room for movement, but this room was perfect for a wedding of this size. Although not conventional, it simply worked really well for this wedding.
I have to share this story, Barry and Sonia had the great and unique idea of having the same style of rings for their wedding. They are basically identical, which I think is such a wonderful thing! The rings were presented in a single wedding ring box and you really could not tell which ring belonged to who…I think you can see where I am going with this! Sonia was given her ring first, and it went on fine. However, Sonia then attempted to put Barry’s ring on…but it was too small! They gave each other the wrong rings!! The room was in hysterics and I could not help but laugh behind the camera! Moments like this really do great stories.
Identical wedding rings of Barry and Sonia
The moment they knew they had exchanged the wrong rings!
After the ceremony, we explored the building’s architecture for some quick couple shots and family shots, before finishing the day in the Cinnamon Kitchen, Battersea. The families enjoyed a wonderful dinner together in the very cool floating mezzanine in the restaurant.
It was a wonderful wedding and Barry and Sonia are a truly wonderful and kind couple. They made my day incredibly easy!
For more wedding blogs, just click here.
Please leave a comment below if you have any questions. If you are getting married yourself, just head to the Contact page to get in touch!
Thanks for reading!
documentary style or fine art style - which is better?
As you begin your search for a wedding photographer, you will start to see different styles of photography style emerging from different photographer’s websites that you land on. There’s the documentary style, where everything is done naturally with a really interesting composition. Then there’s the fine art style which is a lot more hands on from the photographer, making suggestions on where and how to stand, etc.
An example of the documentary “fly on the wall” style, where everything is captured naturally.
An example of fine art style, where for example a couple may be asked to be in a certain position.
A photographer exclusively having one of these styles is perfectly fine. I have seen many photographers use just one of these styles of photography and the results can be stunning.
Essentially, it is all down to your personal taste as a couple. Some couples prefer the natural side, as they just want photographers to capture themselves and everyone else enjoying themselves naturally. Nothing is staged or posed and the photographer basically acts as a “fly on the wall” for the entire day, moving in a ninja-like fashion! Having said this, some couples want to be directed in some ways as they want to look their absolute best for their photos! I completely understand this, as the budget for weddings is staggering these days for a lot of couples, so they want to show the time, effort, and money they have put into the wedding and themselves by getting the best photos possible. This doesn’t mean every shot is set up perfectly, far from it. It is more what I’d call “making subtle adjustments”, like “try turning your head this way for me” or in a group shot situation “OK, can you try facing this way instead? Perfect!” As long as the photographer is completely respectful, the fine art style works really well.
Fine Art Style Photography
Documentary Styled Photography
So which do you choose? Well, of course, I mentioned that it is down to your personal preference, but my advice would be to select a photographer that does both. I try to blend both styles in my weddings photography, as the clients really do get the best of both worlds. There are times during a wedding, like the bridal prep, speeches, even the bride and groom alone time shots, where things just need to happen naturally. If there are too many adjustments, the interest will be lost by the couple and in the end, may even get frustrated with the photographer, which is a big NO! On the flip side of this, the fine art style still has a strong place in wedding photography, such as with the group shots and with the bride and groom alone time shots. Everyone wants to look their best in photos, so making subtle adjustments can really go a long way to help this. Let’s face it, you are going to want to print some photos and frame them (at least I hope you do!), so of course, you are going to want a picture of you and your partner looking amazing on your wedding day!
A very natural, “fly on the wall”, reaction shot wiping away their tears.
I suggested the couple to position themselves this way, but be themselves.
I like to call myself a Storyteller Wedding Photographer, as it combines both the documentary and fine art style. If you think of the wedding as a story, documentary photography is used as the “background” or “build up” of the story, so the bridal/groom prep, guests arriving, etc. Then, the fine art style is used for the “main event” in the story, like the alone time between the bride and groom, the group shots of the families coming together. I think this is best for couples as they can then look back at this “story” again and again with absolute joy.
