The section where you get to know me before I get to know you !

Tell me a bit about you and the business then Andy !

Well, I'm 45, married to Karen for 23 years and have 2 daughters of 21 & 18, both studying at Glasgow University. This is very much a family business, with all of my "girls" acting as assistants or second-shooters at weddings, and all having an active input to the business and its direction.

Like most men my age, I'm slightly overweight (or too short for my weight if you like..) but I still have all my own hair and all of my own teeth. I have a wicked sense of humour, a great personality and the patience of a saint - all pre-requisites in this job !

I'm working hard to make a living at what is one of my main passions in life - photography.



So what's your real job then ?

This is my real job ! - I'm a full-time professional photographer who makes his living through photography of weddings, portraits, events, press/PR work, photographic tuition and holidays. I also run one of Scotland's leading photo holiday companies - see more of my work at www.scottishphototours.com

My photography has been seen in most of the major newspapers in Scotland and in magazines and tourist brochures worldwide.

My personal photography has also been hung in the National Gallery of Scotland - what other photographers do you know who can say this ?



How did you get into doing weddings then ?

23 years ago, Karen and I booked a VERY well known local Inverclyde photographer to shoot our wedding. He sent along a Maths teacher from a local secondary school, who didn't know or care about us as a couple. His pictures were rubbish and that has annoyed us ever since.

In 1986, I was asked to shoot a wedding by a workmate. Bobby and Margaret were the first wedding couple I shot, and we remain good friends to this day. I've known since then that I have a talent for this kind of photography...



What is "Unique & Beautiful" all about then ?

It's our tagline for the business and it's our way of showing that we strive to produce something unique to you as a couple or at a venue, and that we shoot beautiful, timeless wedding photography.

It also shows that we'll do whatever we have to do to make your dream images a reality on your wedding day.

Fundamentaly, we will strive to produce a wedding album for you that reflects you as a couple.



Everybody has a digital camera these days - why should I pay you to shoot my wedding ?

Wedding photography is a VERY specialised situation that even some photographers can't handle. I always say that it's 90% skills and 10% photographic skills - and if you haven't got the 90% people skills, your 10% will be rubbish !

I have the experience, people and camera skills to the make the most of any situation, venue or person. I can work quickly, effectively and discreetly to produce images that you will treasure forever - that is why you should employ me.

Having a digital camera does NOT make you a photographer I'm afraid - there's far much more to it than that !




Where is your studio based ?

We don't operate a studio - we work entirely from home. This means we have the benefit of having no great overheads and so we can keep our prices keen, to the benefit of the Customer. For portrait work, we can come to you or we hire local hotels to work in. As our business is mostly mobile, it makes no real sense for us to have the expense of, or be tied to, a studio.



Are you a member of any organistions ?

Yes, I'm a member of the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers and the British Professional Photographers Association (SWPP/BPPA). To see what they're all about, look up the website at www.swpp.co.uk


How long have you been a photographer ?

I've been shooting pictures since I was 15. I spent many years shooting pictures as an amateur, touring and lecturing on photography in Scotland, but turned full-time in 2003.



Are you insured ?

Yes, I carry both Public Liability and Professional Indemnity Insurance. If you're a full-time photographer, you need this kind of insurance to allow you to work in any venue in the UK.



What kind of cameras do you use ?

I use Nikon professional digital cameras to record most of my work these days. 99% of my work is digital but I also have medium format cameras that I use occasionally. I regularly take £10,000 worth of gear with me to shoot a wedding.



What do you do if it rains ?

We carry a full studio as a matter of course to the weddings we shoot. This allows us to shoot indoors to a very high standard if the weather is very bad. Most of the venues we shoot at are no problem because they have great interiors, but we can still shoot outdoors in the drizzle or light rain (under shelter) if required.



Do you shoot alone at weddings ?

Only on basic package weddings. For larger package weddings, my wife Karen shoots candids on the day and acts as my assistant.



Do you charge for travel ?

If your wedding is within 25 miles of my home, we generally don't charge for travelling. Outwith 25 miles we generally charge for £25/hour of travel for a wedding.



I don't want to spend a lot of money on wedding photography - can you help me ?

