“The Wedding” what happened next? A photographers first wedding!

“The Wedding” what happened next? A photographers first wedding!

Photographing my first wedding at Leonardslee Garden, West Sussex

They say never mix business with friendships but I have to say this is the best thing I have done and I don’t regret it for a minute.

For more details on me photographing your wedding please head over to my wedding page

The background story

Holly asked me if I would photograph her wedding to Shiraz. Even though, she knew I wasn’t a wedding photographer. I had taken lots of photos of her daughter at school sports events and I also did her new daughters newborn photo session.  So, she knew what my photos were like and believed in me!.

Holly made it clear that she wanted to document the day and NOT spend all day posing for photos.  Everything would be very relaxed.  My first thought was “well that’s great but what does Shiraz want?”Maybe, he will hate my photos and will want everything.

The second panic came when they told me who some of their guests were and where the wedding was to be held.  Jason Roberts, the professional footballer, was best man and had flown in just for the wedding and Shiraz’s family had flown in from all over the world.  The venue was the absolutely stunning Leonardslee Gardens The low key garden party wedding was no longer low key!

 

 

However, they are the most relaxed couple I think I’ve ever met!!! Photographing their wedding was so relaxing! First of all, they’re both gorgeous so taking photos of them was easy and they were just so relaxed with each other that natural photos were just free flowing! Although their wedding was absolutely stunning and in such a lavish place, it really was just like a garden party!

The whole day was just relaxed from start to finish and everyone had a brilliant best time!!

 

Pre Wedding

Prior to the wedding Holly hung out with her bridesmaids, while Shiraz chatted to arriving guests and enjoyed the sunshine (in what had been a week of rain).

 

Children were able to run around on the lawn and guests relaxed on the patio.

The ceremony

The actual ceremony was gorgeous because Leonardslee Gardens has a beautiful little entrance hall where the ceremony can take place. With some seated guests and the rest looking down from the balcony.

 

As a guest, I was told to relax during the ceremony and watch the special moment. Although I still couldn’t help capturing a few photos.

Celebrating

The rest of the afternoon was about enjoying the day and helping the happy couple celebrate.

 

 

True to her word Holly only wanted a few official photos.   A short time was spent capturing the family together plus the obligatory confetti shot before heading off for some fun… In the way of a golf buggy!

 

Leonardslee Gardens is just stunning for the couples photos and it was great fun driving through the grounds on the golf buggy..(they even grabbed one of me en route)

 

Hollys priority for the day was spending time with the guests, so we only spent 15 minutes by the lake capturing some relaxed photos of the newley weds before heading back to the house for dinner.

 

 

After a bumpy, slightly worrying drive back up the hill, wondering if the golf buggies/drivers AKA Holly ( would make it) we were greeted by some very excited children.

Holy and Shiraz wanted speeches before food, which was a great idea because it meant everyone could relax.

It was then time for the group photo before heading off for an extremely delicious dinner!!

 

After catching up with friends over dinner the final photo of the day was to capture was the first dance.

My job was then finished and it was time to enjoy the rest of the evening.

 

I want to say a HUGE thank you to Holly and Shiraz for believing in me and allowing me to attend their wedding as both guest and photographer. It was an absolute pleasure!

What did Holly and Shiraz think…

“Claire is an incredible patient talented photographer.

We are honoured to have had her Photograph her first ever Wedding.

Claire you are a star and we can’t thank you enough for your photos which will last a lifetime of memories for us.

5 ⭐️”

So my verdict… would I recommend doing a friends wedding and how did it feeling photographing my first wedding?

Absolutely!!

Should you follow the advice of everyone else that says don’t do it?

NO! If you feel you’re ready go for it.

Do you need a second camera?

It would be handy to save swapping lenses but I made it work. I also had a back up card in my camera but if the camera went wrong I was stuffed. If I do weddings in the future I will definitely have another camera.

What would my tips be for photographing your first wedding?

Be clear on the expectations of both yourself and bridal party.

Follow your gut feeling.

Doing the wedding was terrifying but I am so glad I did it.

Research the venue.

Read up.

Have a list of photos you’d like. I was lucky with my bride and groom as they were so chilled and were happy with whatever I took.

Think about where you need to stand for the photos you want.

GOOD LUCK!

Photographing your first wedding!

Photographing your first wedding!

PHOTOGRAPHING YOUR FIRST WEDDING!

