As millions of people tune in to watch Harry and Meghan tie the knot, award-winning Consett-based photographer Andy Turner tells Anna Hope about the particular challenges of wedding photography

It’s no surprise Andy Turner’s stunning wedding photographs won him the Best Photographer award in the North East and Yorkshire category of The Wedding Industry Awards. “I’m particularly proud of this award, as a large part of the selection process is based on client feedback,” he tells us. “As long as my clients are happy, I feel as though I’m on the right track.”

Based on the reviews on his website, Andy’s clients sound more than happy with him. He’s described as a ‘true genius’, ‘an absolute gentleman’ and even ‘the most talented in his field’. Many cite his ability to fit in with the guests as part of his appeal, meaning he can get natural shots that capture the emotions of the day, as opposed to staged photos. “My approach to photographing weddings is to be as hands-off as possible,” he says. “This allows my couples to relax and enjoy the day the way they have planned it, the result being a more natural and authentic record of the day’s events.”

Andy has no formal training; he took up photography as a hobby alongside his 17-year career in retail. When he was made redundant in 2013, he seized the opportunity to transform his passion into a full-time career, and is now the recommended photographer for many wedding venues.

With an emphasis on natural emotions, natural locations play a huge part in Andy’s photography. He photographs couples in bucolic settings, in forests or fields of wheat, and his darker, almost ethereal style contrasts with the usual high contrast, bright photos we normally associate with weddings. However, his focus on the couple and the people involved in the wedding is what makes him truly successful.

“Great light and a good location can be inspiring, but when shooting weddings, you don’t always have full control of these, so it is often more about the people,” says Andy. “I’m inspired by the fact that I’m capturing moments that won’t be repeated, but will be treasured by my couples and future generations of their families.”

Recently, Andy has also been photographing engagement shoots, which are growing in popularity. “Over the years the demand has definitely increased. Many people see them as a great way to get to know their photographer, and what to expect on their wedding day,” he says. “The photos can also be used for things like ‘save the date’ cards and other wedding-related items, such as the guestbook and signing frames.”

The job is rewarding, but also challenging, and Andy admits there have been some testing times. “There’s always pressure photographing weddings, as you’re documenting a one-off event that can’t be repeated, but that’s something you get used to,” says Andy. “I recently photographed the wedding of Amy and Tom, who had known each other since they were babies, had gone to the same primary school, secondary school and university before tying the knot in a ceremony conducted by Tom’s dad. Stories like theirs are one of the many reasons I love photographing weddings.”

W: andyturnerphotography.co.uk

T: 07970-294123

E: andy@andyturnerphotography.co.uk