Wedding Photography Success
The challenge with wedding photography is that there is no second chance as it is generally a once in a lifetime event. A wedding photographer must be able to guarantee success and trusting your wedding to a professional photographer is essential. As one of many Dublin wedding photographers, I understand weddings and I understand people, culture and values. I’m an award winning photographer having won numerous awards from the Irish Professional Photographers & Videographers Association (IPPVA) for my reportage wedding photography.
Wedding Photography Style
My aim is to ensure that I capture beautiful images from your wedding day with the minimum of intrusion and whilst doing so, I use a mix of different styles – reportage, fashion, traditional amongst others… My predominant shooting style however is a photo-journalistic or documentary ‘fly on the wall’ approach. That basically means that I’m very discrete and I am out of you and your guests way for most of the day.
Wedding Albums
Through my album proofing site, you will be able to view the design of your album and suggest any changes before it goes to the print and binding stage. Options regarding the type of cover, size, number of pages or a selection of fine art albums are available to all clients. Album cover options include, linen, wood, genuine leather, acrylic or suede. Parent albums or a boxed set of prints are also possible.
Wedding photography coverage includes the following
- All the images from your day supplied as high resolution, print-ready jpg files with no watermark;
- A mix of vivid colour & black/white photographs edited in my style;
- Your photographs are professionally edited to the highest standard;
- Opt for an engagement shoot & save €100;
- Heaps of energy, enthusiasm, experience and advice from me to you for your wedding day
Useful info
I’ve shot hundreds of weddings. I know what works and what doesn’t work. Use my experience for your benefit.
First we need to check if I am available on your wedding date. You can contact me via the contact form or email me at info@djd.ie. After that, if you wish to proceed and book me as your wedding photographer, I require a completed booking form which I forward to you and payment of a non-refundable booking fee to secure your date. Once I have those, it’s officially in the calendar which I’ll then confirm to you in writing.
No, I can’t hold dates based on promises or expressions of interest. A date is only reserved once I receive both a completed booking form and the booking fee payment. If multiple inquiries come in for the same date, bookings are secured strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. This ensures fairness for everyone.
Sure, no problem. You can initially book a base option and upgrade to any other option anytime before the wedding.
Your balance is due before or on the day of your wedding. Most clients chose to pay by online transfer before their wedding day and it’s my preferred method rather than cash. Instalment payments can also be made in advance if that’s easier.
It’s not a problem. Every year I have several clients who live as far away as Australia who book me for their wedding. We simply arrange a video call via Zoom rather than a face-to-face meeting and we take things from there. My booking form can be completed online and the booking fee payment is made by bank transfer. After that, the next time you’re visiting Ireland before your wedding we can arrange to meet up if you wish.
Yes, adding a second photographer is absolutely possible and is recommended for larger weddings (120+ guests) or when the day’s format requires it. Advance notice is essential—ideally a few months before your wedding. To ensure consistency, I work with a small, trusted group of photographers who share a similar style and use comparable lenses. I also personally edit their RAW files, so the finished images maintain the same look and feel as mine, delivering a seamless and cohesive collection of photos.
I start 2 hours before I need to leave for the ceremony (ie I provide 2 hours of prep coverage). This gives me loads of time to get what I need during the bridal &/or groom preparations. However, weddings differ so if this time needs to be tweaked, then we can simply look at that. For evening time where I’m staying to the first dance my cut-off point is 10.00pm. Most first dances start before 10pm.
Despite what you will read on wedding blogs written by people who are not photographers, for any experienced professional it really makes little difference. We know how to assess any location and make it work beautifully. That said, to put your mind at ease, I usually do a site visit beforehand to ensure everything is perfectly planned.
I always get lucky with weather, but rain does happen, so we always plan for it. If outdoor photos aren’t possible, we’ll use your church, registry office, or reception venue. I’ll work with you beforehand to create a solid ‘Plan B,’ so we’re fully prepared.
When choosing venues, consider their suitability for indoor photos. Are they visually appealing, offer enough variety, and provide good natural light? Surprisingly, many top hotels in Ireland aren’t ideal for wedding photography, so it’s worth thinking this through.
Yes of course. However for a successful photo these type of shots need proper planning and precise execution. Fire, hair spray, sharp pointy sticks and drunken guests don’t necessarily make a good combination…!! I recommend that you discuss this with me well in advance of the wedding so I can explain how & when it needs to be set up and managed to ensure success.
Yes – always.
Yes. My insurance company requires it.
By law, copyright always stays with the photographer but you will have the right to use your photos privately in any way you like. You can make as many prints as you wish and as big as you wish, send them to friends, hang them on your wall and so on.
Absolutely… It’s your album so you decide what photos are to be included and I’ll then go away and come up with an initial design for you which you will be able to review and suggest any changes to it online. We will then work through it from there until we are all happy with the final layout. Your album design and images will then go to the manufacturer and your album will be then ready generally within 6 weeks.
I do work in a free-flowing documentary manner and I don’t take you away for ages for gazillions of posed photos. I generally go with the flow of the day and not get in the way of things. So I will never dominate and take over your day.
