Search Results

I always say your wedding day isn't about the photos; your photos are about the wedding day! And although I swear by this statement it is also a great idea to have a little think about your wedding timeline and the photos that you would like. Your wedding is likely to be a whirlwind of emotions from laughter and excitement to nerves and tears of joy. The reality is when the day is over everything will be in a bit of a blur and you'll be desperate for the photos so you can relive the moments again. Firstly, to make things easier let's break the wedding timeline into sections, this is a great way to think about the shots you would like within each section of your special day. There are six main parts of the day Bride / Groom preparations The Ceremony Drinks reception Wedding breakfast/speeches Comfort break Party Not every wedding follows this order and each year that passes that I am working within the wedding industry I notice that more and more couples are choosing to have their wedding timeline a little differently, which I personally embrace. However, for the nature of this article I will refer to the timeline above and how you can incorporate the photos that you would like. Bride/ Groom preparations I usually allow a couple of hours before the ceremony takes place to capture bride/ groom prep photos. I always start the day with detail shots. Prior to the big day I like to meet with my couples or have a video call with them and make sure they are aware that I like to photograph all the detail shots on my arrival. I love to capture the Save the date cards, order of service, perfume, shoes and outfits for the day. I always encourage my couples to include anything that they have carefully considered for their day so that it is all documented. I once had a bride that had her dress designed for her so I encouraged her to include the original sketches of the dress design so she was able to have that in the final wedding gallery collection. Once I have photographed the details I will make sure that I photograph all the make up and hair preparations that are going on. You'll also want to consider whether you and your partner both want to have getting ready photos? If so, will you both be getting ready in the same location? If not, then you may need to factor in a little extra time so that your wedding photographer has enough travel time to get to you both. Next, the exciting part. Time to get into your beautiful wedding dress (or trouser suit)! I encourage brides to get into their dresses about 45 minutes to 1 hour before they have to leave. Certain designs of dresses take a lot longer to put on than you think. Your wedding photographer will no doubt take photographs of everything that is happening around them but additional photos that you might like to consider are reveal photos with your Dad and or parents as well as pictures of you in beautiful lighting with the all the details and flowers that you have chosen , you make also like pictures with your bridesmaids and other important family members. The Ceremony Depending on where you are getting married will determine how long the ceremony will be. Typically a civil ceremony will be approximately half an hour where a church wedding can last on average an hour. This will differ of course depending on whether you are having readings and hymns but it is certainly the part of the day where your photographer will be photographing in documentary manner (candid, natural photos), your photographer will be as discreet and as respectful as possible so not to disrupt any part of the ceremony. I have known a couple of churches exempt any photographs to be taken during the ceremony period but only the more staged photos of signing the register, so make sure you check with the vicar/priest that photos are permitted on the big day so not to have any disappointment. Straight after the ceremony I love to carryout a confetti shot. They are always my favourite moment and I cannot express loud enough THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS TOO MUCH CONFETTI! So talk to your wedding photographer about factoring this in to your day if this is something you would like. They will be thinking about space for your guests and the best lighting at this point and if you want a really special photo then stop in the middle of you confetti aisle to have a kiss. I promise you won't regret it. Drinks reception This is the part of the day where the wedding day can feel very chaotic. It is often about 1.5 hours long. There is a lot for your wedding photographer to capture at this point of the day from all the lovely candid photos of your family congratulating you on your marriage, to group photos of your guests, portrait session of you and your new husband/wife as well as the table settings, favours, cake and details that you have chosen for the day. When it comes to group shots I normally recommend between six to eight in total. I know that this doesn't seem like many but it often takes quite a long time to congregate your guests for each formal shot and you will be bored and fed up with more shots than this and I can guarantee your guests will be too. If I have a longer drinks reception then I certainly do try and capture more group shots but remember the more group shots you have the less candid photos there will be. So make sure you give your photographer a list of names of the vital group shots that you would like and buddy them up with a bridesmaid or usher who knows what the guest looks like so you aren't standing around longer than you have to. Allow approximately half an hour for group shots. Factor in this part of the day to have some couple portraits too. Unfortunately, lighting wise this part of the day isn't the best time to have photos taken particularly when it is very sunny; nonetheless it is good time to have a some portraits taken whilst you're both looking your best. If your photographer has lots of experience they will be able to advise you as the best place to walk, spin, cuddle and embrace so that they can work with any difficulty lighting situations. I always allow approximately twenty minutes for couple portraits. Let you photographer know if there