Caithness Wedding Photographer.
Caithness Wedding Photographer.
I've been a wedding photographer in Caithness now for over eight years. Caithness and the Highlands have some of the best wedding venues in the country. So if you are planning your wedding, you are spoilt for choice.
Being born and brought up in Thurso gives me knowledge of the area.
Planning Your Caithness Wedding.
Having been fortunate to have been a Caithness wedding photographer for a few years, I can give some advice.
You'll first need to decide which season you want to get married.
Winter- Short days, twinkly lights, frost and snow.
Spring- With lengthening days, new growth, early sunsets and warmer days.
Summer- Long hot days, outside weddings, drinks with friends.
Autumn- The leaves are dying back with golden colours.
Once you've decided on this, it's time to consider the best Caithness wedding venues and their availability. Get this in place, and view the other suppliers you will need. Wedding photographers and Videographers, Dress, Catering ( unless the venue arranges this), celebrant, cake, hair and makeup.
For my full blog on wedding planning, follow this link.
My Approach.
So you are at the point of looking to find your wedding photographer.
Where do you start?
Google would be my first choice. Type your search term into the "Caithness Wedding Photographers" search box, bringing up a list of wedding photographers.
You will know what style of wedding photographer you want for your big day. Your search will bring up the top wedding photographers in Caithness. Looking through their portfolio will allow you to see the styles, which should be consistent throughout their portfolio.
Wedding Photography Styles.
Traditional/Classic: Focuses on capturing timeless formal shots with formally organised photos of the couple and their families.
Photojournalistic/Documentary: Captures candid moments and events as they naturally unfold.
Fine Art: Often characterised by creative and artistic composition focussing on producing visually stunning and beautifully composed images utilising unique lighting, post-processing techniques, and a degree of stylisation and creativity.
Once you have a list, go to their social media, Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest to give you an idea of more of their portfolio. Full details of what they can provide will be on the websites.
I am a documentary photographer 90% of the time. Most of the day is left to flow naturally. The only time I have any influence is during the family formal group photos. Although, I get these done as quickly as possible after the ceremony. Nobody wants to hang around.
Once done, I take you (the couple) away to get the bridal portraits done at a chosen location, giving them alone time for an hour. Here, I will add an element of my creativity to create something that will hang with pride on your wall. Then it's back for the speeches, meal and first dance. Depending on the time of the night, I may get the couple out for a twilight photo or two.
Hopefully, the above paragraph will give you an insight into how I work.
How I Became A Wedding Photographer.
How did I become a wedding photographer?
An accident is an answer to the above. In 2014, my younger brother was getting married, and somehow, I agreed. I'd been doing all landscape work for the previous five years. So yeah, I knew what I was doing with a professional camera, but I had never covered a wedding. Having only been asked to capture the family groups after the ceremony. But a few weeks before his marriage, I persuaded myself to cover the bridal preparations for the first dance. I photographed a friend's wedding the following year, which hooked me.
In tandem with starting to market myself the following year in the wedding industry, I went to England to embark on wedding photography training. A mixture of practical photography training alongside this, there was business training covering marketing and how to run your wedding business.
Why Is Wedding Photography Important?
The flowers die, the food gets eaten, the wine drunk, and the cake cut, but the wedding photos last forever!
Having a professional wedding photographer from Caithness capture the story of your day is an investment worth making.
After all the chaos, love and laughter, what will you remember? Little snippets will fade, but with a professional covering your day, someone who has been through it all before can get those little moments. Whether emotional or fun, you can be sure you'll have something lasting. Combine this with one of my wedding photography packages, which contains a wedding album, and you now have something to pass down to future generations. You will have something to cherish for generations. Reminding you of the little moments you missed or have forgotten alongside this, you will have a high-quality wedding album of the day.
My Approach As A Wedding Photographer in Caithness.
So, how do I approach being a Caithness Wedding Photographer? Well, it starts when you first enquire about my availability for your wedding. I will then arrange to meet you for a coffee to learn about your wedding plans. This meeting also gives us a chance to get to know each other. Why? To get the best wedding photos on your wedding day, we must be relaxed around each other and enjoy ourselves. From booking up until your wedding day, I am happy to answer any questions you may have. I will arrange to meet you the month before your wedding to go over the final plans for your Caithness wedding, as the next time we meet will be on the morning of your wedding day.
The Wedding Day.
I will arrive at the chosen location for bridal preparations on the morning of your wedding, usually around 9:30/10 a.m. I typically stay with the bridal party until the ceremony unless the groom is nearby. I can head off until the groom and groomsmen prepare before returning to the bridal party. Once the ceremony is over, I will let my couples spend a few minutes with their family and friends. Next, it's time to complete the family and friend group photos before the guests disperse and mingle. Once completed, I will take the couple away alone for their portrait session. This part of the day is where I will take control, guide my couples, and create something unique and artistic. The bride and groom will likely use these photos to make wall art for the home or centre spread in the wedding album. Next on the wedding day are speeches just before you have your meal. Once you have enjoyed the wedding meal, the evening guests usually begin to arrive, and it's time to cut the cake and onto the first dance—your first time as husband and wife.
