I’m not long back from a break in Albufeira, in Portugal. We visited this area 3 years ago and loved it enough to visit again, staying between the historic old town and the more “touristy”new town. What I love about the old town, as with many other Portuguese towns is the wonderful architecture, many with a Moorish connection, the white-washed buildings that contrast beautifully with the blue sky, winding narrow lanes waiting to be explored and photographed, and of course the long sandy beaches for the relaxing afternoon spent just listening to mighty sea.
Naturally my camera went too:
Katy and Alex chose to hold their wedding at their family church just over the road from where Alex lived in Stanton-by-Dale, Nottinghamshire. The ceremony was followed by a reception held in a marquee in Alex’s mother’s garden.
Katy, Alex and all the guests were fantastic through out the day, and were determined to enjoy themselves as much as possible, come what may!! They even saw the lighter side of things when the cake collapsed during the wedding breakfast!!
Further to my recent post here, I’m now booked for Aug 23rd 2008.
Aug 2nd though is still available for anyone looking for a fanatastic wedding photograper.
Yes, my suspicions have been officially proved. I’m cool! 
OK, let me explain. 2 years ago I photographed Julie and Simon’s wedding. Julie recently contacted me to let me know that she has just started her new business involving fitness, health, image consultancy and colour analysis and would I be interested in us working together as quite often brides-to-be are looking for some help in these areas in the run up to their wedding. “Sure!”, I said, “but how does this colour analysis thing work?” “Basically, because of everyone’s skin tone and colour of their eyes, certain colours suit them the best, either warm or cool tones.” (can you see where I’m going?) “And you’re a cool tone. Clothes in that range of colours are preferable to enhance your complextion” (Interestingly, when I think about my favourite clothes and what colour they are, yes they’re all cool tones, so it does work!! – So again I say: I’M COOL!!!
Just to give Julie new studio a quick plug: If you’re looking for help with your fitness, or just don’t know what colours are best for you give Julie a call at Style and Tone. “Style and Tone is the first ladies only studio in Rednal, Birmingham offering a personalised fitness, image consultancy and colour analysis service to ladies who are looking to lose weight and tone up, as well as those who are looking for a complete new Image or some help in identifying styles and colours they can wear to make them look and feel fabulous.”
Julie Baldwin
Julie giving a consultation at Style and Tone
Fitness Studio
You may not have heard of the MPA or the BIPP but they’re the 2 organisations that represent professional photographers living in the UK and beyond, and being a qualified member of both organisations has helped me tremendously to expand my outlook and vision for my wedding photography.
So why am I telling you this? When looking for a wedding photographer you’ve no doubt got a few recommendations from friends and family, but also why not check out the MPA and BIPP websites for names to add to your list? Not only have each of their sites got a page containing helpful tips on what to look for in a good wedding photographer (MPA:Looking for a Wedding Photographer? BIPP:Choosing a Wedding Photographer), but they also have a search function that will help you find the qualified professional wedding photographer.
Due to cancellations I now have two prime dates that have become available in August this year: Aug 2nd and 23rd and due to the short lead times I’m able to offer offer these dates at special rates.
If you are currently considering a wedding for this August and want to take advantage of a great opportunity, please give me a call (07809 505 242) or drop me an email so we can discuss what possibilities there are for discounted packages which take into consideration the last minute nature of the booking.
Insurance
Every professional photographer should be fully insured…not only to protect themselves, but to protect you as well. It’s just the responsible thing to do as a business.
The are two main type of insurance that every photographer should have. I will address each one and why it’s important to you, the bride and groom, that your photographer have such coverage.
1) Theft or Loss. Theft insurance will help the photographer replace equipment that gets stolen or damaged. Equipment does get stolen. Equipment does get dropped. While most photographers are very careful with such expensive gear, once in a while the unexpected does happen. And why the photographer having theft insurance is important to you is this…what would happen at your wedding if the photographer had his gear stolen or damaged in the days leading up to your wedding and they didn’t have the cash on hand to replace it? You’d be left without a photographer, or at the very least, one with hastily rounded up used or borrowed gear that may not be up to the task. Ultimately, your photographs may be effected. If the photographer had insurance, all the gear is replaced and you’re safe.