I shoot the day as it is and from experience, shot lists will only distract me from doing my proper job of documenting your day in a creative manner. Having a shot list turns a photographers job into purely a box ticking exercise. It kills any creativity as we run around focused on trying to complete ‘the list’ as opposed to properly focusing on and photographing everything that is actually happening around us.
However, do let me know in advance of anything that is of particular interest so that I can be ready for it and capture it in my own style.
No, I just specialise in photography. However I do know some awesome videographers that I can highly recommend.
I work to a maximum 8 week turnaround time however quite often I have them ready much sooner. The time of year and how busy it is will determine how quickly I can have your photos ready.
Your couple photography time is completely up to you—whether it’s 10 minutes or over an hour, I’ll adapt to your schedule and preferences. Most couples I work with typically allocate 20–40 minutes, but this can vary based on the venue, available photo spots, walking distances, or whether indoor shots are included. Factors like golf buggies for easier movement or time-intensive indoor photography can impact the duration. Don’t worry—before your wedding, we’ll discuss all these details to make sure the timing works perfectly for you.
Feeling camera-shy? Most couples I work with are, but there’s no need to worry! My relaxed, natural approach ensures your photo session feels easy and enjoyable. You’ll be walking, talking, and laughing—hardly noticing the camera. If you opt for an engagement session, you’ll see how effortless it can be. I also recommend taking this time away from guests and the bridal party for a more intimate, relaxed experience—often the only time you’ll have alone together on your big day. We’ll discuss all of this in advance to ensure you’re comfortable and confident.
When planning your day, don’t forget to account for time to greet guests after the ceremony, travel between locations, and your photo sessions. Be generous with your timing—it’s easy to underestimate how much time travel, mingling, and guests wanting your attention will take.
For family group photos, keep it simple. These often take longer than expected, as someone inevitably goes missing! Fewer combinations mean less waiting and more time to enjoy your day. We’ll discuss this in advance to keep things stress-free and running smoothly.
I love capturing winter weddings, but they come with unique challenges like shorter daylight hours, colder weather, and the likelihood of gray skies. In December, natural light can disappear as early as 3 pm, especially on overcast days. To maximize your photography, consider an earlier ceremony or skipping the receiving line.
Planning ahead is key—Christmas weddings are especially popular in Ireland, with top venues and photographers booking up 18–24 months in advance. Let’s discuss your timeline well in advance to ensure the best light and a seamless experience for your day.
Yes. I generally just don’t show them on my portfolio or blogs. I look for a formal family shot list from you in advance of the wedding as this speeds things up greatly. We will agree where to take the photos (church or reception venue for example) and then I’ll ask the groomsmen or some family members to help round up everybody. I prefer to have this done quickly within 15 or 20 minutes at the most.
Wedding blogs and Facebook groups are often full of misleading or unhelpful advice. Blogs are usually written for SEO, not by industry professionals, and focus more on driving traffic than providing useful insights. Facebook groups, on the other hand, can be a minefield of conflicting opinions and misinformation from strangers with different budgets, standards, and expectations.
For reliable advice, turn to your wedding planner or, if you’re not using one, your photographer or videographer. We’re with you throughout your entire day, and our experience from hundreds of weddings gives us unique insight into what works and what doesn’t. Trust professionals who’ve seen it all rather than relying on anonymous opinions online.
Yes, I offer destination wedding photography! My packages are the same as my standard ones, with the addition of travel and reasonable accommodation costs. Depending on the location, car hire may also be required. With bases in both Kenya and The Netherlands, I frequently photograph weddings for expats and locals alike. This makes it especially convenient for me to capture weddings in nearby countries like Belgium, Germany, or France. I’m also familiar with top wedding destinations like Iceland, Italy (Dolomites, Venice) & Majorca in Spain. If you’re planning a destination wedding, let’s discuss how I can make it seamless for you.
Sure…
Wedding Schedule
Staying on schedule is key to ensuring you get the photos and moments you envision. Overrunning by more than 30–40 minutes can squeeze the time for your couple and family photos, forcing compromises and potentially cutting into time with your guests. Hotels often need to stick to dinner schedules, which adds pressure. Be realistic about last-minute demands on your photographer or videographer—they may not always be feasible.
Receiving line
Consider skipping the receiving line after the ceremony—it often takes longer than expected and might be better spent enjoying your reception.
Speeches
For speeches, aim to have them before or after the meal, not between courses, as this can drag out dinner service and frustrate guests. Keep speeches concise: fathers (5 minutes each) and the groom and best man (10 minutes each). Longer speeches will lose guests interest.
Videographer
If hiring a videographer, choose one whose style complements your photographer’s. Skimping on videography can lead to regret—either budget appropriately or skip it altogether. I can recommend excellent videographers for mid- to high-end budgets.
Bridesmaids
Lastly, pick bridesmaids carefully. They can be your greatest support, but the wrong choice can add unnecessary stress. Surround yourself with people who enhance your day, not complicate it.