Wedding photography is a specialist skill and is not for the faint hearted. An awful lot happens on a wedding day and high expectations are placed on the photographer. Boyd uses a variety of techniques to help him capture special moments as well as the atmosphere of the day. Being one of the very best wedding photographers for Northamptonshire and the surrounding area is his top priority.

Boyd offers an engagement shoot as part of all of his packages. This confidence giving exercise is the first step on the road to stunning Northamptonshire wedding photographs. As he says “you would not think of entering a dancing competition without having learnt the steps or knowing what was expected of you, why should your wedding day be any different?” To that end a whole afternoon is spent shooting the bride and groom and discussing the details and timings of the wedding prior to the big day. This ensures that the poses practiced are practical and there is an allotted time to ensure he gets the shots needed.

Wedding photography is like any other fashion-based subject, it is forever changing and for that reason there is a lot of time spent listening to the clients’ expectations. Currently the trend is for wedding photographers in Northamptonshire and similar areas to produce a look which is very natural or that appears un-posed. In reality some of the most candid looking shots are indeed set up, the skill being to make them look easy or natural. There is without doubt a desire for the day to appear very casual and the formal or group photographs are kept to minimum. Long gone are the days when the wedding photographer took hours shooting group shot after group shot. Wedding photographers in Northamptonshire and the Midlands have become much more photojournalistic in this respect.

Northamptonshire wedding photography, as in other locations, now extends through the whole day, starting three hours before the service to ensure that all of the details are captured, from morning preparations onwards. Everything from the bride’s makeup to details of the dresses, flowers and of course the rings. There is always a slot set aside to shoot the bride with her immediate family before the service, and let's not forget the nervous groom and his entourage.

Civil ceremonies are now as popular as the traditional church wedding and a full coverage of the service is provided (though any coverage is dependent on the restraints set by the Minister or Registrar). Once the service is over, further celebrations of the marriage can begin. Unlike some other wedding photographers for Northamptonshire, Boyd’s style is similar to that seen in contemporary magazines - capturing the fun of the party as well as the all important group and formal shots. There is also time set aside to take the bride and groom off for a walk in the grounds of the reception venue, to capture the first moments of their new married life together.

Photographing the wedding continues through to the wedding breakfast. There are always some great shots to be taken during the speeches and the traditional cake cutting. Boyd’s eight-hour package caters for all day needs and he is happy to continue shooting through to the first dance, should the couple request it.

The presentation of wedding images has also changed, with the internet enabling the bride, groom and their guests to see all of the images online. Photographs taken on the day can be made into DVD slideshows, which can be viewed on a television. Album design has also altered; the traditional matted album now lives alongside its contemporary cousin the digital storybook album. This newer album style benefits from the use of photomontages and modern technologies that allow the opacity of images to be altered. As the name implies this album’s aim is to tell the story of the day.

Wedding photography also includes the design of the album, a task which involves consultation with the couple to ensure they receive an end product which they adore. When the couple have selected their favourite wedding images a first draft album is designed, the couple can then check over to make absolutely sure the style is just what was originally desired.

Boyd's latest addition to his services is a "Take Two Shoot" which is an opportunity for the bride to put on her dress again on another day. This time the day long shoot is spent in some interesting and beautiful locations, concentrating on making the bride look fabulous. Many of these shots would not be obtainable on the wedding day and these images can of course be incorporated in the album.

Capture the spirit of your big day with Northamptonshire and Midlands wedding photography by Boyd Gilmour.