Just had a to add a couple of Dorset wedding photos that I’ve quickly edited from last Saturday’s wedding at West Axnoller near Beaminster.

Sparklers are so much fun to photograph and just loved capturing the stunning sunset at this beautiful exclusive wedding venue. Axnoller is perfect for that personal Dorset wedding.

Visit my wedding photography website for more information about my services and to enquire about me capturing your 2013 or 2014 wedding day.

The post Dorset wedding at the weekend appeared first on Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, London Wedding Photographer Michael Marker.

Ruth & Andy’s recent Wembury engagement shoot was so much fun – despite being caught out by the incoming waves! Slightly soggy feet didn’t put them off and we spent a lovely hour on Wembury beach near Plymouth. Though the weather was overcast it was bright enough for so many amazing shots.

The engagement session was such a fabulous opportunity to discuss the plans for their wedding day at Wembury Church followed by the reception at the nearby Langdon Court Hotel. I love hearing about a couple’s planning and their excitement about their upcoming wedding.

Visit my wedding photography website for more information about my creative wedding photography. Based in Devon I cover weddings throughout Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and London.

I offer engagement shoots with every wedding photography booking and it gives me such a great opportunity to get to know a couple and put them at ease about being in front of the camera. many of the shoots take place at some of the many great beach and countryside location in Devon and the south west. But town centres, urban settings and London offers so many interesting and great locations for an engagement shoot too.

Wembury engagement shoot near Plymouth in Devon

Couple kissing on Wembury beach engagement shoot

The post Wembury engagement shoot – Ruth & Andy’s Devon pre wedding shoot near Plymouth appeared first on Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, London Wedding Photographer Michael Marker.

Finally Spring has arrived in Devon and the sun came out for Lucy & Richard’s Devon beach engagement session shoot at Bigbury and Burgh Island.

We organised the engagement session shoot to coincide with the incoming tide to make the most of the fabulous beach and walk to Burgh Island. Bigbury Beach on the south coast of Devon is one of my favourite locations for shooting portraiture too and offers such a beautiful quality of light and colours.

Engagement shoots are such a great opportunity for me to get to know a couple and how they interact with each other, as well as giving couples the best idea of how relaxed and unobtrusively I work to capture their special day. Rapport is so important to creating great photography. It certainly puts a couple at ease and reassures them that it’s not that bad being in front of the camera.

Lucy & Richard not only loved the shoot experience and are so looking forward to their wedding day, but they loved their engagement photographs. I loved receiving this text message from Lucy as soon as they’d viewed their photos -” Thank you Michael! They are lovely! we are so chuffed with them! You are very talented!! Lucy & Rich”. Wow! such great comments is what makes me happy! Can’t wait for the wedding now!

Visit my wedding photography website for more information or to enquire about capturing your wedding day.

The post Devon Beach engagement session at Bigbury Beach appeared first on Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, London Wedding Photographer Michael Marker.

We’ve all been waiting for Spring to arrive this year and no more so than for Katie & David’s planned engagement shoot near Bath in Somerset. We were lucky to have a dry (and slightly warmer day) as we opted for the beauty spot of Cheddar Gorge.

Walking up to the viewing tower we had great views and scenery – and not too many people around either! The settings was fabulous and I captured some fab shots. Can’t wait for their wedding at Falmouth in Cornwall in the summer.

loving couple on engagment shoot at Cheddar in Somerset near Bath

Visit my wedding photography website for further informaion and examples of my award winning photography or to enquire about your wedding day.

The post Somerset engagement shoot near Bath – Katie & David’s pre wedding shoot appeared first on Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, London Wedding Photographer Michael Marker.

Just received some great news this evening and just had to share it with everyone. I’ve received another prestigious international wedding photography award for one of my photos in the Natural Light category. The photograph was from Max & Karl’s fabulous wedding at Wembury Church and Langdon Court last Autumn. Wow another amazing wedding photography award!

With over 22,000 entries in the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA) contest, a Top 20 win in any of the 18 categories is quite an
accomplishment. My photo was selected from so many entries from around the world which makes it even more of an achievement.

This is now the third year running I’ve won a WPJA award for one of my photos and follows on from being nominated as one of the UK’s best wedding photographers of 2012 by WPS.

It’s so amazing to receive recognition for all my hard work and dedication.

Visit my wedding photography website to enquire about me capturing your wedding day.

The post Another amazing wedding photography award appeared first on Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, London Wedding Photographer Michael Marker.

Brilliant news as we did it again – I’ve been awarded a coveted Excellence Award for one of my wedding photos from a winter Devon wedding at Haldon Belvedere. This follows on the heels of being selecetd as Wedding Photography Select’s best UK wedding photographers of 2012! It’s always great to receive a wedding photography award and recognition for all the hard work and effort. Visit the Wedding Photography Select website to view my awards.

My wedding photography & packages

Visit my wedding photography website to enquire about your wedding day and details about my weddign photography packages.

The post Another wedding photography award for Michael Marker Photography appeared first on Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, London Wedding Photographer Michael Marker.

Just wanted to share Adam & Bryony’s wonderful Plymouth Barbican wedding I had the privilige to photograph. The wedding ceremony took place in the unique wedding venue of the Plymouth Gin Distillery – with the backdrops of the historic stills was amazing.

Arriving outside the Gin Distillery with her brother and bridesmaids, Bryony looked lovely and all smiles despite the rather damp weather.  Adam, the grrom was waiting rather nervously inside the still room and the look between the loving couple when they first saw each other was fabulous to see.

Following a beautiful ceremony I headed off with the newly wedded couple for a quick tour of the Barbican and to give them a breather before the reception. I’m sure you’ll agree that the waterside harbour location, heritage and cobbled streets make for a fabulous backdrop for weddign photographs.

