The Liberty Pearl Photo & Film Collective
Natural & Relaxed Wedding Photography & Film Collective documenting your love, joy & happiness in Devon and Cornwall
When It Rains On Your Wedding Day – Wedding Photography Top Tips from Devon Photographer Liberty Pearl
Posted on April 24, 2018
We photograph weddings in Devon and Cornwall, but also in beautiful countries around the world including France, Spain, Ibiza, South Africa, Ireland and many more…
We frequently get asked how rain or bad weather will affect our couple’s wedding photography. Whether your wedding is in the UL or abroad there is one thing you cannot guarantee THE WEATHER!
As we’ve already seen this month, even though we’re at the start of spring, with temperatures of 25 degrees and more last week, the sunny weather has been sandwiched between downpour after downpour! There are never any guarantees as to what the weather will do. One minute it can be bright sunshine, the next pouring with rain.
It’s no longer guaranteed that you will have amazing sunshine if you book your wedding in May, nor is it unheard of for our couples to be getting married outside at the start of October.
Our advice is always the same – you can’t change it – so just make the most of it and smile!
Here are our top five tips that will help you plan ahead for your special day whatever the weather:
- When searching for a wedding venue, it’s good to look for one that is as beautiful inside as it is outside. That way you can have the best of both worlds if the weather plays ball. If not, you won’t be too disappointed either!
2. Try to work with your photographer to be flexible with your timings or when things need to happen. We will always try to get some images taken outside in between any showers. If this means getting the group photographs taken slightly later when it is dry, then so be it.
3. Please remember that your couple photographs can also look stunning if taken inside. Our photographers are all fully trained in using off camera flash, which means they are able to make a feature of the rain.
4. Come prepared
We will always have white umbrellas with us to ensure that you look as radiant as possible in all weather conditions. If you want to buy your own umbrellas, please ensure they’re either plain white or see-through as this will enhance how you look. There’s nothing worse than an ugly colour cast or a motif/logo featuring in all your pictures. Some of the most fun weddings we’ve been fortunate enough to capture have seen showers on the day. Work with your photographer to ensure you have those special memories that you can look back on for years to come.
5. Embrace the rain!
Please don’t be too precious about your dress getting a little wet. The most important thing to remember is that your wedding day is a celebration of the start of your marriage, and if the hem of your dress gets a little damp, it really isn’t the end of the world. The couples we have worked with that have made a feature of the rain have enjoyed their days far more, than those who have stressed about it.
6. Most of all, enjoy your wedding day no matter what the weather and happy planning!
INSPIRED BY NATURE ADDICTED TO ADVENTURE
If you would like to book a photographer who loves embracing the elements with you on your wedding day, whether it is rain, wind or sunshine then Liberty Pearl is the photographer for you!!!! We love nature, we love adventure and we love being inspired by the elements!
Contact us now to check if we are available on your wedding date…
To plug or to unplug your wedding that is the question
Posted on May 21, 2017
When I married my husband a year ago today – I loved our guests having their phones because I enjoyed seeing the images that everyone captured. It helped me to see the day through their eyes.
But equally I know that some couples prefer to ‘release’ the official photographs when they want to, which is of course their choice too. Either way I thought it would be good to look at plugged (with phones) and unplugged ceremonies (without them) as it is such a hot topic of discussion in the wedding industry at the moment.
As a professional photographer, there is nothing worse than a guest stepping out in front of you to get an image of the bride and groom when they walk back down the aisle.
It can ruin that split second you have to capture a special moment. That moment that becomes forever lost behind the suit jacket of a well-meaning guest.
Everyone who owns a decent smart phone now believes they too are photographers. With Instagram filters and touch of the button editing, it’s easier to create some truly breath-taking images on a mobile. But there is a reason why a couple have invested their money in a professional photographer when it comes to their wedding.
The understanding about composition, posing and above all else light, means that the images stand the test of time. These are the ones that are framed, or end up in the wedding album for generations to come. The pictures that reflect a couple’s special day as they dreamt it would be.
I have been to wedding ceremonies where there has been a ban on all cameras except mine. I have also been to weddings where I have had to contend with guests in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Whilst I really liked looking through the images my friends took at my wedding, I hope they didn’t make it too difficult for the photographer to do their job on the day.
We’re lucky in that we have a beautiful set of photographs to treasure.
