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Today I have the pleasure of chatting to fabulous photographer and Brides Up North Featured Supplier Adam Riley Photography here on the wedding blog. Don’t you just love these shots? A photographer who can convey atmosphere as intensely as this guy should be booked up. Fast.
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How did you get into wedding photography?
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I actually started my career as a forensic scientist, although it’s nothing like CSI I promise! Photography was not part of my role there, but I developed my passion outside the workplace when I got my first serious camera about 5 years ago. I’ve received no formal training, but became absorbed in photography and started being commissioned for portraits. Around 2009 I was asked to photograph my first wedding, and although I’d never done one before, it went really well. Things snowballed from there and earlier this year I became a full time wedding photographer 🙂
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Why wedding photography specifically?
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I love being able to tell a story through photographs, the excitement and anticipation of the day are infectious, and I get to meet lots of great people.
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What is your favourite thing about being a wedding photographer?
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Definitely when the Bride and Groom see their photos for the first time…I’m always a bit nervous, but when a tear is shed it makes all the hours editing worth it!
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How do you get couples to relax on the day?
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I make sure the day is not about the photographs for the couple, I want them to forget I’m there. Apart from a small number of group shots, and often some formal shots of the couple, all my photographs from the day are ‘documentary style’. I don’t want a bride and groom to be with me for 2 hours whilst everyone else is having fun and chatting. My aim is for the couple to relax and enjoy being with their friends and family – I’ll then capture this.
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Any advice to any brides who don’t like to have their picture taken?
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I think documentary style photography helps take the pressure off. For the posed shots, a practice session helps, I provide a pre wedding shoot around 8 weeks before the wedding. It gets the first awkward 20 minutes of shooting out of the way, so the couple are comfortable on the big day.
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Anything to avoid which might look bad in the wedding pictures?
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Avoid worrying about the camera, just forget its there and savour the day. If your enjoying yourself, I don’t think you can look bad.
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Which celebrity wedding would you most like to photograph and why?
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I think someone like Dave Ghrol from the Foo Fighters or a member of the Kings of Leon…just so I could stay to the end of the night and listen to the live band they have performing!
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Any memorable weddings that you have captured?
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I covered a wedding last year at Middleton Lodge in North Yorkshire, there was two foot of snow (which caused the Bride some nerves about guests getting there) but it was a beautiful scene. The groom played guitar in a band, he joined the amazing Beatles tribute band at the reception for a few songs.
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Are you married? Tell us about your day.
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Yes, my wife and I got married last September. My wife wanted to get married outdoors (which you can’t legally do in England), so we travelled to Italy with 40 guests and got married in a hilltop castle in the sun. The day went by in a blur….it goes way to fast!
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Any funny stories to share?
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Probably my own wedding…I had to drive a fiat punto to the top of the hilltop castle with my 92 year old grandma and her wheelchair. It was the worst driving experience of my life, the Italian streets were so narrow that I had to fold both wing mirrors in. I’ve never been so stressed, meanwhile my wife was just relaxing with some champagne whilst getting ready! It was funny after the event 🙂
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What sets you apart from other wedding photographers?
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I have a more documentary style approach than most photographers, and always get on really well with the bride, groom and guests. I think its my mix of ‘blending in’ and capturing the story of the day that defines me.
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What can a couple who book you expect on the day?
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Every wedding is different, that’s what I love about my job. Usually I arrive with the bride about 10:30. I quietly take shots of the bride and bridesmaids during the preparation – one of my favourite times of the day to shoot. When the bride is ready, I head off to the ceremony venue and capture the action – usually the groom greeting guests and looking nervous! The ceremony itself presents some emotional pictures, and the congratulations from friends and family afterwards is always great.
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At the reception I often take a small number of group shots, and head off for a quite walk with the Bride and Groom to create a selection of natural portraits. I’m always looking for moments throughout the day, and am working non-stop until the wedding breakfast. Whilst everyone is tucking in, I find a quite corner, eat my sandwiches and back up all the memory cards to my laptop.
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I then capture the speeches, and stay until just after the first dance, as these shots finish off an album perfectly.
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What is included in your package?
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All my packages include as standard:
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· A Pre Wedding Photo shoot
· A selected Image from the pre-wedding photo shoot printed and mounted in a frame
· Full Wedding day photography coverage (from the Bride getting ready until 1st Dance)
· All images edited and provided in high resolution – no copyright restrictions (approx 350-500 images)
· Images edited and uploaded to password protected gallery to share with family and friends.
· A DVD video slideshow with a selection of images to music
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A sectional of packages with albums are also available, I’m always happy to discuss the Bride and Grooms specific requirements.
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Can you give us an idea on price?
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My digital only package (images all provided on a disc) is £950, with album packages starting at £1290.
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Can you do a discount for Brides Up North readers?
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Of course, just quote Brides Up North for 10% off.
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How can Brides Up North get in touch with you/ see more examples of your work?
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Feel free to browse my website and blog www.adamrileyphotography.com to see my galleries and recent work. You can also see the latest shoots on my facebook page www.facebook.com/AdamRileyPhotography
Just get in touch to look through some sample albums and complete weddings.
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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2011 Adam Riley Photography
Adam Riley Photography is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
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