Is being a wedding photographer the best job in the world?

These beautiful images of LeeAnn were taken at Calderwood Hall, a gorgeous wedding venue near Pietermaritzburg, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa.

Being a photographer can be quite a hard business. I don't want any sympathy or anything, because I wouldnt swap it for all the world, I love it, but I just want to share some of the pain, the anxiety. First there is the whole business of marketing to attract customers, then there is creating a package of products that the customer likes. Not forgetting the bit about being quite a good photographer, and working on those skills to get fresh ideas. Then there is the wedding day - no pressure there, hey?

And after the wedding there is that moment when you review the images and you see that some of them are not too shabby. Then you show the customer, online, and they seem to like them but they are still small and on a screen. After the customer picks the images, the album design. I love designing albums, probably my favourite bit of the whole process. But, just like painting or any other creative art, what I think is fabulous might not appeal to my customer. Thats okay, I just take one for the team and redesign until I make my customer happier.

Then we go to print. And we wait! Right now Graphistudio, the beautiful Italian album that I offer, is taking about 6 weeks to print and deliver. So, by the time the album arrives, I am so nervous. I review for print and build quality, and then when I'm happy I look at the images properly. Did the design translate onto a page? Is it wow? Did I capture the emotions of a special day?

And then the very worst bit; presenting the album to a customer. This is cold sweat, lip biting, nails stuck into palms terror. Ok maybe that's a bit of exaggeration, but I do so want you to be happy. Actually, no, I want more than just happy, I want you to be over the moon. I want you to be absolutely delighted. I want to give you memories of a special day that will last and last, so that you can look back in years to come and remember how you felt that day.

Some people smile, some cry, some laugh and point and tell a story, some people are more private and just say a quiet thank you and go on their way. The feeling I get from making someone else happy is fabulous. Later, sometimes, I get a little thank you card or an email, and that is just the cherry on the top for me.

"Hi Sandy, Just a wee email to say thanks again. We are so happy with our album and prints and can't wait to show them to our friends and family! Steph x"

And then this is just the best job in the world and for a moment I have no stress or hassle or pressure, and I can't wait for my next wedding ...

Sandy

www.sandrakeddiephotography.co.uk

sandrakeddie@btinternet.com

0141 884 2250

"I'm just going to get a friend to take our wedding photographs ... "

In case you are wondering, in this photograph the orange multi-coloured thing is a kite surfer! This couple were so brave. We went on to the beach after their meal, before their first dance, and just had such a fantastic 20 minutes with them, got some fabulous images.





"I'm just going to get a friend to take our wedding photographs." Because your friend has a really good camera? And that photograph of the sunset he/she took on holiday last year was just fabulous? So yeah, just let them take the photographs of one of the biggest days of your life, right?

I am sure you would expect a professional photographer, whose continued survival in the business depends on people coming to me to take their photographs, to disagree. And I do. For lots of reasons. But it may surprise you to know that the main reason is not about me. Its about the loss of opportunity to capture something special, to create a moment that will be there for a grandchild or on a silver wedding anniversary. I shoot a limited number of weddings a year, and mix my wedding work with studio, landscape and fashion / model work. So this is not about me trying to up my workload. It is about making sure that a couple engage a professional photographer, a proper professional. (Of course, I am not refusing work, so if you like my style please contact me, I may be available for your special day!)

Start by going and reading comments from others. Scottish Wedding Directory has a fantastic range of articles on how to select a wedding photography professional, has a forum where brides to be can exchange information and ideas, and also has a directory of advertisers ( and yes, you will find me in there, along with at least 200 "competitors"!)

In a recent issue (SWD, October 2012) Natasha Rademehr spent a day with a professional photographer, and came up with just some reasons why you should choose a professional, rather than ask your Uncle with the good camera:

• Photographers have an artist's eye. They instinctively know which angles and poses are most flattering and will make sure you look as amazing in your pictures as you do in person.
• A broken camera is a photographer's worst nightmare - and yours if its your wedding day. But if you hire a professional, they will always have at least one back-up (tip: ask your photographer how many camera bodies they carry on a shoot. I carry 4, or rather my assistant does. tip: make sure your photographer works with an assistant.)
• You might worry about the weather on the day and how it will affect the photographs, but a pro won't. They are incredibly resourceful and will research the venue beforehand so that they can come up with a plan for both good and unfavourable weather. (I carry studio lights so if we have to we can setup indoors, this is not ideal but sometimes necessary, this is Scotland after all.)
• Most photographers do a combination of reportage-style photos (candid shots) and portraits/formals. But if the idea of posing for a photo gives you the fear, don't worry; a skilled professional will be able to gently direct you to produce shots look really natural, rather than stiff ( I regularly get asked if I can just take some relaxed informal shots like the one in a sample album. I almost always reply "that was set up, thats a pose, but it was fun!")

I have shot a lot of weddings, coped with a couple of crises, have a bit of experience about what works and what doesn't. I will turn up prepared and ready to work all day for you, with spare equipment, endless enthusiasm and good humour, professional indemnity insurance and ideas I have discussed with you beforehand. Please, please, please choose a professional photographer, and have a wonderful day with memories that last a lifetime.

