1. One of my weddings on Braw Brides Blog →

    http://www.brawbrides.com/#http://www.brawbrides.com/portfolio/sarah-louis-a-truly-scottish-wedding-in-our-capital/?fp=222

    A recent wedding I photographed, with Sarah and Louis at Edinburgh Castle has been picked up by Braw Brides blog. They’ve done a great job of showing a select few of the images from Edinburgh’s most famous location, with a bit of a write-up too.

    It was my first time photographing a wedding at Edinburgh Castle and I really enjoyed the locations, views and sense of history that could be put into the photos.

    Sarah and Louis were wonderful to work with on the day and they were delighted with their wedding photos.

  2. Always Check your photographer's work and other tips! →

    Oh No! Not again!

    This unfortunate couple not only paid peanuts for their photographer but clearly did not meet them before the ceremony to look through their portfolio and as a result got a bunch of the worst photos I have ever seen.

    These were clearly not taken by anyone with even a basic understanding of photography, which is such a shame for true professionals like me to hear.

    So how can you avoid this type of calamity folks? Easy - be prepared:

    (Is it all about spending lots of money? Not necessarily, but anyone who prices themselves ‘incredibly’ low has not understood the full task ahead of them and should be avoided. Booking someone cheap is a huge risk.)

    • Meet a selection of photographers in person, look through their work, this will allow you to compare quality and style of photography.
    • Do they have nice albums, print prices, parent albums, pre-wedding shoots and other bits and pieces to sell? If so, this is a good sign that the entire wedding photography business has been considered and developed, showing a business maturity.
    • Does the photographer do a venue visit with you? I always offer this, and it is important to research any venues that I may be unfamiliar with, as well as to find out what the couple like about the venue, after all it is their wedding!
    • Ask them what cameras they use for the photography (note the plural - I never leave the house without a backup camera and backup lenses), and if you don’t know the models, then google them when you get home - amateur camera means amateur photographer.
    • Ask them how they will present their images to you and how they will be backed up. Albums, DVDs and online galleries are the minimum you should expect.
    • Ask how many photos they will give you from a full day’s coverage. Experience has shown me that a modern wedding shot in the reportage style, with a blend of some traditional group shots will result in 160-200 images. Any more than this is a clear indicator that the photographer cannot exercise proper quality control and again has not thought through their business model. I have seen up to 800 images presented to couples and this is obscene. More is definitely not better in this instance. View 800 images on a slideshow at 10 seconds each and you have a 2hr epic to sit through! Basically, you end up having to filter out all the duff shots - which is not only unfair, but is is a huge task (possibly the hardest, which I suspect is why these amateurs try to pass the buck onto the couple).

    Follow these tips (or even easier - just come to see me ;) and you will end up with a wonderful set of wedding photographs to remember your day by.

    Philip Stanley Dickson

    23rd April 2013

    www.psdphotography.co.uk

  3. Fashion Shoot - Part III

    Hop on over to my Fashion Blog to see the final instalment of my Anatomy of a Fashion Shoot story.

    Click here:

    Philip Stanley Dickson - Fashion Photographer

  4. Culcreuch Castle Pre-Wedding Shoot →

    Edinburgh Wedding Photographer - Philip Stanley DicksonToday, I’m off to Culcreuch Castle, near Stirling for a venue visit and pre-wedding shoot with Liz and Ben.

    It’s my first visit there and I am looking forward to exploring all the exciting photo opportunities inside and out for the big day, as well as getting some creative, beautiful shots today.

    It looks like great weather (especially considering how cold it has been recently) so no doubt we will be outside today, which lets a photograph breath a little I always feel.

    That’s why I am completely flexible in my wedding photography and not only have good weather and bad weather options planned, but always allow some spare time later in the day, in case it is raining early on, but clears up later - then I can nip out for 10 minutes with the newly-weds and get a couple of beautiful photos.

  5. Here’s a bridal shoot I did recently at Dalhousie Castle, just south of Edinburgh. The gorgeous and talented model is Emily Jones from Superior Model Management. Hair and make-up was expertly done by Edinburgh Beautography. Bridal Headwear was provided by Arabella Bridal. I’ll also be posting an anatomy of this bridal shoot over on my fashion blog here: PSD Photography Fashion For more of my wedding work and for package prices, you can find out more here: www.psdphotography.co.uk

    Here’s a bridal shoot I did recently at Dalhousie Castle, just south of Edinburgh.

    The gorgeous and talented model is Emily Jones from Superior Model Management.

    Hair and make-up was expertly done by Edinburgh Beautography.

    Bridal Headwear was provided by Arabella Bridal.

    I’ll also be posting an anatomy of this bridal shoot over on my fashion blog here: PSD Photography Fashion

    For more of my wedding work and for package prices, you can find out more here: www.psdphotography.co.uk

  6. TIP 16 – Fuel Up You may feel a bit nervous on your big day, or you may just not feel hungry, but it’s still important to eat a good breakfast and have an emergency cereal bar stashed away, possibly with one of your bridesmaids. It’s a long day and your body needs fuel to sustain you all the way through, and the fainting up the aisle look is soooo last year!

    TIP 16 – Fuel Up


    You may feel a bit nervous on your big day, or you may just not feel hungry, but it’s still important to eat a good breakfast and have an emergency cereal bar stashed away, possibly with one of your bridesmaids. It’s a long day and your body needs fuel to sustain you all the way through, and the fainting up the aisle look is soooo last year!