2) Indemnity and Liability. This insurance covers many issues. Suppose your grandmother trips over the photographers tripod and gets hurt? If the photographer was at fault, the insurance will help with the medical bills. Suppose the photographer is at your home and accidentally knocks over that expensive vase you have, his insurance may help to replace it. What happens if somehow, you suffer financial loss due to any negligent act, error or omission by your photographer, then indemnity insurance covers that situation.
In short…you should insist that your photographer be fully insured. This is for your protection. Not only if something happens on your wedding day, but to be sure that if something happens at someone else’s event, your photographer will still be in business when it comes time to photograph your wedding.
Whichever photographers you consider, always check to make sure they’re properly insured.
One thing that you should always ask about, and insist on, is that your photographer has sufficient backup gear should something stop working. Cameras and equipment can fail unexpectedly. It’ll happen to every photographer sooner or later. Yes, It has happened to me, and boy was I glad to have sufficient backup equipment to keep going and not ruin the day!!
Any good photographer will have an absolute minimum of two camera bodies, and preferably more. And I don’t mean one good camera and a cheap point and shoot as a backup. I mean good, sturdy cameras designed for wedding use.
If your photographer has only one camera or one flash…what are you going to do if it stops working or gets dropped and broken? The wedding will continue of course, but you’ll have no photographs of it. Is this a risk worth taking?
There are numerous stories from brides who had a photographer with no good backup gear, and sure enough, something broke and the bride ended up with very few photographs, or very poor ones because the photographer didn’t have any backup gear…or gear not up to the task.
Insist that your photographer have two or three cameras and flashes and multiple lenses with them at your wedding. Don’t be afraid to ask when you’re interviewing and choosing a photographer. Making this part of your decision making process can save you a great deal of heartache down the road.
Don’t take a chance. Insist on good backup gear.
So what do I carry? See this past post for my first contingency plan, and this other post for another contingency plan I’ve put in place.
The eagle eyed among you will have noticed that I now have an extra blog category on the right called “Planning Your Wedding”. Under this new catergory I’ll be listing tips, ideas and answers to FAQs to help you plan your wedding day.
I’ll be starting with a series of posts on how to book your wedding photographer and then I’ll expand onto other points that I’d like to share from experience to help make your day go as smooth as possible.
So check back later for some info.
I’ve just received an upgraded swatch sample from my album manufacturer containing several new album cover materials. I’m really excited about the upgrade as it means for my weddings in 2008 and beyond, I can offer a greater variety of stunning cover materials in a wider variety of colours. Here’s a sample of some of the new materials and colours now available.
If you’ve booked me to photograph your wedding this year, when we meet up a month before for our pre-wedding chat you’ll get to see them all and if you’d like to choose another colour from the expanded range of colours and materials, or even upgrade your cover to personalise your album, it won’t be too late to decide then.
I’ve recently updated my blog software to make it easier and more enjoyable for me to post new entries, and hopefully make the viewing and reading experience better for you, as well.
I’ve tested my blog using Internet Explorer and Firefox and all seems to be in order. But If you experience any problems at all with the blog or you notice anything that is out of the ordinary, please send me an e-mail.
Thanks for your patience and your support!
Over the years I’ve photographed at some great venues that I feel really compliments my style of photography. My favourite places are not only ideal for getting those must-have contemporary or unique images, but because I’ve always been looked after and treated courteously/professionally by the staff. This means you can’t go wrong having your wedding at any of them.
If you’re looking for a venue with something different, check out my updated online proofing site which now lists a few of my favourite locations. The list is by no means exhaustive as I couldn’t possibly include every venue I’ve worked at, nor is it in any particular order but, if you’re looking for somewhere to hold your wedding and/or reception and don’t know where to start, just add a few from my list to your list and tell them Clive sent you. They’re sure, as always to look after you!
As time goes on I’ll be adding other great venue in my Hall of Fame, so watch this space.
(In case you’re wondering too, the image that greets you on the first page of the proofing site is from Swinton Park, also a great place to work at!)