JL’s Guest Q&A with Hannah McClune Photography
The beautiful venue of my last couple to wed in 2019, Selina & Chris
With a really busy end to 2019, it’s been a while since I’ve been able to share a few thoughts with you on my blog… and what a change in circumstances we find ourselves in.
The coronavirus has meant that many couples who were planning to tie the knot have had to make the upsetting decision to postpone their wedding.
As a wedding planner, I cherish how well I get to know my couples and how that makes me so determined to deliver their dream wedding. I’m usually their confidant and by their side during the most exciting time of their lives, so in these circumstances it’s been heart-breaking to see them have to postpone their weddings.
At the moment, our attention has to be on everyone’s safety. Now the initial disappointment has settled, we’ve been positive, new dates have been set and we’re focusing on making those days even more special.
I have every confidence that when normality resumes, the rescheduled Spring and Summer 2020 weddings will be even bigger and even more cause for celebration having been through this process with even more time to plan.
So while the wedding industry is in a bit of limbo, I thought I’d use this time to share planning advice with a few of my favourite suppliers in a guest blog series.
The first focuses on finding your perfect wedding photographer and to help me, I’ve included a Q&A with one of my favourite fine-art photographers, Hannah McClune.
Hannah capturing a romantic Cotswolds wedding at Caswell House, Oxfordshire
EARLY BIRD CATCHES THE WORM
Once you have your wedding planner, your venue and your ceremony booked, it’s time to find your photographer.
Your photographer’s role goes much further than your wedding day. They’re entrusted to capture a story that will last for generations to come: the special moments, the meaningful details, the emotions of you and your loved ones.
They role is to capture memories to treasure forever, so it’s important you leave as much time as possible to secure a photographer you love before they’re booked elsewhere.
Meet Hannah McClune
INTRODUCING HANNAH MCCLUNE PHOTOGRAPHY
Hannah is a Berkshire based photographer who specialises in relaxed and naturally romantic photography with a light and airy style.
“I’m drawn to rural countryside settings that are full of light to fit my timeless style: glowy, romantic and luminous photography. I concentrate on capturing your love story as a mix of the emotions and the pretty details.”
Here are Hannah’s answers to some of the questions photographers are frequently asked…
Q: WHAT’S THE FIRST STEP IN FINDING A PHOTOGRAPHER?
H: “The first step in choosing your photographer is to see which style of photography you are most drawn to. Whether Instagram and Pinterest, or going traditional with flicking through some magazines, things to look for are:
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- Do you like photographs that are light and airy, or do you prefer the darker images?
- Do you like editorial styling or prefer a more candid approach?
- Do you like dramatic or natural?
- Do you like bold and bright tones, or softer and muted?
- Do you like details and emotions?
Once you know what type of photographs you would like, it will help you to narrow down your selection of photographers.”
Q: HOW LONG SHOULD WE ALLOW FOR COUPLES’ PORTRAITS?
H: “I love to spend thirty minutes with you for your pictures together which is ideally split into two fifteen-minute sessions so that you don’t feel like you’re away from the celebrations for too long.
“The first session can coincide with around the time your guests get called to find their seats for the wedding breakfast. It typically takes the same amount of time for guests to read the seating plan and find their place.
“Depending on the time of year, it works really well to have your further fifteen-minute session later in the day. The best time is just before you start dancing, when the evening light is likely to be golden and soft.”
Hannah capturing a an elegant & stylish wedding at Danesfield House, Buckinghamshire
Q: WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR BEING ABLE TO RELAX IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA?
H: “It really is important to choose the right photographer for you. When you look at a portfolio see how many are posed pictures as this may not suit you if you’re worried about relaxing.
“Instead, pick someone that has more pictures where couples look relaxed. If the photographer has a natural style you’ll be surprised at how easy it is to relax – you’ll be having so much fun and enjoying all the excitement of being married that you’ll not notice there is a camera lurking around!”
Q: MANY PEOPLE ARE HAVING ENGAGEMENT PHOTOS, SHOULD WE HAVE AN ENGAGEMENT SHOOT?
H: “Engagement sessions are great fun! They are one of the only things on the wedding to do list that involve doing nothing but spending time with your favourite person having fun! But it’s certainly not something you need to do.
“Around half of my couples choose to have one and sometimes because they want to get comfortable in front of a camera, sometimes because they want images for a wedding website or sometimes it’s simply for fun!
“They are a good way to test you love how your make up photographs if you can combine it on the same day as your trial.”
Q: HOW FAR IN ADVANCE SHOULD I BOOK OUR PHOTOGRAPHER?
H: “As Jen mentions, the earlier the better. Once you have found your venue and booked your ceremony, I’d recommend one of your next steps being your photographer.
“Each of us can obviously only do one wedding a day, so to avoid being disappointed you can’t reach out too early.”
Capturing meaningful details tells a story of your day | Hannah McClune Photography
Q: DO WE NEED A SECOND SHOOTER?
H: “My style is very natural, and my favourite thing is when couples say they didn’t realise the photo was being taken! Being unnoticed is more challenging when there are two people carrying big professional cameras.
“However, there are a few exceptions to when an extra photographer is helpful:
- If the groom is getting ready at a different location and would like photos of getting ready, doing his hair, aftershave, dressing etc…
- If it is a short window of time (less than an hour) between the ceremony ending and when you go to sit down, as a second could be taking guest pictures when your couples’ pictures and any group shots are being taken.
- If you have 100+ guests and would like everyone photographed, depending on timings this may not be possible with one person on a typical eight-hour coverage day.”
Q: FINALLY, WHAT IS ‘FINE ART’ PHOTOGRAPHY?
H: “Fine art photography is interpreted differently by everyone across the wedding industry. But to me it is a style that is light, dreamy, airy quality to it.
“Almost a luminous film like feel: soft and beautiful. I love this and like to describe my work as fine art, but with lots of emotion!”
IF FINE ART PHOTOGRAPHY CAPTURES YOUR HEART, YOU CAN VIEW MORE OF HANNAH AND HER TEAM’S WORK ON HER WEBSITE
PLANNING SERVICES FROM JENNIFER LOUISE WEDDINGS
I specialise in designing and delivering heartfelt weddings imbued with subtle luxury and timeless style throughout The Cotswolds, Oxfordshire and South-West.
Whether you’ve had to recently rearrange your wedding or whether you’re newly engaged, if you’re interested in learning more about my full or partial wedding planning services, why not get in touch to schedule a complimentary discovery call?
I look forward to seeing if we’re a perfect match.
