WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY by Karl Drage – How I Work

As a professional wedding photographer and UK wedding photographer, I’m excited to share insights into how I work with my clients. If you’re searching for “wedding photography near me,” allow me to walk you through my process:

This bride and groom pose for a shot inside the stunning interior of Shustoke Barn – Warwickshire wedding photographer

Wedding Photography Consultation

I’m always more than happy to meet you, discuss your plans for your special day, and show you typical photo books of my work. These books demonstrate how I aim to tell the story of your day through documentary wedding photography. This free, no-obligation service is the first step towards capturing magical images on your wedding day. Usually you will be invited to visit my studio in Woodford, Northants (NN14 4HY). Please get in touch to book a consultation!

Bride and Groom pose on the stunning staircase at a Stapleford Park Hotel wedding

Venue Meeting, Walk-around and (potential) Pre-wedding Shoot

Whichever package you choose, we’ll arrange to meet at your ceremony and reception venues 4-8 weeks before your wedding day. This is crucial for me, especially if it’s a venue I haven’t photographed before.

As an East Midlands wedding photographer, I’ve worked with many local venues, but each location offers unique opportunities for creative wedding photos.

A loving touch from this bride on her wedding day at Delapre Abbey, Northampton

I get to:

1. See where the guests will arrive and enter;
2. Discover where the bridal car will pull up;
3. Find out where the registers will be signed;
4. (Hopefully) talk to the person who will be conducting your ceremony to find out what restrictions they impose. This can vary tremendously, and it’s vital that all parties are aware of expectations ahead of the day itself. Some things that you took for granted may simply not be possible;
5. Work out the most suitable locations for group shots;
6. Identify a bad weather back-up plan(s);
7. Look for nice, quiet, tranquil areas where I can whisk you away for a few minutes;

This visit is vital for the success of your wedding photography.

A bride and groom share a chair and an embrace at a Sedgebrook Hall wedding

If you’re feeling less than confident about being in front of the camera on your wedding day, this is also the perfect opportunity to address that. My bespoke wedding photography packages include an engagement/pre-wedding shoot as standard, or you can add one to your Build Your Own package.

The Packages

My wedding photography packages are based on the duration of coverage you require. While I’d love to capture everything from bridal preparations to well after the first dance, I understand that not every couple wants such comprehensive coverage.

Full details of the wedding photography packages I offer can be found at: WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGES – Karl Drage, Northampton Wedding Photographer.

You can choose the full works or put together a package that best suits your needs.

I do love a big wedding dress! – by Northants wedding photographer Karl Drage

Image Editing

All images you receive will be professionally edited. This doesn’t automatically include body reshaping or blemish retouching, but if you have specific concerns, please let me know before the day. My natural wedding photography style aims to deliver images that truly reflect your day.

I don’t usually pose my brides and grooms like this, but if they’re going to proactively adopt a pose of their own, I’m going to click away!

Colour AND Black and White Digital Images

You will receive every image I edit in both colour AND black and white as standard. While it is true to say that some images very definitely work better in one or the other, there will be some that look fantastic in both, and the feel can be so different that I really think it’s worth including each.

You’ll receive every edited image in both colour AND black and white as standard. Some images work better in one format, but many look fantastic in both, offering a different feel. A typical 10-hour booking usually yields over 800 edited images (doubled because you get both colour and B&W versions).

Factors that can affect the number of images you receive include the weather, the number of guests in attendance and just how much stuff you have going on! My general rule is that if I think it’s worth editing, it will get edited! 🙂

Black and white versions of images somehow evoke different emotions

Image Delivery

Password-protected Web Gallery

You’ll receive a password-protected link to view your images on a beautiful web gallery, typically within seven days of your wedding. You can share this link with family and friends, who can order prints and photo gifts directly.

Beautiful wisteria adorns the walls at the Hill Farm House, Brigstock, Northants.

PRINTS

You will be free to choose the images you would like printed as part of your package. All my bespoke wedding photography packages come with 5x up to 18″x12″ prints included as standard. I include the words “up to” as 18″x12″ can sound quite intimidating, but once you put it on a wall, it’s really not that big (honest!). Photos might look nice small, but they’ll look incredible big! The prints are a great way to decorate your house or to give away as birthday and Christmas presents to your guests.

Sunshine after the rain for a gorgeous Rockingham wedding

WOODEN USB STICK & PRESENTATION BOX

If you have purchased a bespoke package, all the edited images will be copied on to a branded wooden USB stick. You will also receive a branded wooden presentation box of your choice, along with a selection of either 20x 12″x8″ or 50x 6”x4” prints from your day, depending on which box you choose.

All my bespoke package wedding photography clients will receive their edited images on a USB stick, in a beautiful presentation box. A range of styles are available.

