My Style

I describe it as a "magazine style" but what exactly does that mean?

Well, if I shot a wedding in a true reportage style it would mean not interacting with my subjects, merely observing and shooting what I see. This could result in an awful lot of pictures of the back of people's heads, which is not what I want, nor do my clients.

I want to capture the bride and groom looking their very best but I do not want them to appear over posed, stiff or starchy. How many times have you seen shots of a bride and groom who look so ill at ease you'd think they'd not even been introduced?

My goal is to make you relax; if you are relaxed you will enjoy your day and look good. It's very simple but this does require experience and preparation to put into practice. That is why I spend so much time getting to know my couples before their wedding day. For me, homework is the key.

Hopefully, throughout my site you will see lots of photographs you like and want me to be part of your special day. Have a good look around and read the various sections that explain what it will be like having your wedding captured by me.

Consultation

If having had a good look around my site you like what you see, please make an appointment to meet me and view my albums and portfolio in greater detail.

I really enjoy welcoming clients to my studio, based in Pitsford. It gives me a chance to show you what makes me tick and I also learn more about you and what you envisage from your wedding album. Allow at least two hours for our first meeting – there's a lot to talk about and I don't want you to feel that my time is limited.

It is really important you choose the right photographer to be part of your day: not only do you want stunning images but a day that runs smoothly. I believe I am instrumental in both counts.

Booking

You'll find a booking form and contract in my brochure. If haven't got a brochure and would like one, please contact me at boyd@boydgilmour.co.uk

Please include the booking fee with the form and contract. I will return a signed copy of the contract to you for your records.

This booking fee is deducted from the invoice you will receive for goods ordered at the pre-wedding rate. (I offer couples the opportunity to order and pay for their wedding albums in advance at a discounted rate). This invoice is paid 14 days before the wedding.

As soon as your cheque or funds are cleared through my bank I am booked. I will be in touch with you six to eight weeks before the wedding day to arrange our pre-wedding shoot and discuss the timings of your wedding day. However, please do not hesitate to contact me before then if you have any questions.

Pre-Wedding Shoot

The Pre-Wedding Shoot is crucial to securing a great wedding day.

At this session we work together and I show you how to look natural, relaxed and comfortable with each other in front of the camera - and with me. As you see the results instantly, your confidence will grow. You will no longer be able to say: "The only photos I like are ones that I did not know were being taken". This is your wedding day and you are going to be the centre of attention. It's important you get used to this and so enjoy the experience.

We also work on the timings of your day. I use my expertise and experience from all of the weddings I have shot to make sure we get you to the church on time. It also allows me to assist you in getting the best from the other professionals you have employed to make your day truly memorable. The running order is the backbone of the day, and if there is a little hiccup along the way we can soon get back on track and all will be well.

This session will give you lots of confidence and will allow you to relax and enjoy the day knowing that every detail has been taken care of.

Pre-Planning

It is always my practice to know the geography of every aspect of the wedding day - not only the "wheres" and "whens" but also the vantage points that ensure I get the very best shots.

I never shoot a wedding blind. Even if I am photographing at the other end of the country in an area I do not know, I will do a reconnoitre on the day if it has not been practical for me to make myself familiar with the area before this time. This can mean a very early start for me but it pays dividends with great images.

Furthermore, I like to invite the bride and groom to my pre-planning session. It builds confidence and allows me to discuss the details of the day and put forward ideas of where to get those memorable shots.

Your Wedding

At least three hours before the ceremony, my assistant and I will be with the bride.

At this point hair and make-up are well under way and we start shooting the detailed shots of the dress, jewellery, shoes and other accessories. The plan is to have everyone ready to capture some of those wonderful pre-wedding shots of the bride with her parents and bridesmaids and then give me enough time to get to the service venue and shoot the boys before the service.

You see now why it is so important to have a well thought out plan of the day.

At the service I will shoot what I can within the restrictions set down by the celebrant during the service but with two photographers we will get lots of photographs of the guests and all of the other things going on.

After the service we will take some group shots as discussed at your pre-wedding shoot and move on to a wonderful confetti shot.

Off to the reception and I recommend you allow two hours from arriving at the reception venue to the beginning of the wedding breakfast. This will allow me time to do a bride and groom shoot but, most importantly, you will have enough time to catch up with your guests.

I make a point of getting a good vantage point during the cutting of the cake and the speeches. These are really fun shots for the album.

My working day is over at this point but if you would like me to stay and photograph the first dance this can be arranged.

Editing & Viewing

While you are on honeymoon, I will set to work editing your photographs to produce a set of images. I will make any colour corrections, adjust the exposure where necessary and alter the contrast to really bring your pictures to life. I find a mixture of black and white and colour images works best.

On your return we get together to view the images. This is a really fun session and is your first opportunity to relive your special day and see it from another point of view.

Having had two photographers at the wedding, there will be hundreds of images so I edit the collection to tell the story as will best suit your album. You are still going to see 200 to 300 images and it is not uncommon for couples to want them all...

Album Design

At the viewing session I will also show you a draft of the wedding album.

From the outset, I will have been shooting with your album in mind, thinking about how images will work together.

The album will be bigger than the one you first considered. I do this deliberately, as it gives couples more freedom to edit the book and keep the storyline complete.

Of course you choose the images in your album: my draft is there to help you envisage the content as a complete work with a start, middle and end.

Any changes to your album will be made and sent to you via email for your approval. When the final layout is signed off your album will go into production. You should have your book in four to six weeks from this point.

My ultimate goal is to produce a book that you are truly delighted with - not something destined for a box stuffed under the bed or pushed to the back of the wardrobe never to be seen again. It will be a book that is going to be part of your everyday life; a book that your friends and relations who were at the wedding will marvel at.