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Oh my! This morning I promised you a hefty dose of wedding pretty, and just LOOK what you get. The work of this man- Yorkshire Wedding Photographer Andy Hook – leaves me speechless.
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Which is rare.
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Enjoy these, and get this guy booked. Fast.
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How did you get into wedding photography?
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I worked in set design before my career in photography having qualified in Product Design at Leeds University. A summer job involved crewing on a Tall Ship sailing from Malta to the Galapagos Islands and in my own time I started taking pictures. The owner of the ship really liked the images I was taking and asked me if I would stay and do some photography work for his travel company in Ecuador and charter business on the Galapagos Islands. Two and half years later I came home as a photographer!
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Why wedding photography specifically?
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I was solely interested in travel and wildlife photography until I saw the work of Carlo Carletti an Italian photographer based in Tuscany. I had a fluke meeting with him at a wedding in Florence. He takes beautiful yet truthful images that rely on great composition and timing rather than the heavily post processed imagery that is common today. So I guess he inspired me to break into the wedding photography market.
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What is your favourite thing about being a wedding photographer?
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Capturing raw emotions and moments – this might sound a little cheesy, but sometimes I get filled with emotion and goose bumps when I see the amount of love that some people have for each other.
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How do you get couples to relax on the day?
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Some people are born to be in front of a camera but the majority of us find it a little daunting. I think keeping things relaxed and fun helps. I shoot an engagement shoot in the month leading up to the wedding which helps me to get to know the couple so that I know how to get the best out of them on the wedding day.
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Any advice to any brides who don’t like to have their picture taken?
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Request an engagement shoot so you get to know your photographer a little better before the wedding. If the photographer is good he will blend in with the wedding party keeping the emphasis on the day rather than the photos.
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What sort of makeup should a bride wear to look great in her pictures?
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I don’t get too involved but as long as it is applied well you should be ok. Pro cameras pick up a lot of detail so bad eyeliner or blotchy foundation would show – also applying foundation with a matt finish prevents any unwanted shine. I am quite kind and clean up skin tones if there are any accidental distractions as standard!
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Anything to avoid which might look bad in the wedding pictures?
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The bride’s mother punching her ex-husband did not make one album!
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Which celebrity wedding would you most like to photograph and why?
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I was already booked for Will & Kate’s date so was not able to do that one! I recent shot a wedding in Jersey this year where Nigel Mansell & Geoffrey Boycott were among the guests and a pro-golfer’s wedding in Nottinghamshire whose wedding party consisted of lots of sporting legends including Michael Vaughan and his usher was the top golfer Lee Westwood.
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Any memorable weddings that you have captured?
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I shot a really cool wedding in Thailand on the beach. We were the only people using the beach and venue so it was very exclusive and intimate. The couple worked in Hong Kong and had guests flying in from eight different countries so it was definitely an international affair! Click here to see it.
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Are you married?
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Not yet. I’ve lived with my girlfriend for a couple of years now so it is definitely on the cards!
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Any funny stories to share?
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I’m not sure if I should be sharing this one but here goes: I had a manic weekend with a wedding on the Saturday in Derbyshire followed by an overnight flight from Liverpool to Pisa for a Sunday morning pick up to be taken straight to the venue in Tuscany for a reccy before a wedding on the bank holiday Monday. One of my suits had seen better days so on the Friday before this I decided I should purchase an extra suit. I quite like my fashion so tend to go for the better quality labels, but on this instance I thought it more sensible to go for a regular high street brand rather than ruin a really nice suit.
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Saturday morning arrives, I pull the tags off the suit and set off to my Derbyshire wedding. I meet the bride, have a coffee then start shooting the detail shots of the dress, shoes etc. As I crouched down to get the shoes – RIP! From front to back like a pair of chaps! Not only a rip but I was also sporting a pair of bright green boxer shorts! I always have a backup of all my camera gear but a pair of trousers had never come into the equation! I did not want to miss any shots of the day so borrowed safety pins from the venue as a temporary measure and got on the phone (to my mother) to get a fresh suit delivered to the venue. The suit arrived just before leaving for the church but in the meantime the bride’s uncle had been watching me struggle and lent me his spare jeans while he repaired the faulty trousers! Not taking no for an answer, we exchanged garments and shortly later he produced a perfectly repaired pair of trousers, to the frustration of my mother who had travelled an hour to deliver the new suit.
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I now have a spare suit in the car.
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What sets you apart from other wedding photographers?
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If you want high quality, creative imagery packaged in some of the best albums available then I am the photographer for you.
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What can a couple who book you expect on the day?
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Often couples & guests tell me that they were never aware of my presence during the day which is how it should be. With the formal shots I am confident and efficient without being overpowering.
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What is included in your "package"?
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As standard I cover the whole day from the morning preparations through to just after the first dance. You will have an online gallery with e-commerce for your guests and an engagement shoot, arranged in the months leading up to the wedding.
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Can you give us an idea on price?
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Packages start at £1400.
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How can Brides Up North get in touch with you/ see more examples of your work?
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email – wedding@andyhook.com
twitter – andyhookphoto
facebook – Andy Hook Photography
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Anything else we should know?
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I am quite excited as my new studio is due to open in a few weeks, which I will use for portrait shoots, client meetings and a showcase of my latest work. For my work see www.andyhook.com
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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2012 Andy Hook Photography
Andy Hook Photography is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
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