Once everything is ready, I will try to co-ordinate a time to get together to hand deliver your goodies. However, if this is not possible in a timely manner, I’ll ensure everything is delivered to you by courier.

Photo books

Photo Book Type

I have chosen a rather different style of photo book for my premium packages to those most wedding photographers supply. The simple reason for that is that the photo books that I use start at 90 pages and go up to 120 pages. I just feel that they fit much better with my photographic style and aim of telling as much of the story of your day as possible. From feedback I’ve received, people seem to really love the montages of candid images of people having a great time that I have the space to fit in! They also love the feel of the pages.

The books measure 30cms x 30cms and come in an equally stunning presentation box:

The stunning Acrylic Photo Book Box Set

Almost every page layout imaginable can be achieved with the Acrylic Photo Book

The Acrylic Photo Book Box Set, one of the items from the Heirloom Print Products collection

The Process

For premium packages, I’ll create a first draft of your book based on your preferences. You’ll then have the opportunity to request changes before it’s ordered.

This is a low-resolution digital version of an actual photo book (from my previous photo book supplier) from a real wedding I photographed at Sedgebrook Hall near Northampton.

Furthermore, if you do want to book me as your wedding photographer but would rather have a more traditional photo album, I am always open to suggestions.

Newlyweds in the bird cage at a Woughton House Hotel wedding

Things to Remember

My aim is not to embarrass you or catch you out! (that’s not to say I won’t take pics that I think are amusing!) Ultimately you have complete control over precisely which pictures appear in the public domain from your day. I want you to want to share them, since that is from where my next round of bookings is likely to come!

The more comfortable you feel with me, the greater the likelihood of producing lovely images. I will do my best to relax and reassure you, taking away your stresses rather than adding to them.

The stunning Compton Verney – one of my favourite wedding venues.

More Information

If you’ve not already done so, please take a look at my WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY PACKAGES – Karl Drage, Northampton Wedding Photographer.

While every wedding is different, there are certain elements which are usually broadly similar. Take a look at a typical wedding day to see the thought processes and get a feel for my primarily documentary wedding photography style I’m likely to employ for your big day.

There’s much more work involved in photographing a wedding than just rocking up and taking the pictures. I’ve put together this guide to explain why wedding photography can seem expensive but it’s really not.

And if you’re still hunting for your perfect snapper, here’s a list of questions you should ask a wedding photographer before settling on someone.

Get in Contact

To enquire about my availability, to discuss other options or if you have any queries, please use one of the methods on the Contact Us page to get in touch.

I am based in Northamptonshire but willing to travel out of area, though please be aware this *may* bring with it an additional cost.

What my clients say:

02/10/2021

Lisa & Paul

"Karl is much more than a photographer. He truly sees people and tells a story. Both the formal and the more candid shots were so well taken and edited. The composition of the long shots to capturing the look in someone's eye all taken perfectly. I cannot wait until we have them in our hands. Thank you Karl! You were more than our photographer that day! x"

Lisa West

14/04/2018

Claire & Rob

"He turned up on time well dressed and aside the large camera blended right in to our day. Our guests believed he was a family friend. He socialised, took time and patience with our children, and my husband's need to make me laugh. He calmed my worries, picked confetti from my hair and stopped people standing on my dress, all while making us feel at ease and taking incredible pictures. This man made our wedding easy, stress-free and will help us remember it for the rest of our lives. He arrived as our photographer and left as our friend. One of the most heartfelt thank yous I have ever given… Thank you Karl."

Claire Gascoigne

20/09/2020

Holly & Dan

"Karl was fantastic. From the original meeting to our wedding day, he was professional and very supportive. We would highly recommend him."

Holly S

17/08/2022

Kate & Stuart

"Karl Drage is without a doubt the best Tradesperson/Professional that I've ever had the pleasure to hire the services of."

Stuart Willows

October 12,2019

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Gloria+Nate

Karl Drage is a professional Northamptonshire-based wedding photographer covering the following counties:

Bedfordshire Wedding Photographer | Buckinghamshire Wedding Photographer | Cambridgeshire Wedding Photographer | Leicestershire Wedding Photographer | Northants Wedding Photographer | Oxfordshire Wedding Photographer | Rutland Wedding Photographer | Warwickshire Wedding Photographer

Providing wedding photography services in the following towns and everywhere in between:

Corby Wedding Photographer | Daventry Wedding Photographer | Huntingdon Wedding Photographer | Kettering Wedding Photographer | Leicester Wedding Photographer | Milton Keynes Wedding Photographer | Northampton Wedding Photographer | Oundle Wedding Photographer | Peterborough Wedding Photographer | Rugby Wedding Photographer | Stamford Wedding Photographer | Wellingborough Wedding Photographer