is a location that you would absolutely love to have some photos taken other than at your venue too. Don't forget all the lovely detail your photographer will want to capture for you. All the table settings, flowers, favours and intricate details which you have carefully chosen for your special day. I need approximately ten to fifteen minutes for this. Wedding breakfast/ speeches If you are planning on having a sit down meal then this is normally two hours. If you are having a BBQ, high tea or, buffet then this can be a shorter period of time. Your photographer is likely to take their break at this point too as let's be honest none of your guests will appreciate their photos being taken as they eat their meal. At this part of the day I can often be found doing some stories of the day for social media, scouting areas for evening shots and preparing my lighting for speeches and the evening party too. It is becoming more common for couples to choose for their speeches to take place before their meal so that feel relaxed during the meal but traditionally, speeches were always held after the wedding breakfast. I am always happy to shoot the day as it unfolds but give your photographer the heads up as to when the speeches are likely to take place so they can have any extra lighting they may need at the ready. On a side note, couples have started doing speeches in between courses; I can assure you that there are more negatives for this than positives and the impact on your suppliers is monumental. In fact I could write a whole blog post on that one alone, I will save this for another day. Traditionally at wedding the three speeches carried out are Father of the Bride, the Groom and the Best man but it's great to see more women giving speeches these days. Always make sure that you let your photographer know how many speeches will be taking place. Allow approximately 30 to 45 minutes for speeches depending on how many people are delivering a speech. Comfort Break There is normally a little break after your wedding breakfast so that catering staff can turn the rooms around ready for the evening but also give you and your guests the time to let their meal go down and relax before the evening party begins. It is at this point of the day where it is ideal to nip off with your photographer again to have some evening shots. The most beautiful time to shoot is during golden hour which is when the sun sets or as the sun rises. It offers the dreamiest natural light for portraits and every photographer will be chasing the sun at this point of the day. The sun will set at different times throughout the year so it is worth thinking about the season you are getting married in so that you can arrange the perfect time for golden hour shots. If it is dark or miserable weather (let's face it in in the UK the weather is always unpredictable) I always try to incorporate some lovely evening shots with my couples under festoon lights or with some off camera flash so that they have some lovely evening shots too. Express to your photographer if this is something that you would like. Golden hour or evening shots normally take up to fifteen minutes. Party If you didn't cut your cake before speeches then it is normally takes place once the evening guests arrive and just before the first dace. Make sure that you discuss the best timing for this with your photographer and wedding venue. Let your photographer know if you are planning on going straight into the first dance after the cake cutting as once again, they'll need to make sure that they have the lighting they like to use all set up. I am very keen on using a two or three lighting set up for the dance floor pictures as it gives me great coverage and the look I love for dance shots and this takes a little time to have all my equipment in place. Usually the first dance is approximately three to four minutes. and then after the first dance many of your guests will join you on the dance floor. For some reason or another the dance floor can often go quieter after a few dances whether it's because there hasn't been enough alcohol consumed or simply the evening just hasn't got started yet, I am not sure? So make sure that you have booked your wedding photographer long enough to capture lots of dance pictures if this is something that you would really like. I usually recommend a couple of hour's coverage for dance shots. If you are planning on a sparkler shot, fireworks, or champagne spray I suggest that you do these when the dance floor is quieter. So make sure that you schedule some time in for that too and you'll need to consider how dark it is outside as well. So here is a sample ten hour wedding timeline and what photos to think about for your special day. 12pm - Getting ready photos and details 1pm- Getting into your dress and first look or dress reveal to important people 2pm - Ceremony 2.30pm- Confetti shot 2:40 pm -Drinks reception , candid photos, group shots, portrait shots and details 4pm - Wedding breakfast 6pm - Speeches 6.30pm - Comfort break - evening, golden hour photos 7.45 pm - Cutting of cake 8pm - First dance and guests dancing 9pm -Sparklers/ fireworks/ champagne shots 10:00 End of coverage I hope that this article helps you with how to organise the timeline of your wedding day as well as think about the photos that you would really like to incorporate during your special day. If you are still looking for your wedding photographer for your wedding then please do get in touch it would be great to hear from you. Contact me. Hi, I am Louisa! I am based in Gillingham, Dorset but I photograph weddings all over the UK. I  have been a wedding photographer for nearly a decade. My journey into wedding photography began with a profound desire to capture authentic moments and tell unique love stories. Fuelled by a deep passion for creativity and love for working with people,  it was then that I found my love for wedding photography. ​ My work has been featured in various online publications I have won awards within  documentary photography competitions. I am known for having a natural photography style,  but equally love to push the  boundaries of my creativity with  more curated images too.

