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Being a Nottingham wedding photographer, it gives me the chance to shoot at some stunning locations that are right on my doorstep. One of them being the amazing venue at Hazel Gap . I can remember when Jade & Matt reached out to me about there wedding and meantioend that she was getting married at Hazel Gap. This is one of them venues that I've always wanted to shoot at. For them that dont know about this place its somewhere you should defiantly take a look at if your wanting a rustic barn styled wedding. Jade & Matt had their wedding here and the images speak for themselves. The whold day was a blast and i can remember Jade saying that they were all party anaimals. They were not wrong! If your looking for a wedding venue around Nottingham, give Hazel Gap a message and see what they can do for you. Nottingham wedding photographer Hazel Gap

Photographers often get asked by clients if they can have the raw files from their photo shoot. However, many photographers refuse to give out raw files and instead only provide edited JPEGs or other image formats. This can be frustrating for clients who feel like they are entitled to the raw files they paid for, so why do photographers withhold them? The main reason is that raw files are unfinished products. They are like an unprocessed negative from a film camera. They require special software to open and edit, and they often require a lot of editing in order to look good. Raw files are also much larger than JPEGs, which makes them difficult to share or print without proper software. When a photographer takes a photo, they typically shoot in raw format so that they have the most flexibility when it comes to editing. They then go through the raw files and select the best ones to edit into a finished product. This editing process involves adjusting things like exposure, color balance, contrast, and sharpness. It can take hours to edit a single photo, and photographers take great pride in their editing skills. By giving out the raw files, photographers are essentially giving away their unfinished work. They are also giving up control of how their work is presented. Clients who are not familiar with editing raw files may make changes that the photographer does not agree with, which can damage the photographer's reputation. Another reason photographers withhold raw files is that they may contain sensitive information. Raw files often include metadata that can reveal things like the camera's serial number, the date and time the photo was taken, and the photographer's location. This information can be used to track the photographer's movements and potentially steal their equipment. Finally, photographers may withhold raw files simply because they want to maintain control over their work. They have spent years honing their skills and developing their style, and they want to ensure that their work is presented in the best possible light. By only providing edited JPEGs, photographers can ensure that their work is seen the way they intended it to be. In conclusion, photographers have many valid reasons for withholding raw files from clients. While it can be frustrating for clients who want complete control over their photos, it is important to understand that raw files are unfinished products that require special software and skill to edit. By trusting their photographers to provide edited JPEGs, clients can ensure that their photos look their best and that the photographer's reputation remains intact.

So, the day that you have been waiting for has finally come, your best friend has asked you the question that you have been dreaming about for years and you have said yes. Your now asking yourself what is it that you do next? If you're reading this blog post then hopefully I will be able to help you with all the planning and questions that you will have. Planning a wedding can take months if not years to plan so let’s start from the beginning. You can’t start your wedding planning without your bridesmaids, so how do you ask your girls the big question? How To AskThe Girls A good way you could ask your girls is by throwing a wine night, let’s face it who doesn’t love wine? Andrea Freeman the founder of Andrea Freeman Events recommends waiting until the end of the evening to present the final ready-to-sip selection. Presenting a red or white wine with a custom label that playfully asks the imbibers to be at your wedding party. Needless to say, you will be toasting yourselves the rest of the night. If wine isn’t your thing then why not do a coffee date?   If you can’t get all the girls together for a night in, why not have a coffee date? Organize a special morning with each person at one of your favourite shops. Bring along a personalised mug or ask the barista to write the question, rather than your friend's name, on the cup. Just make sure that your friend reads the message before they enjoy their coffee. If drinking isn’t your thing, how about presenting a picture frame? You can’t go wrong with a photo of you and your future bridesmaid in a stunning frame. The photo can either be of just you and the person or, if you and your friends are all friends with one another, it can be a group photo. No matter which one of these suggestions you go with, it's sure to get the girls all saying yes and excited about sharing your big day.   