Wedding Photographer Shropshire

 Looking for a Wedding Photographer in Shropshire? Hopefully I can help.

About me:

Hey, I’m Rich, a Wedding Photographer located in Market Drayton, North Shropshire.

I’ve been a wedding photographer now for 8 years. I’ve had the joy of photographing at some of Shropshire’s most beautiful Wedding venues, serving couples in a non-obtrusive, relaxed and authentic way.

Searching for the right Wedding Photographer can be hard. How can you be sure that the Photographer you’re looking at booking is the right one for you?

Spare me a few mins:

If you can spare me a few mins of your time, I’d love to explain a little more about me and my approach. I want to make sure that all cards are on the table. I want you to know that Wedding photography is an investment and I’m thankful for your time. I can tell you that my approach to wedding photography is candid, natural and relaxed. But, let’s be honest with ourselves, about 99% of Wedding Photographers will say the same thing. It’s like a standard approach to a wedding day. Actually, scratch that, it’s what 98% of couples are looking for.

Sadly though, not all of them get what they thought they were getting.

As I said earlier, I have 8 years worth of experience in Weddings. Prior to that I used to do Family Portraits (for around 3 years). That was until I fell in Love with Wedding Photography and since then, I chose to make that my focus. I’m not just a Photographer who does Weddings. I’m a Wedding Photographer.

Natural, Candid Photography

I touched on the natural, candid approach and what I want you to do (when you’ve finished reading this if you may), is take a look at my work and ask yourself, does what I’m saying marry up to what I’m showing you?

When someone locks eyes with the camera, it breaks the fourth wall. The candid approach has been broken and whilst this is absolutely ok. Consider this when you see the words “Candid” as you browse a photographer’s portfolio.

Do I photograph people who are looking at the camera? Absolutely, but my work isn’t built around that style and approach. I want to fit in like one of your guests. I’m not going to pretend that we’re going to be best friends either. How could I expect that to happen when you’ve probably known your best friend most of your life. That won’t stop me treating you like a best friend though.

During a wedding day there are personal things which happen that I’m not going to understand… I won’t hear the punch line. I won’t get the inside joke. I’m not supposed to. I don’t pretend to understand EVERY moment that happens at a wedding, but that doesn’t stop me from understanding the importance.

I look for a more candid approach, I’ll incorporate guests or the bridal party into foreground elements, to make it look like it was observed from a guest’s point of view. Often, I’ll have guests say “Ooo I’m sorry, I’m in your way”, when the truth is, they are the way.

You don’t want to be stood around posing all day:

Then of course there is the main thing that couples approach me with. They don’t want to be stood around and posed all day.

You don’t need to know how to pose, you don’t need to know what to do. EVERY single couple I’ve photographed approached me with the same words “We don’t like having our photograph taken”. Yet, I leave them with something beautiful to look back on.

How do I do this?

I give everything I’ve got on a Wedding Day:

I give absolutely everything I’ve got on a Wedding Day, but I pour my soul into you and the couple portraits. The beauty, the softness, the romance. This is the absolute core of a wedding day for me.

and the best part? I won’t spend hours in the process. Nobody understands this more than me. You don’t want to be stood around for ages, with a fake grin until your jaw hurts on your wedding day. I like to spend 20-30 mins tops getting the group formals photographed and usually I divide the couple portraits into 2 sections.

The first is after the group photographs and before the wedding breakfast. This allows you the time to spend 10-15 mins alone and just be with each other.

The second is arguably my favourite… Sunset. We can get those gooey golden photos of the 2 of you, just being you. You’re not going to look back on these and think how awkwardly you were posed, but you will feel amazing. Again, 10-15 mins is all that’s needed, that’s all I ask for.

What about experience as a Wedding Photographer?

Whilst I’ve been doing this now for 8 years, let me ask you, does experience matter?

The answer is yes and no.

From a technical point of view, yes, experience absolutely matters. I was doing photography for 4-5 years before I even photographed my first wedding. By then I knew my camera inside and out. This experience is vital.

The other side of the experience is a little more deeper…

Over the years, we (photographers) train our brains to search for the things we value (and in turn, if you share the same vision, what you value), be that laughter, more emotive moments, light, shadow, detail, the list is endless. This is what gives a wedding photographer their style and approach. This is why not all wedding photographers are equal, regardless of how long they’ve been “in the game” for.

Put it this way, If I said to you, how many red cars did you see last time you went out, you’re going to have a very vague number. However, if I said, next time you go out, count all the red cars you see, you’re going to see a lot more red cars… Because you’re looking for them. There is so much that happens on a wedding day that if you tried to photograph EVERYTHING you’d end up with a lot of “noise” and more to the point, lots of photos that mean nothing to you and that you don’t value.

That is what the experience brings to the table, but it’s a very personal thing. Photography is a very personal thing and if you you’re not the right fit for me, I’ll let you know.

So, why the “no”?

The hard truth about Wedding Photography:

I’d absolutely love to document every single moment of your day but the truth is, it’s not physically possible. So, when you look at my work, take a look at what’s being photographed and ask yourself, is that important to you? (Head over to Instagram and give me a follow if you want to see more of my work) If it is, great, let’s talk. If it’s not, that’s ok, you’ll absolutely find someone out there who shares your core values.

It doesn’t matter if I’ve got 2, 4, 10, 20, or 30+ years of experience, if the moments I choose to photograph in the way that I choose to do so, just doesn’t resonate with you.

The real me:

What about me as a person?

It goes without saying, I live and breathe photography, but I like down time as much as everyone else. I like long weekends away with my wife and daughter, I love coffee, I love psychology, people’s stories, and the human mind (I’m actually a INFJ personality type). Whenever I meet someone, I always want to leave them in a better place than I found them. I love driving, I think if I wasn’t a wedding photographer, I’d probably be a truck driver (quite a different job). I enjoy the occasional binge watch on Netflix, but if I’m honest, I’d rather be reading a book (non-fiction) or learning something new. I enjoy deep conversations with people over small talk, but hey, you must start somewhere, right?! I love going out for dinner and would pick that over a take-away because I love the experience. My favourite go to comedy series has to be Friends (that might give you a rough idea of what generation I am :D ). I’m also one of those people that will listen to a song on repeat for hours… much to my wife’s delight.

I can be very dry and sarcastic… usually to the extent that people can’t tell if I’m being serious or not. I come across as way to serious on video… I know this… I’m working on this, but I’m not your “full of energy, doing everything at 1000,000 mph person” … outwardly. I’m laid back and go with the flow. If anything starts to go off plan, I’ve already thought of a few ways around it.

And finally….. I say “That’s what she said” under my breath far too many times.

So, that’s me.

I appreciate you:

If you made it this far, then thank you, I appreciate your time. You’ve probably got a lot to think about and you should know that that’s ok.

If my approach or style doesn’t sit with you, then that’s ok to. I’m not here to photograph every single couple that comes my way. I’m here for those that resonate and that’s how wedding photography should be. Hopefully though, I’ve given you some insight into what you might be looking for. Or maybe what you’re NOT looking for… either way, that’s cool, hopefully you’re in a better place now than when you first arrived.

If you want to chat, or if you have any questions, then please feel free to drop me a message on the form below:

Oooh and here’s the link to my gallery I promised - click here