Wedding kiss outside Plymouth Gin Distillery

Wedding couple on Barbican in Plymouth

Award winning Plymouth contemporary wedding photographer

The post Plymouth Barbican wedding appeared first on Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, London Wedding Photographer Michael Marker.

Had a fantastic fashion shoot with a fresh new model a couple of weeks ago in Devon.

Working with agreat Make up artist and stylist who created some amazing looks that so suited the young model. The country house setting deep in the Devon countryside was just perfect.

I just loved the shots and and wanted to share them – hope you all agree!

Devon Fashion photography

Country house fashion shoot in Devon, England

The post Devon Model fashion shoot appeared first on Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, London Wedding Photographer Michael Marker.

Sensual boudoir portrait

Unique Valentine’s photography present form Michael Marker Photography

It’s almost that time of year again when lovers and couples around the world declare their love for that someone special in their lives. It’s time for giving that extra special and intimate present that will last a lifetime.

Don’t want to go for the cliched flowers, champagne or chocolates? Why not buy a boudoir portrait sitting and mini album speial offer this Valentine.

Buy it now and give that special someone a beautifully ribbon tied gift envelope for a portrait sitting and fine art 6x6inch mini album that lasts for eternity.

The one hour sitting includes a professional make up artist, your own password protected gallery of processed photos and a 10 page 6x6inch photobook album of your favourte photos.

Why hesitate – buy it now.

The post Valentine’s photography present for the one you love appeared first on Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, London Wedding Photographer Michael Marker.

Bride and father at Syon Park Great Hall wedding in London

How long have you been shooting weddings as a professional wedding photographer?

Wedding photography is incredibly demanding and experience counts for everything. All weddings are different and an experienced wedding photographer will have encountered many different situations, lighting and weather conditions and know how to capture great photographs in these. Knowing your subject and anticipating those incredible shots and capturing them in real time is where experience matters on your wedding day. There are many keen amateurs out there trying to get into the wedding photography business. They may be cheaper but you are taking a big risk on the biggest day of your life unless you book a professional wedding photographer.

If I book, will you be the photographer at my wedding?

This is important as some companies use freelance photographers and the person you are seeing might be a salesperson. There is nothing wrong with the companies that do this and you may be getting a more competitive price but it is best to check! Building up a rapport with the photographer is crucial in my experience. They are the one person you spend the most time with on your wedding day and knowing your story helps to create fab and unique photographs.
Is the work that I am seeing all yours and only yours or is it a selection of work from more than one photographer?
Following on from the question above, it’s important to ensure that the images you are looking at were taken by the photographer who will be shooting your wedding

Can I see some complete weddings?

A photographer putting together a portfolio or website will only ever include their best shots for obvious reasons. It’s important to see a couple of complete weddings from start to finish. This will give you the best idea of how a photographer plans and captures a wedding day. If you are getting married in the winter ask to see some examples of complete winter weddings.

Do we get a disc of print files so we can order our own prints?

Many photographers will include a disc of images for you to print from included in the price, some will charge extra and some will give you a disc but they’ll be in low resolution and only suitable for emailing. You need to make sure you know what you’re getting or how much extra this service will cost.

If the wedding over-runs will there be any extra charges?

How flexible is your wedding photographer. Some will offer a package that covers everything no matter how long the wedding but if you have booked your photographer for a set amount of time will they stay to cover the first dance if it starts late? Remember that your wedding photographer is a self employed person and earns a living by charging for their time and services.

Is an album included and can I see an example?

It is important to see an example album if one is included in the price. Top quality albums from companies like Graphistudio and Folio Albums are expensive but certainly worth the money for your first family heirloom that will last a lifetime.

How long after the wedding do we get to see our wedding photographs?

Check to see if there is a guaranteed time for the photographer to process your wedding photographs. You should also check how you and your family and friends will be able to view them. Many wedding photographers will upload your photos for the day to an online gallery as a first step. Also ask if you can view them first before they are made more generally available if this is something you’d prefer. Be realistic though. If you are getting married in the summer your photographer will be busy and modern wedding photography usually involves hours of post production work until the images are ready.
Are there any other charges on top of the quoted price?
Confirm with your photographer if they charge extra for travel and other expenses. It’s also a good idea to check the price of prints for guests and album prices too.

Do you require a deposit and when is the balance due?

Most photographers will require a deposit to guarantee the booking. You should then get a signed contract which sets out the terms and conditions, cancellation rights and products included in the package. Check the payment terms as most photographers will require the balance to be paid before the wedding. The deposit will be nonrefundable and there may be a cut off point in regards cancellation when the whole balance will still be due even if the wedding is cancelled.

What happens if you are ill on our wedding day?

In the case of the rare and unforeseen occasion of your photographer being ill it is reassuring to know that there is a back up facility in place so that your big day will be captured. Here at Michael Marker Photography we belong to an association of nationwide wedding photographers back up list.

How long are our photos archived for?

For peace of mind it is reassuring to know that your wedding photographer will archive your wedding photos for a set period of time or even better indefinitely. In case you should need to re order wedding albums or copies of photos in the event of misplacing your wedding photos or suffering a loss through fire, flood or theft.

Are you insured?

It is important that the photographer you book for your wedding has both Public Liability Insurance and Professional Indemnity Insurance. Yes it is very rare that something will go wrong but it is certainly reassuring to have possible eventualities covered.

My diary is also quickly filling up for weddings in 2013 and 2014. Visit my website for more information about my services and to enquire about your wedding date.

The post Essential questions to ask a professional wedding photographer appeared first on Devon, Cornwall, Somerset, London Wedding Photographer Michael Marker.