Gary
The life of the wedding photographer. We all know how important it is to get every single aspect of a marquee wedding party correct – there is no dress rehearsal, it’s all about putting trust in suppliers to deliver on the day. And that includes getting a quality photographic record of the day – images that capture every special moment and every guest, right down to the littlest bridesmaid falling asleep at the wedding breakfast table, to create a beautiful photographic collection that will bring back treasured memories for years to come.
In a previous article we provided some top tips for choosing your wedding photographer, and we thought it was high time we found out a little more about what’s involved on the big day itself. We spoke to Wedding photographer Ginny Marsh, one of our recommended photographers, who gave us an insight into a photographer’s working day.
“Needless to say, my preparation starts well in advance of the wedding day itself. Like most wedding photographers, I believe that an essential part of the job is getting to know the bridal couple – establishing a connection makes such a
Ginny Marsh Photography
difference and gives all of us confidence that the photographs I’ll take will be more personal, relaxed and exactly what my clients want. A pre-wedding shoot is invaluable in this respect, it’s a great opportunity to get to know each other and to help my clients feel easy in front of the camera.
“Being prepared for the lighting conditions is also crucial. I prefer to visit the wedding venue as close as possible to the actual date, especially if I haven’t worked there before or if the marquee is to be in private grounds, so that I have a reasonably good idea of what to expect on the day. Different seasons bring with them different lighting situations. It’s pointless visiting a venue during the winter months if the wedding is during the summer because the light will never be the same.
Understanding the lighting inside a marquee is critical
“For a marquee wedding I make sure I have coloured gels with me. I often end up using an orange gel to counter the yellow/orange hue that is often cast. The coloured gel makes it easier to get a natural colour balance when I’m at the editing stage. If I’m working with a second photographer, which is often the case to make sure we capture as much of the day as possible, I always double check that they have also made allowances for the anticipated lighting conditions.
“The good thing about marquees is that they can be adapted according to the weather – side walls removed if the weather is warm or totally enclosed for a wedding on a cold or rainy day. That said, an open-sided marquee or one with window walls can present a challenge on a very sunny day, because some guests may end up sitting in direct sunlight while others are in shade. It’s just one of those situations that a good photographer will take account of and be able to adapt to.
“It’s virtually impossible to accurately predict our Great British weather, so always I like to have a Plan B in my pocket! That said, a sudden shower (or even a downpour) can sometimes bring unexpectedly wonderful results. I always travel with a selection of coloured umbrellas in the back of my car and I have had lots of fun rainy shoots with wedding clients – rather than feeling that the weather is ruining everything, we find ways of embracing the conditions and simply make it part of their wedding story. For that same reason I always have a pair of wellies to hand – there may well be boarded walkways for guests but to get the best shots I may well end up having to stand in muddy puddles!
A wedding is a long day for everyone – the wedding couple, the guests and suppliers alike. I can be working from early in the morning to capture images of the bride getting ready right through to the end of the evening party, so I make sure I keep well hydrated and wear comfortable shoes because I’ll be on my feet pretty much the entire time. And, like many other suppliers on the day, keeping the workers fed is always much appreciated!”
From the Wedding photographer and marquee itself to the suppliers who will deliver an amazing experience on your wedding day, Lifestyle marquees has every covered. Call us on 01483 322070 or email enquiries@lifestylemarquees.co.uk to discuss your wedding day plans.