Yes, I'm sure we can. If you're planning a midweek event or a Sunday event, we can offer you a discounted rate if we have availability. However, we can't possibly offer such discounts on a Friday or Saturday between March and November due to the number of enquiries we recieve.



I don't like getting my picture taken - how do you get around this then Andy ?

Easy. Have a look at the website and you'll see that we shoot pictures of people at weddings who are ENJOYING themselves. Most of the brides that I work with comment on my ability to get them relaxed and enjoying the picture-taking. That's one of the reasons that you should get a professional like me to take your wedding photographs !



I'm not that good looking and worry that my pictures will be horrible - can you help ?

I've heard this hundreds of times. I've yet to see a bride who doesn't look just great on her big day, and most just RADIATE happiness, so the results are far better than you'd expect !



I'm worried that I'll cry and make a fool of myself - what do you suggest ?

Weddings are emotional events and it's not unusual for people to blurb ! My advise is simple - don't have too much to drink in the morning, take a bottle of water with you in the bridal cars (ask you car company if they provide this..) and take plenty of deep breaths ! - if you must cry, make sure they are tears of joy that the photographer can capture !

You should also remember that your guests are there to share your day with you - not to make a fool of you if you cry, so relax and enjoy the day - it'll be over in a flash...



I don't want to stand like a statue, but I also don't want to drape myself over cars like you see in magazines - help !!

You're not alone. Most brides don't want to drape themselves over anything, and also hate standing around. That's why we're so successful - we've hit on a mix of formal and natural situations that will help you acheive great photographs on the day without having to resort to standing around or draping yourself over anything...



I've seen this great shot in a magazine - do you do any like it ?

Bring your shots along to a wedding meeting and let's see what we can do ! - we can replicate ideas you have seen (within reason) - indeed we even create shots that others are now copying...



I've seen a shot where the bride has green hair and the sky is purple - can you do this ?

We could - but we won't ! These kind of shots are very "stylised" but they're not timeless - they'll date VERY quickly. In 2 years you'll be embaressed by them and in 20 years you'll hate them. If you want this kind of photography, we'd suggest you look elsewhere.



I'm worried that I'll get my dress dirty - what do you suggest ?

We'll take the utmost care to ensure that you get to the Church as pristine as possible. Having done that, if you ARE going to a park or gardens, then we'll make sure you don't get TOO dirty. But bear in mind - your dress MAY get dirty. It's up to you what you want to risk doing - some brides will do anything as long as they get to the Church OK - after that, anything goes ! - it's all up to you.



What happens if you double book my day ?

That won't happen. We only ever do 1 wedding per day and never EVER sub-contract your wedding out to anyone else (except in the event of illness or major injury to me!). When you book with us, it'll be me you get on the day - the person who has worked with you to ensure that you get the kind of coverage that you want for your big day.



How do I book with you then ?

Firstly, call us on 01475-638825 to check availability for your date. From there, we can arrange a wedding meeting where we can get your details and talk through what you want to acheive with your photographs on the day. Alternatively, you can also book your date over the phone - there is no need to book a wedding meeting if you REALLY want to make sure that nobody else gets your date !

In all cases, you'll sign and get a copy of our booking form, which becomes a legally-binding contract for both parties.

Our booking fee is £200 and the balance for your package is payable in the week before your wedding. We issue receipts for any monies we take from you (of course...).



After I book, do we just see you at the wedding then ?

No. We generally arrange a get-together around 6 weeks before the wedding to discuss your booking form and any changes that may have taken place. This is important as some of our brides book over a year in advance !



When should I book my date with you ?

I'm booked up to 2 years in advance, such is my popularity (honest - I'm not kidding !). For dates between May and September, we'd suggest you call ASAP to check availability for your date. These are our busiest periods, and dates can become scarce.

Having said that, we ALWAYS urge people to call us to check on the availability of dates. You'll never know if I can help you if you don't ask first - so call me on 01475-638825.



I need help with other parts of my wedding plans - can you help ?

Of course - I've a large contact list and know all of the best people in this industry in Scotland. I can help you arrange most parts of your wedding day.



OK, I'm convinced ! - I'm going to book with you and I'm so excited !

Well get on with it ! - we're waiting for your call... the number is 01475-638825.