A quick guide for newly engaged couples.
So here we are in 2024, where did the last twelve months go?
So its a happy new year from me to anybody reading this.
Christmas and the new year is one of the most popular times for people to propose and start to think about their wedding plans.
Congratulations if you are one of those newly engaged couples.
So it's time to start planning. Here are a few tips regarding booking a wedding photographer. These are just my opinions but hopefully there is enough info to help you out. So where do you start. I’ve listed a few criteria that I think are relevant.
Style and first impressions.
Ive always been a first impressions type person, but I know we are not all the same, but ask yourself this. Why did you buy those curtains, why did you buy that shirt or that dress? It's because it grabbed your attention at first sight. It's no different with photography or a photographer, your first impression of his or hers work are what lingers in your mind. Let this be your guide to signing up.
Documentary, fine art, journalistic, editorial, classic, and so on, the list of styles can be a tad confusing and Im not going to try and break down each one. I personally shoot most of the day in a candid fashion and mix in some relaxed portraits to complete a collection. As I sometimes guide my couples through their portrait shots I can't really call myself documentary so I find the easiest way for me to explain my style is by calling myself a story teller. Ill give you a great story of your day.
Cost.
Everybody has a budget, we all know that but don't let 50 quid be the difference between getting the photographer you really want and your second choice. If need be make a small sacrifice to book the photographer you really want. In the long run you'll thank yourself. There is no set price for photography and there are big differences in what people charge so maybe set a limit on what you have available as a starting point for your search.
Book early.
It's important to book early. I can't tell you how many weddings Ive had to turn down because Im already booked, the Spring/Summer dates are often booked up 2 years in advance so get your suppliers booked early to avoid disappointment. This is probably the most important advice on this page!
Experience.
Experience is important in my opinion. I dont mean how someone knows their way around a camera or can tell you what every sub menu on their camera is, it’s more life experience. You need to be able to feel the vibe from a wedding day, you need to anticipate what’s coming next, understand the way a day flows. This is only achieved after a number of years in my opinion. I’m now in my 14th year of weddings and I’m always happy when people comment on my consistent style and the way I blend into a day. I’m always happy to mingle with guests and develop my story from there. It wasn’t always like that when I started out but I grew into the roll of a wedding photographer. A good strong portfolio on a website is a good sign as well as decent testimonials from previous couples over a period of time.
Hopefully this short post will help you make some decisions, but just a footnote. I ran a little survey on Instagram asking people what they based their photographer choice on and the overwhelming result was that their choice was based on recommendation, ahead of cost, style and experience. To be honest, 90% of my work comes from being recommended.
Good luck to all the newly engaged couples out there and a very happy new year to you all.
TAKE A LOOK AT MY 2024 BROCHURE HERE
Why I think prints are so important.
I don't know about you but I love seeing prints on someone's wall, whether Ive taken the image or not I still love to view them wherever I go. When I go into someone's house if I see a canvas or a framed print or a collage I love to have a nose. Apart from admiring whatever the image may be of I find talking about the said image is a great way to start a conversation, for an image is a, or part of a story and every story needs to be told.
When I deliver a wedding gallery to a couple or even at our first meeting I always emphasise how important I think it is to print images out after the event. It's so easy to have an online gallery or a usb stick and look at it once or twice and almost forget after that to look at it again. Sure its great to view a slideshow on a 60 inch flatscreen and it usually looks great but does this have the same impact as walking past a memory on the wall as you leave the house to go to work? I know when I leave my house I walk past a beautiful image of my Chocolate Lab who sadly isn't around anymore but he makes me smile when I glance at him as I leave.
Its the same surely when you're sat having your morning coffee and toast and you glance at a canvas from your wedding day and are immediately taken back to that moment, and it must have been a good moment, one of your favourite perhaps? It must be or why would you have had it printed in the first place?
These images are moments in time and parts of your life captured in a split second, a split second that will never happen again, how can it? its impossible to re create that moment in time and that's why its so important. And the other thing to remember is quite simply everything looks better in print. Ask any practising photographer and they will tell you the same, everything looks better in print.
So there you go, I just wanted to make a case for the print on the wall, or the coffee table book or the handmade wedding album, or great ways of reliving those never to be repeated moments from you life. Hopefully Ive persuaded some of you to go get some printing done.
Take care
See you next time.
Rob
2024 Wedding Brochure
Hi everyone. This is my first blog post for ages but it’s been so busy it’s been difficult to find time to post.
However I’ve managed to put together a new brochure for 2024. It’s gives a brief insight into me and what I try to achieve on your wedding day.
Please take a look and feel free to get in touch if you want to chat about your big day.
Thanks
Rob 🤟📷
Click the link to view 2024 brochure.
https://www.robgristphoto.co.uk/wedding-brochure-2024.pdf
Jonathon and Meg. A Devon scorcher.
Back in the days when the sun was shining I had the absolute pleasure of shooting Jon and Megs wonderful wedding in Devon.
I had a lovely morning capturing the bridal party getting their game faces on and managed to catch up with the lads as well.
The ceremony took place at the lovely St Marychurh church in Torquay.
I don't think the smile left the faces of the happy couple all day and that happy feeling continued through the day with all the guests as well.
After the church it was off to the fabulous Bickley Mill Inn at Kingskerswell, one of my favourite venues to work at. The guys at the mill always put on a great spread and the Miller room is a great place for a party with an intimate feel.
Great to work alongside some great suppliers once again.
Dress: Lovely Brides of Honiton.
Flowers: Wild Floral designs, of Torquay.
Hair pieces: Jane Elizabeth Bridal Bespoke.
Suits: Jonathon Hawkes of Exeter.
Brides hair: Jayme
Brides make up: Kay Finn.
Bridesmaids make up: Aimee Weish
Vicky and Andy. Tythe Barn, Launton.
Back in the Summer I had the pleasure of capturing the day for Andy and Vicky at the fabulous Tythe Barn near Bicester.
This is one of my favourite venues that I regularly shoot at. The barn is always immaculately presented, with shrubs an trees lending colour to any shots captured as well. The barn dates from 1360 and the roof timbers are still original timber, mix this with the stunning stonework and beautifully seasoned timber doors and windows that adorn the barn and you have a great template to work from for capturing great shots. Will and his team that run the venue are always on point and ready to help out if nesssecary and to keep things running like clockwork.
Dress: Catherine Parry, purchased from Sugar and Spice.
Cake: Rosehip Bakery
Flowers: Flower Petals of Bicester.
Hair: Nicola from The Hair Lounge.
Vicky and Andy were a lovely couple to work with a gave me a brief that so suited my approach, "we just want a record of the day", no formality, just capture things as they evolve. Those of you that know my work will already know that this is how I approach all my weddings.
The girls got ready in The Nook, a lovely old converted building that was once part of the farm, whilst the lads arrived an hour before the ceremony to meet and greet the guests.
The day was set up for an intimate ceremony and wedding breakfast with 28 guests and then another 120 odd people arriving in the evening for a party.
Another important element of the day was to capture the "family" moments with Andy and Vicky's twin toddlers and the other nephews and nieces at the day.
It quickly became apparent to me how important the children were within this family and I made sure to capture some beautiful moments with the children along the way.
I had alot of fun capturing this wedding and Id like to thank Andy and Vicky and their families for making me so welcome and to the guys at the Barn for being ace as always.
Heres a taste of what we got on the day.