Post-Wedding Day.
Once home from your Caithness wedding, I back your wedding photos up in three places, plus cloud backup. Making sure I have multiple backups for security. The next day, I will start going through the hundreds or thousands of photos, culling any that don't make the grade. I will also select a few to send over to you for sneak peeks as social media-sized photos for you to share.
From here, the editing starts in earnest. It's where I will create a set of beautiful wedding photographs with a look in keeping with my brand from your Caithness wedding. Once complete, which may take several weeks, I will upload them to your online gallery. Following this, I will design your wedding album in consultation with you.
So Why Does Wedding Photography Cost So Much?
Caithness wedding photographers aren't just working on your wedding day; there is all the pre-booking work, the work leading up to your wedding day, on the day itself, editing, and album design afterwards.
Wedding photography is an investment, not an expense. After the wedding, in the months or years ahead, how will you remember those memories? Yes, that's right, the wedding photography.
Wedding photographers in Caithness are professionals. They have insurance, training, and equipment to maintain alongside the usual business costs.
When selecting a Caithness photographer, you should always view their previous work, ensuring you like it and its style. Photographers will have various packages available for different budgets. These will range from digital-only to packages containing albums.
If you have worked out your budget for your Caithness wedding photographer, do your research by looking at their style and looking at the various packages available. Now you're at the point of asking about availability on your chosen wedding date.
Could you arrange to meet your wedding photographer in Caithness? If everything goes well, you can invest in your wedding photographer in Caithness.
My Favourite Caithness Wedding Venues.
I'm a recommended supplier to several Caithness Wedding venues, but I've added a few others.
The Northern Sands Hotel, Dunnet.
The Northern Sands Hotel is on the NC500, four miles from the most northerly point on the UK mainland (Dunnet Head)—a stone's throw from the sprawling Dunnet Beach, which has 2 miles of sand and dunes. Imagine your wedding photos with these backdrops. For Gin lovers, they have Dunnet Bay Distillers right next door who produce the award-winning Rock Rose Gin and Holy Grass Vodka.
Catering for all wedding sizes, with the links suite catering for up to 70 guests or choose the marquee for larger weddings of 150 (with 250 nighttime guests).
Stemster House is a Georgian country house with gardens, grounds and exterior the house is available for your photographs. Follow this link to find an article on Stemster House.
With an in-house wedding coordinator to help plan your day perfectly, ensure everything goes smoothly.
With the luxury marquee available for the ceremony and reception or, depending on the weather, use the lawns and garden. All this gives you the scope to style your wedding your way.
The house, grounds and the river Forss make for an idyllic setting for your intimate wedding.
Forss House Hotel is a hidden gem amongst 20 acres of woodland and a unique waterside location with dining for 26 guests and 14 bedrooms to choose from as your bridal suite.
The House of The Northern Gate is a beautifully restored baronial house on the Dunett Estate near the most northern point in mainland UK, with sweeping views of Dunett Bay, a 2-mile stretch of sand and dunes.
This majestic house is available for exclusive use for weddings.
Why Choose Me for Your Caithness Wedding?
I'm originally from Caithness. Having been born in Thurso and brought up on the family farm near Castletown. I moved away to go to college when I was 18. My Mum still lives in Castletown, and I regularly visit. My area knowledge allows me to help you get the best photo opportunities on your wedding day.
To most people, one wedding photographer is the same as any other. True to certain extents. We all carry a box that takes pictures. ;)
Seriously though, on your wedding day, the photographer will be ever-present. They will turn up as the bride and bridesmaids are still in their dressing gowns, and hair and makeup still need to be done snapping away. But this is a vital part, a record of the transformation into the blushing bride. They will be there right through every step of the first dance. So this is a person you'll have to get on with and be relaxed around.
As wedding photographers, we are creative people. We see the situation differently and will put our stamp on a job. Based on their online portfolio and presence, you've booked a meeting with a wedding photographer in Caithness! So when you meet your Caithness wedding photographer, be sure you get the chance to look through some more of their portfolio. Get them to show you complete weddings, not just select photographs hand-picked from other weddings. And current ones at that. With time, their style and ability change, allowing you to gauge whether they will fit in with your vision of your day's appearance.
If you want to book me, I will always arrange a meeting with you by phone, Zoom call or in person.
The aim is to make the day stress-free and relaxed. Make sure you get the best photos you deserve on the day.
To find out more Home.
Recommended suppliers for your Wedding Day.
Wed In The Highlands.
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Hybrid Wedding Photography