Choosing Your Wedding Photographer

After some recent articles in the press and television about some people who have been dissappointed with their photographers I thought It might be an idea to write an articlegiving some advice on my tips for choosing a wedding photographer in Northern Ireland
OK so you have got engaged and have decided on your location, you need to find a wedding photographer. Most importantly you need to find a photographer that suits you. Your wedding day is a unique event and one of the most important days in your life. Your wedding photographer is out there somewhere and there are lots to choose from. Some are part-time, others full-time; some come with professional accreditation others do not There is also a huge variation in fees and charges. How do you decide?

Here are some general ideas to help you choose :-
Choosing a date is just the start of what will likely be one of the busiest periods of your life. Your wedding can take so much work and planning and then it's over in a flash, the day can whiz by so quickly that it is easy to miss many things. That's why choosing a photographer is a crucial part of your plans as it is their job to capture the essence and spirit of the day in an enduring set of images that will last forever. No matter who you choose it is vital to feel relaxed and at ease with your choice

A good photographer will make you look like a star, but still capture the real you.

1. What should I look for in my photographer
Most importantly, when choosing a photographer you should choose someone you feel comfortable with and who produces photographs in a style you like as they are going to photograph one of the most important days of your life.

A photographer who is a member of a professional photographic will be able to produce work to a high standard in any situation. Always ask to view a complete wedding album from a recent wedding, and not just look at the photographers best photos.

Meet with your photographer prior to the day, and ensure they knows the type of pictures you want

2. Photographic Style
Over the last few years, there has been a great change in the range of photographic styles available from the classic traditional posed shots of groups of family & friends, signing the register and the cutting of the cake, etc to totally journalistic shots. In reality what most couples want is a mix but where even the ‘posed’ shots are relaxed and enjoyable.

Black & white images which are well composed and taken have a great timeless quality. Good photography should be about capturing emotion, expression, and of course story telling.

I will continue with some more later
Northern Ireland Photographer
Colin Turtle is a wedding and portrait photographer based near Ballymena covering weddings across Northern Ireland.
He is an award winning photographer and lecturer at The Societies Photographic Convention in London which is the biggest photographic convention in Europe.

Wedding in Broughshane and Templepatrick

On Saturday I had the honour of being asked to cover the wedding of Laura and John in St Patricks Church in Broughshane.  This was a bit of an unusual experience for me because even though I am from the area I dont get the chance to do that many weddings locally.

Add that to the fact that I have known Laura and her family for longer than I can remember and also know quite a few of the guests I am not ashamed to say I was a little bit more nervous than usual.

But I need not have worried...it was a lovely fun day..The weather was cold and damp and there were lots of showers etc but nothing could dampen the spirits and enjoyment we all experienced.

St Patrick's in Broughshane is a lovely old church with lots of character. Following the church service we all headed to Templepatrick and the reception was held in the Templeton Hotel.

The bridal party stopped for a short time at Castle Upton which is just opposite the Templeton.
The castle has some lovely grounds and creates a good backdrop for many pictures and even though the
weather was cold and wet both Laura and John and the rest of the bridal party were undeterred.

We sheltered between the showers and then popped out when the shower subsided to grab the shots we needed.

I will post a few shots in the next day or two.




Wedding Photographer Northern Ireland
www.colinturtle.co.uk

New Studio

For the past number of months I've been investigating a project that is going to completely transform the way I work.Up until now I have had a small office in my home for my wedding photography where I do all my admin and meet clients.

Well after many months of planning and various steps with appropriate agencies I have finally got to the stage where it is in progress and I will have a decent studio space.This has been a dream of mine for as long as I can remember .
I have a decent sized space about 450sq ft with good high ceilings ,lots of work will be required over the next wee while  but it is a great challenge to get the building work started and then design the interior space to be both a practical and comfortable area to work in .

I really hope to be fully operational within a short time although I'd rather take a little longer and try to get things as good as possible rather than rush into decisions that might be wrong.

exciting times ahead.


Colin Turtle
Northern Ireland Photographer


Northern Ireland Photographer