Where To Get Married Now that you have the girls all on board the next question is where’s the best venue for the most magical day ever, do you get married in the UK or do you decide to go abroad, here are a few pros and cons with each. The biggest issue with getting married abroad tends to be that not everyone on your guest list will be able to make it. So if your grandmother has always dreamed of being at your wedding watching you walk down the aisle, but is unable to travel, don’t be surprised if she seems upset when you drop the bombshell that you have decided to get married abroad. There are a few pros to having your wedding abroad and here they are Pros You’ll be able to take your vows in the open air and celebrate your special day in an exotic or unusual location, with different food, flowers and music to complement your wedding. Getting married abroad can often be less expensive than the average British wedding. Many couples buy their own tickets and, while the bride’s family may pay for the wedding package, it’s acceptable for guests to pay their own way. You can invite just a small handful of family and friends to the wedding, so you’re only with people that you really want to celebrate with. It’s the ideal excuse for not inviting your 20-odd cousins and all their children. Alternatively, you can jet off alone and get married in a romantic, private ceremony, just the two of you. If you book through a travel operator, they’ll do practically all the organising, leaving you plenty of time for dress shopping and planning your honeymoon! If you’d rather be totally involved in the planning process, you can opt for a tailor-made wedding. So now that we have a few pros to getting married in another country what could possibly be the cons   Cons Friends and family might not be able to afford to travel abroad or be able to take the time to go further afield. You might upset people who’ve been left off your list – but you may be able to ease some disappointment by having a big bash when you get home. You won’t have as much control over the organising as you would at home. You might end up regretting not inviting family members if you jet off alone. If it’s just the two of you, you’ll need to rope in a stranger to act as a witness. Although your wedding abroad may work out cheaper initially, if you put on a second reception in the UK for all those who couldn’t make it, you can end up paying as much or more than you would have done if you’d married in the UK in the first place! Even if you head for tropical climes, you can’t guarantee sunny weather. With being a Nottingham wedding photographer, I've had the pleasure of shooting at some amazing locations, below are just a few of these that I think you should take a look at if you're getting married in around Nottinghamshire. https://thewestmillvenue.com   http://alfretonhall.com/wedding-venue-Derbyshire/   https://ringwoodhallhotel.com/weddings/   http://www.sitwellarms.com/weddings   https://www.vandykbywildes.co.uk/weddings-and-occasions/weddings   If you do decide to get married abroad make sure to reassure everyone who can’t make it that you’ll have a second reception when you are back in the UK. The next thing that you might want to think about is the wedding dress. You have been dreaming of this day all your life and you have no doubt had the perfect dress in mind, but if you haven’t, then here a three easy steps to help find your perfect dress. Pintrest Is Your Friend Yes, the number of wedding dresses on Pinterest can at first seem intimidating, but in reality, it’s the perfect place to source some inspiration. Do a bit of research before you start the big hunt so that you can get a sense of what is available and what your eye is drawn to in terms of shape, details, and fabric textures. Maybe it is an open back the timeless sweetheart neckline or elaborate beading. Make a board and pin all the dresses you really love, then look for patterns and similarities among all your picked dresses. Next make sure you go into the salon with the Pinterest app on your smartphone, ready to show your stylist your board. Colour Makes a Difference Another element that will get you feeling confident and beautiful is the colour of your dress. Just as silhouette enhances your shape, the hues of the fabric can do the same for your colouring. Dresses these days vary greatly in terms of colour, from bright white to creamy ivory to even bold pink. The right colour can nicely accentuate and complement your skin tone. For example, white dresses may wash out those with fair skin, so those brides might look for something with a warmer ivory tone. Be sure to try on multiple shades of white or even colour to see what looks and photographs best on you. Also, look at it in natural light, as the lighting will change how the dress colour looks. Be You Remember, your dress needs to represent you. Begin by putting your best foot forward while shopping. If you feel your best in curls and makeup or clear lip gloss and flats, then go for it. Buying your dream dress is an emotional decision, so you should ask the girls to come with you to help when finding your dress. This way, you can truly assess how you feel in the gowns. It will also help you picture how you’ll look in the dress on the big day. Once you’re at the salon, stay true to yourself by considering what fashion you lean toward and what really stands out to you. If you favour clean lines and solids, look for a minimalist gown, or if you love quirky, retro styles, beeline for vintage-inspired designs. Listen to your inner voice and friends, they are there to help and want you to look your best. Of course, you want someone to point out that puffy sleeves are a thing of the past, but you also want to not be overwhelmed. And, as one final note, when you’re finally ready to say yes, don’t be afraid to do so, this is your dream dress after all and you wouldn’t want someone else getting their hands on it, would you? As long as it feels right and you feel like the best version of yourself, then go for it. It might feel like the long-anticipated search is over, but you have found your dress soulmate. Hey, you will now have more time to figure out the countless other details of the big day, so let’s look into that.   