Peter - Photography

What part of a wedding day do you quietly prepare for the most — even if the couple never notices?

For me there’s a relentlessness around the period pre-ceremony until the end of the speeches. It’s the busiest portion of a wedding day for sure and I remember from my own wedding this was the bit that seemed to whoosh past. So my preparations here are about organisation and mindset – you need to be all over the detail to be able to create for an extended period of time, while also making dynamic decisions with the rest of the team and venue staff about things like delays and weather.

What’s something you always make sure couples feel on the day, no matter how busy things get?

That it’s their day and they have control over things that are happening. I remember a wedding I shot a few years ago - we had a groups list we were working through but various family members kept coming up and insisting that they were getting photos taken with the couple as well. Then the video team were on at the couple to go and do something, even though the bride was visibly overwhelmed and teary. I could see that she needed a break and a cigarette! I told the couple to take ten and got the videographers to leave them alone. I didn’t like seeing one of my couples being buffeted around by other people, and since that point I’m quite a bit stroppier about making sure they get the space they need to enjoy their day.

When plans shift (as they always do), what helps you make good decisions for everyone involved?

Clear communication is important, as is the preparation that’s gone into the day. I like to have a Plan B and Plan C in my pocket, just in case Plan A ends up not being practical on the day. There’s also something in taking a moment to actually think about the problem – weddings are so fast-paced that you can be tricked into believing that everything has to be decided instantaneously, but pausing for a second to think things through quietly can make a big difference and introduces calmness. In the worst-case scenario I will refer an issue to the couple. I try not to do this so they can enjoy their day as much as possible, but ultimately it is their day and sometimes they need to weigh in if it’s something significant.

What’s a small wedding-day moment that reminds you why you love doing this work?

Something that comes through experience is that you learn when these wee moments are likely to happen. The speeches are a good example of this – usually you get a really nice moment in there between the bride and her dad, or the groom and his best man, for example. There’s something really fulfilling about predicting the moment before it happens.

How would you want a couple to describe working with you after the wedding is over?

A bit of feedback I often get is that guests at the wedding had commented to the couple about my approach – it’s nice to hear you’ve made a good impression, especially on a room of 100 people! For me it’s being professional, being happy to share a joke with someone, and being as helpful as I can in making the day run smoothly. I’ve got a responsibility to my couple to make sure their day is unforgettable which goes beyond just being there to take their photos.

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