Natural wedding photography at Channels
Date posted: 27 May 2015
Throughout the wedding day we'll use many different styles of photography, from pure reportage through to the posed pictures and group photos. But keeping things natural is at the heart of everything we do. This was never more true than at Laura and Fraser's wedding at Channels Golf Club, Chelmsford, Essex.
These natural looking wedding photos - from bridal preparations until the first dance - will take you on a whistle-stop tour of their day.
We began at The Lodge to capture the last minute preparations of the bride and bridesmaids. Despite the chaotic appearance of the room, everyone - including the bride - was incredibly calm. Once the dress was on we photographed the finishing touches to the hair and make-up, plus lots of little details.
We had about five minutes before we were due to meet the groom outside The Essex Barn, and this gave us enough time to take a few quick portraits of the bridesmaids. The area outside The Lodge is quite secluded and makes a lovely backdrop to the photos.
The bridesmaids wore mint green and this matched the colour of the ties and button holes of the male side of the bridal party.
The black wooden slats of The Essex Barn at Channels makes a strong background to the portraits of the groom and best man.
After some candid shots of the guests as they arrive, it's nearly the moment that everyone's been waiting for... the arrival of the bride.
Wedding ceremony time is reportage photography time - capturing all the action and emotion as it happens. Of course, having two photographers at their wedding meant that the ceremony was shot from two different angles.
As well as the obvious photos, like the signing of the register, we're always on the look out for a different view of the wedding - like this shot of the guests photographing the couple.
The drinks reception after the wedding ceremony is another perfect time for reportage photography and candid pictures. It's smiles all round with everyone congratulating the bride and groom.
After the bride and groom spent some time with their friends and family, we got everyone together for the formal group photos. Even with these staged pictures we always aim to keep it all as natural and relaxed as we can. The avenue of trees at Channels provided an ideal setting for these types of photos.
Even though it was a little chilly on the day, everyone enjoyed the mobile ice cream cart.
When the formal photos were over, we took Laura and Fraser away from everyone for about 20 minutes or so to take some relaxed portraits of the two of them together. Even though these are posed photos, we still maintain a natural approach, avoiding contrived and forced poses.
Channels Golf Club is one of our favourite venues for the couple photographs as there are so many different areas in which to stage the shots. This gives the couple a variety of different looking pictures.
As well as relaxed portraits of the newly weds we also like photograph the bride and groom with other key people, like this photo of Laura with her father.
The style of the wedding was shabby chic.
It's reportage photography time again for the speeches - capturing all the laughter, tears and emotion.
Our time with Laura and Fraser is nearly over. All that's left to shoot is the first dance.
We'll leave the last words to Laura and Fraser: "Both Peter and Kerri were easy going and relaxed. They blended in perfectly. We love looking back through the amazing pictures we can now treasure forever"