Get ready to see Zoe and David's amazing wedding held at the beautiful Larmer Tree Gardens, Wiltshire on a radiant summer day. From Zoe's jaw-dropping Half Penny London dress to the enchanting flower crown by the fabulous @willowandwhisps, their country wedding was a vibrant celebration of love, laughter, and a touch of magic. Zoe's and David both got ready at the stunning King John's House, just a few minutes drive from The Larmer Tree. Zoe and David had an outdoor ceremony at the Roman Temple Zoe's grew up attending many festivals at the Larmer Tree with her family, David soon became part of these cherished memories, and so it felt fitting that they should choose the beautiful venue for their wedding. Following the "I do's," the celebration kicked off with lawn games drinks and canapes, The @royalts played beautifully on the Larmer Trees iconic stage and a card trick magician wowed the crowd, The day was beautiful from start to finish and I was even able to capture some stunning golden hour shots of them both just before they danced the night away with all their friends and family. So, grab a cuppa, scroll through the gallery, and let the magic of their day inspire your own Wiltshire love story! If you are inspired by Zoe and David's beautiful Larmer Tree Gardens wedding or looking for your photographer for your special day please do get in touch. It would be wonderful to hear from you. Contact me, Hi, I am Louisa! I am based in Gillingham, Dorset I  have been a wedding photographer for nearly a decade. My journey into wedding photography began with a profound desire to capture authentic moments and tell unique love stories. Fuelled by a deep passion for creativity and love for working with people,  it was then that I found my love for wedding photography. ​ My work has been featured in various online publications I have won awards within  documentary photography competitions. I am known for having a natural photography style,  but equally love to push the  boundaries of my creativity with  more curated images.

