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From Reading to Regent Street - part 2 of 1 2 3

by Dennis Orchard Published 01/06/2006

Direct marketing does not play a huge part in his business strategy. Dennis relies more upon networking with other leading professionals, the vast majority of his bookings are generated from bookings via "word of mouth" and through providing the very best and professional service that he can give to his clients.

I asked Dennis, "do you shoot what you feel is best for your clients or do you allow some to clearly define what they want?" He says that he is concerned that each wedding should be different and personal to his client. It is, after all, their special day and he will allow them to define what they are looking for. Some clients insist that they do not want any pictures posed and he respects that. He feels that they have employed him - almost as one would a servant for that day - and so he will go along with their wishes as best he can.

He describes his own personal style of photography as having three distinctive markers; his pictures are about life, love and laughter. This is clearly reflected in his images.

What he loves about his job is really getting to know his clients, fitting in and getting to know the interaction within the relationships. One of the highest compliments he has been paid was when a guest at one wedding he was shooting asked him if he was a family friend and he had to reply, "no I have only met these people today". He says it was a great buzz. The other enjoyment is when he delivers the final product and the clients show their appreciation by way of thank-you cards mentioning his great pictures and amiable personality on the day. All that is as important to him as cash in the bank.

One of the more difficult aspects of wedding photography can be a client's preconception of what a photographer should be doing on the day - to them it may mean bossing people around and herding them into groups. In most cases Dennis finds this unnecessary, as on many occasions referring to the client's wishes, he would rather step back from the wedding and capture things as they happen. The results are better this way he finds, rather than constantly directing and controlling the course of the day.

All of Dennis's wedding work is now digital and has been since he switched over four-and-a-half years ago. He now feels that digital is second nature to him and it's the tool that truly allows him to produce the style of imagery that he prefers.

Dennis's lucky break came when he first started the wedding side of the business, in 1997, when an American client called out of the blue, and asked if he could do a wedding close to his home. They knew of him as a photographer but didn't know at the time that weddings were not part of his portfolio. Not knowing quite what was required he instantly set about finding out what the wedding business was all about and ended up on a course with veteran lecturer, and now close friend, Nigel Harper.

The subsequent 18 months proved pivotal in his wedding business with bookings streaming in and within two years he had become the 'Guilds' Photographer of the Year.

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1st Published 01/06/2006
last update 09/12/2022 14:58:27

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