Tag: photography

Planning a Wedding That Feels Like You AKA ‘traditions are just peer pressure from dead people’

Posted on by Jenny in Blog

Over the years I’ve worked with couples who threw out the rulebook entirely — replacing it with something real, meaningful, and entirely them. Whether you’re queer, creative, neurodivergent, or just allergic to beige chair covers, this guide is here to help you plan a wedding that reflects who you are — not what the wedding industry (or your parents, society, co-workers or anyone else!) says you should be.

1. Ditch the “Shoulds”

Full disclosure I have a personal vendetta against the word should – anytime my subconscious starts yelling ‘but you SHOULD’ at me I know it’s time to stop and take a breath. You don’t need to wear white, walk down an aisle, or cut a cake (unless it’s with a sword – then hell yes, let’s do it). Ask yourself:

  • What would make you feel most comfortable on the day?
  • What elements actually excite you?
  • What can you skip without feeling guilty?

Try writing a list: “WTF We Actually Want at Our Wedding.” It can be surprisingly clarifying.

2. Source Your Music Creatively

Instead of booking through agencies who take a chunky cut, consider hiring local musicians, DJs, or even vinyl-spinning friends directly. You’ll not only save money, but also get someone who cares more about vibe than volume. The money you do spend will go directly back to grass roots musicians and we all know they need as much support as they can get!

Check out:

  • Local open mic nights or pubs/small venues in your area.
  • Independent DJ collectives in London and beyond.
  • Instagram hashtags like #LondonWeddingDJ or #QueerMusiciansUK

Ask them what they actually like to play — trust me, the energy is so different when someone isn’t being forced to play Ed Sheeran on loop.

3. Make the Ceremony Yours

Don’t want a church wedding or a registrar reading the same old legal jargon? Hire a celebrant — they can create a ceremony based entirely on your story. It can include personal vows, music, poetry, rituals, or even your dog as the ring bearer.

Check out this guest blog post where Kathryn breaks it down. I’ve shot hundreds of weddings in my time and every time the celebrant led ceremony just hits different.

4. Choose Suppliers Who Get You

The right photographer, florist, or planner doesn’t just “do the job” — they vibe with your values. When you book with someone who gets what you’re about (and doesn’t bat an eye when you say you want to arrive on a bike or wear black), the whole day feels smoother, safer, and more you.

Bonus tip: Always ask vendors how they support LGBTQIA+ couples and what kind of events they feel most at home shooting. If they hesitate? Keep looking.

5. Document It Your Way

Spoiler: posed group shots aren’t compulsory. I focus on capturing people being real — laughing, hugging, crying, dancing badly — because those are the photos you’ll actually want to look back on.

Some of the most iconic weddings I’ve shot had:

  • Pizza vans instead of plated meals
  • Tattoos in place of rings
  • First dances in the pub
  • Ceremonies in living rooms, art galleries, and warehouses

It doesn’t need to be big. It just needs to be yours.

Final Thought

You don’t need to convince your nan, your dad, your hairdresser or even your registrar that your wedding is valid. You don’t need to do it “right.”
You just need to feel like yourselves — whatever that looks like.

And if you’re ready to plan something untraditional, unfiltered, and unforgettable…
📷 Let’s talk.

How to Nail the Confetti Shot (With only the good type of Chaos)

Posted on by Jenny in Blog

Confetti photos? Total gold. They’re the kind of wild, joy-packed, frame-it-forever moments that scream we just got married! But as carefree as they look, there’s a bit of behind-the-scenes magic that makes them actually work.

Bonus? It’s also a sneaky way to get a full group photo of your wedding guests — no awkward posing, no trying not to blink, no trying to wrangle Great Aunt Sue into place. Just natural smiles, colour, and pure celebration.

If you’re dreaming of that slow-motion, petal-showered walk of glory, here’s how to pull it off…

1. Pick Confetti That Actually Works (and Looks Good in Photos)

Not all confetti is created equal. If you want that dreamy, floaty effect that gives your photographer time to capture every moment, go for larger, biodegradable paper petals. They fall slower, show up beautifully on camera, and don’t leave a plastic mess behind.

My go-to? Flutter Darlings. They make eco-friendly, camera-friendly confetti in gorgeous colours that flutter (obviously) like a dream. Plus, your venue will thank you. They even offer matching canons which can be used to create that absolute snowstorm of colour if you wanna go big!

2. Check the Rules Before You Chuck

Before you get too excited and bulk-order the rainbow mix, check with your venue. Some venues only allow confetti in specific spots. Others have a strict biodegradable-only policy. And yes, some are full-on no confetti, ever. (Boo.)

If confetti’s a no-go, don’t panic — bubbles and streamers are great alternatives. Bubbles photograph beautifully (especially in golden hour light). Streamers work too, but someone will need to take responsibility for picking them up afterwards — so assign that role clearly, or risk finding them in a hedge 3 months later. Just like confetti though more is more so whatever you use get lots!

3. Hide, Then Make Your Big Entrance

Here’s where the magic happens — but also where some coordination comes in.

Right after the ceremony, you’ll need to disappear for a few minutes while your guests are directed outside. Then, they’ll be arranged in a flying V formation (yes, like a team of celebratory geese) ready to shower you in love, petals, and hopefully squeals of joy.

To pull this off, you’ll need:

  • Someone to direct your guests into position
  • Someone to hand out confetti (and give a quick “throw it UP not AT them” speech).
  • Someone to hide you until everyone else is ready.
  • A member of venue staff or your wedding planner/coordinator can usually help — just check with them beforehand.