Your wedding day is likely to be the biggest day of your life. You have probably toyed with thoughts of your wedding day even before you met your partner. You'll know whether a religious ceremony is important to you or not, even your favourite flowers, cake or music! You'll likely already know if you'd prefer a large luxurious wedding with all your favourite people or whether a small intimate affair suits you better. Whatever the thoughts and ideas of your special day you will no doubt want them beautifully documented. Choosing the right photographer to capture such special memories takes careful consideration and that's exactly why I decided to write this blog. Choosing your wedding photographer is tough, there is no doubt about it. There is such a wide variety of styles, as well as prices and packages it is almost impossible for it not to feel overwhelming. Everyone also has a mobile phone these days. It's easy to entertain the idea that guests will take lovely photos on their mobile phone and to not have a photographer at all. BELIEVE ME I WAS THAT PERSON! I married quite a few years ago now and I didn't have a clue about wedding photography, I was that bride that thought 'oh I know someone with a nice camera, I am sure that they won't mind taking some photos'. I was naïve enough to think that owning a lovely camera would give me beautiful images from my day. I couldn't have been more wrong. Yes, they looked the part on my wedding day with all the lovely expensive gear but did they understand lighting? no! Did they understand how to operate the camera in anything other that auto mode? no! Did they have any experience working in the wedding industry in a fast paced atmosphere with low lighting - no! Were they familiar with editing programmes and had their own unique editing style? I think you can guess the answer. I started seriously pursuing my passion in photography a couple of years after my wedding and it was a steep learning curve, I have been in the wedding industry now for nearly ten years and I have learnt so much about it. SO DON'T MAKE THE MISTAKES I DID LET ME HELP YOU! Tip #1 - What is the wedding photographer's style? There are so many different photography styles, from documentary wedding photography (candid, unposed imagery) to fine art (elegant poses, and artistic compositions) to anything else in between. it is important that you and your partner are both drawn to a similar style of photography. The photographer's portfolio should be able to deliver a consistent looking style of images throughout the wedding day. As well as the style of images the next question to ask yourself is "Do I like the final edit of the images? " Again , a good photographer should be able to provide consistent looking images under a variety of different lightings. Some photographers edit with a strong, bold and colourful finish where as others have a softer, muted appearance. You may also notice that certain photographers have a dark and moody feel to their photography and others prefer a light and airy look. It is worth really looking at the final edit and consider what it is about the photographer's edit that you really like. Tip #2 - What experience does your wedding photographer have and how long have they been in business? Put bluntly wedding photography is tricky! A wedding photographer is never just a wedding photographer they are likely playing the part of wedding coordinator and master of ceremonies too. They are constantly liaising with other suppliers with the timings of the day (the caterers, the band, the registrar/ vicar) as well as your guests, you want to make sure that you are choosing someone that has skills which make people feel comfortable and at ease and works well with other suppliers so that your day runs smoothly. A photographer that is in the early stages of their career is unlikely to know the full intricacies of a wedding day and although choosing a beginner photographer is not necessarily a bad thing, it's likely they are yet to develop the other skills which are required on on a busy wedding day (timings, confidence organising large groups etc) and this is certainly something that is worth thinking about before you book someone. So my advice here is to not only check out their website but make sure that you look at Google reviews, social media as well as talking to people about whether they have employed them for their services and what they felt about them. Researching their business will not only give you an idea on how they are constantly looking to improve and develop their business but it will also give you a clear indication as to whether they will be around in the next few years too. A business that has been trading for a few years is definitely a much safer option than one that has been trading for a few months. Tip #3 - What is your wedding photography budget? It is important to think about the budget you have for your wedding photography and although it is a deciding factor for a lot of couples, it shouldn't be the basis of your decision. I always believe that a photographer should be open about their packages from the start and in turn so should you as a client be transparent about your budget. I always make sure that I include my packages on my website. You can see them all by clicking on here . There are so many varying factors that come into why a photographer charges as they do including, their experience, their location, the