Hello! I’m Danielle and I’m the owner and lead photographer at Bright Apple Photography.
I have been photographing weddings since 2002 and I'm still passionate about my work. Every wedding and every couple is totally unique but the happy environment I'm lucky enough to share with the bride and groom on the day makes my work such a pleasure.
I have one rule when I'm photographing weddings. It's your wedding day not my photoshoot! I try to meet all your requirements whilst respecting the meaning of the day and your time.
In my photographic career I’ve seen all sorts of weird and wonderful things, I’ve photographered more weddings than I can count (although I can still look at every photo I have taken and tell you the name of the couple in them) as well as being commissioned to capture beautiful babies, big ships, foreign royalty and
even the red arrows or a football tournament or two. I’m very fortunate to have been asked to photograph some many different and wonderful things! Whilst some may call it luck, but I call it a passionate drive, hard work and a real love for my profession.
You may have guessed it already, but I'll tell you anyway. Photographing couples is one of my absolute favorite thing in the world. I love capturing that "zing" between an in-love couple -- the adoration for each other that's written on their faces. Being surrounded by all that love and happiness is one of the best perks of my job.
In addition to photographing the ardor between a happy couple, I also love photographing all the carefully planned details of a wedding, as well as those unforgettable moments that simply must be captured on film for posterity. Whether it's the cascading lace on a bride's gown, the happy tear in a father's eye as he's walking his little girl down the aisle, the breathtaking cake that must've taken hours to perfect, or the groomsmen boogy-ing on the dance floor, I love being there to document it all.
Like any creative person, my work has only become better over time. Not just because I'm more familiar with all the ins and outs of my handy camera, but because I've also gained life experience over the years.
Let me share my passion and years of photography experience with you.
The Engagement Session
First and foremost, you should have an engagement session done because it's fun. You get to pamper yourself and dress up and -- here's the best part -- snuggle and kiss your best friend for a good hour or two.
Engagement sessions also serve as prime bonding time for you two. In fact, many of the couples I photograph tell me that their engagement shoot brought them closer together, something they didn't think possible considering how much they were in love already. How's that for amazing?
Think about it, though. When you're doing intimate things such as just looking into each other's eyes, holding your partner's hand or resting on his shoulder in very romantic settings, it's impossible not to fall more in love. Truth: In our fast-paced world, sometimes we forget to enjoy the silence and the moment and just be together.
There are also practical reasons for an engagement session, too. For example, many people use shots from their engagement shoot for save the dates, wedding invitations and even thank you cards post-wedding.
Your engagement photographs are also great to use on your engagement website, for announcing your engagement online and for simply documenting yourself as a young and in-love couple. I promise you, your grandkids will get a kick out of these pictures in, say, 40 years!
WHAT WE CATCH ON YOUR BIG DAY...
We can literally with you from the early morning of your wedding day to the late evening hours of your reception shindig. Only Bright Apple Photography isn't all in your face paparazzo style the whole time. For most of your day, you'll hardly even know we're there snapping away. That means a weight off your shoulders and lots of time to spend focusing on making sure your big day goes smoothly.
Getting Ready
We start the day by photographing you getting ready. Don't worry. This is all very much PG-rated and we'll make sure to capture your pretty face only after you're all done up. Think detail shots of your fragrance du jour, you slipping into your beautiful shoes, a crowd of happy bridesmaids in their slouchy sweatpants and impeccable hair. The same is true for the men, too. We'll capture them fastening boutonnieres to their lapels, candids of dad giving the groom some sage advice and groomsmen laughing it up while the women get ready.
Portraits
When you book with Bright Apple Photography, you'll also get formal and informal portrait shots. That includes those gorgeous bridal portraits, handsome pics of the groom (perfect for propping up on your work desk), group shots of the entire bridal party and all the family portrait shots you could ever want. We like to do a mix of both casual and traditional for these shots.
Ceremony and Reception
Of course, we also document your entire wedding ceremony and reception, complete with all those big -- and small -- moments that must be caught on film. That includes walking down the aisle, the big kiss, the officiant speaking, musicians playing, and family and friends listening/watching. We'll also capture all those fun and heartfelt moments at your reception, from tearful and hilarious toasts to some mad dancing skills to cake cutting and beyond.
Details
Rest assured we'll capture all those details you planned, as well. You spent good money -- and time -- planning your special day; we're here to make sure it's documented beautifully. We'll photograph the tiniest details on your wedding favors, the sugary flower ornaments on your cake, the lanterns hanging in the trees and anything else you thoughtfully included.
THE INVESTMENT
I don’t believe in one size fits all so I offer a 'create your own' menu so you can design your bespoke wedding photography package to best fit your needs.
