How I Got the Shots – Series ONE
Hey, welcome to my fourth edition of my newsletter.
This one is all about a couple of photos that have impressed other photographers (both were taken at the same wedding in Nottingham last month). Additionally, I have an exclusive offer for you, as I announce my new documentary wedding photography workshop date to you before anyone else.
The Sleeping Guests
Lesson: It pays to return to a scene
I returned to this scene a couple of times before capturing this photo.
I’m always looking out for quiet moments as a documentary wedding photographer. While I was searching around the grounds of Pheasantry Brewery, I was drawn to the sleeping man.
I tried a few different compositions (Below). I wanted to include the space hopper for a bit of juxtaposition. To my mind, the beaming grin on the bright orange space hopper screamed ‘HELLO!’ as if to say he’s wide awake at least. Bringing this into the frame added the humour needed to make the photo work.
However, I still felt like there was something missing.
The original frame wasn’t balanced because there was an empty chair next to the guest.
I had to go off and take a photo at the request of the bride and groom, but I knew that I wasn’t done with the photo, so I returned as soon as I could. I was in luck this time. The guy’s wife was now sitting in the adjacent chair, and she decided to cover her face with a cushion, and the photo was complete.
Happenings like this reinforce the idea: ‘there’s always a better shot’ Therefore, it can pay to return to a scene if you think it still has potential, but it hasn’t yet been realised.
The Bean Bag Shot
Lesson – Context is king
Normally, I’m used to seeing the ‘beanbag photo’ where the photographer tries to use the hole as a natural frame to include the thrower. It works well enough, and it cleans up the composition.
Here’s one I did earlier.
But the photo by itself lacks context.
I know that it was taken at a wedding, but if you showed the photo to someone, would it be immediately obvious that it was taken at a wedding?
Smartly dressed people playing garden games, yes, but where were they when they played it?
In this photo (below), my idea was to include the action of the garden games alongside more scene setting. The photo, therefore, has a story to it. It shows the big three – people, place and present time.
I still wanted to keep the idea of using the holes in the board as a framing device for the players – this sort of kept the players in their own little box and served to break up the frame. I wanted to try to add the bride to the frame to anchor the action to the wedding. She was having her photo taken whilst holding a baby, so I knew she’d be in one place for a moment or two.
The final photo looked something like this:
Just by chance, the bean bag that made it through the hole was the same colour as the dress of the woman who was taking the child’s photo, capturing a splash of red on both sides of the frame.
WORKSHOP ANNOUNCEMENT
My 5th Documentary wedding photography workshop will be running on 20th November in Nottingham!
If you’ve been lapping up the content in my newsletter, you don’t want to miss this.
Full Details HERE
As valued members of my newsletter, you can grab your spot with an exclusive early bird offer for the next 7 days.
Use the code: NEWSLETTER to reserve your seat for £290 (tickets are normally £350)
It’s also your chance to join before tickets go on general sale.
Places are limited to 8, so don’t miss out.
Cheers and see you next month, Nathan – you can skip to the next newsletter HERE
PS – here’s what the latest attendees had to say:
“I attended Nathan’s wedding photography workshop earlier this year and learned an absolute ton of useful stuff for my own wedding photography business. Nathan is a very talented documentary wedding photographer and a brilliant educator and the sessions were very well presented in a lovely venue. Highly engaging and answered all our questions. I would not hesitate to attend a future workshop to boost my confidence and knowledge. Thank you, Nathan, I hope our paths cross again soon. Dom”Dom Crowther Photography
Inspiring, interesting and thoroughly enjoyable workshop! I drove from Chester to Nottingham to attend, and it was so worth it. Met some lovely photographers, too. I love that there was only a small number of us, so it felt personal. I left feeling inspired and excited to shoot my first wedding of the year. Another takeaway was the business side of things. Nathan is methodical in the way he organises his bookings, very inspiring.Rachel O’Donnel Photography
Attending the recent workshop on documentary photography with Nathan was such an inspiring experience. It felt genuinely refreshing to step into someone else’s perspective and see the world through their lens- literally. The way he approached storytelling, capturing raw, honest moments, reminded me why I fell in love with photography in the first place. It wasn’t just about techniques or gear, it was about emotion, connection, and truth. I walked away with a renewed sense of purpose and a head full of ideas. So grateful for the experience!
IG Time Photography
P.S. When you’re ready, I’d love to help you grow your photography business. Feel free to check out my wedding photography education page for details.