Natural, relaxed, fun Hertfordshire-based wedding photographer capturing real moments today for tomorrow and beyond – it’s beauty, magic and mayhem!
Hey, I’m Patrick— a Hertfordshire wedding photographer based in Hertford and I’ve had the JOY of spending the last 20+ years capturing fabulous couples madly in love, Mums in happy tears and Dads not far behind, guests believing their dance moves are on another level and amazing real moments that I know will make couples smile, laugh or just stop for a moment in years to come.
Your wedding day will be AMAZING and perfect because it’s YOUR day and your guests will be people you adore – granted there might be a few ‘had to invite’ but we’ll gloss over that (you can’t go to the zoo without seeing the monkeys!).
My role is to work around the day, do what NEEDS to be done without fuss (hence the formal part takes around 10 minutes). The couples shots are achieved by what feels like going for a little wander for some time away with some stops along the way. You will look STUNNING on your day but even MORE stunning if you feel relaxed and gently posed in ways that make you look like it’s natural, but also the stuff that will make you want to get the pix out at work! For me, the best shots feel genuine and real.
If you’d like to hear more about what it is I set out to do please click here to view video testimonials from actual couples (NONE of whom were paid for their kind words!)
Wedding Photography FAQs
A friend has offered to take the photos of our wedding, is that a good idea?
Whilst it is a lovely thing for a friend or member of the family to offer, on the day there’ll be a lot of pressure to get everything right as they’ll be all too aware it’s your Big Day. If they are already a professional wedding photographer then they’ll know what to do, and when to do it, efficiently. If they’re not, they may well feel the pressure. For example, it is a skill in itself to gather people together within a tight time frame for the formal shots. Maybe it’s an idea to ask them to capture on-the-fly images instead. It’ll still be something lovely for them to do, and they’ll be chuffed you asked.
Do you use models in your promotional material?
I don’t. I have done editorial shoots with the luxury of having two professional models for 4 or 5 hours. People who pose for a living and being able to wait for the light to be just right is a stark contrast to the pressures of a real wedding! I would always advise asking to see images from a real-life wedding where time, weather, light and perhaps a couple who feel a touch apprehensive in front of the camera are in front of you. It’ll give a better indication of what to expect.
Do you do a pre-wedding shoot at the venue?
If a couple wants to do a pre-shoot at the venue I’m more than happy to do so. That said, weather and the direction of the light can alter massively so whilst a plan could be put in place it may need to change on the day. Your photographer should be someone who’s adaptable to happily find the best location for your shots in the minimum amount of time. It should be somewhere where your family will look amazing without having to walk a mile! An experienced photographer can capture in any lighting and weather conditions.
What happens if you are ill/unforeseen circumstances arise?
In all my years of being a professional wedding photographer I’ve never been late for a wedding, let alone unable to turn up. That said, I have a great number of fellow photographers who would be happy to step in if needs be but I would see this only as a last resort. Personality is part of being your chosen photographer, as it has a huge amount to do with how well we all get on together and how relaxed you feel.
We are interested in reportage-style photography, is this something you do?
I’ve always photographed weddings in a way that will never date. Even my early work is timeless. I find that’s most likely to be the case if there’s a lovely blend of beautiful images of the couple looking AMAZING. But also capturing natural shots of their guest throughout the day (and right up till the very end of the night!). So, ‘yes, I do’ would be the answer, although I do still like to capture stunning images of the couple, it’s in a way that still feels natural.
Do you only photograph in Hertfordshire?
No, I mostly photograph weddings in the Home Counties and London. However, I’ve also been fortunate enough to photograph weddings in France, Italy and Portugal! If two people are in love, surrounded by their family and friends, that’s what I love to capture! I am happy to follow a happy couple and photograph their wedding anywhere in the world.
What do you love about weddings and what you do?
Where do I start?! For me, the thing I cherish and respect about what I do is capturing real moments of time. If someone asks you the day after your wedding, “how was your wedding day?”, I have no doubt you will answer “AMAZING!!!!”. If that person then asked you to write down 50 things that were amazing, the chances are you may struggle. It’s like surfing and trying to choose your favourite drop of water! I see part of my role as putting people at ease. Devising ways to capture family photographs where perhaps there are issues to consider and respect, or working hand-in-hand with the venue so as to keep their timescales on track. Taking amazing shots of them that will blow them away, but most importantly capturing real memories that will stop couples in their tracks, make them laugh or bring a tear to their eye. I love the fact that what I do will live on for generations and it’s an honour to be entrusted with someone’s Big Day!
How do you put a couple at ease?
What I like to do is watch couples and see how they interact with one another naturally which gives me a good idea of how they’ll feel most natural when posed. I find with a few minor position changes I can capture beautifully natural shots of them. I’ve obviously worked on poses that work well, but ones that feel good, too. Photography is a memory-jog. I think its imperative that people do not feel awkward whilst having their photograph taken as they will remember how they felt when the photograph was taken. I also like to make people feel like smiling (which they generally are anyway, as it’s their wedding!). However, if you have to ask someone to smile a) you’re doing something wrong and b) people can feel like its a ’smile test’ and it will look forced.
I am not photogenic. How do you deal with this?