Consider Wedding Insurance So now that you have the location and the dress in hand, it’s time to maybe start thinking about Wedding Insurance.   Although you don’t want to dwell on the worst-case scenarios, it might be a good idea to consider taking out  wedding insurance  before you spend too much money. As with home and contents insurance, wedding insurance prices vary depending on the level of coverage you choose. Your policy will often cover scenarios like you're wedding dress getting damaged or your venue going bust so definitely take the time to read what each plan can cover and make sure that you select a plan that’s best for you. Below are a few that I think you should take a look at. https://www.compareweddinginsurance.org.uk https://www.moneysupermarket.com/wedding-insurance https://www.emeraldlife.co.uk/wedding-insurance Book a Photographer And Videographer The booking of some  suppliers  can be done a little closer to the wedding, but others book up quickly and should be sorted out as soon as your venue is confirmed. Photographers  and  videographers  are examples of those, so you should find one you love using a Google search or by word of mouth from friends or family. Photographers and videographers make the wedding fun and create memories that’ll last forever, so don’t take the decision lightly after all, once the big day is over the images are what’s going to last for a lifetime and remind you of the most important day ever. Here are a few things to ask when looking for your photographer and videographer.   Settle On A Style Before you begin researching photographers, you'll need to first decide what type of photography style you prefer, with so many photographers out there each photographer has a different way of telling your story.   Get inspired! Spend time making a list of different images that you love, from décor shots to a fashion blogger's Instagram feed. Once you have a good collection of inspiring photographs, try to narrow in on what draws you to them specifically and dissect what feels most authentic to you and your partner. Remember that you don't necessarily need to narrow in on one style in particular, since many wedding photographers can do a blend of portraiture and documentary-style shots, a mix of black-and-white and colour images and so on. But if there's a special style you love, make sure to focus on photographers who specialize in it and don’t be afraid to ask questions to your photographer. Set Up Interviews This is not a decision that can be made on looks alone—you must meet your potential photographers in person, this is something that I can’t stress enough. If you like what you see on their site—and their fees are in your ballpark make a call to see if they're available for your wedding date. If available, go ahead and send an introductory email with a bit about you and your soon-to-be spouse. The more information you can give your photographer the better they will be able to help you with the planning of your day. When talking to your photographer be sure to send a few images of images that you like to give your photographer a feel for what sort of look it is you looking for.   If the photographer is already booked on your date, you may want to see if they have an associate or can recommend another shooter with a similar style. Set up in-person meetings with three to five potential photographers who are available on your wedding date to look at more of their work and assess whether your personalities mesh. Be prepared to talk about your venue, wedding style and what you envision for your photos. Make Sure Your Personalities Mesh Don't underestimate the importance of liking and bonding with your photographer, you have to remember that you will be spending most of the day with your photographer so you should be able to talk to your photographer like a long-lost friend. Is the photographer excited by your vision when you describe it? When they make suggestions, do they present them in a clear and respectful way, or are they timid? Are their mannerisms off-putting?   In order to get the best photos, go with a pro who has a firm grasp of social graces but is bold enough to go out hunting for great images and who, above all, puts you at ease and doesn't irritate you in any way. Remember they'll be shadowing your every move, and the more comfortable both of you are with the photographer, the better the photos will turn out.   Likewise, you don't want the photographer to offend or annoy any guests, but to shoot them in their best light in an unobtrusive way. Your photographer should be able to capture your day without getting in the way of you or your guests. Your photographer should also be able to help with any questions that you may have about your day.   Compare Packages You won't be able to nail down an exact amount until you're sure of what you want, how many albums you need and where your photographer is based, and packages range from £500 all the way up to £3,000-plus on the higher end of the spectrum. When finding your photographer, ask for a general range based on the photographer's standard "shooting fee" and package, plus their standard rates for the type of album you think you'll want and the amount of coverage you're hoping to book them for. It's important to find out what's included in the standard package, plus the basic range for any extras you may want, like an engagement shoot, or additional coverage, so you can compare rates. In particular, find out exactly how many hours of coverage are included. Ideally, you want your photographer to be there for your full wedding day—from when you start getting ready until after you make your grand exit from the reception or the first dance as husband and wife. While packages vary, most include about 6 to 12 hours to cover everything from pre-ceremony events to getting ready in the morning with your bridesmaids and the first-look images that you absolutely must have. It's usually better to pay for more coverage if there's a chance you'll run over and you definitely want your photographer there until the end (overtime is usually charged at a higher hourly rate).   