Mike Brown Photographic

Lee and Louise weren't sure if they wanted a photographer for their wedding. They wanted to keep it quite small, and finances were very stretched, as they are both disabled. But Lee twisted Louise's arm and got in touch with me. We all got on like a house on fire - I just love their sense of humour, their determination and positive attitudes. The wedding day came, and they were radiant. Louise even managed to walk the final few steps up the aisle with help from her Dad. And on the way out, they performed a joyful dance in their wheelchairs. They loved their photos, and even decided to upgrade to the very best album. What a privilege it was to be part of their day and make sure they had a beautiful way to remember it and celebrate their love.

Relaxed, calm, stylish, unobtrusive, modern

Helping couples from many different backgrounds to feel confident in front of the camera, and to have photos they are proud of.

Really get to know your key people who will help shape your special day - planner, celebrant, photographer. They should be really behind you, making you the top priority for the day.

Jamie knew that he and all the groomsmen would be wearing bright pink cravats and socks. But he didn't know that his bride Jules would be wearing a matching bright pink wedding dress!

I invite you to my home for a no-obligation chat about your plans - where, when, any themes and special things you have planned. We often look at venue websites together, and I'll show you some of my typical photos in a slideshow. You can get hands on with the different albums, and see sample canvases and framed prints on the walls. You can secure the date with a deposit, with the balance not due till a month before the wedding. I offer a free pre-wedding portrait session, which can include any little ones. Quite a few couples use the photos from this session for me to create a personalised signing book for them. Nearer the time, we'll usually visit the venues together to talk about your favourite locations, and options for where to take group photos and creative photos of the two of you. One the day, I love to be there for bridal preparations, to catch the special moments with your family as you get ready. I'll then go ahead to the ceremony venue to get some photos of the groom and best man. Through the ceremony, I am as unobtrusive as possible. I don't use flash photography, and I work closely with the celebrant to ensure everyone is happy. After the ceremony, I'm happy to take some group photos, but them make sure you leave plenty of time to get some special photos of the two of you. This is often a really special time for you, your first opportunity to relax together as newly-weds! I'll take candid shots of you and your guests, but during the wedding breakfast I put together a quick slideshow of your day to that point. Then, at the start of the evening reception, I project that for you and all your guests to see. This pulls everyone together and starts your evening with a bang. After that, it's often cutting the cake and first dance. I'll take more candid shots as time allows, until it's time to say goodbye. I'm always sure to put one of your photos onto Facebook the same night, to give you an "official" photo to share straight away. About three weeks after the wedding, your photos are ready to view, and I invite you round to my house again to see them. We'll also talk at that point about any canvases or framed prints you would like, along with "thank you" prints for family and friends, etc. Your photos go online in a dedicated gallery for you to select your images for the album. Once you've chosen those, I put a design together, and you check that, before I send it off for manufacturing. In just a few weeks, your album and photos will be ready to collect, and for you to enjoy showing to family and friends.

The one most couples treasure is from the special photos of the two of them after the ceremony. The pose really doesn't matter that much. What counts is to capture how they are feeling about each other.

Lee has a powered wheelchair. He wanted an action photo of him towing Louise in her wheelchair down the church path after the wedding. I had to be really on the ball, as they were going at quite a lick!

I recommend an easy-going attitude. I bring see-through umbrellas. And keep an eye open for rainbows!

As a kid, my aunt was staff photographer at Bradford Uni. She taught me about exposures, and old-school film and print developing. It was then a serious hobby for many years, until I had had enough of the stresses of managing a large team of software developers. A friend asked me if I would photograph her wedding, and I was hooked! Not long after, I took the plunge to go full time.