There’s capturing a wedding day and then there’s capturing the real emotion of a wedding day. Today we’re delighted to be introducing you to fabulous Nottinghamshire-based wedding photographer and Brides Up North Premium Sponsor, Ed Godden Photography, who is a total pro in the latter.
Having been shooting weddings for almost two decades, Ed has an amazing amount of experience and knowledge under his belt and has developed his own unique style, which is favoured by his clients for being relaxed, different and cool. Looking at Ed’s incredible work, we have to agree! As the true love and feelings of those in front of the camera shines through – excitement, love, commitment, joy and passion; all is documented beautifully.
So without further ado, we’ll hand over the blogging reins to the main man himself to give you more details on the Ed Godden style and approach…
Tell us a little about your background…
ed says:
I photographed my first wedding nearly 20 years ago, when I was 19. But for the first 12 years of my photography career I was a press and sports photographer, shooting for agencies and national newspapers.What attracted you to wedding photography in particular?
For the past five years I’ve concentrated on only shooting weddings, and I think what made me choose to make the cross-over into only shooting weddings was the fact that the needs of couples getting married were changing. Nobody wanted the stuffy, posed, fake images that weddings had been known for. Instead couples wanted cool, stylish, relaxed photos of their wedding day. This excited me, as this is totally my style of shooting!
And what is it about your job that you love?
Every wedding is so different. And every couple are so different too. I could have a wedding in a field in Yorkshire one weekend, then a city wedding in the heart of London the next – I love the variation this job brings.
How would you describe your style of wedding photography?
Stylish, creative, honest, different – wedding photography from the heart.
Have you won any awards for your photography?
Yes. During my time as a newspaper photographer I won quite a few press awards. And since going over to just shooting weddings I’ve won the 2013 Professional Photographer of The Year (wedding category). In the past two years I’ve also been shortlisted in the Best Wedding Photographer category at the National Wedding Industry Awards, the Perfect Wedding Magazine Awards, and this year the UK Wedding Awards.
What do your clients love about your approach, service and images?
I love getting feedback from my couples. They love my relaxed approach, and the quality of customer service I provide. I never want to turn up to a wedding and feel like I don’t know the couple I’m photographing. I’ll always go out of my way to find out what the couple love, and what their expectations are.
What is the top piece of advice you would give to camera shy couples?
Book a pre-wedding shoot! It’s a great way to see how fun having your photo taken can be – plus it’s a great way to get to know me before the big day, and also see how I work.
Are there any weddings in particular that you’ve shot that stand out to you and, if so, why?
Last year I shot a wedding in Sicily. Needless to say that the weather and location made it a dream job for a wedding photographer, but it was more than that. The bride and groom were so lovely and really welcomed myself (and my wife, she came along too) into the family during the few days we were out there. It made the wedding so much fun, and in turn made all the guests a lot more relaxed with having a photographer around for a few days. Some of the photos I took at that wedding are my favourites ever!
If you could shoot a celebrity’s wedding who’s would it be and why?
I’ve been asked this before and I’m sure I give a different answer every time! I’m a huge fan of iconic photos, and when I think of iconic, I think of people like Elvis, or Marilyn Monroe. So, if they had ever got married, I’d have liked to have done the photos for that. How cool would that have been!?
What areas of the country do you cover and do you travel abroad to shoot destination weddings?
I have a car, and a passport, and am happy to travel anywhere! As mentioned earlier, I shoot a wedding in Sicily last year, and this summer I’m off to Dijon in France to shoot a wedding that I’m really looking forward to.
Is there a certain style of wedding or a wedding in a certain location that you are yet to photograph and that you would love to capture?
Yeah, a couple really. I’d love to shoot a wedding in the middle of a forest. I think that my style of shooting would really suit that backdrop. And I’d also really like to snap a wedding in Vegas, or California. I got married on Laguna Beach in California, and it was amazing. We ended up in a really cool diner afterward, having our photo taken by our wedding photographer – and also the locals! I love everything about America, and would love to shoot a wedding out there… New York, Oregon, Las Vegas, California… I’m not fussy!
Tell us a little more about your wedding…
Our wedding in 2013 was the best! Just the two of us on a beach in LA at sunset with just the minister to marry us, and our photographer – it was perfect, just how we imagined it to be! We incorporated it with a three-week road-trip honeymoon of the west coast of America. When we got back to England we had a cool wedding party at our village hall and invited our friends and family along.
How do you keep up to date with changes in wedding photography and how have you come to stand out against other photographers?
I occasionally attend wedding photography workshops, to keep my mind fresh and inspired. Plus I have many friends that are also wedding photographers. It’s great being part of a friendly community where we all help each other out if needed.
I think my work stands out from some other photographers because my images have a very true emotion to them, and I like my wedding photos to tell an honest story of the day.
Do you have a favourite part of a wedding day?
Yes, my favourite part is when I take the couple away for their portraits. This only takes about 30 minutes for me to do, but in that time I can let the couple really be themselves, away from all the eyes of the guests. This is really when I get to be creative, and capture the love and emotion between a couple.
What do you think are the most important elements for couples to bear in mind when deciding on a wedding photographer to capture their day?
Go with your gut feeling. If you look at my website and think “Wow! These are the kind of photos I want from our day!” That’s great news. But if you don’t feel like that, continue searching. There are lots of photographers out there nowadays, shooting in lots of styles to suit everyone.
I’m very honest on my website about what I like to photograph and what I don’t like. I hate staged, boring, formal group photos. They take up so much time on the day, and to be honest, if those are the kind of photos you want from your wedding, then save yourself a lot of money and ask a friend to take them on his iPhone!
What can couples who book you expect on the day?
A relaxed photographer, that won’t take over the day, won’t shout orders at people, will blend in with the guests, and will deliver a set of kick-ass photos you’re going to love and cherish forever!
What is included in your photography package?
I only do one package and that’s full day coverage. Generally from bridal prep in the morning, all the way through to first dance. I like to stay a bit after first dance for plenty of fun photos of the dancing too. You get at least 400 images in a presentation box, on a wooden USB, and you also receive a HI-RES online gallery so you can share all your photos with friends and family. Travel and accommodation is included also if your wedding is in England.
Can you give us an idea on price?
Prices are from £1,500. I offer a mid-week discount of £200 off packages for Monday to Thursday weddings.
How can Brides Up North get in touch with you/ see more examples of your work?
Email me on ed@edgodden.co.uk and please take a look at my website www.edgodden.co.uk