Sandy

sandrakeddie@btinternet.com

www.sandrakeddiephotography.co.uk

0141 884 2250

Vintage fashion is such fun!!!

There has been a real revival in interest in the fashions of the 1940's and 50's. I am sure we are looking back with rose tinted spectacles and seeing only what is best and most glamourous, but there was something about those times which is now seen as very special, quite sexy and cool. There is a growing trend in burlesque shows such as Club Noir in Glasgow, a fabulous night out for the adventurous among you!

I recently organised a pinup shoot with Kayleigh, as part of a makeover project. Supplying hair styling, makeup and vintage dress Kayleigh was transformed, and looked every inch the part. I love the look, and really enjoyed creating these images. Thanks to Nicola and Caroline at FairytaleFaces. And a special thank you darling and "mwah!" to Kayleigh.

Sandy xx

www.sandrakeddiephotography.co.uk

One day you'll be very old and wise, and you'll wish you had photographic evidence of yourself as you are, right now, today, this second.



It is part of the photographer's art to relax people in front of the camera, and to know about light, angles, poses and all of that. However, it is difficult to overcome what Gemma Burgess calls "cameraphobias". In a very amusing article in the March 2013 edition of Tatler (which I read while having my hair done recently by the lovely Douglas, at Douglas and Lee on Bath Street, Glasgow) Ms Burgess discusses all those personal issues we all carry about why we just don't take a very good photograph. Mostly as a result of thoughtless comments by so called friends.

Luckily she also provides a few tips on how to overcome this problem - strike a pose - with reference to a few of today's better known celebs and catwalk types:

" Paris Hilton, whatever you think of her, knows exactly how to pose. If she's photographed alone, she arches her back, crosses one leg over the other, puts her hand on her hip, and - and this is key - turns her upper body 90 degrees to the camera. Then she tilts her chin to right down, swivels her eyes up and around to the lens, and smirks. (You just tried to do all that while reading this, didn't you?).

Knowingly or unknowingly, Poppy Delevingne took the petrifying Tyra Bank's advice to heart and 'smizes' (smiling with her eyes) her heart out: no eye-crunchingly huge grins here. poppy also knows exactly what angle to twist her head to show off her devine profile to best advantage, and rather than the paris cross-leg, she likes to keep her ankles together but force her knees as far apart as possible to make her already gamine legs look Moss-like.

Alexa Chung invariably crosses one leg in front of the other - and it doesn't look as though she needs to wee. She also uses props to vary her poses: she'll slip her hand into her pocket, or hold her handbag in front of her body. the result is casual, cool and chic. and it makes her arms look thinner. Like she needs that.

Verdict? The secret to the perfect pose  - and saying adieu to cameraphobia - is to appear completely unaffected whilst actually working your Spanx off. Build a repertoire of poses that you can pull out automatically everytime someone says 'cheese', like the Little Teapot: put one hand on your waist, hold your purse/drink/friend with the other, twist your shoulders slightly, press your tongue against the roof of your mouth, point your chin down, look up to the camera, exhale through your nose and smile.

If that doesn't work, just remember this: one day you'll be very old and wise, and you'll wish you had photographic evidence of yourself as you are, right now, today, this second. "

Other advice is available elsewhere on the Internet, and from your friendly, professional photographer.

The full article 'I'm ready for my close-up' How to look good in photographs, by Gemma Burgess, is published in the March 2013 edition of Tatler.

Art and Architecture



Architecture, for me, is art. It is sculpture on a large scale and can be appreciated for its beauty.

Glasgow has a fantastic heritage, which prospered greatly from the trade over all over the world. While there has been some deterioration and decay, what remains is some of Britain's grandest buildings. In the spaces that have been created from some of the old buildings being removed modern structures have emerged. I love that the Clydeside is now being invested in and the new architecture is inspirational, especially in the evening when these structures are thoughtfully lit for photographers. But the imposing buildings in and around George Square, including the City Chambers are also very impressive. Add a model and the images can be stunning.

I hope you agree.

Sandy

www.sandrakeddiephotography.co.uk

sandrakeddie@btinternet.com

Winter Weddings in Scotland

Photographers are obsessed with light and so they should be, but they do complain about it constantly; too much, not enough, in the wrong place, wrong colour. In Scotland we are blessed with beautiful long summer evenings (sometimes, one or two) and I have shot late into the evening in July under only natural light. The flip side of that is winter weddings. More and more couples are choosing to be married in December and January, for a whole host of reasons. Natural light is at a premium, with the sun setting as early as 3.30pm.  Understanding how to overcome prevailing conditions - harsh sun light, fluorescent or tungsten indoors, a heavily shadowed doorway - is what makes a competent photographer, the minmum one would expect from a paid professional contracted to provide a service. The manipulation of light is what creates that stunning image. It is that subtle alteration or addition that a dedicated artist adds.

Sandy
www.sandrakeddiephotography.co.uk

www.sandrakeddiephotography.co.uk