But I hope that our guests actually experienced the wedding in person, and not just from the view finder of their camera phone.
Having a plugged or unplugged wedding has to be your decision. It’s just worth having a think during the planning stages about what will work best for you.
Is the wedding industry a rip off?
Posted on May 1, 2017
Such a fab article from Alison at the PLANS AND PRESENTS wedding blog, about the wedding industry. I know lots of people who have had to give up their beautiful creative businesses because they just don’t pay the bills!
People don’t realise how much all the ‘behind the scenes’ items cost especially for photography, people think I make XX per day after looking at my wedding photography fees, I have had comments such as “you make more in a day than I make in a month!” but really the profit is very very low or non existent after paying for all the licenses, insurances, equipment, stationery, fuel, staff, marketing, branding, office costs, storage, computers, online galleries, advertising, car, websites, tax, VAT, national insurance, the list could go on….
Since I started my business I work on average in the office 50 hours per week and if I have a wedding or photo shoots that week it could go up to 70 hours! So my hourly rate is pretty awful to be honest. I didn’t taken a proper holiday (which didn’t include a destination wedding) for 2 years and I had flu pretty much the entire time I was away because I was so run down, and I haven’t had the time to take one since!
So you may ask why I and other wedding suppliers have chosen this career?
I for one love making people happy! I love providing a bespoke, creative, personalised service that suits my clients needs, I love working hard to make their wedding day so special, I love meeting new people, and getting to know them and spend time with them planning their wedding day, I love visiting beautiful wedding venues all over the world and seeing how couples add their own personal touch with their wedding styling. I love sharing such a special day with couples and capturing their family heirlooms that will last a life time.
If wedding suppliers were working in the industry simply for the money I don’t think there would be an industry to be quite honest!!!
So before you criticise people in the wedding industries or other creative industries, please think about all the behind the scenes work that goes into the beautifully hand crafted products, the sacrifices they make to their social life and their families by working weekends and during the holiday seasons, and the amount of pure LOVE they have for the industry, their wedding couples, and making every wedding day so unique and so very special! xx
Read more on the Plans and Presents blog post.
The Duke Wedding Collection Live – Plymouth
Posted on October 27, 2015
Are you the type of bride looking for inspiration, new trends and stylish accessories? The Duke Wedding Collection: Live at Plymouth’s award winning Duke of Cornwall Hotel is the wedding event for you.
We were honoured to be asked to capture the Duke’s first wedding event since it’s wedding relaunch this September. The Duke of Cornwall Hotel in Plymouth is a fairytale wedding venue and the event oozed with glamour and vintage splendour.
In between taking photos I spoke to lots of lovely brides, grooms and their families, about the stunning venue and their exciting wedding plans. Many brides took the opportunity to explore this gorgeous venue and enjoyed some top-notch wedding inspiration along the way. It was fantastic seeing so many talented, creative local wedding suppliers all under one roof.
There was also a brilliant prize is up for grabs, in the form of ‘a fabulous vintage experience’, which includes a photo shoot and Champagne ‘Tea at the Top’ with butler service.
With gorgeous wedding inspiration aplenty, a live fashion show and live entertainment amongst the day’s delights, make the event a must in your wedding planning calendar, details coming soon.
You can watch a lovely video from the day made by the fabulous Baxter and Ted here.
For details of the amazing wedding suppliers from the day you can go to the bottom of the page.
List of suppliers from the event
www.clarekinchinphotography.co.uk
www.libertypearlphotography.com
www.thewindsorcarriagecompany.co.uk
www.juleschampionfloraldesign.co.uk
Liberty Pearl Vintage Photo Booth
Classically elegant wedding in Chelsea Physic Garden London
Posted on October 26, 2015
It was so beautiful to capture the union of a such lovely couple in London Chelsea Physic Garden.
The bride lives in Chelsea, her beautiful apartment is situated beside the Thames, the natural light just floods in through the huge windows. The ceremony was held in Chelsea registry office, such a beautiful historic venue which opens out onto the high street. The wedding reception venue – Chelsea Physic Garden was surrounded by the most astonishing plants and flowers evoking a sense of an enchanted garden. The garden was founded in 1673 by the Society of Apothecaries; one of Europe’s oldest botanic gardens. Important Herb and Medicinal collections, and of Mediterranean plants.
