Picture Perfect!
If there’s one thing most married couples agree on, it’s that the wedding day itself whizzes by in a blur.
Attending to your guests; worrying about dresses or speeches; accepting a drink or three from long-lost relatives at the bar; there’s rarely a moment to pause and take it all in.
That’s why getting the right wedding photographer is so important. They are there to capture all those special moments that you can then cherish for the rest of your life.
At Cooling Castle Barn, we have two trusted photographers on our recommended suppliers’ list. Here, we find out what makes them tick as they share some of their favourite snaps taken at our Cooling weddings from over the years.
Dan Potter from Dan Potter Photography (gallery above) has been a recommended supplier at Cooling Castle Barn for more than eight years.
On wedding photography…
“I love my job – it’s great being around happy occasions. It’s the best day of a couple’s lives so far, so it’s a great atmosphere and you know everyone is going to be having a good time.
“You know couples are going to keep these photographs forever – it’s a lasting memory - so it’s special to be part of it.
“I’ve had some great word of mouth jobs – I did the photography for three sisters at different places over a number of years, it’s lovely to be able to do a job for the whole family.”
On what makes a good shot..
“A good wedding shot needs great light, great composition, but most importantly, it needs a little bit of emotion. You can have great light and great composition and a good photo, but if you have the emotion you have a story in that photo. You need to get to know your couple and I find the photos with with emotion are always the keepers.”
On Cooling Castle Barn…
“I like the different seasons at the Barn and there are different spots within the grounds and outside that are great at different times of year. There’s great blossom in the spring; you have the hay bales in the surrounding fields in the late summer; colourful trees in the autumn; and sometimes snow in the winter. There are so many different spots that you can use.
“Cooling Castle Barn is a well-oiled machine. The staff are great. I feel at home there. I’ve been recommended for quite a while and know a lot of the staff to speak to which makes your day easier. Communication is great, so I’m always kept informed if anything is going behind schedule - which it very rarely is!”
Nicky Tulip at Nicky’s Photography has been a recommended supplier at Cooling Castle Barn for 15 years.
On wedding photography…
"It’s hard work, but an amazing job. The pressure is immense, it’s the most important day of someone’s life. But I love it when I see a moment and know that I’ve got it. You look through the lens and know that it’s really special, but the couple won’t see it until later.
“Building a relationship up with a couple and being part of their journey is such a lovely thing.”
On what makes a good shot…
“I offer a pre-shoot for Cooling couples as I want to get to know them before the day. They are generally more relaxed if they do this. They can then get to know me as well - but I like to know their story.
“There are some couples who are adventurous and you get to see that in the pre-shoot, they may do some running or climbing trees and things like that. Others are more nervous, so we have to build up to the photos, I might ask them to go for a walk together and get the long-lens on.”
On Cooling Castle Barn…
“Cooling is a second home to me. I know the space, I know the light and where and when I can use it. It runs so well and I’m trusted as a supplier there, they can let me get on with what I need to do.
“It makes it easier to work with everyone when they know you. That makes a good venue on the whole - where everyone comes together for this special occasion and it all runs like clock work.”