As a Somerset based wedding photographer, building a relationship and chemistry with my couples is really important to me. Your wedding day is a whirlwind of emotions, from the excitement of getting ready to the joy of exchanging vows and celebrating with loved ones. The day after you will feel like your big day has whizzed by, but your photographer plays a crucial role in capturing the magic and preserving timeless memories for you to share with generations to come. Whilst I think having good technical skills and artistic talent are essential qualities in hiring a wedding photographer, there's another huge factor that I think often goes overlooked but is equally important: chemistry.

Hiya, my name is James and I am a Somerset based Wedding Photographer. I get asked this all the time... "we don't get photos together often", or "do you have any suggestions for how we can relax", or mostly "we don't feel comfortable in front of a camera".

You are not alone.

As mentioned in a previous blog, I love working with people and making them feel at ease. Two of the biggest pieces of advice I love to give out to couples is…

Are you experiencing the minefield that is finding your wedding suppliers?

Well, 7 years ago, my wife and I were starting our own wedding planning journey and found ourselves in the same boat. For wedding photography in particular, we just didn't know where to look, with so many platforms available (still the case, if not with even more platforms out there today)! So we were stuck.

Hey, I’m James Clarke - a Somerset based Wedding Photographer who loves to take modern and documentary style wedding photographs throughout the UK and beyond. In this blog post, I thought it would be best to tell you a little bit about myself and what inspired me and why I love wedding photography. As I’ll be finding out your story as I capture your day, it’s only right I share this blog with you.

On the 7th July, I met up with Bethan & Tom who had arranged an Engagement Photography session close to their family home on the Mendips, Somerset. I had met the couple at a recent wedding fair and they’d chosen to do an engagement photoshoot after we talked about how they don’t often get photos together. However, they wanted to practise before their wedding day and get any nerves of being in front of camera out of the way.

Planning a wedding involves making crucial decisions, and among the first choices is selecting a wedding venue and a photographer. These elements set the stage for your special day and capture cherished memories. In this guide, I’ll explore where to start when booking the perfect venue and wedding photographer for your dream wedding.