Interview: Paul Williams

Today we chat with Manchester based Wedding Photographer Paul Williams in our behind the lens series where we find out about the people behind the camera.

Hi Paul, first off how long have you been photographing weddings for and how did you get into it?
I have been photographing weddings for 5 years now, I studied film production at University and after doing a few wedding films I was asked by a bride if I wanted to photograph it as well and I loved it.

What do you particularly like about photographing weddings?
I like that I get to see little moments between the bride & groom that other people might miss, love the look on the grooms face just before the bride enters the church – I’m the only person who gets to see and capture that moment.

How would you describe your style and approach?
Very relaxed reportage/documentary style, I have heard stories of photographers taking over the day or being quite bossy. You don’t need to boss people around or take over to get great results. I find making the guests laugh and keeping things really relaxed helps get more natural images.

What advice would you give to couples looking for a wedding photographer?
I would say don’t be driven by price. Remember you will be looking back at these images for the rest of your life. Do your research first and go for a style that you like, that suits the theme of your wedding. It’s really important to meet your photographer as well for a consultation, having a connection with the bride and groom will get the best out of the images.

What tips would you share with couples to help their day go more smoothly?
I went to a wedding recently and they had a chalkboard with the full itinerary of the day. Giving this to the photographer with an idea of what shots you want and who is in the wedding party is a great help.

Finally… Whats the best moment you’ve had as a wedding photographer?
Making my first wedding magazine cover was a great moment, but the best for me was shooting a friend from schools wedding who I had not seen for 14 years. The look on her face when I showed her the images was amazing. Best feeling ever.

Many thank to Paul Williams  for chatting with us, you can find out more about him and his work and get in touch with him via his profile page here.