The first meeting is about discovering the headlines of your wedding – personalities, themes and timings. Don’t worry if you are still deciding on the details – at this stage I would expect only vague ideas and plans that are bound to change! A rough outline is all I need to start planning how I will bring the photographic portrayal of your wedding to life. We’ll meet face to face so that I can get to know you a little and I’ll bring inspiration and ideas too to get the ball rolling.

At the end of the meeting I’ll have a better idea of your characters and preferences, the traditional formal photos that you want to include and a glimpse of the schedule of your big day around which I can start to prepare. I can give you a document of top tips of what to consider when planning your day, a suggested running order so you can think about when I can get involved in taking pictures for you and hopefully a sense of excitement about what’s to come!

If you have opted for one of the collections that has a pre-wedding shoot included or you have chosen to add on this option the pre-wedding shoot usually happens four to eight weeks before your big day. This relaxed photoshoot is about getting to know you further as a couple – who is cheeky and playful, who is shy and reserved. I’ll observe your individual brands of humour and the sometimes unconscious interactions between you for clues of what to showcase in the images. We will spend a couple of hours together, trying different things and using our location for inspiration. See my pre-wedding section for further details.

I’ll chat with the best man, bridesmaids and key family members beforehand. They are the source of some of the best (and occasionally most touching) photos, so I want to get a feel for their personalities too. Their support may even be invaluable when I’m ready to corral the family together for the formal photos! It’s all about doing my homework. I will familiarise myself with the schedule of your day and find out if there are any surprises I should be aware of so I am prepared for the reactions from your guests¦

We would have discussed when you want me to be ready with my camera, but whether it’s as you’re getting ready or travelling to the venue. If its at the ceremony, the reception or during the speeches. I’ll be flexible to fit in with you. Part of the knack is to pre-empt what will happen next and I will always be on the lookout for intimate moments that others might miss – the things you wouldn’t always notice but they’re there.

I will steal you away for the wonderfully romantic first shots of the newly wed couple, and mingle with your guests for the wider aspects of the day. You can rely on me to melt into the background so you’ll hardly know that I’m there. You won’t have to worry about what I’m doing, just let yourself enjoy your special day and leave the photos to me.