time and attention they spend on editing, what the package itself includes but it is important to note that high-end prices do not always guarantee the highest quality and attention to detail and reasonable pricing does not always depict low quality either, so bear that one in mind! Tip #4 - Are there any extras in your wedding photographer's packages? Once you have found a few photographers that you like and their work fits with your budget have a little look at what is offered within the package. Consider factors like preview pictures that you can share with your friends and family shortly after the wedding, do they have a second shooter? In what format will they deliver the images will there be a presentation box with prints or are they all online for you to download only? Does the package include an engagement shoot or a slideshow with beautiful music? It is at this point you and your partner need to weigh up what is important to be included within the package you would like. Tip #5- Check the photographer's availability It is a great idea to narrow down a selection of photographer's work that you really like. So now it is time to contact your favourite photographers and see if they are available. Popular wadding photographers get booked up quickly so don't feel that you are contacting them too early if your wedding date is still a couple of years away! Bear in mind though that if you want only want a few hours of photographic coverage (two or three hours) on your wedding day in peak season then a photographer is unlikely to book this date out for you unless it is the year of the wedding. Tip #6 - Do you like your photographer? Great, you have found a few photographers whose photography style and edit you like, they fit within your budget and they have your wedding date available. Now is the time to meet up with you photographer or have a zoom meeting with them if you're not local . If you have heard great things about your photographer and you have seen galleries of their work already this is is all really positive. But if your paths haven't crossed at all, it is important to have a chat with them before you book, You will be spending a lot of time with your wedding photographer on the biggest day of your life and it is vital that you feel comfortable and relaxed with their presence. I have written some fantastic questions for you to ask your wedding photographer when you do have a meeting with them so you obtain all the information you need! Check that out below. Tip #7 - Ask to view a wedding photography gallery You would have learnt a lot from speaking to a couple of photographers and you will know which one best suits you. If you are still unsure about things it is a great idea to ask if you can view a full gallery from a previous wedding that they have shot. As I have mentioned earlier every photographer has such a different style of shooting and editing, looking at wedding photos from a whole wedding day under different lighting conditions and timeline pressures is a great way of seeing how consistent they are with the work that they produce. So don't be afraid to ask to have a look at a previous wedding gallery. On a side note make sure if a photographer has been spending time emailing or having a meeting with you but you feel that they are not the right fit for you, Please drop them an email to thank them for their time and let them know that you are choosing another photographer. Helpful questions to ask you photographer before your wedding photographer. In what format will my images be delivered? When you are choosing your perfect wedding photographer. How will you be receiving your images? This is important as some photographers might only deliver prints and albums where others will give you downloadable images for you to print as you wish. Make sure that you are clear on what the photographer delivers so that you aren't disappointed. Can you describe your editing style and process ? It may be that you don't really know why you are asking this question but you can ascertain a lot from a photographer by asking this. Photographers that have been in the wedding industry a long time will have a specific way of editing and production of their images. Some photographers outsource this part of the work; others individually edit each image. If the photographers do edit all their own images you'll find it will also differ again with the level of editing. Some are more particular about what they want to do to each image and will use more powerful photo editing programmes where as others will solely look at standard editing features such as colours, temperature, gradients and exposure. How long until I receive my images? Do you offer preview pictures to share with friends/ family online? It is always lovely having some sneak peeks of images after the wedding so check out if this is something they offer. Some photographers have a longer editing period too depending on how many weddings they like to take on a year and how vigilant they are with the editing process ,so make sure you ask them how long the turnaround is for your wedding photos. Do you have insurance? Anyone operating as a wedding photographer should have public liability insurance, professional indemnity and insurance to cover their equipment. What is your experience photographing at my venue or somewhere similar? Although it is not essential that a photographer has worked at your venue at all but