Also, check if there's a second shooter included in the contract, and if there's not, ask about the possibility. It's likely the second shooter can be confirmed later on, but the main benefit to having two shooters is, of course, you get twice as much coverage. For example, during your formal photo session, one photographer can capture the formal photos, while the second one can get behind-the-scenes, photojournalistic photos like your guests mingling. If you're having a larger wedding, you might even want to ask about having three shooters so your photography team can be sure to capture the event from all angles. Take Some Time Off—Together With all the planning that you will be doing over the next few months, it's important to make sure that you take some time off for yourself. It's also important to remember why your doing all this planning, so be sure to have a few date nights with your spouse.     If you can, taking the week off from work before your actual wedding date it helps to ensure that all last-minute details are completed and makes the days leading up to the wedding that much less stressful.  Below are ten ideas you could do for a date night     1. GO ON A PICNIC. 2. TAKE A WALK. 3. SING KARAOKE. 4. GO EAT AT A RESTAURANT YOU’VE NEVER EATEN AT BEFORE. 5. GO TO A COFFEE SHOP. 6. PLAY BOARD GAMES. 7. GO SEE A MOVIE. 8. GO TO AN ARCADE. 9. GO BOWLING. 10. PLAY MINI-GOLF. Say Thanks Gratitude goes a long way. Be sure to arrange for small gifts for your wedding party and anyone else who played a big role in your wedding planning journey—including friends who pitched in to help with all of your wedding DIY projects and, of course, parents or other family members who have been there for you and supported you along the way.  If you're finding it hard to think of some gift ideas, try some of these that I have seen given out before and have worked really well.     For the girls in your group     Compact Mirror Sparkly Stud Earrings Chic Weekender Bag Silk PJs   Here are a few ideas for the guys in the group   Chilled Whiskey Glass Custom Cuff Links Groomsman Accessory Kit Leather Watch Just Have Fun! I hope that everything that has been listed above will help with the planning of your wedding and that it has shed some light on a few subjects that you might not have thought about while planning.   Ask yourself, what will you’re guests most definitely notice? A stressed-out couple who's overwhelmed with last-minute details, or a couple that looks relaxed and has taken everything in their stride. By the time your wedding day rolls around, try to relax and enjoy all of the special moments with your loved ones. Ask any married couple the day will fly by so be sure to enjoy every second of it.

If you've clicked on this blog, then firstly I want to say a massive thank you. This isn't going to be like any of the normal blogs that I would normally post, but more of an insight to a photographer. Even though wedding photography is a business, I think some people Forget that the person running the business is human. Over the years, I have had the pleasure of talking to hundreds of brides all looking for the perfect photographer to capture the biggest day of their lives. And while planning a wedding can be so much fun, it can also be super stressful time for any couple. A good photographer will do what they can to relieve as much stress as possible when planning your day. I've been a wedding photographer now for over seven years and I can appreciate how hard it must be trying to find the perfect photographer. With so many choices, and so many photographers, offering so many different packages, it can be overwhelming and sometimes confusing to decide who to go with. While I write this blog, i just wanted to say that this is all based on my personal experience and I can't speak on behalf of every other photographer out there. Although, I can imagine that most photographers may very well agree with this blog. So let's get started. The Initial enquiry. When I wake up in the morning, the first thing I normally do is check my emails as I can imagine most people would do in the morning. The excitement I feel when I see I have a new enquiry in my inbox, I can't even put into words. Now personally, when I see this email, I'm already thinking about how I'm going to respond, as I don't want to come across like a salesperson. Normally when I see this email, it normally goes a little something like this. "Hi there, I'm really interested in your photography and want to know how much it's going to cost me?". This is a pretty standard question, that I would say 95% of photographers get, and even though there is nothing wrong with this email, there also is. Let me explain. When you're planning a wedding, you will have a budget in mind for how much you're wanting to spend on various different suppliers. But I think one thing that gets forgotten about is, at the end of the day when the cakes been cut, the flowers have perished, the DJ has packed up and gone home, and the dress has been hung up, the only thing that's going to remind you of this amazing day is the images you receive from your photographer. So ask yourself this question. Why would you put a budget on your Photographer? Can