Guest Interview with Wedding Photographer: Victoria Welton

I’m excited to bring the first of my blog interview series with the lovely Victoria Welton Award Winning Photographer. I met this talented lady when working with the amazing Kelly Mortimer and it felt from the very off-set I have known Victoria for a very long time.  I love her style, admire her work ethics and her hugely warm personality, so I was over the moon when she agreed to talk about her experiences and tips with me, so I can share that love.   With us both living in Somerset, we sat catching up with a cup of coffee…..

‍So Victoria, tell me how you got to where you are now?

I grew up in Surrey and Berkshire as well as having family in Sussex, Hampshire and Dorset, means I have a stop-gap in most places!    Ive had my own business for 4 years and recently won Southwest Wedding Photographer of the Year in the Prestige Awards.  Im a mum of 2 and also a blogger and a radio presenter.

‍Wow that’s amazing Victoria, such talent and family-oriented means you can relate to so many of your clients.   Im so impressed to find out you went on BBC Radio 2 Pop Master quiz contest – your talents are never ending!

‍Describe your style of photography?

I would say that my style is natural, timeless,and vibrant. I like to bring out the colour in any event or photo shoot.

If you had to choose, what’s your favourite – hotel, outdoor countryside, or beach location?

My favourite location is the countryside. There are so many different levels to the countryside and, as the seasons change, so do the vistas. An area of woodland will look a specific way in May and will have completely changed again by June. I think it makes for a more rounded and interesting setting for a photograph even if it is just the textures of a tree or colours of a flower.

‍What is your advice about using sparklers at a wedding?

Sparklers are a fantastic opportunity for a photograph,but I would ensure that you do this as early in the evening as you can. Most guests like a drink or 4 at a wedding reception which means that they are more likely to have reduced inhibitions and act without thinking about their actions. You do not really want people in that frame of mind waving around fire on a stick!

Tell me, what’s your most popular package you offer?

Funnily enough my most popular package is called just that. The Popular package!  It is priced at £1595 and covers from bridal prep until the first dance. It includes a Creative Cover case containing a USB stick holding all fully edited images from the day and an online gallery with ordering facility.

So how do you prepare in advance?

I go through all my kit and check both my camera bodies and lenses are all in order. I ensure I have at least 4 clear SD cards and charge all my batteries. I also make sure I have spare batteries and cards and pack my flash and a couple of lights just in case! I also like to re-check my couple’s questionnaire to cover off and prepare for any special request photographs. I like to arrive early if I am going straight to the venue so I can take any specific detail shots before all the guests arrive

Do you prefer colour or black and white photos?‍

This totally depends on the capture. Sometimes a photograph lends itself better to black and white and really does add a different type of emotion. In that case, I will edit it in black and white.

How do you bring out your clients’personalities and tell their story in your photography?

I like to chat with my clients first and make sure I know the story of how they met and why they have made specific choices. I do say to all couples that it is easier if we have had an engagement or pre-wedding shoot because not only does it provide them with some beautiful images where things are less rushed, and they are more relaxed, but it also means that they get to know me and how I work better and I understand them better too.

We are moving into autumn then winter is on its way, so how do you get the ideal photography shot if it’s raining or a dull gloomy outside?

I always ask the couple to provide me with a wet weather contingency plan! DSLR cameras don’t really like to get wet. Winter,however, is a different matter. It can provide a whole different type of scenery. For example, the photograph of the wedding below was taken just 3 days before Christmas and the light is just beautiful.

So who are your ideal clients?

The ones who book me! Seriously though, I feel that my ideal ones are the ones who found that my personality and style of photography is exactly what they are looking for. They then seem to come back to me for other opportunities. For example, Katie and Ollie booked me for their wedding photography back in May 2019 and recently I did their family shoot for them.

‍They say never work with children or dogs!   How do you work with children who are not so enthused having their photo taken?

I am the eldest of 7 kids so uncooperative children doesn’t bother me in the slightest! I tend to try and distract them with some thing funny or fascinating and it tends to work. Failing that, Mr Zebra comes out of my camera bag.  

So my final question has to be……what about dogs?

The only dogs I have experienced at a wedding so far were brought in by a handler and then taken away again after their photograph was taken.

How can couples find you to book you for their wedding or baby naming?

Thanks for asking Amanda-Louise, here’s my details:

www.victoriaweltonphotography.com

www.instagram.com/victoriaweltonphotography

www.facebook.com/victoriaweltonphotography

https://www.linkedin.com/in/victoria-welton/

Thanks for your time Victoria, Ive enjoyed my spent jotting down your views on photography, there is an art to your specialism; no wonder you won that award!

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Hope this inspiring and helpful information gives you a flavour of what to expect when booking Victoria as a photographer.    Ive certainly enjoyed my time with my favourite coffee.