it is always helpful to hear their opinion on lighting at a venue and beautiful areas for photos. More often than not if a photographer hasn't shot at your wedding venue before they will arrive a little bit earlier on your wedding day to have a look at the venue before they start shooting. (well that's how I work anyway!) How many images will I receive? . It is important to be clear on approximately how many images you will be receiving with the package you have booked for. Can you explain your working style? some photographers have a more hands-on approach with posed shots whilst others will focus solely on capturing real moments and not prompt at all. It's always a great idea to discuss their working style so that you have a clear understanding on what to expect. If you have chosen a photojournalistic photographer they may not carryout group shots for example. Do you take photo requests? You may have a wonderful idea for a photo so you'll want to know if your photographer is happy to have a go at something creative. Equally you'll want to know if your guests can requests photographs with their families or with you as a couple on the day. Are you happy to travel? Most photographers are more than happy to travel and expect it. However it is worth noting that most photographers will charge after a certain distance and you may have to pay for overnight accommodation if there is a considerable distance between where the wedding is and where the photographer resides. Will there be a gallery online that I can share with friends and family? Most photographers offer an online portal so that you can share your images with friends and family, it will also give your loved ones the opportunity to purchase any images for themselves. Definitely ask about this though as beginner photographers may not have this feature. Do you offer a printing or album service? Not every photographer does this but it is worth asking about if this is something that you would like. Do you charge for over time coverage? Most photographers will charge an hourly rate for any overtime that occurs on the wedding day, discuss with you photographer before the big day as to whether they are able to stay if things overrun on the day and what the cost will be. How do you keep your wedding images safe? Camera equipment is fantastic these days and all professional photographers should have cameras with dual camera slots making sure that each photo taken is backed up to two cards as they shoot, so if one of those camera cards fail you have another to rely on. A photographer should be backing up your images at home or as they travel back from your wedding. One on an external hard drive/computer and another to the cloud. May I suggest that when you receive your gallery of wedding photos from your photographer. Make sure you back them up in various places too. I can't believe the amount of couples that come back to me years later saying "I can't find my USB with my wedding photos" or "I didn't download my wedding photos online". What is your back up plan in case you are ill? Every professional photographer should have a back up plan in case they can't make your wedding day or they are taken ill so find out what you photographer does. Whilst you are at it check out what they do if there is a malfunction with their equipment on the day too. Do you have a contract? This is the most important part. Make sure there is a contract between you and your photographer. This will make sure that both of you are protected. Well I hope that you have enjoyed reading top tips on how to choose your perfect wedding photographer as well as some useful questions to ask them too. May I wish you all the best of luck in your wedding planning and a long and happy future together. if you would like to consider me to be your wedding photographer please drop me a message I would love to hear from you. Contact me Hi, I am Louisa! I am based in Gillingham, Dorset I  have been a wedding photographer for nearly a decade. My journey into wedding photography began with a profound desire to capture authentic moments and tell unique love stories. Fuelled by a deep passion for creativity and love for working with people,  it was then that I found my love for wedding photography. ​ My work has been featured in various online publications I have won awards within  documentary photography competitions. I am known for having a natural photography style,  but equally love to push the  boundaries of my creativity with  more curated images too.

Orchardleigh House is an elegant Victorian stately home nestled at the heart of the Orchardleigh Estate's 500 acres of parkland and lakes. The estate and house offer complete versatility for your special day. For your ceremony you can choose to marry in one of the Estate's Churches, including the unique island church, or if you would prefer a civil ceremony these can be accommodated inside the beautiful house or outside in the stunning estate grounds. With so much space on hand you have the opportunity to create your dream wedding. From the elegant Ballroom, to the cosy Morning Room, the full sized Billiards Room and the regal Great Hall you are welcome to use the spaces as you wish. The wedding photo opportunities are also endless. The House can sleep up to 85 guests, and there are also further accommodation options in Orchardleigh Castle, Murtry Lodge and the Boathouse, so you have plenty of space for your guests to stay the night once the partying has stopped! To find out more about weddings at the Orchardleigh Estate go to: https://www.orchardleigh.net Require a wedding photographer at Orchardleigh Estate ? Creative wedding photography Dorset contact Photography by Louisa Jane 07736285922

