Suzy Elizabeth Photography

Tell us a little about yourself?

I am a Buckinghamshire based wedding photographer with a huge passion for what I do, I simply can’t get enough of weddings and I am a hopeless romantic at heart. I am a wife and mum to my crazy little mini me (Sophia). I love Chinese food, rom coms and a cheeky G&T.

How would you describe your wedding photography style and what makes you unique?

Wedding photography to me is about capturing the love and laughter as it naturally unfolds. The little moments that make your heart skip a beat, the adoring looks when nobody else is watching, the fun and frivolity on the dancefloor! Plus I adore exquisitely romantic portraits and pride myself on the fact that I build a relationship with my couples that ensures they feel at ease in front of the camera.

How would you describe your working style?

I will blend into any wedding day in a natural and unobtrusive way. I love to capture the interaction between a couple and their guests while going unnoticed, so you will often find me discretely snapping away in the background. I only give a small amount of direction on the day, firstly during group shots as I have to ensure everybody is in position, and also during bride and groom portraits. I always ensure this is as natural and relaxed as possible as I want to capture the true connection with no cheesy posing or fixed smiles. I will however, give a little guidance if it is needed, just so we capture that beautiful portrait for the wall!

Do you shoot digitally or with film? Or both?

Digital.

What type of equipment do you use?

I have two Sony cameras and a range of lenses. I am a chaser of natural light but will use flash when it is required, generally when the party starts.

Do you shoot in colour and black and white?

I adore colour photography and the vast majority of the images I provide are in colour. I will add a few black and white images if I think they will fit.

Do you include an engagement shoot?

Engagement shoots are not included as standard but are offered to my clients at a reduced rate. I love engagement shoots as they are a great way of getting used to being photographed in an intimate way before the big day, plus we get to catch up and have a chat over a coffee afterwards!

How long after the wedding will the couple receive their proofs?

I always send couples a few highlights after a few days, just so they are not waiting too long as I know they will be excited. I then get to work on the rest of the gallery and say to allow 4-6 weeks during busier summer months, I do try and get them finished sooner though.

How far in advance should couples book you?

I take bookings one to two years in advance so I would suggest as soon as you secure a date with the venue.

What information do you need from the couple before the wedding day?

We always start with an initial chat over a coffee or over the phone. This will be early stages of planning but I will note down everything relevant. About a month before the big day I send out a questionnaire asking for all the finer details. From this I will create a time sheet for the day and note the all important shot list and must haves. We will have a chat in the week running up to the wedding just to catch up and go over everything. I am always on hand and welcome couples to ping me an email or text at any point if they have any questions.

What are you favourite trends?

I am not really a trend follower when it comes to photography. My style is elegant and timeless and will never date.

What are you expecting see more mainstream/more common in the next year or two?

There will always be wedding trends that naturally come and go, along with fashion and styles. I may be biased but I still see classic and timeless weddings standing strong and inevitably standing the test of time.

If you were getting married, how would you choose your wedding photographer?

To me it is really important to have a good relationship with your photographer, after all you will be spending a long time together on the day. Choose somebody with whom you feel comfortable and relaxed. Have an initial chat and if you get a good vibe that is a good start. Ask to see more of their work and look at a wedding from start to finish so you know what to expect. I, for example, only show bride and groom portraits on my portfolio page (as I absolutely love them!) but in my blog section I have lots of real weddings to scour through. It is also really important to narrow down the style of photography you like as there are many and varied styles when it comes to wedding photography.