Once everyone’s in place, you make your big confetti-filled entrance. You walk through a tunnel of cheers and colour, I snap away, and BOOM — you’ve got the shot.

4. Let Your Photographer Do Their Thing

This is one of those moments where you just need to be in it. Don’t overthink it, take a slow wander through, remember to look at each other and don’t worry about where the confetti lands (yes, you might get it in your mouth — it’s all part of the experience).

Your photographer will be ready and waiting to capture the magic — just soak it all up, smile big, and celebrate the moment.

In Short: Confetti + Planning = Photo Gold

To recap:

  • Use fluttery, biodegradable confetti (we love Flutter Darlings)
  • Check what your venue allows
  • Get someone to help direct the crowd and hand out confetti
  • Hide briefly and make your entrance through a joyful flying V
  • Let the moment be messy, beautiful and you

If you want help planning your perfect confetti moment — or someone to capture it in all its colourful glory — you know where to find me.

HOW TO CHOOSE THE RIGHT WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER FOR YOU

Posted on by Jenny in Blog

One of the biggest challenges when sourcing a photographer is how on earth you know if they are the right person for YOU. Not your sister, not that other couple that got married at the same venue or even that GORGEOUS shoot you saw on insta. I’m gonna take a punt here and guess that you’ve probably never booked a wedding photographer before. Google says there are 24,500,000 results for the search term ‘wedding photographer London’ so don’t worry, that sense of deep overwhelm creeping up the back of your neck is totally appropriate given the circumstances!

Here’s the good news, I’ve been doing this a while now (ahem, over ten years!) and after many, MANY shoots, worked out a pretty simple formula to know if you have found the right one for you. Perhaps shockingly it might not be me! I want you to find the photographer you like as much as I want to find the client I want so read on and let’s see if it’s a match!

THREE GOLDEN RULES

1. STYLE


Do you like their photos? Sounds obvious but there’s a lot of styles out there so if you’re not sure yet try googling ‘dark and moody’ ‘light and airy’ ‘documentary’ etc. Add your area to find local photographers and make sure their portfolio is right up your street before you book because that is what you will get. Gone are the days of hiring a photographer and sending them a list of every single shot you absolutely must have (thank god!) Nowadays we are entrusted to deliver a set of images that show your day, with your friends and your family however that unfolds. Most of us have spent many years honing our style – both in terms of shooting and editing – and that is what we will deliver. After all – you wouldn’t hire a cartoonist to paint the Sistene chapel would you!

2. BUDGET

    Again it sounds obvious but for the love of god please don’t pay someone more than you can afford. There really are photographers out there for all budgets. I’m always happy to offer bespoke quotes based on ALL your needs including budget. I also offer payment plans so it’s always worth asking, if you really love someone’s work, be open about what you want and what you have and they will offer you what they can within those parameters. Every wedding is different and – full disclosure – I kinda hate that I have to offer ‘packages’, I’d much rather hear what YOU want/need and find an amount that works for us both.

    3. PESONALITY

    Would you have at least two pints (glasses of wine, cups of coffee, shots of tequila – whatever your poison) with your photographer? If not, I’m sorry to say they are not the one. Getting married is a big deal, you spent a lot of time and energy planning this day – the last thing you want is for some weirdo photographer to start singing the virtues of Brexit over group photos! Check the vibes before the day.

    What’s the Bang For your buck?

    Posted on by Jenny in Blog

    It’s no secret that wedding photography is one of the biggest investments you will make when planning a wedding. It’s almost impossible to preach how incredibly important this is as a wedding photographer because I am of course entirely biased, BUT, hopefully this little pie-chart will explain what your money is going towards.

    From the moment you book me I am on call to support you with supplier ideas, table layout issues and anything else that might pop into your head. It is important to me that we get on personally as much as professionally so when it comes to your wedding day you’ll know I’ve got your back.

    Lots of people are surprised that the actual photography bit is not the biggest but, as with any kind of creative endeavor, style and aesthetic is about more than what you do on the day. Every professional photographer you meet will have honed a style and workflow over the years, meaning they can deliver you a fully curated gallery complete with images that not only look incredible but have been individually processed to look their absolute best and formatted for use as you wish – from on the socials to large scale prints from the moment you hit download.

    When all is said and done the dress won’t always fit, the food will all be eaten, the flowers will dry out and the only tangible memory will be your photos so honestly – if you’re looking to cut corners this is the one place I would think long and hard about scrimping on.

    BUT I’M ON A BUDGET!?

    Don’t worry – there are so many ways to get what you need within the budget you have. My absolute best advise on this is to be clear and honest – both with yourself and your photographer. Avoid asking ‘what’s your lowest price’ this depends on so much and most of us aren’t out to get as much money out of you as possible. This is our art and our passion and we WANT to make you happy – as well as pay our rent.

    Let them know what you want; what bits of the day are most important to you to capture? Do you want prints, an album or just downloads? What is your budget? Don’t be afraid to lay it all out on the table – if we can’t do what you need for the money you have we’ll tell you and likely recommend someone who can. It’s not a barter system, it’s just a flat ‘can I do what they need for what they have and cover my costs/make a profit’. Bottom line is we need to know how long you want us to shoot for and what you want after the shoot as this dictates how much time/effort we spend and therefore need to be compensated for.