I hope this small article has helped you. If you have any questions about this post, just send me an email colin@colinjones.photography. I’d be happy to answer any questions you have for your search. If you want to get in touch about my services, then just head to the contact page, fill in a few details, and I will be in touch soon!
Thanks so much for reading!
why you should take photographs at golden hour during your wedding day.
Golden hour is a period shortly after sunrise or before sunset. This ethereal time frame is characterized by a warm and glowing light that engulfs the surroundings, bringing a touch of enchantment to any scene. The golden hour casts a soft and flattering hue, casting a spell on everything it touches. The light during this time is gentle and diffused, making it perfect for photography. It casts long, golden shadows and adds a subtle allure to landscapes, portraits, and weddings alike. It is during this period that memories are made and unforgettable images are captured, forever preserving the ephemeral beauty of the day.
Why Wedding Photographs at Golden Hour are Timeless
As an experienced wedding photographer, I have witnessed countless beautiful moments that would forever be cherished. One factor that significantly enhances the magical ambiance of wedding photographs is capturing them during the golden hour. This mesmerizing time of the day, occurring just after sunrise or before sunset, offers a plethora of compelling reasons why the precious memories of your special day should be immortalized during this enchanting period.
1. Incredible Natural Lighting
During the golden hour, the soft, warm light illuminates everything it touches, creating a captivating and dreamy atmosphere. Unlike midday when the harsh sunlight can cast unflattering shadows and cause harsh contrasts, golden hour lighting effortlessly produces a soft and flattering glow. This delicate light caresses the faces of the couple, enhancing their features and bringing out stunning details in their attire. The photographs taken during this time radiate an ethereal quality that simply cannot be replicated with artificial lighting.
2. Backdrops
The golden hour transforms ordinary landscapes into breathtaking vistas. The sky is painted with a palette of warm hues, ranging from soft oranges and pinks to rich and vibrant yellows. The beauty of this backdrop adds depth, texture, and emotion to every frame. Whether it's a scenic outdoor venue, a charming garden, or a picturesque beach, the golden hour elevates the setting, creating a truly magical environment for your wedding photographs.
3. Emotive and Romantic
A wedding is an emotional journey, filled with love, joy, and anticipation. The golden hour amplifies these emotions and engages the senses. The soft light coupled with the captivating backdrop creates an evocative and romantic ambiance that effortlessly translates into your wedding photographs. The intimate and warm atmosphere of the golden hour photographs intensifies the emotions captured, evoking feelings of love and tenderness every time you revisit them.
4. Timeless
Choosing to have your wedding photographs taken during the golden hour ensures that your memories will be preserved with a timeless quality. The soft lighting and ethereal atmosphere transcend trends and create a classic aesthetic that will stand the test of time. Years from now, when you look back at your wedding album, the golden hour photographs will transport you back to the moment, making you feel the same rush of emotions you experienced on your special day.
why the light at weddings is more important than you think.
As a wedding photographer, one of the first things I check for when I enter a room or an outdoor space is the quality of light. It is, without doubt, one of the most important elements in photography.
Light is an indispensable element for photographers, especially at weddings. With its ability to shape, define, and enhance a scene, light plays a crucial role in capturing the essence of those special moments.
In the context of weddings, where emotions are high and fleeting, the right use of light can transform an ordinary photograph into a remarkable work of art. The interplay of light and shadow can add depth, texture, and dimension to intimate portraits, while the soft glow of natural light can infuse a warm, romantic ambiance into the overall composition. Moreover, light can accentuate the intricate details of wedding decor, from the delicate lace of a bridal gown to the shimmering beads on a dazzling chandelier. For wedding photographers, mastering the art of manipulating light is not just a technical skill, but a powerful tool that enables them to immortalize the love, joy, and beauty that unfolds on that unforgettable day.
shelaine and katie london town hall wedding - islington town hall, london.
Shelaine & Katie with the 1960’s Bentley.
I have never seen as much emotion as I saw at Shelaine and Katies Wedding! There were laughs, tears, smiles, hugs. Everything that should be at a wedding! I feel honoured to capture such a wonderful wedding and the beautiful North London venue of Islington Town Hall.
