Just the Job - wedding photographer

11:31am Tuesday 30th January 2007

Comments (1)   Have your say »

WEDDING days are usually listed among peoples' happiest memories. Matt French speaks to a man who ensures these days are preserved on film.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Qualified member of the Guild of Photographers (wedding category) and a Royal Photographic Society licentiateship award.

PLACE OF WORK:

I work from my home in Swanley and travel to weddings in the south east and London. I have been as far afield as Devon and Kenya.

HOURS:

At the moment I work part-time as a wedding photographer; I am also a financial compliance officer. Weddings are usually at the weekend and I spend the day with the wedding party, typically working from 9am to around 7pm.

EARNING POTENTIAL:

For an entire day I charge around £500.

WHAT IS YOUR TYPICAL DAY LIKE?

I meet the bride and her bridesmaids wherever they are getting ready and I take make-up shots and then photos of the bride being picked up by the wedding car. Then I shoot the bride arriving at the venue and the guests mingling.

During the service, I photograph the bride and groom at the altar and take some pictures of the congregation.

Prior to events I drive to the venue and identify locations for formal group shots.

At the reception I shoot the speeches and then cutting the cake and the first dance.

Weddings are such intense experiences that it is impossible for the couple to process everything at the time. I try hard to photograph the informal moments of the bride, groom, friends and relations enjoying themselves so that they have a complete record of their special day.

I also set up arrangements of the flowers, wedding rings and other memorabilia.

As couples go on their honeymoons straight after the reception, I have about three weeks to have the films developed.

WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO BECOME A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER?

I gave a family member an album as a present.

Someone saw the pictures and asked me to photograph their wedding. All my work has been from recommendations.

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO GO FROM HERE?

Knowing my work is respected has given me confidence.

I plan to advertise and set up a website to bring in more business. My ultimate aim is to become a full-time photographer.