Sophie and Henry had the most beautiful winter wedding at Sopley Mill, Christchurch. There had been loads of rain leading up to the wedding but on their day there was the most incredible low winter's sun, making perfect portrait pictures. Their little girl made the most adorable flower girl who had everyone in smiles as she walked down the aisle. Sopley Mill was stunning, it is a venue that I have always wanted to photograph. I loved that the throughout the day the couples had access to all four floors which not only gave me an added workout but had the most incredible views of the garden and river too. I can't wait to go back there again. Need a wedding photographer for your wedding at Sopley Mill? Contact Photography by Louisa Jane 07736285922 Dorset wedding photographer, documentary wedding photography and creative wedding photography

I love photographing engagement shoots. It is a great way for us to start building a relationship before your big day and it's also a great way for you to feel comfortable in front of the camera and get a feel for how I work. With Nikki and Stuart we lucked out on the weather, deliberately organising a time to photograph in the pretty light. Their shoot took place at golden hour in the summer along the beautiful Jurassic coast in Dorset. Need a document wedding photographer? Have timeless wedding and engagement photography for your Big Day. Wedding and family photographer based in Dorset. Creative wedding photography Dorset. Contact Photography by Louisa Jane 07736285922

Katie and James married at Tithe barn in September. I have shot at Tithe barn so many times; it is a beautiful venue where you are spoiled for choice with how you would like your wedding day to run (inside or outside) but equally there are so many places for beautiful images too. Katie and James chose to have their wedding ceremony outside conducted by a friend of theirs and they had their wedding breakfast in a marquee and finished the night with dancing in the beautiful barn. Enjoy scrolling through the images to have a taste of what was a completely magical wedding. Are you looking for a wedding photographer at Hinton St Mary Estate? View wedding photography gallery from Tithe Barn country wedding, Dorset wedding photographer, Creative wedding photography Dorset Book Photography by Louisa Jane 07736285922

I love photographing weddings at the Larmer Tree and I feel very lucky to be one of their recommended photographers so I get to do this regularly! Larmer Tree Weddings can take place indoors or outdoors with a variety of venue options depending on your dream wedding plans. The stunning 11-acre gardens at the Lamer Tree provide a stunning backdrop for your beautiful wedding photographs. The Larmer Tree is found in the heart of the Cranborne Chase, an area of outstanding natural beauty, tucked away from the hustle and bustle of modern life, on the Dorset/Wiltshire border. It is the perfect country wedding venue. The gardens hold a unique collection of ornate buildings, ranging from the spectacular Singing Theatre to the magical Roman Temple. The majestic trees and intimate arbours create secrecy and surprise whilst the open lawns provide a perfect setting for reception drinks and a relaxing game of croquet. The magical garden welcomes guests to wander through hidden walkways, unwind on the lawns and to discover the unique charm of this beautiful setting. To find out more about weddings at the Larmer Tree go to: https://www.larmertree.co.uk/weddings Require a wedding photographer at award winning venue Larmer Tree? Documentary wedding photographer Wiltshire and creative wedding photographer Wiltshire , contact Photography by Louisa Jane 07736285922

I met Jess and Paul at the beginning of 2019, I photographed their beautiful engagement shoot at Alfred's Tower. Jess and Paul had to change their wedding venue and wedding date three times due to Covid. It was a extremely stressful time for them but I have to confess their wedding was made even more special because of it too. They were able to have a beautiful Dorset wedding a Poole Guild Hall at their reception followed at the stunning Hotel Du Vin, you can see more of the venue here. Jess and Paul were limited with the number of guests they could have at their wedding due to Government Legislation and all guests had to wear masks too. But, the sun shone brightly for them all day and many other guests joined them on Zoom. This gorgeous couple decided to take a walk along Poole Harbour and enjoy an ice-cream together, they received cheers and claps from people that were out enjoying the summer sun. I can't tell you how lovely it was to see that joy that complete strangers experienced when they saw them. As a side note, for all you photographers out there, if you haven't shot a wedding yet in a mask, it is a slight occupational hazard as your camera viewfinder steams up with the hot air coming out from behind your mask. Note to self - practise holding one's breath! Anyway, enough of my rambling, let's cut to the chase shall we and take a look at an absolute diamond of a day.... Like what you see and you need a photographer? Contact me here!

