Corporate and wedding photographer Warren James Palmer based in Brittany, France and Hampshire, England

I started taking photographs for a living way back in 1983 at the tender age of 18. I moved from Birmingham to London to seek fame and fortune as a trendy young photographer, in the traditional fashion. Well, I'm not young or trendy anymore, but I am still a professional photographer. The photographic world has changed a lot since then...

Do you attend more than one wedding a day?

No. Unlike some wedding photographers I only ever cover one wedding a day.

Is there a limit to the number of wedding photographs you take?

No, there is no limit to the number of photographs I will take. Usually, I will shoot between 500 and 700 photographs per wedding.

Do you supply the photographs on a CD or DVD?

Yes. After the wedding all the photographs are downloaded onto the computer and they then go through an editing process. The edited wedding photographs are cut onto a CD or DVD and sent to the client in a presentation case.

Are the wedding photographs supplied as high resolution images?

Yes. Unlike many wedding photographers, I supply your wedding photographs as high resolution images without watermarks.

Do you work with an assistant or another wedding photographer?

Usually, I work alone (except when offering the video option). Over the years I've become used to working in a flexible, but coordinated way. Generally, I find working with an assistant gets in the way of the 'flow' of the day. And as there are nearly always so many great photographs taken, I don't feel that a second wedding photographer creates better coverage. Sometimes, less is more...

What happens if the weather is lousy?

You will be very unlucky if the weather is so bad, we cannot take any photographs outside. However, I keep a set of portable studio lights in the car, just in case. In fact, for winter weddings when it gets dark early, it is normal to set up a mini-studio at the reception. By using the studio lights as a plan 'B' we can be sure of getting some great wedding photos.

Do you take just 'reportage' photographs or 'traditional' wedding portraits as well?

Both. I tend to take a mix of photographs. Before the ceremony, I work in 'reportage' mode taking photographs of events as they unfold. After the ceremony, I usually take more 'traditional' group photographs, which (lets face it) aunty will never forgive you if you don't have them done. Once the group shots are out the way I work in 'editorial' mode, taking fashion type shots of the bride and groom. This is usually when the most memorable shots are taken. Once your individual wedding photographs are complete, I revert back to 'reportage' mode to capture the atmosphere of the reception.

What would happen if there was a fault with your camera?

I always carry a spare camera back, spare lenses, flash and memory cards. So, although I've never had equipment failure, I am prepared to simply switch to backup equipment if required.

What if you were ill on the wedding day?

I've never yet been too ill to attend a wedding. However, in the worst case scenario, I would look to find you another photographer for the day.

What if the bride or groom were ill and the wedding was cancelled?

If, for whatever reason, the wedding was postponed, then (so long as I were available) I would simply attend your wedding on the new date. However, if the wedding was permanently called off, the deposit would not be refundable.

Once the wedding day is over what happens next?

As soon as I get back from attending a wedding I download all the photographs onto the computer and immediately cut a DVD or the unedited images. I then backup the computer to a removable hard disk drive. Thus ensuring that the original images are never lost. All the wedding photographs then go through a 'workflow' editing process. Once I am happy with the edited photographs I will upload a sample (up to 40) to my web server. I will then send you a username and password. This will give you access to the client area where you can view your wedding photographs and your relatives can order prints. Once you have paid the balance on your invoice, I will then send you a DVD of all the high resolution edited images. This DVD will come in a presentation package. You then select the wedding photographs you would like to go in your chosen wedding album. The selected photographs are then laid out in a graphics package and send to you as PDF of what the resulting album will look like. Once you have approved the draft layout, the final album will go into production.

Once we have chosen our wedding photographs, how long will it take to produce the album?

Obviously, we try hard to complete your album as soon as possible. However, at the peak of the wedding season there can be a back log of orders. So please expect your album to take up to 28 days.

Do you offer the new 'coffee table' wedding books?

Yes, this is a very popular option. We offer the 'Digistyle' coffee table and handbag books. The cost of these books depends on the number you order. So, if you are interested in this option, let me know and I can look into prices for you.

Do we have to choose one of the options from your list or can we define our own?

The options offered in my pr?ce list are recommendations only. I'm more that happy to put a customised package together for you. The more original the better!

Do we have to make a final decision on an option now or can we decide nearer the day?

You can decide nearer the day. However, I cannot confirm your booking until you have paid the deposit. So, the recommendation is to pay the £250 deposit, then make your final decision nearer the day.

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Weddings your questions from photographer Warren James Palmer

Frequently asked questions about wedding photography