With over 15 years’ experience of wedding photography in Essex I have learnt just how I can help the day flow for my couples by some in advance preparation. Here are some of the ways I will photograph your wedding day so you can relax and enjoy it: 

1)    A pre Big Day shoot

My main aim for my wedding photography clients is to be able to capture you at your happy and relaxed best version of yourselves in your photos. To this aim I do a pre shoot for my wedding couples so you know how I work and are not concerned on the big day itself as you already know I can capture a great image of you. 

I work a lot with natural light and good angles so you will find me up a ladder at times and that’s handy for you to see before the big day. It can also help you to relax as I am not the smallest of creatures and up a ladder look quite comical!

The shoot takes less than 30 minutes and we go somewhere outside that you like to visit. Working with couples I get to see how you relate to one another and what is comfortable for you personally. 

Some clients are touchy feely, some are more reserved and knowing that before the big day helps me plan ahead so I can keep the photography time to a minimum and get you back to your guests to enjoy the day.

It’s also handy to work out height differences and which couple poses are best for you and we can practice some.

2)    Producing a family tree 

When I ask to do these clients are normally wondering why!  

What I am looking for is to work out who are your nearest and dearest within all your weddings guests. This could be family or friends - it's entirely up to you. I then use this family tree to make sure I take all of the wedding photos that you want capturing.

Most clients now ask for relaxed images throughout the day as well as the more formal group photographs. If I can capture those live action images with your extra special people rather than great uncle George who you have seen twice in your lifetime it makes the images more meaningful. We work through each side of the guests and then I can learn your family dynamics. In these days of different family structures it is good for me to know that it’s best not to stand X with Y. Parents, family and friends, also like it when I can greet them by name as it helps everyone feel special, relaxed and able to enjoy the day without any awkward photo moments.

3)    Learning about the timings of the day with you and talking through well in advance how much time is needed to capture certain parts of the day if you want them.

For most of my wedding couples this is your first experience of planning a wedding day. I, on the other hand, get to capture them a lot! So its always nice for myself and other suppliers to help with suggestions based on our experience on timings and how your wedding day is likely to flow.  

My particular concerns are allowing enough time after the service and before the meal to capture some of your requested photos. These wedding photos include both group photographs and candid images, some photos of you on your own and with your bridal party, and so on. Having the family tree also helps us run through these requested group photographs as seamlessly and quickly as possible, so as to not disrupt anyone's day. I also like to build in enough time for you to mingle with your guests after the service so that I can quietly capture those relaxed, candid images.

My aim is to ensure the photography is captured with minimal interruption to the day for both you and your guests so you can get on and enjoy yourselves but that I can ensure I can capture all the images you would like.  An example of this is the receiving line – some venues suggest it but my couples normally get to greet everyone after the service if we can so I can capture the real heartfelt congrats moments (yes I am up my ladder for these!). If that’s the case then you may not also feel the need for a receiving line which can take 15 minutes upwards.

4)    Doing a pre-wedding day venue visit

Visiting your wedding venue before the big day is always an important moment and nice to do with you both if possible. We can then explore backdrops and things you particularly liked when choosing the venue. This will allow me to make sure I capture your special day against your favourite backdrops for the ultimate wow-factor. I get to meet the venue organiser to discuss any do's and dont's with them which is always important. For instance, we can use this time to check whether we are allowed to havea confetti shot, if so, where and what type? Are bubbles allowed? And any other questions you may not have thought to ask!

We also get to decide on any areas in regard to weather options – I always need to have considered the English weather and have a plan in place. This could be understanding the amount of natural light in rooms, any overhangs that could provide shelter if we get any wet stuff (I get to be wet but I prefer my couples to stay dry!). When visiting your wedding venue, I will also consider any areas that will be in shade so I can avoid squinting eyes and hot spots in group images if we have a bright sunlight day.

5)    Understanding any surprises planned for your wedding day

Sometimes couples have planned a surprise for your guests or for one another and they forget to tell me! If this does happen when I am not expecting it, it could mean that I am not there to capture this moment on camera. To prevent any missed surprises, I ask you to let me know in advance so I can plan ahead where I need to be to make sure I get the best photographs on this special moment. This could be something like the Groom leaving a card for his other half to read, a special gift for a bridesmaid, or a magician for the guests to keep them entertained. I have also had fireworks, doves, and even two Chinese dragons!!

Here are some reviews from previous wedding couples so you can hear what they have said:

“Tracy was very friendly and professional from start to finish. As relatively camera shy people, she helped us relax quickly and the pre wedding photo shoot we had made sure we were at ease on the big day. Tracy went out of her way and even up a ladder to get fantastic group shots! She took loads of beautiful bride and groom shots, amazing fireworks shots but she also captured special moments throughout the day without us even realising. Would highly recommend Tracy and would definitely use her again.”

“Tracy helped make our wedding day extra special, The photos she took are fantastic and are a lovely memento of our day. 
Tracy takes the time to listen to what you want and makes everyone feel at ease. 
We would highly recommend Tracy.”

“I first encountered Tracy at my brother’s wedding when she approached me and said, "you must be Vicky Andy’s (the grooms) sister" instantly I was struck by her professionalism, she had obviously done her homework! Visibly I could see Tracy taking the professionally posed traditional photos, (god knows how she managed to arrange such a large group of people and a load of babies and toddlers but she ...did!). Tracy was chatty, engaging, I felt comfortable around her and was a bit of a laugh too! These traditional posed photos are wonderful, but nothing compared to the stunning shots she got of us when we didn’t even realise, she was taking photos!!!!! She captured personally for me all the really special moments of the event an intimate chat between me and my 80 year old grandparents in a English garden, my beautiful nieces having a rare cuddle, and playing peek a boo, my little boy running away from the group shots, all the related children not giving a dam about the best man’s speech while playing Disney cars on the dance floor and my complete favourite of myself, husband and little Lennon enjoying a cream cake at afternoon tea! These shots are so fresh, natural and just capture the flavour of the day so expertly. I was only a guest and am waxing lyrical about this lady, so I feel we have a very very happy new bride and groom in our family at the moment! Victoria Way "

I hope you have enjoyed reading about some of my tips. If you would like to discuss your big day wedding photograph with me, please do contact me and maybe I can work with you on all the above and get you images you treasure.