Luke and Alec married in May 2019, in Hampshire at Somerley walled Gardens. I've known Luke for years, he is one of my sister's closest and dearest friends, so I was particularly moved being asked to capture this wedding. Luke and Alec married at Somerley Walled Gardens, they hired a beautiful tepee marquee for their wedding reception. This particular wedding venue has not had a marquee in the grounds before, so it was great photographing that. The sun shone perfectly all day long and the laughter flowed endlessly too. My assistant for the day was the very lovely Chantel you can see more of her work here. We were invited to join in the party after the wedding, and now I can safely say rhubarb gin and ginger beer rocks my world! Thanks for having us guys, we loved capturing your day... #Somerleywalledgardens #dorsetweddingphotography #dorsetweddingphotographer #Somersetweddingphotographer #Somersetweddingphotographer #wiltshireweddingphotgrapher #wiltshireweddingphotography #realweddings #reportagephotography #documentaryphotography #creativephotography #southwestweddingphotographer

I met Sarah at a Wedding Fayre, not as a potential bride but as a fellow wedding supplier. She was there promoting the stunning jewellery from Allum and Sidaway and it was lovely getting to know her (as well as having a try on of the exquisite jewellery). Several months later Sarah emailed me saying "I'm getting married, are you available to photograph our day?" I was very excited about capturing the wedding right from the start, I just knew it was going to be an elegant and stylish affair and it didn't disappoint, not one bit. Bridal prep took place at The Little Sanctuary in Gillingham, it was buzzing with excitement from the off. Every now and then Sarah had a moment of realisation that she was about to get married and the nerves kicked in (I just love the array of emotions that are displayed at weddings). Sarah and Jonny got married at Buckhorn Weston Church, which is where Sarah's parents and her grandparents got married, so it was very special that she could continue this tradition. One of my particular highlights during the ceremony, were the bridesmaids singing as loudly as they could throughout the hymns which brought huge smiles to Sarah and Jonny's faces (and the rest of the congregation too!) The wedding reception was held at Bryanston School which was absolutely stunning and even the weather Gods looked down on them as the sun shone with all it's might. It was the perfect summer's day. Please take a look... #weddingphotographer #weddingphotography #byranstonschoolwedding #thelittlesanctuary

I was recently asked How I shot the above image by website This Is Reportage. Here was my article if you would like to read it. I took this image at Pene and Gareth’s wedding, in May 2017, at The Sandbanks Hotel in Dorset. I was very excited and honoured to be capturing their Big Day. It was photographing their new-born daughter (five years previously) that eventually made me take the gigantic leap into pursuing photography as a career. For that, I am truly grateful to them as it was the best decision I’ve ever made! Unfortunately, there was some major building work taking place at the hotel that they had originally chosen. The work was due to commence a few days before their wedding day which meant that the couple had to change venues at very late notice. Being the couple that they are, they took it all in their stride but I know that at the time it was a huge disappointment to them and caused large amounts of stress. Thankfully, their wedding day went perfectly; fun and laughter was had by all. It is this image in particular that makes my heart swell, knowing that Pene and Gareth’s wedding came together despite the difficulties they had encountered leading up to it. I took this picture during the evening do and it became one of my favourites from 2017. After the speeches I set up two unmodified speed lights on flash stands and placed them either side of the dance floor ready for the couple’s first dance. I can’t remember the flash power I used, but it was likely 1/32 or 1/64 power on both of them, with the flashes zoomed in, to minimise light spill. Both flashes were pointed directly towards the dance floor and I composed the shot so that the couple were back lit. I love to create those dark and striking shadows for the first dance which you achieve with this lighting set up. After the first dance I decided to keep the lighting as it was for a while and I continued to capture moments on the dance floor. I really enjoy photographing the evening do at weddings; in fact it’s my favourite part of the day to shoot. The guests have pretty much forgotten that I am there; they really start to let their hair down and enjoy themselves. Working in low light situations; such as wedding receptions can be tricky and people are moving quickly when they dance – moments between guests happen in a blink of an eye so you never really know what you are going to walk away with, the pressure is seriously on (and for some bizarre and twisted reason I seriously dig that!) Pene and Gareth had decided to create a playlist for their evening reception rather than having a DJ. The guest in charge of the music put on Tina Turner’s ‘Simply The Best’ and Pene was immediately joined by two of her bridesmaids, Jayne and Lucy. I took an array of shots– this one being my favourite. The photo was taken on a Canon 5d Mark iii with the 35mm Sigma 1.4 lens. My settings were f4.5, 1/200s and ISO 1000. In post production I straightened the image and cropped it slightly, putting Pene and her bridesmaids more to the left of the frame, I turned the image black and white and dodged and burned it slightly adding contrast and clarity. Job done! Need a Dorset wedding photographer? Documentary wedding photography and creative wedding photography contact Photography by Louisa Jane 07736285922