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Drone Wedding Photography: All You Need to Know

I bought a drone during lockdown last year as something to learn whilst I was stuck at home. It’s by far my new favourite purchase: it’s the best thing ever! I love using it and it’s brought a whole new dimension to my wedding photography.

Since then, I’ve used the drone to capture some outstanding aerial images for some of my couples, including weddings at venues such as Iscoyd Park, Cheshire, and Abbeywood Estate, Cheshire.

Drone wedding photography is getting more and more popular- it’s something I’m getting a lot of enquiries about. So I thought I’d put together a handy guide to drone wedding photography to answer any questions you might have…

 

What exactly is a drone?

A drone is simply an unmanned, image-capturing aircraft which can film and photograph from an aerial perspective, which is perfect for truly unique wedding photography!

Why are drones ideal for wedding photography?

Drones are perfect for wedding photography as they capture beautiful aerial images that show off elements such as the venue, or the bride’s dress, in a totally different way to standard wedding photography. They’re also brilliant for photographing a big group shot from above. Drone photos can look so spectacular as the aerial nature of the shots can truly capture the grandeur of a wedding venue and its surroundings.

What are the top moments to capture with drone photography?

I love to capture shots of the couple together in the grounds of the venue. I’ve been lucky to work in some beautiful venues around Cheshire and North Wales who’s grounds really lend themselves to drone wedding photography.

There are also other key moments that would be fabulous captured by drone, and your wedding photographer can help you plan for these and make sure you don’t miss the moment. For example, we could photograph the time between the ceremony and the reception whilst the guests are socialising outdoors. We could also capture some stand-out group shots with the whole wedding party outside the venue.

You can also see a real difference in some photos captured via drone vs a regular camera: the drone can capture more of the surroundings which just lends a little something ‘extra’ to a shot:

Is the weather a factor in drone wedding photography?

Yes. It’s worth noting that drones can’t fly in rain or high winds unfortunately. I will be able to advise you on the day whether the weather conditions are suitable.

Are drones noisy?

Drones do make a noise, so I wouldn’t recommend incorporating any drone photography during your vows or speeches! The noise comes from the fact that drones have high powered motors which turn the propellers to produce the uplift. We can ensure that your drone is grounded for any bits of your day where quiet is required. 

Are drone photographs good quality?

As with regular cameras, there is a range of quality when it comes to drones. However, many drones (such as the one I use) can capture high-quality photos. I would be happy to show you a selection of examples of my drone wedding photography so you can see the high quality of the shots.

Will I need to get permission from my venue to have a drone at my wedding?

You will need permission from your venue before we can fly the drone. If drone wedding photography is something you’re interested in, give yourself enough time to discuss this with the venue so they can put any necessary measures in place. If you need any support with this, I am always happy to help.

Wedding Photographer North Wales Chester

Do drones work at every wedding venue?

Drones don’t work at every wedding- it really depends on the venue. Wedding venues with lots of outdoor space make the best venues for drones. If you would like some advice on whether your wedding venue is suitable for drone photography, I would be more than happy to help. If your venue is in Cheshire, Chester, or North Wales, there is a good chance I will have worked there before and will know it well and can advise! However even if your venue is further afield, I will happily do some research for you into whether drone wedding photography is an option for you.

Outdoor Wedding Cheshire

If you’d like to discuss drone wedding photography more, or have any other questions, please just get in touch. I’m a wedding photographer based in Cheshire, Chester and North Wales, but I also work further afield. 

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Why wedding photography is worth it

Couples who are getting married often ask “is wedding photography worth it?” It’s understandable that when it comes to wedding planning you start totting up the costs involved, you start to look at what to prioritise in terms of where to spend your budget.

However when it comes to capturing your wedding day, there are some very good reasons why wedding photography isn’t the place to skimp. Whilst a friend or relative might have offered to take some photos with their fancy new camera, there are numerous reasons why hiring a professional wedding photographer is really important. And in the end, might save you time and a lot of disappointment.

 

The benefits of hiring a wedding photographer

1. There is more to wedding photography than an expensive camera

A well-meaning friend might have offered to cover your wedding photography for you. They’ve recently bought an expensive new camera and can’t wait to try it out, while saving you some money into the bargain! However, this is one of those scenarios where if something sounds too good to be true, it generally is.

Remember that In the same way an artist uses a brush, the camera is just the tool: the important thing is how the person uses it, and that is what makes all the difference. You probably wouldn’t allow your friend who enjoys a bit of DIY to build your house: instead you’d look for someone with years of experience and a lot of good reviews. The same applies to wedding photography: whilst your friend might mean well, the biggest day of your life isn’t the time to start leaving things in the hands of amateurs. You want someone who not only knows how to use a camera, but who also understands lighting conditions, shooting in different weather, how to get the best out of their subjects, how to help you pose, and how to execute and compose different shots. This is
where the knowledge and experience of a professional wedding photographer really comes into its own.

Also, remember that the photography on the day is only one part of a wedding photographer’s job: afterwards comes the selecting, editing, and creating your album. Again, the best person to do this for you (with stunning results) is a professional wedding photographer.

2. Wedding photographers make people feel at ease

Professional wedding photographers have years of experience when it comes to making people feel at ease, and this is such an important part in capturing the best possible photos of people. We take time to get to know the couple and make sure we’re all on the same page in terms of photography style, the important people you want to capture, and the moments of the day that mean the most to you. A wedding photographer will also take time to understand your personality- if you’re shy in front of the camera or have any concerns, we will always do our best to put you at ease.

