You’re getting hitched, how exciting
Welcome, I’m Tracey (she/her) and as you’re here, I’d just like to just introduce myself (there’s not much to know really - it’s more about you rather than me). I’m super friendly, a bit quirky, love drinking Yorkshire Tea and just love a fun, chilled out wedding. I’m a great supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. In my eyes, love is love and together let’s celebrate that.
Who is Tracey M Photography? 5 facts about me….
I’m a crazy horse and hound loving kind of gal. I have a horse called Ollie and a dog called Luca. I live in-between four counties and in 10 minutes I’m in beautiful countryside. Within 40 minutes I’m in the glorious Peak District. I am married with two grown up kids. When not photographing weddings, horses or dogs, I love adventures in our campervan. When it comes to elopements far, far away, the camper van is my resting place so I have the freedom to be anywhere
I have a Law Degree and used to work as Trainee Solicitor for a local firm in Staffordshire and Birmingham. Prior to that I worked in Criminal Defence, a very interesting role and a great conversation starter
My favourite food is Toad in the Hole closely followed by Eastern Asian Cuisine
I love history and a bit of a boff when it comes to the Tudor Era and all things royal up to Queen Elizabeth II
I love kayaking and camping so I’m definitely outdoorsy and I love challenging myself to climb big hills
The style and how I generally work a wedding
My way of working is definitely more on the relaxed/candid style than editorial and formal. I’m definitely an observer and yes I will become the new friend amongst your wedding guests. I’m not frightened of getting right in there - that’s where all the action happens. I smile a lot and you won’t see me on the sidelines way out in the distance with a huge lens - that’s just weird right? You want me there in the mix, getting moments that matter be it those happy tears, the laughter, canapé munching, all those hellos and hugs. You want your wedding day documented just as it was. In one word I’d sum up my style as HONEST. You being you, your guests being themselves not worrying about standing around for hours waiting for photos and everyone just having the best time right?
AND…if you want to run through a courtyard in a big flowing wedding dress then I want to be there to capture it. I love motion shots!
The kind of couples that book me
Wedding photography were moments matter - no cheesy posing here!
Couples just being their absolute bad ass selves
couples i love
I love to work with couples who just want to enjoy the day, have a good giggle and not worry about the kind of faces they pull plus a lot of my couples prefer a more relaxed approach when to comes to portraits. I hear you!!
If this is you, then I’d love to chat about how I can help you enjoy your wedding day without you stressing about the photo side of things. I want you to be relaxed, be yourself and enjoy the day without worrying about posing for endless photos, who wants that anyway? You’ve just got to be yourselves. It really is just a little walk, maybe a cuddle or two and certainly giggles! Honestly, you’ve got this. You’re in love, its the most exciting day ever and it’s that little bit of time out away from everyone. I’ll be snapping away using some terrible lines to grab a giggle or two…(yeah my jokes are really bad and you’ll just laugh anyway because you’ll just feel sorry for me).
your day - my approach
My approach to photographing weddings simply means you can just relax, be happy and enjoy your day, your way. Your wedding is about you, your family, your friends all having a super time celebrating your love and partying in style! While I’m there in the background observing, chatting and photographing, I’m celebrating with you every step of the way, just like a guest. I won’t be hiding away and shooting stuff from a distance. I’ll be right there in the mix of it all!
No nonsense, just be as you are and true to yourselves, enjoy, show the love, pull faces, laugh, cry, hug and don’t worry about the photos, I’ve got it. I’ll take care of the details, those all important candid moments and of course some beautiful romantic moments of just the two of you, photographed naturally. No real cheese stuff or standing around for hours posing just beautiful moments naturally with a little direction from me.
In short, I’m the perfect wedding photographer for you if you love……
a more relaxed approach to wedding photography for that’s perfect for easy-going, in love couples who just want to enjoy the day
wellies, mud, farms and your fur legged friends are most welcome - I’m a huge dog /horse lover and I love rural life so yeah let me be your photographer it’ll be so much fun. BUT I do love a cool city vibe too, so if you’re planning an epic city celebration then I so want to be there
a little bit of romantic time taking a nice relaxed stroll around the place to get those gorgeous couple portraits even if it means trudging through long grasses - you just have to trust me. Fear posing - no worries, I’ll look after you and I can promise you they’ll be no awkward posing it’s more about the two of you being together with a little direction from me. I just want to capture your beautiful personalities in the best possible way
BUT if you’re not into couple portraits that’s fine with me too - let’s party and have some fun anyway
where genuine moments matter more on the day than all that formal stuff
you want someone friendly that’ll chat and laugh with your guests making it all feel super relaxed for all to enjoy. I’m just like an extra friend with a camera or two making me less intrusive on your day
I don’t shout
I don’t really like to shout but I can make myself heard with your permission of course (let’s face it there are times when a little friendly assertiveness is needed). I certainly don’t want to be remembered as the loud, some what shouty, irritating photographer as I am just really friendly.
Part of my job is to get people to relax while I’m around, so yes I will have a chat with them and yes there will be times where I’ll have a drink in one hand and my camera in the other.
my gear - two cameras and a back-up
I am a Fujifilm camera addict and currently use XH2S & an X-T4. This won’t mean much to most folk but they are funky little cameras that get conversations flowing, silent and are bloody good at what they do - well with a little help from me of course! They are a powerhorse, a tad quirky and rather cool.
