Have I Shot At Your Wedding Venue Before
Does it matter if a wedding photographer hasn’t shot at your chosen venue?
This question pops up frequently, and I would say around 70% of my couples ask me, so here is some advice after shooting weddings all over Yorkshire, Uk and Europe from the past ten years.
While it is fantastic to shoot in familiar locations, I can confidently say that it doesn’t make any difference compared to shooting in unfamiliar places. Personally, I love shooting at new venues. It gives me a new lease of life. Even when I shoot at venues I have shot at repeatedly, I always want to produce something different. It’s a challenge I set myself, which is super essential for me, especially in terms of how I shoot. Also, there are many other factors to consider, such as light, decor, the time of year, and the vibe you and your gang bring, all of which change how a venue feels and looks.
I have a humongous weakness for fun heartfelt weddings
I am a Yorkshire wedding photographer with a huge passion for weddings, and my main goal is to create beautiful photos filled with joy and surprise.
I want to create you photographs that are filled with emotion, that etches who you and your loved ones are.
Wedding Venues
It’s important to remember that getting married in a beautiful venue is wonderful, and yes, you’ll want to feature it in your photos. The essence of your wedding snapshots is truly about the people. Your wedding photos should capture you and your loved ones celebrating and enjoying each other’s company. The best wedding photographers excel at capturing these moments, no matter where your wedding is held.
Having a completely fresh perspective is good. Why would you want your wedding pictures to look like someone else’s?
Ask This Question
A better question to ask when looking for a photographer is, “How do you approach shooting at a new venue?”
I research like crazy. I Google map-stalk it and do a deep social media dive. I always arrive early at the venue, regardless of whether I’ve been there before. Before the day begins, I take the time to walk around and observe where the best natural light is. I also scout locations for portraits and family photos. I use shade and sunlight apps to tell me where the sun and shade will be at the most critical parts of the day so I can plan.
Shooting at new venues keeps my creativity alive. I have the opportunity to create something fresh and unique. While every wedding is different, even at familiar venues, incorporating new locations enhances my photography skills and provides diverse experiences. Overall, this variety has always been an essential part of how I shoot any wedding day.
Creativity Is Not Confined To A Specific Location
When you book your wedding photographer, a significant portion of what you’re paying for is their unique creative style and flair. If you admire how they frame their photos, their lighting techniques, and the final edits they apply, you’ve found the right photographer for you, regardless of where their previous work has been done. Each photographer’s style is what makes them distinctive, and that creativity travels with them to every venue. It’s not tied to a specific location; it’s about the individual artist.
Fresh Perspective
If your photographer has yet to work at your venue, you will get new ideas and a fresh perspective.
It’s a common misconception that if a photographer has worked at your venue before, they can create the same photos for you. In reality, many factors influence the final images. While aspects like editing and composition are within the photographer’s control, elements such as natural light and weather are not. All of these contribute to the final result of your photos. An experienced wedding photographer can skillfully adapt to challenging conditions, such as inclement weather, to capture stunning images (here are a few of my favourites taken in the rain). However, those same photos would look completely different if they were taken in sunlight. If you want to read my article to help prepare for our unpredictable British weather, click here. We often talk about bad weather, and brides and grooms are always concerned about it. However, a bright sunny day also has its challenges.
On a wedding day, certain variables are often beyond the photographer’s control, such as the weather, which can impact the appearance of your photos. On a bright, sunny day, the photographer faces the challenge of extreme contrast between harsh light and deep shadows. I typically expose for the highlights, which may leave the subject underexposed. This can be adjusted in post-production, leading to a well-balanced final image without blown highlights. However, on the day of shooting for the highlights, if it is very bright, it has its challenges; the shadows are dark in the camera, so this means I am sometimes shooting on instinct alone. This is something I have learned to trust over the last 10 years I have been shooting weddings, and it only comes with experience.
And Finally
If you have chosen the right wedding photographer, it won’t matter at all.
If you’ve chosen the right wedding photographer, it won’t matter whether they have previously shot at your venue. To coin a phrase from the girl guilds, a good photographer is always prepared. If you need help on what to consider when looking for a wedding photographer, please read my article for some top advice here.
So if you are on the hunt for a kick-ass wedding photographer with lots experience then say hello below.
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