Very often I hear couples say they aren’t photogenic but to my eyes they certainly are, it’s not uncommon to not like having their photograph taken. By using the above approach it tends to dispel this feeling, especially when I give them a sneak preview of some of my shots. I love seeing their reaction!
How long do the group shots take?
I have a system that takes less than 10 minutes to capture both sides of the family and the Bridal party. It doesn’t need to take the traditional quota of 45 minutes plus, and, at the end of the day, you and your guests will want to spend time together enjoying the day rather than waiting for a roll call!
Can I view some completed albums?
Absolutely! Click here https://clientarea.patrickphotographer.com/Weddings and you will be able to view hundreds of real-life, complete weddings! I’ve also got several physical albums at my studio in Hertford, where you can see and feel the quality of the finished product. You can also sample my tea/coffee-making abilities!
Do you have insurance?
Yes, I have full Personal Liability and Public Indemnity Insurance.
Have you photographed at my wedding venue?
I have been very fortunate to photograph weddings and events at the vast majority of venues in Hertfordshire and Essex, but always love going to a venue for the first time and exploring all the treats and photo opportunities it has to offer! I generally arrive an hour early on a wedding day to have a wander as it very much depends on the light and weather of the day itself. It’s always a joy to photograph at venues I’ve photographed many times before, but equally it’s good to visit somewhere new and see the venue through fresh eyes.
How do you manage family issues at weddings?
I like to have a chat with couples a month before their Big Day and go through timings and any potential family issues that may be worth me being aware of. I then chat to the couple, suggest a plan that I feel would work and see what they think. To give an example, let’s say the parents have remarried and the couple would prefer not to have the new partners in the large family group shot. I would suggest having them in for the first photograph – after all, they’ll have certainly gone to a lot of effort to get a lovely outfit! – and then take them out for the second shot. It saves any questions arising as to why there were not included. Subsequent formal shots happen very efficiently, but what it means is, no toes have been trodden on!
How much do you charge for a second wedding photographer?
I have a few photographer friends who will happily come along to shoot on the day and the price depends on the amount of coverage required. That said, I shoot in a very natural way and much prefer to photograph weddings on my own as it allows me to be unobtrusive, and I know the images I would like to capture. With a second photographer I’ve found that people can be aware that there’s a photography ’team’ there and it can sometimes make people feel on edge. By photographing on my own, I can blend in and photograph the wedding from the inside out as it were! For the getting ready shots, I find that there’s more to photograph with the Bride (dress, jewellery, bridesmaids making short work of the champagne, hair and make-up etc) so I focus more of my time with her and then suggest I meet up with the Groom, Best Man and Ushers around half an hour before the Ceremony to capture cufflinks being put on, ties being adjusted etc.
Can I request certain wedding shots to be taken?
Absolutely, there’s a section on my booking form specifically for that and again it’s something I discuss with a couple when we meet to chat a month before the wedding itself. This gives us an opportunity to work a way of fitting their specific request into the rest of the photographs so they can be captured in a way that doesn’t take too long and thus lets the day flow along beautifully! Time flies on a wedding day, and its always imperative that couples feel they have a luxurious amount of time to let the day sink in, as opposed standing for a seemingly endless list of photographs!
How soon after the wedding do I get to see my photographs?
I invite couples to come and view their images at my studio around 2 weeks after their wedding (if they are having an album package). This is when they will choose their favourite images that will go into their album. Around one and a half weeks later they will receive their bespoke design to approve (they are more than welcome to make changes as I always say its their album not mine so the design has to be perfect for THEM!) and the finished album arrives back to my studio approximately 2 weeks after approval. Each album is designed with the couple in mind, and there are many options regarding the finishing touches.
Is a wedding album included?
I have both Digital and Album packages. Personally I love an album, as it’s a finished tactile keepsake, where the whole day can be relived time and time again.
Do you have any reviews from real couples you have previously photographed?
I have hundreds of handwritten notes, reviews on Facebook and Google, and also some fabulous video reviews which can be viewed by clicking on this link https://www.youtube.com/@patrickphotographer7522
What information do you need from me before the day?
Most of the details I require will already be on your booking form e.g. date, time of ceremony, location of ceremony, time of wedding breakfast, first dance etc. I ‘fill in the blanks’ during our ‘month before chat’ as to any aforementioned family issues, whereabouts the bridal prep is happening if not at the venue and what time they would like me to photograph up until. That said, with regards my attendance, I never set it in stone as the last thing I want is for couples to clock watch! I always say to couples that they can opt for a shorter attendance and then change their mind on the day depending on how the day is going. I’m more than happy to stay right until the end of the night as I love capturing the reception where people get to fully let their hair down! As a ‘general’ rule, if there is such a thing, I usually suggest 10.30pm as being a good all-round finishing time. It’s long enough after the buffet for people to have got partying, but I also find that if people are going to dance they’ll have done so by then!
What information do you need from me to book you?
All the information I require is on my price guide and booking form. If you’d like to visit my studio, my kettle is always on and I always reserve a couple’s date for 3 days after a visit to allow them time to go home and have a proper think about things and maybe think of questions they might like to ask. I would never want couples to feel awkward or that they need to make a decision when they come to visit. I treat people how I myself would like to be treated.
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