Every option I offer includes:
All photography
All your images with full printing rights
An online viewing gallery (password protected if requested) containing fully edited images of your day
Pre wedding consultation
I do not charge travel costs for weddings 20 miles or less from my KT8 postcode. Weddings further than this will incur travel costs expenses.
If there is a product you would like which I don’t offer please contact me directly and I’d be happy to put a quote together for you.
Simply pick and choose the coverage you'd like for your wedding day.
Engagement Shoot £175
Pre Wedding mini shoot £95
Bridal preparation £250
Ceremony until wedding breakfast £595
Coverage of speeches to first dance £250
First dance untill end of the evening £250
I also understand that times are tough right now so I have a very economical option for those who just want a few special photos of their ceremony and some stunning portraits of the bride and groom after, a 90 min coverage of the wedding ceremony followed by photos of the the bride and groom posed naturally and beautifully together is just £350
Full wedding albums can be arranged at additional cost if required and added to any package. Costs start from £350.
Trash/Treasure the dress shoot £350
(if you have a few other friends who also want their own 'trash the dress' shoot and you fancy making a fun afternoon of it all together discounted rates are available)
Please do email me with any more questions or to book
TIPS AND TRICKS AND A HANDY CHECKLIST TO KEEP YOU ORGANIZED!
1) Create a detailed timeline your wedding day that includes when flowers are set to arrive, when people should arrive, when hair and makeup will get done, etc. Include exact times and locations. Share this timeline with everyone involved in your wedding, including your photographer.
2) Have food on hand while you get ready. I made the mistake of barely eating on my wedding day and ended up with a headache. Having healthy snacks and lots of water on hand will make for a better day.
3) Practice walking in your wedding day shoes to make sure they're comfortable enough to stand around in for your portraits and for the duration of your wedding. Pain is beauty, yes, but looking pained in a picture isn't worth the discomfort.
4) Pack a "wedding day emergency" kit and bring it along with you on your big day. Essentials include some clear nail polish for snags, pain reliever for headaches, any makeup you need for touching up and a travel sewing kit. Band-Aids, lozenges, tampons and tissues are also good.
5) Have your cake and flowers arrive at the latest possible moment (but still budget in some buffer time). Flowers wilt and cakes can melt on hot days, so putting these deliveries off can ensure both look great for your pictures, ceremony and reception.
6) Have a "spot checker" on hand who's there to help you out with things like tangled trains, smeared lipstick or out-of-place hair. This can be someone in your bridal party or the mother of the bride, for example.
7) Whether you're doing your makeup yourself or having a makeup artist come in, do a trial run. This is especially important if you have sensitive skin, as an allergic reaction on your wedding day would not be good.
8) Order at least 25 extra wedding invitations than you think you'll need. It's better to have extras "just in case" and often times it's less expensive to buy in bulk than to order just a few extra.
9)Follow up with all your vendors a week before your wedding to make sure everything is in place and ready to go. Should anything be wrong (say, the florist only has you down for 4 bouquets instead of 5), this will provide plenty of time to fix the mistake.
Expect the unexpected. Sometimes things don't go as planned, and that's OK. In the long term, it's your outlook and attitude that makes for a brilliant, successful day.
FAQs
Do you take payment installments?
Yes, of course. We can work out a payment schedule to make sure you're able to pay for the photos. All we ask is that you pay 10% up front to lock in your date and have the remaining amount to us on collections of your photos.
Someone else is paying for our photos. Who signs the contract?
No matter who's paying for the photographs, it's always you -- the bride and groom -- who signs the contact. You'll also be our primary contact and who we speak with leading up to, on the day of, and the days following your wedding.
Can I hire an additional photographer to shoot our wedding?
The contract you sign states that Bright Apple Photography photographers are the only photographers allowed to shoot on your wedding day. This helps promote our creativeness and ensures you get the best photos. We do offer additional shooters depending on the photo package you choose. As long as guests do not infringe upon our space, they can take pictures with their cameras/phones.
Can I hire you to shoot my destination wedding?
We absolutely love destinations, so the answer to your question is a resounding, "Yes!" We have a separate contract for destination weddings, which details accommodations and travel expenditures.
How long does it take to get my pictures?
You will always receive your pictures within six weeks, but usually earlier. During the busy season, we sometimes get backlogged, but even then we do our best to have all digital negatives to you within three to four weeks.
Do you design the photography albums?
Our modern coffee table albums are absolutely breathtaking and yes, we do design them in house. We work with you to include the photographs you love best to ensure you love your album from cover to cover.
Do you provide customised packages?
Not all weddings are the same -- we get it! For that reason, we may provide a customized wedding package to suit your needs. These customized packages are for weddings that are far outside the norm (for example, a very short, intimate wedding between only parents and the bride/groom). Talk to us and we'll make it work!
