If you have your heart set on a wedding photographer that will capture your day in a relaxed and natural manner, documenting all the emotions as they unfold then we know just the lady for you – our fabulous North-West based Sponsor, Amanda Balmain, who we are catching up with on the blog today.
As a regional finalist in last year’s Wedding Industry Awards, Amanda’s couples are keen to praise her for the utterly gorgeous and highly emotive images that she delivers from the big day. Blending into the background and putting her brides and grooms above all else, it is Amanda’s main priority to make sure that her couples have “the best day ever”.
A self-confessed hopeless romantic, Amanda’s images are filled with love, energy and joy that brings the special day back to life in an instant.
So, if you too are all heart-shaped eyes over her images be sure to read on for all the details on how this lovely lady works and also take note, as Amanda is kindly offering a free engagement shoot to Brides Up North readers who book her for their wedding. How amazing!
With images by Amanda Balmain Photography.
When did you first start photographing weddings and what was it that attracted you to the industry?
amanda says
: Back in 2012 I was photographing children and babies. My only experience of wedding photography was a bride in 2000 when my wedding was shot on film in a classic style. A friend dragged me along on a wedding photography course that I thought would just be good photography experience and a bit of fun. It was so much more than that! Wedding photography has changed so much since switching to digital and the more I learnt, the more I fell in love. Digital technology has allowed wedding photographers to become so much more creative and diverse in their styles.How would you describe your style of photography and the approach you take to capturing a big day?
My style is somewhere in between documentary and modern creative. Some would call it lifestyle. I shoot mostly candidly with minimal direction focusing on authentic emotion and connection. I love all the details that make up the story of a wedding day but its the people and their emotions that matter the most.
What is it that you love most about your job?
Simply getting to go to so many weddings and hearing people’s stories. I nearly always cry at the speeches. I’m a bit of hopeless romantic at heart, don’t tell anyone!
In your opinion what are the most important things for a couple to consider when deciding which photographer to book for their wedding?
What do they want to see when they look back at their photographs in ten years’ time? What pictures will be most important to them? What style of pictures do they really like? What do they like about them? Check that the photographer they are looking at has those sorts of images throughout their portfolio not just once. Also think about the experience of the wedding day. Do they want a photographer who is quiet in the background or the life and soul of the party?
What sets you apart from other wedding photographers?
I put the wedding day experience for my couples above all else. I work with them to make a plan and we discuss how much time to a-lot for photography depending on their requirements. But on the day, I always go with the flow and work around how they are feeling at the time. I do whatever I can to make sure my couples have the best day ever.
What is the feedback like from your couples?
My couples are often surprised at the shots I get without making any fuss. They love the natural looking images and moments that they may have missed on the day. They like the fact that I fit into their day, that I will chat with their guests and that I’m generally very calm and relaxed.
Do you have a favourite part of the wedding day to capture?
One of my favourite moments is straight after the ceremony when the bride and groom get those first moments alone. They look at each other and the reactions are amazing. They’ve done it, they are married and the happiness on their faces says it all.
What area do you cover and is there somewhere in particular that you would love to shoot a wedding that you’ve not yet had the opportunity to do?
All of UK and I’d love to do some destinations. Iceland is on my wish list and I’d love to shoot more in Scotland. But I also love my home county of Cheshire. There are some amazing venues here and it’s always great to be near home.
Other than photography, what are your other passions and what do you think you would be doing if you weren’t a wedding photographer?
I love my garden and nature. If I wasn’t a photographer I’d probably be a gardener. My dad used to be a ranger on Dartmoor, something like that would be cool.
What is the proudest or stand out moment of your career so far?
I was a regional finalist in The Wedding Industry Awards last year which was pretty cool. The highlight of that though is reading all the lovely feedback from your couples that left a review.
What can couples who book you expect?
A great experience. I like to get to know my couples and look after them as best I can.
What is included in your photography package?
I have a short day wedding package for Cheshire weddings, a full day wedding package and a wedding weekend, to include the night before and an after wedding shoot the following day. All packages include fully edited digital files in an online gallery.
Can you give us an idea of price and can you do a discount for Brides Up North readers?
My full day package is £1,250 and Brides Up North readers can get a free engagement shoot, just mention this when getting in touch.
How can readers get in touch with you or see more examples of your work?
By visiting my website, it’s all there.
Any other exciting news to share?
I have a guide available for download on my website: ‘5 Things I Wish I Had Known When Planning my Wedding’. Grab the guide and steal all my ideas for a photo perfect wedding.
