It's Not About Photographs of You in Your Knickers.

[All of the photographs here were taken before the wedding ceremony.]

Only a couple of years ago all my brides would insist upon having me at the house or hotel an hour before the wedding ceremony to take pictures of the final preparations. I didn't have a choice and I would take pictures before the wedding ceremony every time. I never minded, I think it is a great idea and can be an integral part of recording your wedding day. Not only do you get photographs of the start of your day, a nice addition to your wedding album, it is also a good chance for me to have a chat with you and the rest of the bridal party so that you feel more at ease with me and the camera before arriving for the ceremony later in the day.

I am feeling the need to write a bit more about what might happen at this stage in the day because I am noticing recently that more and more brides are asking me to start at the ceremony missing out on potentially interesting pictures of the morning. My biggest concern is that people have misconceptions about whole thing...

Having met a great number of brides-to-be and chatted about their expectations for the day it turns out that the same worries about pre-ceremony photography emerge:

• The house is too messy.
• Their friend's photographer wanted shots of them in their underwear.
• There won't be room.
• I will miss out on shots at the church.
• I will take too long taking pictures, holding things up.
• (Usually after the wedding) I didn't realise you wouldn't mind, I thought it would be a pain.

Now, I can assure you that none of the things listed above should worry you at all. Firstly, I have never suggested to a bride that she has pictures in her underwear / in the bath / sauna etc. It isn't the reason I am at the house in the morning and I think that that type of photography is insensitive and overly obtrusive. Unfortunately I too have heard horror stories from friends and past-clients and can fully understand why you might be more than a little concerned. Generally speaking I will take photographs whilst the bride and bridesmaids are getting their hair and make-up done and then leave the room whilst everyone gets dressed. I then like to come back in once everybody is fully-clothed. Having said that, shots of the dress being laced up at the back can be lovely, but there is no reason for these shots to be inappropriate.

A few people are concerned about the house being a mess or the room being too small for photographs. This really shouldn't worry you in the slightest. On the morning of a wedding everybody's house is a mess and I am used to it. If there is too much clutter about the place then I will be sure to frame the pictures so it isn't too obvious. As a reportage photographer my skill lies in trying to produce an interesting picture in any environment by changing my technique to suit. I can shoot with a tighter frame, isolating the brides face or the back of a wedding dress, or I can use a wider crop to include more of the room if it is appropriate. Please understand one thing - I am certainly not expecting your house or hotel room to be like a lovely photographic studio.

Sometimes I am asked not to come to the house because there is a concern that I will delay everything and the bride will be late for the ceremony. Unfortunately, as with the underwear issue, this is usually brought about by other people's experiences with other photographers. I am only there to photograph whatever is happening. Sure, I might ask to take a quick picture of the bride and bridesmaids or the bride and her father if there is time but the vast majority of my work is done unobtrusively and in real-time. I won't ask you to stop or change what you are doing at any point.I can say with all honesty that if I turn up and everything is total chaos I would rather leave and go to the ceremony empty-handed than make the situation worse.

The last of the common misconceptions is that by being at the house before the ceremony I will be missing out on the action at the other end. What many people don't realise is that usually very little of any great interest happens at the church or hotel until 30 minutes or so before the ceremony, and by that time I will be there anyway! If you are getting ready in the same place as the ceremony then I usually run around looking for photographs whilst you are getting dressed (I don't just stand outside the bedroom door waiting patiently...). In every case I will be leaving you to move on to the ceremony at least 20 minutes before you are due to leave yourself. This gives me time to park my car, chat to the person conducting the ceremony, take some pictures of the groom looking nervous, capture shots of guests arriving (most don't arrive until 15 minutes beforehand anyway) and then still be in a good position to take photographs you you when you arrive. Depending upon the distance between your house and the ceremony venue I might even be able to squeeze in time for a sandwich whilst sat at traffic lights.

With a bit of luck you will be able to see from these photographs that it is worthwhile having me take pictures of your preparations and that it is more than just hair and make-up. There is a wide range of subject matter for me to photograph and most people find that a little selection of these pictures can be a great start to the wedding album. Even if you only choose one or two then you've not missed out on anything.

One point that is perhaps worth mentioning is that you may have noticed that there are a few shots here of the groom and ushers getting ready too. Normally the focus of attention is on the bride but if I can take photographs of both parties I will do so. This is usually the case if both the bride and groom are getting ready in the same hotel - I will flit between the rooms at appropriate times to get some pictures from both sides.

Even if, after reading this, you have decided that don't want me to take any getting-ready photographs then I really don't mind. Just be sure that it is for the right reasons and, if you have niggling doubts just give me a call! More than one bride has come to me after the wedding day with serious regrets about not asking me to her house.

My own rule is that I would rather take the photographs and then you can decide later not to use them. I promise I won't be offended in the slightest!