In my career as a wedding photographer in southwest England, I can say that it’s been one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. While doing wedding photography in Somerset, Bristol, and surrounding towns and cities, I remember submitting to the unpredictable weather of southwest England and the criminal lack of adequate natural sunlight.
Yet, why rewarding, you may ask. Read on to find out.
Something About Myself
I’ve been a photographer for as long as I can remember. As I specialise in Documentary Wedding Photography, my work takes me all over the UK and abroad. But like they say, there’s no place like home. Having a home in Bristol, I’ve had a lifelong brush with southwest England weather. It has become a love-hate relationship, learning to protect my expensive equipment from rain and moisture and making the most of sunshine’s occasional guest appearance.
Wedding Photography in Somerset-Challenges
- Rain
With an annual rainfall of around 1108 mm, rain is the biggest challenge when doing wedding photography in Somerset. Keeping a waterproof lens hood and backpack ready, just in case, is always helpful. How does a wedding proceed in the rain?
Simple. We just wait it out. That’s all we need most of the time. Planning our lives around rain is what comes naturally to us.
However, the post-rain beauty of nature provides an enchanting colour palette. The natural lighting post-rain gives an Old England feel, which adds an interesting texture to the photos.
- Wind
Extreme winds can be troublesome during a wedding. It messes up the clothes and hair, with dirt flying over faces. A closed or semiclosed venue is the best option for seamless wedding photography in Somerset on a windy day. Even the most stoic of Brits will agree that wind is the least of their favourites.
My experience so far has been that wind makes the photos better. The chaos of a strong breeze playing with the veil, the hairdresser working an extra shift, the florist rearranging the flower arch, and the dresses struggling to stay in place all make for wedding photos with a story. As a Somerset wedding photographer, I capture beautiful moments from weddings despite the gale. It allows me to capture natural, raw emotions that form the essence of documentary wedding photography. For us, it’s always, “ A bit breezy innit?”.
- Cold and Snow
The freezing winters are not only cold, they’re windy as well. A combination photographers across the world loathe. Your hands freeze, and it becomes difficult to hold the camera. Capturing genuine emotions becomes very difficult in the cold. It’s crucial to wear gloves that offer protection from freezing yet aren’t bulky enough to interfere with camera handling. I keep an extra pair handy for the same.
Cold temperatures can mess with the lenses and cause condensation and all. But the pictures are worth it.
The darkness of winter presents some breathtaking hues. Warm summer can’t match the magic of dark winter weddings. It captures an overall contemplative picture with everyone too stiff to move. Although winter weddings in Somerset are rare, they’re precious whenever they happen.
The Most Loved Seasons For Wedding Photography In Somerset
Summer and spring are the two seasons that infuse a new life in Somerset and elevate the entire mood. People wait for these seasons and it’s the busiest time of the year. Booking is done months in advance. Spring lasts from March to May whereas summer lasts from June to August. The snow begins to thaw and flowers begin to bloom, creating a perfect picturesque environment. Here’s why these two are the best season for wedding photography.
- The colours of spring and summer allow for a colourful palette and a vibrant outlook.
- Weather is nice, everyone is happy, I get mind blowing candid pictures.
- There is an increase in natural lighting that helps me take stunning pictures.
Takeaway for a wedding photographer in Somerset-Notes to Self
- Be extra prepared for unpredictable weather.
- If life hands you a lemon, make lemonade. Make the best use of available light and weather conditions. Adjusting camera exposures can make everything look better.
- Good weather gives you good pictures while not so good weather makes you a good photographer.
- Wedding photography is all about telling stories through pictures and creating everlasting memories.
- City wedding photography is good to go in any weather.
When I began my documentary wedding photography journey, I didn’t know the southwest England weather will make it so much fun. Yes there are hiccups and obstacles but it makes the ride worthwhile. If anything, I experienced growth as a photographer and became seasoned in wedding photography in Somerset. Some of my favourite pictures were shot on a windy day, with the wind happily playing with the veil as the couple kissed. Magic, they say, can be created. All it takes is a little imagination.