A professional wedding photographer is also an expert when it comes to dealing with your guests. We know how to get the best out of people and are logistical organisers as well as photo takers! We’ll help ensure that all those special people are captured enjoying your day, and we’ll make you all feel comfortable and natural: no stiff and awkward photos here!

When you and your guests feel at ease with your wedding photographer, you will relax and enjoy your day more. And this will come across in your photos too.


3. A professional wedding photographer takes the hard work away from you

From getting to know your venue to understanding the running order of your day, a wedding photographer’s skills extend far beyond just pointing a camera.

We do our homework when it comes to your venue: we may already know it well from having worked there in the past, but even if we don’t we will take the time to find the best settings, backdrops, and angles, all of which is so important when it comes to capturing stunning photos.

We’ll also take time to understand the running order of your day to make sure we capture all the key moments so you don’t miss a thing.

Having confidence in your photographer is so important: you won’t want to be having to find them every time a key moment is happening- you need someone who understands your day and how to get the very best images possible of everything that is happening. If you opt to use an amateur photographer instead, the chances are you’ll end up running around trying to organise everything yourself, which is the last thing you want on your wedding day!




4. Your wedding photography is the lasting memory of your day

Once the wedding is over there is then the excitement about seeing your wedding photos, a chance to relive it all again while seeing moments of the day you may have missed. You don’t want to risk being disappointed when you see your photos for the first time. 

When the big day is over, your wedding photography is the lasting memory of your day- the photos you’ll show to your friends, children, and grandchildren. It’s important that you’re happy with these memories, and they make you smile every time you look at them. This is why choosing the right wedding photographer is so important: you don’t want to look back and wish you spent a bit more on a professional photographer whose work you really loved. 

Think of your wedding photographer as more of an investment. Whilst your cake will be eaten and your flowers will die, your wedding photography will last forever. When you see your beautiful wedding photos for the first time and relive your special day, you’ll know it was worth hiring a professional wedding photographer.



5. You only have one chance to capture your special day

Probably the most important point of all: you only have one chance to capture your wedding day. If the person doing your wedding photography misses important moments, makes a mistake, or even worse doesn’t turn up at all, then you don’t have a second chance to capture those all important photos.

If you reduced the budget on your cake or your favours, it’s unlikely that anyone would notice. But your wedding photos are the memories that will last a lifetime, and you’ll never have a chance to recreate those special moments again. With this in mind, make sure you hire a professional wedding photographer who you can rely on to create the stunning images you deserve.



If you have any questions about hiring a professional wedding photographer, I would be more than happy to have a chat and help in any way I can. I’m a wedding photographer in Cheshire and North Wales, and my aim is always to make your day as perfect as I can.


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A beautiful real life wedding at Chester’s Rowton Hall

Back in the summer I was honoured to shoot the wedding of Hannah and Chris, who got married at St James’ Church, Christleton, Cheshire, which is just on the outskirts of Chester. We then headed to the gorgeous Rowton Hall in Chester for the wedding reception and evening party. I’m excited to share these lovely images with you: Rowton Hall is a bit of a hidden gem in Cheshire and made the perfect backdrop for some fantastic wedding photography.


Hannah and Chris’s wedding morning

My day began when I joined Hannah and her bridal party at the family home for bridal prep. It’s always such a pleasure to be invited to someone’s home on such an exciting morning, and I had a great time capturing images of Hannah with her sister and friends getting pampered, with hair and make up by The Bridal Beauty Company.




I stayed until Hannah had slipped into her gorgeous dress from My Funny Valentine, helped by her sister before the big reveal to her dad: a part of the day that I always love!





Terri Jarvis Photography was second shooting that day and got shots of the boys at St James’ Church she met Chris along with his groomsmen who were waiting excitedly for the bride to arrive and the big day to really begin.



The church ceremony was full of love and emotion- as these photos of Chris prove!



We then captured some brilliant confetti shots before heading on to Rowton Hall, Chester for the wedding reception.



Rowton Hall, Chester, Cheshire

Rowton Hall is an historic Georgian Manor House set amidst 8-acres of tranquil grounds and gardens and yet just minutes away from the Roman City of Chester.

Rowton Hall is the perfect venue for anyone wanting to get married amongst the beautiful Cheshire countryside. The Hall is nestled in 8-acres of gardens and manicured grounds, and Hannah and Chris took full advantage of the stunning grounds as the ideal place to welcome their guests to the venue.  The guests enjoyed arrival drinks on the lawns, and enjoyed playing lots of garden games in the sunshine. We also captured some great group shots, as well as some wedding photography of Hannah and Chris enjoying their first bit of time alone as man and wife.





Then it was time to head inside for the wedding reception. Rowton Hall has some beautiful rooms characterised by period features and elegant décor. The decadent chandeliers, original feature fireplaces, oak staircase and large garden view windows are a wedding photographer’s dream!




I then managed to sneak Hannah and Chris away for some couple’s wedding photography outside in the twilight: I love the romantic images we captured during this little shoot.




We then went back inside the venue for the evening party where everyone had a fantastic time dancing to music by The Funtime Frankies. I captured some images of the happy couple cutting the cake, enjoying their first dance, and having a wonderful time with their friends and family- which is just how every wedding day should be!

Cheshire Wedding Photographer

As a wedding photographer, it was a real pleasure to shoot this wedding: it was such a fantastic day filled with lots of love, laughter and tears. It was also lovely to see some of my past couples and even future couples too!

If you’re thinking of getting married at Rowton Hall, Chester and would like to have a chat about your wedding photography I would be delighted to hear from you! Please don’t hesitate to get in touch.