Wedding Photography
Like great writers, great photographers love what they do and I am passionate about my role. My focus is always to take bright and colourful photos filled with natural emotions of happiness and fun, while letting you and your guests enjoy the day as much as possible.
2018 was my 10th year of photographing weddings and I am always honoured when a couple choose me to photograph their day. I enjoy helping each one to have the best day possible, both in the planning stages where I can advise based on my experiences, and on the day through helping to keep it run smoothly, while always wishing to go above and beyond.
I am proud to be a qualified Licentiate Member of the Society of Wedding Photographers and to have reached the Regional Finals of the ‘Wedding Industry Awards‘ in 2016, 2017 & 2018! Equally, it is heart warming to have received so many kind words from now married couples and a selection of these can be found on the ‘Reviews’ section of my Facebook page.
I am delighted to be a recommended Wedding Photographer at the following venues and offer a discount for couples getting wed at these: Brookfield Barn, Hendall Manor Barns, Heaven Farm, Pangdean Old Barn, Wakehurst Place, Patricks Barn at Chiddinglye, Four Oaks Farm, Laughton Barns, Broadacres, The Ravenswood and Bluebell Vineyard.
Portfolio & Videos
Here are a selection of galleries for you to look through! To begin with there is my Portfolio showing my best work from the last eleven years and then three galleries highlighting my work over the last three years.
Beneath these are four Real Weddings so you can see how I have documented the couples day from start to finish!
Venues
I enjoy working at many venues throughout the South East. Here are some of the venues I regularly visit:
About Me
Horses and Dogs
I would say that at least half my couples are either horse or dog lovers, and I enjoy nothing more than when either four legged friends attend the wedding! To me, they’re just as much as your family as your blood relatives and the memorable portraits I take of my couples with them are often their favourite pictures from their wedding!
Me at weddings
My first ever wedding was my Aunty’s wedding! I was 17 years old and was absolutely terrified, but I got the bug for weddings on that day. Being able to provide a couple with photos that allow them to relive the best day of their life is such a privilege. People often ask how I deal with the stress… well when I have such fun and produce unique pictures that are going to be treasure, I really don’t feel it!
Countryside
As you can probably tell, even with my wedding photos, I love the countryside! Often my couples are also big fans and using the natural surroundings of a venue for couple and group photos, making the most of the sunshine, flowers and foliage is a key part of my style and approach to telling a couples story.
Fun
Weddings are fun, you’re marrying the man or girl of your dreams after all! I feel your pictures should be filled with smiles of joy, laughter that hurts and tears of emotion. As such, I enjoy being a fly on the wall for those special, natural moments while also getting stuck into the vibe of the day… such as buying you an ice cream ahead of a five min walk!
LSWPP
On 25th March 2016 I was delighted to be awarded a ‘Licentiateship in Wedding Photography’ with the Society of Wedding & Portrait Photographers. It is great to know they feel my photography is worthy, although I am keen to continue to grow my creative skills and overall production quality to please my couples while also reaching higher grades within the SWPP.
More about me
Want to know more about me and my photography over the last ten years? Please do take a look around my website to view my Equine and Rural Life work and visit my ‘About Me’ page by following this link…
Your Collection
I have created two Collections that bring together the modern day flexibility of digital images with the tradition of a physical album, so you can cherish your photos in both print and on screen! For, as I truly believe, ‘pictures should be printed and admired, not just seen on phones!’
The Digital Collection
With this Digital Collection you receive my devoted attentions to creating a story of your day, being professional yet friendly at all times, from three hours before the ceremony to an hour after your first dance. This is up to 10 hours of coverage and you will receive at least 550 edited photographs in colour, plus a selection of these in black & white. Included as standard is:
A Meeting at your Ceremony & Reception Venues to discuss your wedding in detail.
High Resolution Digital Images of each of your photos. These will come supplied on a luxury boxed USB so you can print and share your pictures.
A Sneak Peek Gallery of 120 edited photos, presented in an online gallery within a week of your wedding so you can relive the day while on honeymoon.
