Michael Maurer

Q.How would you describe your style?

A.I take a candid, documentary-style approach and I’ll blend in with your guests to provide a beautiful record of your day. I love weddings because there is so much emotion and love on display, and my aim is to create photos that capture this feeling naturally without imposing myself on what is happening. In the ten years I’ve been doing this I’ve realised that it’s less about a list of must-have wedding shots and more about capturing all the people, relationships and moments that are so organically present on weddings days without interfering. I don’t strive for perfection, but instead to capture photos that make you feel like you are reliving the day when you look through them again. We'll also set aside a small pocket of time to take some beautiful photos of just the two of you when the light is at its best. For these, I'll give you minimal direction as you enjoy a few minutes away from everyone. Whether you are introverted or extroverted, most couples I work with mention that they don’t like posing or being the centre of attention and this works perfectly with my candid approach.

Q.And what about your editing?

A.Most couples I’ve worked with describe my editing as quite colourful and sharp. I give your photos just a little bit of colour without making them look garish or over-saturated. I want your wedding photos to look as real today as they will in 50 years, and not represent whatever editing trend was “in style” when you got married. I always spend time working with each single photo I deliver in order to make sure that it is up to the standards of the work displayed on my website.

Q.Will you still take formal photos of us and our families?

A.Absolutely. Although I don’t tend to share these on my website, I have taken them at every wedding I have photographed. The family group photos are an important part of any wedding, and we will work together on a list of the ones you want to take during our pre-wedding chat to make it as straightforward as possible on the day. I always suggest taking the family photos right after the ceremony and I usually recommend around eight to ten groupings. Depending on the amount of people these normally take me 15-20 minutes.

Q.Do you work with a second shooter?

A.So much of my approach relies on being discreet and unobtrusive that I’ve found that I can do my best work when it’s just me and my two cameras. On the day, I work very hard to capture as much as I can and to offer you images that showcase different angles and perspectives. If you send me an inquiry I always reply with a few full wedding galleries so you have an idea of what to expect - transparency is a cornerstone of my business. If for example you are interested in having a second shooter because you’d like photos of both of you getting ready, we can usually work this into the logistics of the day so that I can photograph you both.

Q.Do you offer engagement shoots?

A.Many couples wonder about engagement shoots as a way to ‘practice being in front of the camera’ but I find that compared to the wedding day itself, the two experiences create fundamentally different kinds of portraits. On your wedding day, those 15-25 minutes of couple photos become this beautiful, organic pause in the celebrations - you're so excited from having just gotten married, and that raw joy creates naturally dynamic shots with minimal direction from me. It's often your first quiet moment together as newlyweds, and that intimacy shines through effortlessly. Engagement sessions take the opposite approach in that they are much more intentional and rehearsed. While they lack that "just married" spark, they're great if you want a creative collaboration and are okay posing in front of the camera for a longer period. Whichever route you choose, I'm committed to capturing your connection however you’d like. Engagement shoots usually last 1.5 hours and are priced at £595.

Q.What happens after you've photographed my wedding and when do I get the photos?

A.I will send your edited photos to you no later than six weeks after the wedding day. You will receive these via a beautiful online gallery where you will be able to download them and share them with family and friends. The photos are delivered in full resolution without any watermarks and they can be downloaded for free. Prints and albums can be ordered for an additional fee. Depending on how long I am there for, you will receive at least 200 photos for 6 hours, 300 photos for 8 hours and 400 for 10 hours. I will never limit the amount of photos you receive, so If I take 600 amazing photos during your 10-hour wedding, you will get all 600.

Q.Will you travel for my wedding? Will it cost me extra?

A.I am based in Richmond, London but I would love to photograph your wedding wherever it is. I have photographed weddings all over England and also in Wales, USA, Puerto Rico , Spain and Germany. Travel within England is covered, but I do normally ask that you cover one to two nights of accommodation if you book me for 10 hours and you're getting married outside of London (£95 per night). This just means I can be with you from as early as you'd like me to be without worrying about travel logistics. For international weddings add travel fees of £750 for Europe, £1250 for USA and £1750 for Asia. This is to cover return flights, meals and accommodation.

Q.Can I see a full gallery?

A.Of course! Send me an email and I'll be more than happy to send you some full galleries of weddings I’ve recently photographed at your venue or venues similar to yours.

Q.What is your favourite part of a wedding to capture?

A.I actually have three! 1)The 15 minutes before you leave for the ceremony, because anticipation is in the air. 2) Your first steps together down the aisle as a married couple. 3) The speeches, because they bring out the best (and funniest) in everyone.