Islington Town Hall
Staircase in Islington Town Hall
First was the bride prep which was a nice and relaxed start to the day. The makeup was completed by Anu and I am no expert in makeup, but the reactions from the bride and the bride’s mother were astounding! They were genuinely shocked and amazed at the results. The mother struggled to hold back tears as she looked on in the mirror. Anu pleaded for her not to cry as it would have ruined the makeup! Thankfully, she didn’t!
Reaction of the completed make up from the bride
Reaction of the completed make up from the bride’s mother
The ceremony took place in the Richmond Room of Islington Town Hall to which I arrived with the bride and the bride’s mother in a sophisticated 1960’s Bentley. The Richmond Room is a stunning room, with beautiful dark wood-paneled walls, a bold red carpet, and tall windows that let in the crucial and stunning natural light that was needed. I was very fortunate to be in a room with so much love. It was a small ceremony, but I think it made it just that much more special.
The Richmond Room
They did it! The Richmond Room
The reception took place in a small pub just around the corner of the ceremony called The Poet. It was decorated by a wonderful events company based in London called Cheers Events London. This company is run by a good friend of mine, Zoe, and her skills are incredible, so make sure you check out her website and Instagram for more!
Decorations completed by the amazing Cheers Events London
The cake!
Finally, we came to the incredible speeches which brought more laughter and more tears! Emotions were sky high and it was just wonderful to capture!
An emotional bride
Can’t beat a funny speech!
Thank you for taking the time to read the blog!
katy and sean - craig y nos castle, wales
The day finally came that I shot my first wedding!
As you’d expect, I was incredibly nervous. I was in unknown territory, but only photography-wise, as the wedding was taking place at the beautiful Craig Y Nos Castle in Wales, which is my home country!
Every time I come back to Wales it fills me with joy. I currently live in London and every now and again, I need to embrace the fresh air of Wales and of course, see my wonderful family that is still in Wales.
Being from Wales, landscapes is actually where my photography began. I loved taking photos of grand Welsh mountains and waterfalls. Unfortunately, 9 times out of 10 it would be raining, thankfully, however, today was a beautiful autumnal day.
It was good to be back in the stunning countryside of Wales. The venue could not be located in a more picturesque location, with surrounding hills, waterfalls, rivers…it was so good to be back! Craig Y Nos Castle is such an interesting venue for a wedding. The wedding hall itself is an old theatre, so it had some unusual features, such as a huge mural of a horse and carriage and the floor was sloped and the ceremony took place on a stage! The bridal suite was a little on the small side, so trying to photograph in a room with around 10 other people was a challenge!
I haven’t even mentioned the happy couple yet, Katy and Sean. I am extremely thankful for them to take the chance on me to photograph their special day. They could have played it safe and got a well known and experienced photographer, however, they were happy with me and I am very glad they did! They are a genuinely lovely couple and made the whole experience so easy for me, so Sean and Katy, if you are reading, thank you again!
I had a brilliant day shooting the wedding and I enjoyed it even more than I thought. Of course, there were challenges on the way. Group shots were more difficult than I thought! It isn’t so much the taking of the photo, it is the organising of people. This is why I enjoy the documentary “fly on the wall” sort of photography with weddings, I don’t have to direct anyone and at the end of the day, nobody wants to be directed at a wedding, they want to have fun!
The decoration was stunning thanks to the Add a Little Sparkle company. The attention to detail was wonderful and the best part… the disco floor with lights! 😃
I was in my element once the disco started. I could sneak around the edges and get the shots and nobody even noticed. This is where natural shots are best!
I learned a lot from this first shoot. First, is the number of batteries required! Luckily I had enough but used more than I thought. Secondly, weddings are exhausting! As fun as it is, it is a very long hard day! Finally, is simply having an even better idea of how to shoot weddings. Experience is everything and I cannot wait to gain more!
If you are interested in my services for your wedding, just contact me via colin@colinjones.photography or go to the Contact page.
Thank you!