To Pay or not to Pay Commission? That is the Question!

Are the preferred photographers at your chosen venue recommended to you because of their photographic ability and equally important their ability to work alongside and together with both the venue and other wedding professionals to ensure you have the perfect day that you have dreamed of all your life? Or are they recommended to you because of their willingness to pay a commission to that venue for that recommendation (which of course in all probability you are unaware of)?

I have been invited by a number of beautiful venues to join their recommended photographers list - this invitation and recommendation is based solely on the quality of my work, feedback from other wedding professionals and most importantly you the Bride and Groom.

To you the Bride and Groom I can say quite honestly and openly that this is why I have received the venue's recommendation and that no monies have changed hands to secure it - this is a significant and integral part of my professional work! You can be assured that I have not entered into any agreement which would have in any way compromised my personal or professional integrity.

If I am recommended to you by a venue it is because of a genuine desire to enable you to have your dream day CourtOnCamera and for no other reason.

Hip Hip Hurrah (excuse the pun)!!

A BIG thank you to all my well wishers - The hip op went very well indeed, I got back home late last Sunday 3 days later (on foot) and have graduated from running up and down the stairs to the walls (I can't drive for 6 weeks).

One of my first visitors at home was Faye whose wedding to Richard at Thaxted Church and Spain's Hall I photographed in August.
Followed closely by my good friend and Toastmaster Richard Palmer. I am really looking forward to resuming fencing at my club later on in the New Year for the first time in a long while without pain (Doc's permission first though).

My final and most sincere thank you is to Mr Charnley and the Staff at Broomfield - their professionalism, skill and dedication is deserving of the highest accolade.

Katie and Rob's Wedding Photographs Gaynes Park Barns

On Saturday I had the great pleasure to photograph Katy and Rob's Wedding at the beautiful Gaynes Park Barns near Epping.The guests arrived by public transport - on time, which is more than could be said for Rob who made a last minute dash.The grounds of Gaynes were particularly stunning as Katie and her bridesmaids walked down the gravel path to meet her waiting Dad and future Husband.The ceremony was witnessed by both Katie and Rob's Mums.Following the ceremony the newly married couple went for a walk in the grounds of Gaynes Park before greeting their waiting guests.Following the Wedding Breakfast the speeches were held with Rob looking nervously on.The cake proved to be a huge success with both Katie and Rob giving it their seal of approval.The first dance was performed with perfection Rob (Travolta) and Katie (Thurman) performed the classic made famous in the 1994 Quenton Tarantino film - Pulp Fiction.
As night falls Gaynes Park loses none of its magic as guests talk outside under the covered barn.
The "Dream Team" ensuring that Rob and Katie's day passed without a hitch were Mikaela from Gaynes Park (a big personal thank you for looking after us all), Designer Flowers by Stacey Stevens, Andrew Morgan as Toastmaster, John Rose videographer and my good friend Richard Palmer providing the music with the Classic Nomad Disco.

Oh! I nearly forgot - Me! Wedding photography undertaken by Essex Wedding Photographers CourtOnCamera.

Why a Professional Photographer?

Yesterday my good friend and competitor David Islip sent me a copy of his blog which I have reproduced below without alteration - David and his wife Sandra are true professionals and although they may be competitors we regularly meet (along with other members of the MPA and BIPP) both socially and professionally (David organises training seminars and only last week My wife and I met with Kevin Pengelly, his wife Sabrina (also competitors) David and Sandra over dinner (thankyou Kevin and David)) by doing so we are able to provided mutual support and ensure the highest professional standards are achieved.

There is little else that I can add to David's Blog, other than I wholeheartedly support his comments.

David's Blog: "Today the National News is full of how one photographer has been (rightly) sued for truly dreadful work. Just one of the multitude currently giving true Professional Photographers a bad name. Many are new to the profession, many are unqualified, untrained or even part-timers, doing a full time job in the week just earning a bit of spare cash at the weekend.
We are members of the two UK Qualifying Bodies for Full Time Professional Photographers, The Master Photographers Association and The British Institute of Professional Photography. There are other Associations which look very convincing but allow ANYBODY to be a member!
Our clients can ask the above for binding arbitration should we ever have a dispute that we can not resolve between us.
Do ask questions of your Photographer, are they insured, are they qualified Members of one of the above, can you see THEIR work, do they have testimonials, do you like them as a person, are they passionate about what they do or is it just for that bit of extra cash?
Price is important, but don't spoil the wedding! Think about it, every wedding takes us 30-40 hours of work and uses skill level built from many years experience and on-going training, let alone the thousands of pounds of photographic and computing equipment and back-up spares that are needed.
Question why somebody would offer to do photography AND video for under £1450? Buyer beware!"

Toastmaster Training in Essex

On Wednesday I joined my good friend Richard Palmer and his fellow members of the English Toastmasters Association (I am an Honorary Fellow Member) at their headquarters overlooking Danbury Palace in the heart of Essex for a training seminar led by Richard.
Continuous professional development is at the heart of the organisation - the training session was attended by Toastmasters working throughout the UK and internationally as far afield as the USA.

Clara and Ben's Wedding at Spain's Hall

Last week I had the great pleasure to have been invited to join and photograph Clara and Ben's wedding at the stunning Spain's Hall near Finchingfield in Essex.Photographing weddings at Spain's hall is for me a great pleasure - the grounds are beautiful.Clara's Father's speech (I understand a copyrighted version may be obtained for a small fee) was made against the backdrop of a glorious setting sun.
The evening was warm and magical, whilst the Stables were illuminated for the enjoyment of the guests.Essex wedding photographers at Spain's Hall were CourtOnCamera.