Hate having your photo taken? Let me sort out your fears.

I've lost count of the amount of times a couple have booked me to shoot their wedding, then said to me "we hate having our photos taken, so we wont really be interested in having a pre-wedding shoot... thanks though!". Well, truth is, if the thought of pulling poses in front of the camera scares the hell out of you, then you're probably the exact kind of person that would benefit the most from a pre-wedding shoot! And if you really do hate having your photo taken that much, imagine how tough you may find it on your wedding day.

How do I know this for sure? Because I've been there... done that...got the photos!

When I got married a couple of years ago we met up with our photographer the week before our wedding. We'd have liked to have met her sooner to be honest, but because we got hitched abroad this was out of the question. I'd shot hundreds of pre-weddings before actually having the camera turned on myself for our one, but even I was pretty nervous. In fact, scrap that, I was bricking it big time! About an hour before the shoot it suddenly dawned on me - the nerves I was feeling must be exactly what a lot of couples that I shoot go through. And its all because they're doing something completely alien to them. Yep, unless you're a model, or absolutely love having your photo taken, you too probably dread having your photo taken. After just 5 minutes of shooting our pre-wedding pics I was totally at ease, and completely forgot about the nerves I had about being photographed. This is because we had an awesome photographer, that made us feel totally at ease.

Booking a pre-wedding shoot with me is exactly the same. I will show you just how fun, chilled-out, and stress-free getting in front of the camera can be. We'll meet up, have a cuppa, head out for an hour or two snapping away having fun, and you'll see that there was nothing to worry about at all. Giving you direction if you need it, and keeping quiet if you don't. And at the end of it you'll come away with not only a collection of kick-ass photos, but also the confidence to get in front of the camera again for me on your big day... result!

Here's a small selection of photos I've shot on pre-wedding assignments.



Nina & Ben - a summer wedding in Richmond Park

"Hey Ed, we've just received the photos and I have to say they are fantastic!

We are very happy with the photos that you have taken.  Also, the way that you package up the USB stick was fantastic, and I certainly wasn't expecting that at all.  

You were so discreet at our wedding it was incredible. You must have been moving across the venue with an invisibility cloak on! Additionally, me and Nina weren't the only ones to notice this, but your manner and interaction with our friends and family was superb, many people commented on what a nice guy you were and your general discretion throughout the day.   

We were extremely pleased that you were our photographer and know doubt all future couples that get to work with you will say the same.

All the best and speak soon."

Ben and Nina

Venue - Pembroke Lodge

Amelia & Steve - a beautiful barn wedding in Essex

Sunshine, stylish groomsmen, colourful bridesmaids, one hell of a cool car for the bride to arrive in, and a super-lovely couple getting hitched... this wedding had it all!

"Dear Ed, Thank you so much for your fantastic photography of our wedding. We couldn't love the pictures any more, and they really captured the happiness of the day. Love, Amelia & Steve"

Venue - Blake Hall

2014 weddings - a review in pictures

It's that time of the year again... the time where I look back at the weddings I've shot this year and think to myself... "Jeez... so that's why all my hard drives are full to pop, and my car has got so many miles on it!" 2014 has been one hell of a rollercoaster ride for me. But I wouldn't have it any other way.

I've been extremely lucky to work with some amazing couples over the past 12 months, and have loved snapping away in all sorts of locations and venues over the UK. Barns, beaches, stately homes, even couples back gardens made a few appearances! 2014 has definitely been the year for variety.

This year I was also very proud to have been shortlisted in a couple of UK wedding awards. First came a nomination in the Best Wedding Photographer category at the Perfect Wedding Awards, then later in the year I was a regional finalist in the Wedding Industry Awards. Thanks so much to everyone that voted for me, I really appreciate it.

It's hard to believe that 2015 will actually mark my 20th year as a working photographer. Yep, I've been earning a crust from this snap-happy profession since I was 17. A hell of a lot has changed over the years, but I still enjoy it as much now as I did when I started out in the mid-90's.

Below is a selection of my favourite shots from this year. I'd love to share every wedding I've done, but I seriously think I'd break the internet if I put that many photos up!

So, all that's left for me to say is Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. I hope you all have a great break over the festive week, and I look forward to sharing more of my work with you guys next year.

Sam & Philip - a relaxed summer wedding in the country

"The biggest thank you for our beautiful pictures.

We spent the other Saturday over at my sisters, with my dad and we laughed and laughed. Magical moments!

I am over at another friends next Friday showing her our amazing wedding pictures and again in couple of weeks showing Philips parents.

I cried with happiness and thoroughly enjoy reliving our special day every time we see them.

