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Writer's pictureAndrew Wheeler

Have you Shot my Venue Before?

This is a question I hear a lot and while it's certainly a valid question and one that all the magazines tell you to ask the photographer is it really important?


A newly wed couple kiss at in the evening light reflected back by the water outside the Ashbourne Hotel, North Killingholme, Immingham
Every Venue has somewhere different and amazing to take an image.

Let's start by determining how experienced your photographer is in general, how many weddings have they shot? How long have they been doing photography? Does their portfolio show a range of situations, indoor and out, in daylight and night time?

These are the important issues you should be with concerned with.


a couple embrace in the dying sun of an evening in the gardens of The White Heather, Caenby Corner, Market Rasen
Essentially a venue is merely a backdrop for the wedding..

The problem with someone who shoots the same venue again and again is boredom. Unless the photographer is very super creative (which you can determine from their portfolio) it could end up that they just churn out the same images again and again for each wedding, same spot, same lighting same pose.. Yawn....


Personally I so much prefer a new venue or one I have only shot at a couple of times, gets my creativity flowing, and I'm not alone in this. The general consensus from my fellow professional wedding photographers is the same..


I plan ahead, scout the place out, use google satellite images to see an overhead view, I use a sun position app to work out where and when sunset will be. Find out backups in case of bad weather and talk to the wedding coordinator to get the low down on the place.


A couple share a moment together in the courtyard at the Civil War Museum, Newark
Even an old wall makes an amazing photo once you know what you're doing..

I'd actually be a bit concerned if the photographer had mainly only shot at that one place. There are literally hundreds of venues these days and I'm always coming across a new one..


So is it important? If you do your research and hire a professional then no, not at all. More important is your relationship with photographer, how well you warm to them as a person and you like their style and ethos.

Its your day, don't be dictated to by out of touch wedding magazines.


A couple look into each others eyes in the sunset in a corn field at Hall Farm Hotel, Ashby cum Fenby, Grimsby
The last light of the day at any venue is amazing if you know where to find it.

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