Well I tell you what, if looking through these photos and reading this article today doesn’t want to make you book Richard Skins as your wedding photographer then I don’t know what will!!!
Described by his clients as being ‘a complete photography superstar’ and as being ‘beyond talented,’ Richard Skins is a documentary style wedding photographer who prides himself on having a candid and relaxed approach when it comes to capturing your wedding day. His aim is to make sure his couples, and their guests, feel at ease so he can catch all of the natural and special moments of each and every wedding day as they happen. The pictures we are sharing today are complete testimony to that. I have been smiling from ear to ear at all of them – from the special moments shared between the brides and grooms to the party images – they are all awesome.
As part of our Festival Brides Love series where we promote the awesome suppliers who are part of our wedding supplier directory, we asked Richard a few questions about his passion for wedding photography, his documentary style and the sort of service you can expect if you were took book him for your wedding day.
Tells us a bit about yourself?
Hi, my name is Richard, and I’m a wedding photographer based on the south coast of the UK. I’ve lived in Bournemouth for around seven years, it’s a beautiful place in the world, and I’m lucky to call it home. I’m an animal lover, and if you ever come round my house for a cuppa, you will meet my cat named Ali, hopefully, more animals to join the family soon!
If you had the chance to go to one festival, which one would it be?
I’ve gone to lots of festivals over the years! But one that has alluded me is Glastonbury so it would definitely be there. But with this job getting the weekend off mid-season is tricky! Must make it so.
What made you decide to go into wedding photography?
I studied film-making at university but whilst I was there I picked up my first digital camera with the help from my mum which started a hobby and a love for photography. After I finished uni, I started doing the odd job for family and friends from commercial work, portraits to even gig photography. A good friend then asked me to photograph her wedding; I had never even considered it before. Now 10 years later I’m so glad she asked me as I might never have gone this direction and found the job that I love.
Tell us about your photography style and what inspires you?
I think my style is always evolving, but I try to focus on a documentary-style which honestly portrays a wedding. I want to capture the day as it was with all the laughter, love and everything in-between. Coming from studying film-making there is definitely an inspiration from cinema, people like Roger Deakins, Jean-Pierre Jeunet or Wes Anderson come to mind.
What do you love most about capturing weddings?
I love weddings purely because I get to photograph people at their happiest, there are not many jobs out there where you can see so much emotion on show, and it’s a privilege to document that.
Tell us about different packages you offer?
I try and keep my pricing simple. For UK weddings the price is £2,250 for photography with no additional costs if the wedding is within 2 hours from Dorset. For Destination weddings, there is a £500 flat rate for expenses on top of the £2,250.
Choosing only one, what is the most valuable aspect of the service you offer to wedding clients?
The ability to make people feel at ease, not too sure if I have always had this or it’s something I’ve developed photographing weddings, but it’s definitely helped me get natural images of people quickly. I think most couples would say I’m a happy and a relaxed person to have at a wedding.
If Our Readers Were To Book You For Their Wedding, What Can They Expect?
The best thing to do is to read some words from previous couples. They’re so much better at describing what it is like to have me as a wedding photographer. You can read them all here: Client Love and I have also included some below for you…
Luisa & Jack | Richard Skins Photography
We feel so incredibly lucky that Richard was our photographer. He is beyond talented. We knew the only thing we’d have to look back on were our photos, so it was really quite important to us. Just how special the photos really are once the day is over is quite amazing, they take you back to that day every time you look at them. To have someone who has captured so well the vibe and happiness of the day in such a natural way is priceless. He is so professional and friendly and knows exactly how to achieve what you ask of him. Neither of us are used to having someone follow us around with a camera, but Richard does it in such a way that you don’t realise that’s whats happening. He has this great way of just blending in as if he’s part of your friends and family, and that’s where he finds the magic.
Luisa & Jack
Richard – you’re a complete photography superstar, we LOVE our photos! Thank you for being lovely, professional, seemingly everywhere at once, unobtrusive – you have an incredible eye. We have come back to your photos again and again and keep finding new things we love – little glances you’ve captured, or moments we had forgotten. Our guests have also been thrilled with how many awesome pictures you’ve taken of everyone – one of our friends emailed us to say ‘ils arrivent à nous rendre carrément plus beaux gosses‘ – basically, the photos make us all look really awesome/handsome! Which is true! Thank you so much for agreeing to join us in France to photograph our day. We till treasure our photos forever.
Holly & Max
Leanne & Theo | Richard Skins Photography
We couldn’t recommend Richard enough. My husband and I are hardly natural in front of a camera. Richard made photographing the whole day an absolute pleasure. Our guests loved him and the photos were just unbelievable. He really captured the whole feel of the day. Richard was also a very calming influence on the day and made a special effort in researching locations around the venue to take some breath-taking shots. We don’t get tired of looking through the photos and smiling at just how happy everybody looks.
Leanne & Theo
What is the best advice you can give when it comes to choosing a wedding photographer?
Make sure you chat to the photographer first, if you’re contacting them then you already should know you love their photography. A chat is essential to see how comfortable you’re with them, if they’re friendly on the phone, you know they will quickly to get along with all your family & friends on the day. Also, don’t be shy in asking to see a full gallery to see how their coverage is throughout the day.
Finally, what’s your life quote/motto?
My life quote is ‘f**k life quotes’
The Gallery…
Richard Skins is a member of our Festival Wedding Supplier Directory. For more information on his UK and Destination photography packages, please visit his listing: Richard Skins Photography
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