Wedding Photography FAQ

How long have you been a wedding photographer?

I have been photographing weddings since 2005, previously spending two years working as a photography assistant. At the beginning of my training I was incredibly fortunate to receive mentoring from one of the UK’s Top 5 photographers at the time. He taught me the importance of documenting human emotion, being prepared for the unpredictable and the art of a flattering pose. My style has developed over the years and a wedding day for me is 95% story-telling photography, but the grounding in the art of posing still proves valuable.

We love your photography style and images but there are many photographers with a similar style, what makes you different from the rest?

This is a great question. I believe that every couple is unique and tailor my photography style to reflect each couples personalities and style. Whilst the majority of a wedding day is photographed in a story-telling style, when we take some time out (usually no more than 15 minutes, unless there’s an amazing sunset!), knowing exactly how to gently guide a couple so they look there best and relax in front of the camera is a skill I am grateful for. If you take a look through my portfolio, one of the things I am most proud of is the natural laughter and genuine smiles from my couples pictures.

I LOVE what I do and I hope this reflects in my work. I know every photographer says this, but there are very few jobs where you get to witness and record two people in love surrounded by their family and friends. I approach each wedding with the enthusiasm and excitement as if it’s my first. My discreet photography style allows me to blend in with your family and friends and capture the real wedding moments. I am always respectful that this is your wedding day and not a photoshoot. I like to let the day unfold naturally, but I am always close by and on hand to help organise any group pictures in an orderly fashion, allowing everyone to get back to enjoying the celebrations of the day. If you take a moment to read through my reviews, a common thread is “It was like having a friend taking our photos”, “Denise captured so many moments we didn’t even know happened”. There can be few greater compliments for a photographer.

With a vast wealth of experience accumulated over the years, there are very few things I have not seen. Your wedding is one of the biggest days of your life to be enjoyed, and my experience helps create a calm in amongst the wedding day madness.

Once your wedding day has passed, I start the editing process, taking the photographs on your wedding day is just the beginning of my work. I digitally enhance each image by hand, ensuring each picture is perfect with an edit style that is timeless. I want you to be able to enjoy your photographs for years to come and not cringe at some editing style which was popular at the time.

I create a sneak peek of images within 24 hours of your wedding day, your full set of images will be available within 4 weeks. You will receive a full set of colour and black and white images, these will be delivered to you via digital download link which you can download to any device. Whilst I will store your images for 3 years, it is always a good idea for you to have a local back up too. Your images will be high resolution, no watermark and will be ready to print. You can either print from your own preferred supplier, or I can arrange prints for you through a professional lab I work with.

What happens if you are ill on our wedding day?

I work alongside a network of very capable and amazing photographers, and a member of a number professional photography organisations who I can call upon for cover in the event of illness or unforeseen circumstances beyond my control. I would remain your main contact pre and post wedding and would be responsible for the post production and delivery of your wedding pictures. I have only had to call upon this once since 2005 when I stupidly broke my leg on a Cancer Research Colour Run. Whilst sitting in A&E feeling rather sorry for myself, I successfully arranged cover for the 9 weddings I had scheduled. I no longer do any activity deemed potentially limb breaking anytime close to wedding season.

Are you Insured?

Absolutely. A number of wedding locations will no longer allow suppliers on site if they do not have adequate Professional and Public Liability Insurance.

What equipment do you use?

I work exclusively with Sony cameras and lenses. The cameras are small and lightweight which is great for a long wedding day. They are also absolutely silent – no clicking noise during the ceremony and quiet moments was a game changer for me. You and your wedding guests can focus completely on your wedding vows without any distraction, just as it should be. The cameras have dual cards too, this essentially means I have two copies of your wedding pictures throughout your day. I also carry flash guns and a video light for when gloomy days and evening photos.

Will my photographs be published on line or shared on social media?

Of course I love to share the love from the weddings I photograph. They are really great way of sharing your day with your guests and other wedding suppliers from your day. They also great inspiration for couples planning their wedding too. However, in line with current GDPR regulations, you are in complete control of where your images are displayed, so if you decide you do not wish your images to be shared, that’s perfectly ok with me.

