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Today’s interviewee, fabulous photographer Katy Melling Photography recently shot the wedding of my best friend Rachel.  Check out the images in this post.

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Having seen her in action and seen the results, I can say first hand that this lady’s work is exquisite.  But don’t just take my word for it.  See for yourself…

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How did you get into wedding photography?

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I studied photography at college when I was 18 and have worked as a photographer and assistant in London, Leeds and Newcastle.  After working as a photographer for other companies I wanted to be able to express my own style, so after a little worrying and a few pep talks from friends and family I took on a friend’s wedding in 2003.  It went so well that I caught the wedding photography bug and took on another few weddings through people I knew.  Soon I was able to quit my part time job as a photographers assistant and build my own business.

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Why wedding photography specifically?

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Wedding photography is a passion for me. My motivation comes from documenting the hard work and attention to detail that goes into making every happy couple’s dream day the best day of their lives.  I have photographed some beautiful diverse and unique weddings, every single one without exception has moved me.

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What is your favourite thing about being a wedding photographer?

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The people I meet make my job the most rewarding job there is.  I have made so many good friends from photographing weddings. My motivation comes from getting to know my wonderful clients and producing photographs that bring a tear to their eyes.  You can only achieve that kind of intimate result if you really know your clients and care about what you’re producing.

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How do you get couples to relax on the day?

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I like to think that my clients feel relaxed around me on their wedding day. I work hard to build up a good relationship with them well in advance of their big day.  I meet them a couple of times before the wedding and all my packages include a pre wedding shoot.  Although many couples tend to feel self conscious at the thought of being photographed, a pre wedding shoot really does help them to relax and get used to being in front of the camera.  All my clients agree that the pre wedding shoot helped to put them at ease for the big day!

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Any advice to any brides who don’t like to have their picture taken?

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A pre wedding shoot is a must. If you’re going to feel self conscious, better that you do it when it doesn’t matter. After the shoot your confidence will have grown and you will have learned to relax and have fun in front of the camera. Shooting a pre wedding shoot costs me time and money, but it is an investment that I make without a second thought, because it pays dividends on the wedding day.

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What sort of makeup should a bride wear to look great in her pictures?

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I think when it comes to make up on your wedding day you need to look and feel like yourself.  After all, you will have these photographs for the rest of your life and the last thing you want is to go for is a look that’ll date or make you look like someone else.  I would say, embrace the real you and go for a fresh, natural look.  One thing I would recommend is to book a make up artist for a trial and take their advice on what works best. Having your make up done on the wedding day takes the stress out of getting ready and ensures that you’re relaxed and ready for the day.

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Anything to avoid which might look bad in the wedding pictures?

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Avoid taking on a different style – be yourself and think about how you want to look well in advance, take advice from professional make up artists and hair dressers, its their business to know what will suit you and show off your natural features.

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Which celebrity wedding would you most like to photograph and why?

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I would love to see and photograph Jennifer Aniston finally getting married again.  She’s a naturally beautiful lady and I imagine is really fun to work with, so I would love to photograph her wedding. 

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Any really memorable weddings that you have captured?

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I have done too many weddings like this to single one out. I remember specific parts of all of them for different reasons. I photographed a wedding in Northumberland at a family farm, the day was beautiful, the bride was stunning and I will never forget the photograph I got of the couple in a field of corn flowers in beautiful light.  I am lucky enough to have strong professional links with florists, caterers, make artist and hairdressers, who all work their magic along with the wedding venues themselves to provide couples with experiences that they will never forget – its a real privilege to be so closely involved in recording these special, beautiful and moving moments.

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Are you married?  Tell us about your day.

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Yes, I have been married for nearly a year, we got married in May 2011.  I actually found planning our wedding quite a tough job – I’ve seen so many beautiful weddings, styled in such different ways that I just didn’t know which way to go or what to pick!!  We got there in the end and I wore ‘Anixi’ by Jenny Packham, I adore her dresses, I see them as very romantic dresses, very soft and delicate.  My bridesmaids wore similar looking dresses by Lazaro in black. Tim and his groomsmen wore morning suits and we had a traditional church wedding with a choir that blew me away. We had the reception in a marquee back at my parents house. The day was fantastic and worth every second of painstaking planning and organising.  We’d planned to disappear quietly but I just didn’t want to leave.  Poor Tim had to ask the DJ to announce that we were leaving just to get me off the dance floor – otherwise I’d have been there till the next morning!

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What sets you apart from other wedding photographers?

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I have a very gentle an unimposing manner and I’m able to capture many parts of the day without anyone being aware.  I adore all the details and have a great eye for capturing them – nothing and no one gets passed me without being photographed! Every single wedding that I photograph motivates me as much as the first one I did. To be good at something, you have to love it, and I absolutely love photographing weddings!

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What can a couple who book you expect on the day?

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I will arrive to get all the preparations before the ceremony including any details and will stay until the first dance.   I pride myself on having a low key presence, which allows me to drift into the perfect position to get those fly on the wall shots and when I need to stage a shot I work quickly with the bride and groom so that the flow of the day isn’t interrupted.  I like to take the formal shots of family as soon as I can after the ceremony, so that everyone can relax and enjoy themselves. Then I whisk the bride and groom off for 20 minutes to get some natural shots of them on their own.  I cover the reception, the speeches and the first dance. I really love photographing the speeches; it’s a great opportunity to get natural shots of friends and family enjoying themselves, laughing and crying when stories are told.

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What is included in your "package"?

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Included in my packages are a pre-wedding shoot, the full day at the wedding from bridal prep until the first dance, and an album or book. 

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Can you give us an idea on price?

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My package prices start at £1760 for the full day, a pre wedding shoot and a coffee table book. 

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Can you do a discount for Brides Up North readers? 

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I certainly can – any bride that books me through Brides Up North can have a complimentary 10×7 framed photograph worth £200.  Just mention Brides Up North when booking. 

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How can Brides Up North get in touch with you/ see more examples of your work?

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Brides and grooms can get in touch with me either via my contact page on my website – www.katymelling.com, on 0191 284 1080 or 07855 754 513 or by email at info@katymelling.com. 

I also have a blog – http://katymelling.com/blog/ and am contactable through Facebook ‘Katy Melling Photography’ and Twitter @katymelling

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Brides Up North UK Wedding Blog – Images © 2012 Katy Melling Photography

Katy Melling Photography is a Brides Up North Featured Supplier

Contact Brides Up North to submit your business as a Featured Supplier

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