  7. TIP 15 – Picking a Photographer The Photographer It’s hard choosing a photographer, but make sure that you meet the photographer in person first, that is vital as they will actually be a big part of your very special day. If you do not gel at an early meeting, then move on!Style of Photography Do you like the photographs? Are they what you would like taken on your wedding day? I take primarily reportage style informal photos, I believe it is important that you are relaxed on your big day!Questions to Ask…Do we get a DVD? What are the terms of use? Yes, with all my packages you receive a hi-res copy of the images for you and your parents to print from and also a lo-res copy, perfectly sized for Facebook and emailing. There is no logo on any of them.How many photos do we get? You get all the good ones from me, edited to perfection - around 160-200 for a full day’s wedding coverage, see my Tip 12 for numbers to be wary of.How do you back-up your images? On 2 separate hard drives, and a DVD in a separate location, plus online.What happens if you are sick? I have 3 other photographers who I trust very much who I would ask to cover my event. I have never missed one wedding yet.

    TIP 15 – Picking a Photographer

    The Photographer
    It’s hard choosing a photographer, but make sure that you meet the photographer in person first, that is vital as they will actually be a big part of your very special day. If you do not gel at an early meeting, then move on!

    Style of Photography
    Do you like the photographs? Are they what you would like taken on your wedding day? I take primarily reportage style informal photos, I believe it is important that you are relaxed on your big day!

    Questions to Ask…
    Do we get a DVD? What are the terms of use?
    Yes, with all my packages you receive a hi-res copy of the images for you and your parents to print from and also a lo-res copy, perfectly sized for Facebook and emailing. There is no logo on any of them.

    How many photos do we get?
    You get all the good ones from me, edited to perfection - around 160-200 for a full day’s wedding coverage, see my Tip 12 for numbers to be wary of.

    How do you back-up your images?
    On 2 separate hard drives, and a DVD in a separate location, plus online.

    What happens if you are sick?
    I have 3 other photographers who I trust very much who I would ask to cover my event. I have never missed one wedding yet.

  8. EASY as 123

    Remembering which stand I am on at the huge Corn Exchange Wedding Fair on Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th November is as easy as 123 - which just happens to be my stand number.

    Visit my wife Heather and I there from 11-4pm on either day and I can chat to you about my wedding packages, show you more of my wedding work and discuss how PSD Photography can tailor wedding packages to your requirements.

    I think it’s my 7th wedding fair in a row and I’m ready for 2 full-on days of speaking to hundreds of you brides and grooms-to-be!

    See you there!

  9. TIPS FOR BRIDES - 14:  Blinking Blinkers! Some people have an uncanny knack of blinking just when the photographer pushes the shutter button. This can be a small inconvenience, or in some cases it can ruin a beautiful photo. If you suspect that you are a blinker (a lifetime of family photos should tell you ;) then tell your photographer as early as possible, so they can work with you to minimise the effects. Having a pre-wedding shoot is even more important as it gives you a chance to relax in front of the camera and I always put in extra effort to find ways to work round the blinking, using a few little tricks I use on models in my fashion work. Sometimes a false countdown can help, or shutting your eyes for the countdown and opening them on the count of three. It can help to have more informal shots than structured shots. If you think you’ve blinked never be afraid to tell the photographer. It’s better to get a memorable photo, than it be put in the ‘almost, but no’ pile.

    TIPS FOR BRIDES - 14:  Blinking Blinkers!

    Some people have an uncanny knack of blinking just when the photographer pushes the shutter button. This can be a small inconvenience, or in some cases it can ruin a beautiful photo.

    If you suspect that you are a blinker (a lifetime of family photos should tell you ;) then tell your photographer as early as possible, so they can work with you to minimise the effects.

    Having a pre-wedding shoot is even more important as it gives you a chance to relax in front of the camera and I always put in extra effort to find ways to work round the blinking, using a few little tricks I use on models in my fashion work.

    Sometimes a false countdown can help, or shutting your eyes for the countdown and opening them on the count of three. It can help to have more informal shots than structured shots. If you think you’ve blinked never be afraid to tell the photographer. It’s better to get a memorable photo, than it be put in the ‘almost, but no’ pile.

  10. TIPS FOR BRIDES - 13:  Posing for Photos It’s no surprise that many couples feel slightly awkward in front of the camera, most of us are not used to having professional photos taken (me included, I’m possibly the world’s worst model). But my approach is to keep you brides and grooms as relaxed and natural as possible. During the couple shoot, all my best shots come when the bride and groom forget I am there, or at least, ignore me and concentrate on each other. After all, it is a very special moment, you are just married and away from the crowds. Many couples tell me that this was one of their favourite parts of the day. So, when I tell you to ignore me and focus on each other, then that’s the best thing to do, whether walking through the woods, or up the Royal Mile, we will get some amazing shots.


    TIPS FOR BRIDES - 13:  Posing for Photos

    It’s no surprise that many couples feel slightly awkward in front of the camera, most of us are not used to having professional photos taken (me included, I’m possibly the world’s worst model). But my approach is to keep you brides and grooms as relaxed and natural as possible. During the couple shoot, all my best shots come when the bride and groom forget I am there, or at least, ignore me and concentrate on each other. After all, it is a very special moment, you are just married and away from the crowds. Many couples tell me that this was one of their favourite parts of the day.
    So, when I tell you to ignore me and focus on each other, then that’s the best thing to do, whether walking through the woods, or up the Royal Mile, we will get some amazing shots.