This sounds great, but a little over budget, I’m not sure I can afford your packages?

“Photography is a way of feeling, of touching, of loving. What you have caught on film is captured forever… It remembers little things, long after you have forgotten everything.” Aaron Siskind

Your wedding day will be the beginning of married life – a milestone in your relationship and the memories of this incredibly personal day will last forever. All the thought, years of planning, stunning venue, gorgeous dress, dearest family and friends witnessing your amazing day. You need to have a photographer you can rely on, a photographer that has already photographed countless weddings and be confident that they will have experience and expertise you can count on to document your day. Your photographs will be seen by friends and family that may not have been able to be there on your day. It’s not uncommon to hear of elderly relatives who have not been able to attend due to poor health, wouldn’t it be great to show them the pure joy of your special day? Should you decide to have children, your wedding photographs will become part of your family history passed down the generations.

I often hear “I have a friend / sister / cousin that does photography as a hobby”, and that’s great, let them bring their camera to your wedding and enjoy taking their shots, and generally asking me lots of questions, which by the way I am more than happy to answer (we all start somewhere!). But when you have invested so much time, money and thought into your wedding, can you trust them to take professional photos of your big day?

I have found a photographer who includes extras such as albums, prints, slideshows, parents albums etc, can you match their price?

I have a range of bespoke services I can tailor to best fit your individual requirements, my most popular services can be found here. You will find many photographers that include a range of products for what seems like an incredible price, but if you look closely at their work, the quality is not comparable to the images you see on my website. In some instances photographers will include additional extras to make up for poorer quality photography, to entice you to work with them. Would you really want a wedding album or 100 prints with photos that don’t look great? My ethos is buy the best you can afford, and then when you save some additional money, you can consider albums, frames and prints. Beautiful memories last forever, an album of awful images and canvas will only gather dust in your loft.

Do you travel?

Yes, I am available for weddings throughout the UK, Europe and the rest of the World. My published pricing includes travel within 100 miles of my post code, GU15. For distances beyond this, there maybe a fee based on distance and the possibility of overnight accommodation. Travelling in excess of 2-3 hours on a wedding morning isn’t the best start for a wedding day.

Which engaged couples do you work best with?

I believe all love is equal and I love to work with couples from all backgrounds, religions and sexes. I work best with relaxed couples who are excited to be marrying their best friend and celebrating that day with their loved ones. Couples who value photography and want their wedding photographs to represent who they really are, the human emotions and all the details and thought they have invested in their day captured, and with this high quality there maybe a cost.

Who do you not work well with?

I would love to photograph everyones dream wedding day, but some personalities work together better than others. If you have a list of “200 must have wedding photographs” I may not be the photographer for you. When photographers get caught up in this level of detail, heads buried in checking off a list, you miss the natural flow and emotion of the day, which is where the real magic is. Also, what is a mock bouquet throwing???

I have seen examples of wedding photographs on line that I love and would like to have on my wedding day, can you do this?

I love looking through brides pinterest pages and getting a better idea of the look and feel they would like for their wedding day. I’d like to think we can use an image you’ve seen for inspiration, then adapt it to make it unique to you! Keep in mind that your wedding will no doubt have a very different look and feel to an image you may have seen, different location, weather, country etc. I will however promise to create stunning images unique to you, so you wont have to lust after anyone else’s!

Do you photograph more than one wedding per day?

Definitely Not. When you book with me I channel my focus and energy on your wedding day.

Your Photography services sound just what we are looking for, how do move forward from here?

That’s great news! The next step is to call me on 07800 606802 or email hello@denisewinterphotography.co.uk with details of your wedding date, venue and a contact number, we can arrange a chat about your wedding ideas. I will send you a booking form to confirm your date and service discussed. I require a £450 booking fee to reserve your wedding date, the balance is due 4 weeks before your wedding day.