Emma & Chris’ wedding took place on possibly the brightest day I can remember! We started with some prep photos at the Mill Hotel in Sudbury, and got some really really lovely portraits of both Emma & Chris 

Mirrors like this frame a bridal portrait beautifully!

When I saw these doors open I really liked the patterns they made and thought it a great spot for a portrait of the groom. I alittle flash bounced from the hallway ceiling, and a nice relaxed pose. Perfect.

While I was with Chris I thought I’d try a second location. Leaning up against a wall like this is of course a nice casual pose, the length of the wall with rows of lights gives something for the depth of field to give a nice blur to.

The Groomsmen all together like this is something I always take, here I chose to duck just behind some flowers to add a little ‘bokeh’ fuzz to one side.

Once I’ve set the scene at the venue, I get back to casual photos. I try to take plenty of photographs that capture the atmosphere of the wedding day.

I carry macro equipment with me, so I can photograph the rings in detail.

Just before the ceremony the guests are all seated, so as the bridal party gather in the marquee, it’s not far to take them to get outdoor photos. Colourful roses behind, sometimes using foliage to add an attractive bokeh blur to one side. I really like this look, but I do take plenty without  if it’s not to your taste!

Smeetham Hall’s fairylights, circling the beams, look great at large apertures with my fast lenses. Any spots of light, perhaps light through distant trees, always has this effect at f2.8 or lower. 

Set up at the front during the ceremony I get to capture these once-in-a-lifetime moments!

the wedding car that delivered the bride stayed around, so I made sure I used it for photos without much delay! Here I shot with the sun behind, which gives a nice rim light to shoulders and the backs of heads, and keeps the subject from looking into the sun.

The bride & groom went of for a drive, so I made sure to photograph them with Smeetham Hall behind…

then straight away set up my remote lighting under the tree-lined driveway ready for their return.

I find this lighting really pleasing, always to me some of the stand-out shots of the day. The lighting under these dense trees would otherwise have been rather gloomy, but setting a flash high on a light stand allows me to cast a light down that makes the subject pop. Sometimes, like this, he lighting looks gentle enough that you wouldn’t know any special setup was used, but I enjoy finessing a photo like this if I know I can improve it. A setup like this at night is of course far more dramatic,

The roses at the front of Smeetham Hall make for a great setting for wedding photographs. Keeping the subject pin-sharp while adding de-focussed elements like this, especially blobs of bright colours, is a look I love.

Smeetham Hall Barn have recommended Lavenham Photographic ever since they started weddings. For more information, visit www.smeethamhall.co.uk