No matter how planned a wedding is, no matter how meticulous you are, things can change. As a wedding photographer, you have to be able to adapt quickly to those changes and sometimes rejig an entirely new timeline, on the fly, to work those changes in. This was a great example of adapting to requests and changes.

I had a 3-hour wedding photography package booked for a bridal prep in Paignton, then the ceremony at the Cockington Court ceremony room. For a March wedding, the day was overcast, but little, if any rain forecast. The timeline meant I only had 45 minutes at the bridal prep before I had to go, if I were to make it to the ceremony before everyone else. We had all spoken beforehand and it was just going to be some bridal prep shots, the dress shot, and a few group shots.

When I arrived I rang the doorbell and waited… and waited… and waited. You start to inwardly panic, wondering why no one is answering the door. Then it opens and the Groom ushers me in. The Groom bless him, had a stroke 3 years ago and he still has limited mobility and no use of his right hand. He’d had to come from upstairs to answer the door which is why I had the wait. I was just extremely grateful the door was answered.

In addition to what I was there for, I was called on to dress the Groom, answer the door, take photos of the wedding cake, take some detail shots, organise and arrange a first-look, all while making sure I could fit all these extra requests in before I reached my maximum time limit to get to the church before they did.

None of the above I was aware of but that’s the thing. You will often get people say “Oooh, can you take a quick picture of…”. You need to know your schedule inside out, know what is possible and if it isn’t all possible, find a way of confirming what the priorities are.

When everyone arrived at Cockington Court, the Bride suddenly realised she didn’t have her bouquet. Luckily for them, Lenny Windsor’s wedding car hire company was who they used. One of the drivers from the two cars managed to go back to the Brides home address in Paignton, collect it and then race it back, just in the nick of time!

Let’s take a look at some highlights from the day

Some tips for new wedding photographers

• Know the latest time you need to leave by and stick to it.
• For each new request, give yourself a set amount of time and stick to it, even if it is only a minute or two. For the most part, they will be grateful you managed to even take a photo or two.
• Account for the time it will take you to park at a venue, get a parking ticket, gear up and be at the arrivial point before they arrive.
• Sometimes a single person will be trying to take charge. Use them! Ask them to round up people, tidy up a room for photos, etc. Generally if I’m professional and polite all through, when I say I only have 4 minutes left to that person, they know I mean it and will help get that point accross.
• Carry a wide angel lens ‘on’ you. Group shots in a persons front living room or bedroom can test even a 14mm lens.
• If you get the chance, ask the Bride what priorities she has for these new additions. Knowing what you can drop if needs be really helps.

Wedding Photography gear used

• 2 x Sony A9
• 2 x Godox V1
• Sony 85mm f1.4
• Sony 24mm f1.4
• Sony 20mm f1.8

Do you need a wedding photographer for your wedding in Cockington, Devon? Let me know how I can help!