we be honest for just a moment? Has this question ever passed your mind? If it hasn't, I'm sure it's something you're thinking about now, right? You will spend years planning this big day and I'm sure you would want it capturing in the most perfect way possible. So going back to this first email, me personally, I don't want to start talking about prices straight away. And this isn't me avoiding the question, and I know from talking to previous couples that is how it can appear. But in actual fact, I'm wanting to get to know the couple and hear all their plans and build a connection with them. Would you not want that from your photographer? Being ignored. I think I can openly and honestly say nobody likes to be ignored. When you're doing your research and reaching out to suppliers, normally you would want a response within the hour. With myself, this is something that I always aim to do as I know that suppliers can get booked up superfast and of course you're wanting to get things sorted for your big day. But one thing I have noticed when talking to many suppliers is that when it comes to the exchanging of costs we All  get ghosted. Now I'm not naive enough to think that every single couple that gets in touch with me will want to book, and I know that to some, I might be out of there Price range. And believe me when I say that I am okay with this. We honestly don't take it personally if you decide to go with somebody else. With me, I'm happy that you found a photographer that fits with the plans of your day, but my worst fear is if you have gone with a photographer just because they were a few hundred pounds cheaper. I'm sure you've heard the horror stories on Facebook of couples that paid cheep for a photographer, only for them not to turn up and do a runner with your money. I'm going back to what I said earlier in this blog, you want this day to be captured perfectly, and no price should be put on how important that is, right? Please don't ignore your suppliers. A good supplier Will want what is best for you, and this can only be done with good communication. I can remember a few months back when I was chatting with a bride who was super excited about planning her big day, and with how everything was going it looked like she was 100% going to book me. But when it came to talking about the price of my packages, the conversation went dead. As most suppliers would, I reached out to this bride a few times to see if she was maybe still interested in going with myself, or if I could do anything that would help. But as the days turn into weeks, and weeks turn into months, I still heard nothing. Obviously, I was gutted as we all really got on and we was all super excited. With not hearing anything I assumed that this bride just changed her mind and so another couple reached out enquiring about the same date and a Long story short, they booked me on the spot. Fast forward a few more months, the first bride reached out to me wanting to book. When I told this bride that as much as I would have loved to have captured her magical day, I was no longer able to do her day she was really upset. The reason that I tell you this story it's because I want to highlight how important it is not to ignore your suppliers. Even though you may ignore them, there will be someone else wanting that same date as you. So even if you send an email saying that you want to think about it over a few weeks, and then reach out again after, Believe me when I say that as a photographer, we really are okay with that. Me personally, I would rather have an email saying that they are going to have a few days to think about it, and then reach out to me to let me know one way or the other, and them actually do this. And if the couple decides to go with another photographer, then that is absolutely fine. I can imagine most photographers would be the same. There are literally thousands of photographers to pick from out there, each one has a different personality, and a different outlook on your day, so it's super important that you find the one that is right for you. Again, Communication is so important, don't be afraid to say no, and ask for a little more time to think about it. From a personal point of view All the above information is in no way to badmouth any other photographer or supplier on how they do things. But this is to put a little light on what goes on behind the scenes with suppliers ( mainly photographers ). When couples get in touch with me, straight away I want them to know who I am as a person, and for them to feel that they can be themselves as much as possible. Of course, this will then reflect on the final photos, as my couples Will feel that they can be more themselves and more importantly, can have a laugh in front of the camera. If you can take anything away from this blog, let it be this. Don't ignore them emails and texts. We all want to be able to help as much as we can, and of course we would love to be there to capture your amazing day. Do you research, ask loads of questions and be sure to follow us on social media to make sure that your photographer is still actively doing what they are saying. If you are able to jump on a call with your photographer, then do so. This can be so much better than an email as you can actually see your photographer and get a better idea of how they will be on the day. If you have made it this far, then thank you so much for reading. If you have any questions at all, please do reach out to me and let me know. I would be more than happy to help in any way that I can. If you are not doing so already, be sure to drop me a follow on Facebook @lifeinaflash  I look forward to meeting you all, and hopefully talking more about your Magical Day. www,facebook.com/lifeinaflash