 

I constantly get asked…

“Do you photograph weddings?”

And my answer has always been…

“No, that’s WAY too much pressure! Imagine photographing the wedding and messing it up? That’s the brides day ruined…no memories…I couldn’t take that kind of pressure.

Then there is the other side from “Wedding Photographers” who will tell you…

“Don’t do it unless you are totally ready!!”

“Everyone thinks they can be a photographer but it’s way harder to be a wedding photographer!”

“Never photograph a friends wedding, that’s just asking for trouble!!”

“You need to get training before you even attempt it!”

“Being a guest and a photographer at the wedding never works”

So, I never did…

Until now!

Why did I photograph my first wedding?

A wonderful friend of mine was getting married and asked ME to be her photographer! Of course I said no. Was she crazy… I couldn’t do that! But she insisted…

“It’s a relaxed affair, think of it as a garden party! I just want to capture something from the day and have some memories of my friends and family coming together to help me celebrate.”

Ok, I could photograph a party, that’s ok! So we agreed, I would attend the wedding as a friend but also take my camera (let’s be honest, we ALL take our camera to the wedding anyway!)

And that was it.

I was going to photograph their wedding at Leonardslee Gardens in Horsham, West Sussex!! I had already done their baby photos and that went like a dream, so I knew Holly was just as relaxed as they came!

Holly never changed! She was absolutely wonderful and put ME at ease! I was so nervous before the day but that was all me, nothing but calm came from my wonderful bride to be!

So what happened next….. You’ll have to wait until the next blog to find out what it’s like photographing your first wedding!  Wish me luck!

If you would like to visit my wedding page please click HERE

 

Newborn baby photography sessions in Horsham..

Newborn baby photography sessions in Horsham..

Newborn baby photography sessions in Horsham.

Why have a newborn baby photography session for a new baby, isn’t life crazy enough without having to schedule in a photo shoot as soon as they arrive?

You are quite right, the first weeks are crazy and therefore go past in a blur.

However, by planning ahead, while you are pregnant, you will appreciate being having had a newborn baby photo session booked in. t They will last a couple of hours but the memories will be there forever. Babies grow so fast in the first couple of weeks and you very quickly forget how tiny they looked when they first arrived home.

This session allows you to capture those gorgeous features forever while having a few hours to sit back and relax!  Some parents have even been known to fall asleep because the studio is warm, they know their baby is in safe hands and finally they are able to relax for a few minutes.

How to book?

We are know due dates change so we book your newborn baby photography session for your due date.  When your new baby arrives we can then confirm a suitable date, ideally within the first 14 days.  We aim for that because this is when your baby still loves to be curled up, which makes posing easier.  You can still book a session after this date, some poses may just take a little longer.

Your baby is MY priority so the session is completely baby led!  If they need feeding or cuddles, we stop for a break until they are ready.  The session normally takes around 3 hours because your little one normally needs a few rests in between.  I also love to capture a few photos of you as a family so feel free to bring siblings along too.  

If you would like more information on booking a newborn baby photography session do not hesitate to get in touch or visit my Newborn baby page HERE

Back to school mobile phone photo craze…

Back to school mobile phone photo craze…

Has anyone else’s Facebook Page gone crazy with back to mobile phone school photos?  Do you love it or hate?  I hear older mums complain that their feeds are taken up with others peoples photos and younger mums saying that they’re not going to do it.. It seems to be a love/hate relationship.

Horsham Photography

For me I’m a lover.. I take lots of photos of the children but I don’t always see the progress that they make.  I just suddenly see they’ve got taller or me grown up.  I love the yearly reminder, knowing that each September I will see the photos if the children and it’ll show me gorgeous photos of their progress through their school years.

Sussex Photographer

They will always come up to remind me how much they are growing up and how precious the time is that we have before they leave school and those years are gone for good.  Even the children can look back and see what gorgeous little tiddlers they were and what gorgeous children they are today.

My two are military kids so haven’t stayed in the same school or the same house so for them its great to have reminders.  It shows them where they have been..

We love keeping height charts and recording their memories and every year without fail I get a memory come up on FB to show me how they are changing.Crawley Photography

So, its not about anyone else, its just a gorgeous way to see the progress my children are making.  The only regret I have is not going the whole way and taking photos of the simple things… tying their shoe laces, brushing their hair, getting their bags ready etc.

Forget about what everyone else says and post those photos!!

 

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