Natural Expressions Photography blog - Wedding, lifestyle portrait and commercial photographer based in Lincoln, Lincolnshire,UK

I’m just too excited! I’m off to South Africa on Friday as part of a 3 week commission to shoot people and wildlife in a private Game Reserve.

Hopefully I’ll be able to get some great shots, and I’ll post a few on my return. 

Please note that there may be some delay in responding to emails, so please bear with me - I return on the 21st May.

One of my favourite parts of photography at a wedding is during the ceremony - if I am allowed by the powers that be!

Most vicars and registrars allow photography to some degree, but there are a few out there who place restrictions including:

• no photography at all during the ceremony
• restrictions on the number of photographs taken
• being told where to stand to take the photographs

The best place for me is close to the altar, so I am looking at the happy couple - there’s some great emotion going on here, and I am able to capture it all!

Sometimes, I have to stand at the back of the church/venue - this is still OK, as I am able to use long lenses to get reasonably close to the couple. It also allows me to get some great environmental shots showing church backgrounds (very often a lovely stained glass window).

When I am told that there is no photography allowed, I am stuck! I will do my best to get photographs but I can guarantee that I will be being watched by a hawk-eyed figure!

If you are booking your church or ceremony venue, please ask about any restrictions on photography - remember, the ceremony is what it’s all about, and if it’s not photographed, it’s gone forever.