50 Thank you Cards featuring a photo of your choice on the front, with the option of purchasing additional cards.
An Online Gallery & Printing Service, so your guests can view your photos and order their own professionally printed copies from me.
£1350
Your Complete Collection
In addition to everything included in the Initial Collection you will also receive:
Coverage from the bridal preparations all the way through to the partying at 10:30pm, to capture every aspect of your day, resulting in around 750 edited photographs.
A thirty sided 14 by 10 inch wedding album containing your favourite photographs. Follow this link for further information about my albums.
A Highlights Slideshow of your pictures, so you can sit back on your sofa, pop open some bubbly and relive your wedding with your partner! This is also an ideal way to show your best photos to family.
A mounted 16 by 12 inch print and three 10 by 8 inch prints, ready to be hung in your home or given to family
£1900
The Details
I can also offer you a second photographer, additional thank you cards, professionally produced prints & canvas wraps and parent albums.
Discounts are available for midweek weddings and weddings from 1st November to 31st March.
Here is a link for further information regarding the wedding albums I can offer you.
Please view my Recommended Suppliers via this link.
Please do email me for a copy of my comprehensive ‘Wedding Photography Guide’ which includes everything from my approach to documenting your day, the Collections I can offer in more detail, my Recommended Suppliers, FAQs and more!
Reviews
Katie & Russell
“On the day we were so impressed in every way, but when we received our pictures in a beautifully prepared box we were just over the moon and totally speechless. Craig’s ability to capture natural portraits and his fantastic use of the available light and surrounds was astounding. We are now the proud owners of a collection of incredible pictures that accurately represent the atmosphere and happiness of our special day, just as we remember it. We cannot thank you enough Craig! Without a doubt we would have no hesitation in highly recommending to anyone!!”
Lucy & Laurie
“You went above and beyond to ensure that the day went smoothly and it was great to have you around as part of the day. We really couldn’t have asked for more and the amazing photographs that we have seen really do speak for themselves! Several of the guests have since commented on your good manner, it’s great to have a photographer who is friendly and gets involved with all the fun aspects of the day whilst retaining a high standard of professionalism throughout and producing excellent results.”
Julie & Ed
“We watched our Highlights Video twice last night and both times it had me in tears! Thank you SO much it is amazing! It is funny how 8 minutes can capture a whole day so perfectly! Jordan’s hacka was amazing and such a surprise, I cry every time I think of it!”
Karen & Chris
“Well, what can I say but a massive thank you to you Craig and WOW for being such a wonderful photographer. Your attention to details and being able to take the pressure off of us and capturing some amazing photos whilst unawares are truly memorable. You never stopped smiling and going the extra mile on the day to stay longer was so thoughtful of you. You feel like a family friend now not just someone at the end of a phone or email. The personal touches to the service you offer makes you stand out from many. The family photos of the 6 of us are commented on daily and will be treasured for a lifetime. Thank you again for everything you have done and making a special day extra special with the memories xx”
Vicki & Pip
“One word… Amazing! Looking through these has made me cry, they’re absolutely stunning!!!”
Kirsty & Chris
“Craig, the photos are so beyond perfect! I can’t thank you enough! They really are beautiful and you got that perfect shot of us walking by the pond which I specially requested!”
How Do We Book You?
It’s great to hear you would like to know more about the wedding photography I can offer you! Please fill out this contact form, making sure to list your wedding date, venue(s) and any key details and I will be in touch! I will let you know if I am available and will send you my comprehensive ‘Wedding Photography Guide‘ so you can read further into my Ethos, Collections and more. Once you have had a good look through this pack we can arrange a date to meet up so you can meet me, view my sample Real Wedding albums and chat about the photography you would like. At no stage will you be pinned down to book me and we can meet one weekday evening at your home or a local pub! If you do not hear from me in 48 please send me a direct email to craigtpayne@googlemail.com, or you are more than welcome to call my office on 01825 791437. 
10/10 Scored for both ‘Ability to Understand and fit into our wedding’ and ‘Value for Money’ by all couples that voted for Craig in the ‘Photographer of the Year’ Award 2016