All the best for the future and thank you for being part of our special day."

- Sam & Philip

Cat & Jon - a sunny Salcombe wedding

Back in September I headed down to Salcombe in Devon for the wedding of Cat and Jon.

Like quite a few couples that have booked me this year, I’d not actually met them in person, but had been regularly keeping up to date with them via emails and Skype.

As you can see from the shots, we couldn’t have asked for better weather. Especially when myself and the guests hopped on a few boats and headed off to a teeny tiny beach for some snaps.

Thanks Cat and Jon for such an awesome day... I'm so pleased you had stunning weather for your big day.

George & Jon - a Fulham Palace summer wedding

London weddings are always fun for me... The hustle and bustle of city life, the endless amounts of cool backdrops round every street corner, and (in this case) some beautifully kept gardens, make photographing in the capital a challenge, but also potential for some cracking images.

I spent the morning snapping the boys getting ready at the couples house just over Putney Bridge, before heading over to the venue with them. Their yellow colour scheme definitely played its part in influencing the amazing weather they had for their day... it was a scorcher!

George and Jon, you're such a lovely (and ridiculously attractive) couple. Cheers for booking me as your photographer, I loved every minute of your big day.

Venue - Fulham Palace

Emily & Russell - an Autumn wedding at Fountains Abbey

Autumn is by far my favourite season. The vibrant colours combined with the glorious sunshine (when it occasionally comes out that is!) is a photographers dream.

A few weeks ago I headed up to the stunning Fountains Abbey to snap Emily and Russell getting married. Yes it was a tad chilly, but wow, they certainly chose one hell of a venue to celebrate their special day.

This wedding was featured on the ELLE UK website.

Kate & Vince - an evening pre wedding shoot in Hull

What can I say about Kate and Vince... other than... "aaah... ain't they cute!?"

My first ever pre-wedding shoot at night, and boy was it fun. Loads of funky backdrops, a lovely couple to photograph, and lots of different lighting conditions to contend with. Plus, a couple that don't mind goofing around in front of the lens is always a bonus too!

Cheers for suggesting the night-time shoot guys... good call.

Shane & Pete - a Spring Somerset wedding

Back in May I had the pleasure of photographing Shane and Pete getting hitched. The whole day was awesome! A stunning country venue, amazing sunny weather, a huge amount of love and emotion shown between the couple, and finally, a whole bunch of lovely friends and family that couldn’t have been easier to get along with.

I love it when I photograph a wedding and really feel like I’m part of it, rather than just some stranger wandering around taking photos, working my way through a list of endless group shots. The freedom I was given by Shane and Pete to just shoot-away definitely comes across in the special moments I managed to capture.

Thanks again Shane and Pete for booking me to snap your BIG day. Once again… it was awesome!

"Hi Ed, we've had a look through all the photos over the weekend... They are amazing! Thank you very much for capturing so many wonderful moments from our big day. We will definitely recommend you to anyone we know who's getting married in the future. Thanks again Ed!"

Alison & Chris - a super Somerset wedding

I met Chris about 5 years ago when I lived in beautiful Bath. It was when I was going through what I like to refer to as "my tubby years!" Yep, I was carrying a fair bit of excess baggage and needed kicking into shape, so I bit the bullet and joined a gym. Chris ran a kettlebell course at the gym and took extreme enjoyment out of making people lug what can only be described as a concrete ball around our body until we felt like we were gonna collapse, or be sick... or both! It was intense, painful, but actually really bloody worked. And to this day, other than running, it's the only thing that works for me in beating the bulge.

Fast forward a couple of years and I get a Facebook message from him asking if I could photograph his wedding. Of course I instantly accepted! A few months later we arranged a pre-wedding shoot in Bath so I could get to meet himself and his bride-to-be, Alison. After a catch up over a coffee we headed out to take some snaps around the city.

So, onto the wedding, and wow, what a wedding! With Chris' impressive facial fuzz, and Alison glowing from being pregnant, the pair looked stunning. I've got to admit, I was a bit jealous of both the beard, and the rather dapper suit Chris was wearing.

After getting hitched in Bath city centre, we headed down to the famous Royal Crescent to get some portraits shot (minus the tourists). Then it was onto Seymours Court, also in Somerset, for their wedding reception. With a lovely decorated triple tipi, a fire pit, and mobile cider bar, I was spoilt for photo opportunities.

It was very clear to see that Alison & Chris had put so much thought and effort into getting the details of their big day exactly how they wanted it, and worked extremely hard to make everything look so cool... and they succeeded.

HUGE congratulations guys, and thanks again for asking me to snap your special day... it was awesome!