The striking bride, covered in white from head to toe walked in white Manolo Blahnik wearing a graceful dress provided by Oscar de la Renta; classically elegant.
It was an honour to be able to photograph this day. Such a perfect fairytale wedding.
Dress: Oscar de la Renta
Flowers: Jens Jakobsen Floral Construction
Shoes: Manolo Blahnik
Venue: Chelsea Physic Garden
A Hollywood Glamour Vintage Wedding Shoot at The Duke of Cornwall Plymouth
Posted on September 29, 2015
We are delighted to be sharing the beautiful pictures from this Hollywood Glamour Vintage wedding shoot that took place at The Duke of Cornwall Hotel in Plymouth.
The pictures showcase the hotel’s facilities for weddings in all their splendour, and we love the Hollywood Glamour styling that works perfectly at this stunning hotel.
The Duke of Cornwall is a venue bursting with history and elegance, so when we were planning this inspirational shoot the elegance of the 1930s seemed to capture the spirit of the hotel.
We are really looking forward to showcasing the photos at the DUKE WEDDING COLLECTION: LIVE.
on Sunday 4th October 2015 | 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.
Images © Liberty Pearl Photography and Leon Theisinger of Kioo Marketing
Videography: Baxter and Ted
Shoot Co-ordinator: Jenny Wren Weddings & Event Planning
Venue: The Duke of Cornwall Hotel, Plymouth, Devon
Styling: Inspire Hire
Champagne Saucers and Vintage Crockery: Meadow Sweet Vintage
Flowers: Jules Champion Flower Design
Hair and Make Up: Madame Tashy
Dresses: Bridal House of Cornwall and The Wedding Company
Suit: The Wedding Company
Accessories: Peppermint Bridal
Stationery: Hip Hip Hooray
Cake: Cut me off a Slice
Car: Mr Alfie’s Jaunts
Models: Sarah Jane Mackfall and Tommy J Stewart. Mia (flower girl), Harry and Rudy (pageboys)
The Wedding Industry Awards 2015 – Regional Finalist best South West Wedding Photographer
Posted on January 29, 2015
I was so pleased to be a regional finalist for The 2015 Wedding Industry Awards as the South West’s Best Wedding Photographer!
I really did not expect this amazing nomination due to it being my first 12 months as full time wedding photographer in Devon and Cornwall.
Thank you so much to all who voted for me. I feel very blessed to have this opportunity to go the the awards ceremony In Bristol at the beautiful Kingscote Barn.
Why did people vote for Liberty Pearl Photography?
Please read some of my lovely feedback from my wedding photography clients who voted for me.
Please read the reasons why my previous clients booked Liberty pearl Photography for their wedding.
A year in the life of a Devon wedding photographer….
Posted on January 5, 2015
One year ago I left my job as a Digital Marketing Officer at Plymouth University to become a full time photographer…and what a year it has been!!
I specialise in wedding photography but also photograph family portraits, engagement shoots, events and press commissions when required. My vintage photo booth has also taken off this year with many bookings at weddings, charity events, Christmas and birthday parties.
In total I have photographed 30 weddings in stunning wedding venues across the UK such as The V&A Museum in London, Summer Hall Art gallery in Edinburgh, Deer Park Hotel Devon, Polhawn Fort Cornwall, Kitley House Hotel Devon, The Green in Cornwall, Wicke Farm Bath, and Ashton Court Bristol. I also had destination wedding bookings in Ibiza and Spain!
I have photographed 31 vintage photo booths, 16 family photo shoots, as well as commissions from Plymouth University, The Marine Academy Plymouth, Plymouth School of Creative Arts, and other local businesses in Plymouth.
I also started working with an amazing charity called Jeremiah’s Journey, which led me to judge their first ever, photo marathon in Plymouth, which was fantastic.
I have had weddings featured on National weddings and fashion blogs such as Whimsical Wonderland Weddings, Rock My Wedding, and Stylight. Have had my weddings featured and on the front covers of numerous weddings magazines such as La Belle, Bristol and Somerset Wedding Magazine and Always & Forever.
Now looking towards 2015… I have 21 weddings booked in so far across the southwest of England in some beautiful locations and have lots more exciting things to come. Did I say that I love being a wedding photographer in Devon and Cornwal!
Here are a few of my favourite images of 2014 xxx
