Hannah Dornford-May Photography ~ New {www} Sponsor

It’s about time i introduce you to {www’s} newest sponsor the amazing Lancashire based wedding photographer Hannah Donford-May. Hannah is someone you are sure to want around on your big day, she is a huge talent with a fabulous persona.

Anyway enough from me, take it away Hannah…..

{w} Hi Hannah, could you firstly tell {www} readers a little bit about you?

Hi, I’m Hannah a wedding photographer from Lancashire. I live just outside Blackpool with Scott and our little cat, Phoebe (named because yes, she was a little smelly when we first got her…)

Apart from photographing weddings I can normally be found hanging out with friends, at a gig, drinking tea, watching a TV boxset that probably came out years ago but I’ve only just found out about it or reading…to call me a bookworm would be an understatement!

{w} What do you love/dislike about your job?

Where to start with the love part?! To be such a part of a couple’s wedding day is something I feel so lucky and proud to be able to do. The images I take on that day are the only thing that’s left when it’s all over and the couple get back to ‘real’ life, to be able to give them photographs that they can look at again and again is amazing.

Secondly, I get to do my favourite thing (taking photographs) for a living…what’s not to love about that?!

I honestly can’t think of anything I dislike about doing this for a living, I get to work for myself, spend lots of time with great people, go to a LOT of weddings and take photographs. Nothing bad there!

{w} How did you get into your business and into the wedding industry?

I went to film school, dreaming of being a screenwriter/director. In my final year I had to take some publicity stills for a short film I was working on…and fell in love with photography! After moving to Manchester I started taking my camera to all the unsigned band nights and then managed to start photographing bigger acts like Will Young, Florence and the Machine and Skunk Anansie. I eventually began documenting bands in the studio and also working with theatre companies as they put shows on.

At this point I was adamant I wasn’t going to be a wedding photographer. In my mind wedding photography was all about the formal photographs after the ceremony, I knew nothing about shooting weddings as they happened. Then some friends asked me to photograph their wedding…I wasn’t convinced but they insisted they just wanted the day capturing as it happened so that’s what I did. I loved every moment and the rest, as they say, is history!

I realised the other day that all my life every career I’ve wanted to do has involved storytelling – from wanting to be a writer when I was younger to being a film maker and now to tell real life stories through being a wedding photographer…

{w} What do you aim to achieve for your clients?

My overall aim is to tell the story of their day so that when couples look back over their wedding photographs hundreds of memories come flooding back. I also aim to create timeless images that stand the test of time – I’m not going to provide you with spot colouring, white vignette borders or images superimposed into brandy glasses! Your wedding photographs need to be images that you, your children and ultimately your grandchildren will enjoy looking through – without laughing at how dated the photographic ‘effects’ are!

{w} What style is your work?

I applied my experience of music and documentary photography to my wedding photography – it’s all about capturing the moment as it happens, not recreating it later on, you’ve lost the emotion by that point!

The majority of the day I’ll be documenting things as they happen – starting with the bride’s prep in the morning and going right up to the first dance, or even longer! I try and get some time alone with the couple at some point to get some relaxed portraits, it’s also a great chance for them to spend some time together, things can get pretty hectic! That part is completely up to them though, I’ve done some weddings where there have been no posed shots, however formal or informal, at all.

{w} Could you tell us some information about your packages and prices?

I’ve tried to keep it all pretty simple for couples, there’s a lot to think about when planning a wedding so why over complicate things?!

Standard coverage includes a pre-wedding (engagement) shoot, coverage from bridal prep to first dance and a disc of your edited images. I have two beautiful albums for couples to choose from – or as many couples do, ask for one as a wedding present from guests.

I also have some additional options which can be included ranging from a day after shoot to a guest book of the engagement shoot photographs.

Every couple is different though and I am more than happy to offer bespoke packages.

{w} Do you have any tips for couples in selecting their photographer?

The main thing I stress to couples is make sure you get on with your photographer, you (especially the bride) will be spending a LOT of time with them on the day so it’s important you like them and feel comfortable with them.

Don’t choose a photographer based on price alone – it may be tempting as budgeting for a wedding can be costly but make sure you love their photographs as well as being OK with the cost.

{w} How can we get in touch with you?

The best way is either through my website – www.hdmphotography.co.uk or via email – hannah@hdmphotography.co.uk . You can also find me on Twitter – www.twitter.com/_han and Facebook – www.facebook.com/hdmphotography . You can also give me a call on 07843605724.

Thanks so much Hannah and welcome to the family! Be sure to take a look at her beautiful website, for more information. If you do get in touch with Hannah please do mention {www} to her.

Please do give this gorgeous girl a warm welcome 🙂