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This afternoon I’m proud to introduce a lady who’s pretty nifty behind a Nikon… amazing wedding photographer and Brides Up North Featured Supplier Karli Harrison Photography. If you’re on the hunt for an artist to capture your wedding day, then look no further – this gal has passport, will travel.
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How did you get into wedding photography?
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It was the birth of my daughter (now nearly three) that made me realise that I wanted to take photography seriously. I’d been interested since I was little, and at one point had a dream of being a photographer for National Geographic magazine. But I never did anything about it, until my little girl came into the world. I found myself frustrated when my pictures didn’t do her justice. As I improved as time went on, others started commenting on my photographs and asking me to take pictures for them, it was then that I realised I could turn it into a business. The rest is history!
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I am completely self-taught, and am proud to say so. Some people have a knack for picking things up naturally, and quickly. I’m fortunate to be one of these people. I’m very passionate about what I do, and I love every moment.
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Why wedding photography specifically?
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There’s something about being with a couple on their wedding day. Their love and happiness is in abundance. Each day is packed full of a huge variety of emotions, which I love to capture.
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It can also be very challenging, as things rarely go exactly to plan. Light conditions are constantly changing, timings can get behind… I honestly think this has helped my photography to improve and evolve so much in a relatively short space of time. I like the challenge each wedding day brings!
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What is your favourite thing about being a wedding photographer?
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Getting a picture that would have been missed in the blink of an eye: the Father of the Bride’s face as he sees his little girl as a bride for the first time. A groom’s eyes filling with tears when he sees his bride walk down the aisle. The best man’s cheeky look as he gives an embarrassing speech about the groom. All of these little moments are gone so quickly, but to capture them forever for the couple, that’s a true privilege.
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How do you get couples to relax on the day?
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Be myself! I’m usually a happy and relaxed type of person, and on the day itself I try my best to blend in with the background, go with the flow, and keep directing to a minimum. I think this helps couples feel more at ease with me, as I’m not up in their faces barking orders constantly. I’m a firm believer that a wedding day is about the couple, not the photographer!
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Any advice to any brides who don’t like to have their picture taken?
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Pretend I’m not there. Especially during your portraits as a couple, look at your gorgeous groom and think about your love for each other. I will ask you to stand in a certain position and in nice light, but that’s it. I ask you to look at each other, to kiss, to chat, to have a little cuddle, to whisper in each other’s ears. You may even enjoy it more than you realise!
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What sort of makeup should a bride wear to look great in her pictures?
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Definitely choose makeup that suits your skin tone, and something that is still quite natural. Obviously it’s your wedding day and you want to look beautiful, but you also still want to look like you!
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Anything to avoid which might look bad in the wedding pictures?
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I don’t like giving out style advice to brides, but do try not to go too overboard on the fake tan, this can end up looking orange in photographs which probably isn’t your desired effect.
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What areas do you cover? Are you willing to travel?
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One of the perks of my job is being able to travel so much. I’m rarely at a wedding close to home. I’ve already been to Scotland, Wales, and all over England so far this year with many more trips to follow.
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Any really memorable weddings that you have captured?
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I have photographed so many weddings now that it’s hard to say, as they are all so different and wonderful in many ways! I love how unique the mood can be at each wedding. Sometimes it’s a relaxed and happy atmosphere, sometimes everyone is very merry and breaking out the champagne extra early, and occasionally the mood is more quiet and thoughtful. What I tend to remember more are the people. I’ve had the privilege of joining so many wonderful, friendly, caring couples. The people make the day!
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Are you married? Tell us about your day.
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I am married to the most wonderful, patient, supportive and loving husband in the world! I may be slightly biased! We have been married 8 years now, and I couldn’t do what I do without him. He also happens to be my biggest fan. His support means everything to me.
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Our wedding was rather large, our reception was held at the Marriott hotel in Preston, and we had about 180 guests. I think if we got married again we’d do it all differently, probably a much smaller wedding on a beach somewhere. The grass is always greener…
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Any funny stories to share?
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Recently during a large group shot at a wedding in Portmeirion, Wales, I shouted out "On the count of three cheer! One, two…" and at this point all the guests went wild cheering and laughing. I thought, wow, the best reaction ever! A few minutes later I found out that one of the guests in the hotel behind me had come to the window in just his underwear. Upon seeing 60 or so people staring up at him, he made a hasty retreat to the back of his room!
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What sets you apart from other wedding photographers?
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I don’t just stand there and take pictures all day. I work as hard as I can to capture your wedding day as artistically and beautifully as I can. I know there are many photographers who also do this, but I try to keep my style unique to me, blending photojournalism and creative wedding photography to show people how I view the world through my lens.
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What can a couple who book you expect on the day?
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I take lots of natural photographs of you and your guests from bridal preparations through to first dance, with just a few posed shots.
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I’ve received many comments from my couples about how people didn’t even know I was taking their photograph, how much the guests enjoyed my company, and how I always seem to be in the right place at the right time. I view these as huge compliments as they describe what I always aim to do each wedding day.
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What is included in your "package"?
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I like to keep my packages simple and straightforward, couples have enough to think about without trying to work out confusing options with extra hidden costs. I usually provide full wedding coverage, but am more than happy to offer bespoke packages for couples wanting me for just a few hours. I always provide a disc with all images professionally edited. I also offer the ‘ultimate’ package with an engagement shoot included. Beautiful fine art albums are available upon request.
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If you could shoot a wedding anywhere in the world, where would it be?
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I would love to have the opportunity to shoot a wedding in Australia, it’s such a beautiful county with so much character. But I’m happy to travel anywhere, and always have my passport to hand.
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Anything else we should know?
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People are often confused by my accent. Some think I’m Irish, some say Australian (I wish!) some have no idea at all. I’m actually American, originally from Seattle Washington. I moved over here 16 years ago with my family, and since I was still quite young at the time I adopted half a British accent as well as keeping half my American accent.
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How can Brides Up North get in touch with you or see more examples of your work?
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My website is at www.karliharrisonphotography.com. I have a couple of galleries, but if you look under my ‘Blog’ section you can click on each individual picture which will take you into a blog post full of favourite images from many weddings I’ve photographed.
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You can contact me through my website, or email me directly at info@karliharrisonphotography.com
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I’m also on Facebook as Karli Harrison Photography, please pop by and say hello!
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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2013 Karli Harrison Photography
Karli Harrison Photography is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier
Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier
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