I have an array of lenses too to cover every part of the day!
FAQS
Q: What is your photographic style?
A: It is mostly a relaxed style, making observations and people watching with no setting up shots (other than dress, shoes and the small details). I do love to do a few bridal and couple portraits (if that is wanted) and if time permits, I like my couples and I to go off somewhere quiet for no longer than 20 minutes or so and to be honest it's the only moment of alone time you'll get after the wedding ceremony until the party finishes for the evening. This time will be used to capture some beautiful images of you both in a relaxed, informal way. All you need to be is just yourselves.
Q: Do you pose and use fancy lighting?
A: I love working with natural light and try and use the available light to my advantage. During ceremonies photographers (unless it's really dark) are not generally allowed to use flash. I will use flash as fill light if needed during parts of the day, for photos and for the party shots later on in the evening. I can of course use creative lighting for client's that want something different.
Posing wise, I can't think of anything more awkward to be honest but it doesn’t have to be. If you're feeling slightly anxious about being in front of the camera, you are not alone, I'm not a huge fan either but I do it. In fact I can tell you now that I'm not great in front of the camera with false smiles and what seem un-natural or cheesy poses. So, I don't do this kind of stuff either when I'm photographing weddings. I want to see my couples interact naturally with each other with the teeniest direction from me, I see and guide you to the light but that's it, the emotion comes from you as a couple not on cue creating something that is false, that's not storytelling. Don't get me wrong I love to have fun.. and fun shots are great with the bridesmaids and groomsmen, gone are the days of the traditional pose and say CHEESE.
Q: Do you do family portraits at weddings with the family if we choose to have this?
A: Yes I do, as I appreciate that family members will want to treasure these in years to come and many generations after. All I ask is that you do try to keep your group shots to a minimal around 6-8, so that they can be quick and easy for all the guests and not to keep them waiting. They want to enjoy the day and relax too. It's always good to enlist a member from each side to collect needed guests too as this quickens up the process too as they know who family is. Plus it saves me shouting as I really hate shouting, it's not in my nature to shout, I like quiet and calm :). It takes around 3-5 minutes per photo to set up a family group so do bear that in mind when considering your formal portrait list. Remember, you’re hiring me because I’m none traditional so therefore the more time you are posing for your formal portraits, the less time I have to capture the fun and true essence of your wedding day. AND, do you really want to stand in the same spot for an hour?
NB. Consent of Guests - A very important note. There maybe guests present that do not wish to be photographed and remain anonymous during the day's proceedings. If possible those guests should make themselves known to Tracey M Photography as well as inform the couple at the earliest convenience.
Q: Do we have to feed you (and your assistant photographer if we have two photographers on the day)?
A: It is not an absolute requirement to feed myself and my assistant (when there is one) although it is very much appreciated even if it's simply a plate of fresh sandwiches to eat especially if we're with you until after the first dance. Some venues will provide suppliers with either a bar meal or a main from the wedding breakfast either free of charge or for just a small fee. If we are unable get food say it's a hired catering etc, then we would need to leave the site to go and get some food and I hate leaving site as I might miss something or someone may want me to photograph something and I'm not there. We can provide our own food naturally, just in summer months it's not really practical as it gets warm and become inedible by the time it reaches tea time and there really isn't much time beforehand to eat. There’s also the small issue of not having any facilities to heat food up. Any meal offerings are gratefully appreciated during a long working day. Most of my couples do arrange something.
Q: Do you have insurance?
A: I am fully insured with up to £5 million Public Liability Insurance and should you or your venue wish to see my Insurance Certificate then please just email at tracey@tmsphotography.co.uk and I can send a copy over. I also have Professional Indemnity Cover as well.
Q: Do you have back-up equipment should the camera you're using break?
A: Yes I always carry back-up equipment. I shoot every wedding with more than one camera anyway.
Q: What will happen if you are ill for our wedding?
A: I would have to be very ill not to attend but I have a great network of photography friends that I could call upon who work to high standards, that could simply shoot for me and I in turn will edit the images. I would do my utmost to find the most suitable replacement.
Q: If we were to book you, could we pay in smaller instalments to help with our budgeting on the run up to the wedding?
A: Yes anything that makes life easier for your financial planning is fine with me. All I ask is that your wedding photography is paid in full one month beforehand.
Q: How can we book you?
A: Three ways, either complete the Contact Me Form with all your details, email me direct at tracey@tmsphotography.co.uk or call me on 07974 646287 and we can arrange for a chat over a coffee/hot chocoloate/tea perhaps or online as I know life can be hectic plus you may live the other end of the UK?
I do love to meet all potential couples (be it in person or online) or at least a chat over the phone as I am a firm believer that we have to mutually enjoy each other's company (as it's a long day to spend with a photographer you don't gel with and vice versa for me), it also gives you more opportunity to ensure my style of wedding photography is what you want. Sometimes life is busy and meeting up just isn’t possible - so we can of course chat via Zoom, phone or email. I often attend weddings where I haven’t met the couple personally but have chatted to them over the phone. I really am very easy going and extremely chatty.
Q. How long will we need to wait for our images after the wedding?
A.During peak wedding season turnaround times can be between 8-9 weeks and sometimes it can be a week longer. Non peak wedding season would usually be 4-6 weeks if not sooner. Any delays on those timings will of course be communicated. The last thing I want is for you to be waiting outside these timescales without letting you know.
