frequently asked questions

  • I’m an easy-going creative person at heart, preferring to watch and document rather than be intrusive and demanding on your wedding day. I will give a little direction when needed but prefer to go unnoticed, capturing and documenting the day for what it was, yours!

    My wedding photography style is best described as documentary style, creative candid storytelling.

    Scenery plays an important role in my photography, especially on the coast and countryside. I love to use natural light and the landscape to elevate the moments I'm capturing.

    I capture it all, the little details, the big moments, personalities/characters of guests, group photos, the two of you, to tell the story of your wedding day.

    With well over 300 weddings under my belt, I know when to step in and when to step out and allow for the story to present itself, being in the right place at the right time.

  • My goal is to capture you at your best. Not everyone loves being in front of a camera, in fact many of my couples admit to me they're camera shy. I'm 100% camera shy myself and always prefer photos captured naturally.

    My perceptive nature allows me to capture images that reflect personalities/character and individuality. With well over 300 weddings under my belt, I know when to step in and when to step out and allow for the story to present itself.

    My relaxed and discreet approach brings you into the process so that the resulting images are an expression of you...being you, it’s always a collaboration, nothing forced/staged. I'll never put you in weird uncomfortable poses and you'll never hear "say cheese" from me and that's a promise.

    My aim is to capture your day in a way that feels relaxed, easy and enjoyable for you, and I’m more like one of your guests rather than a traditional wedding photographer.

    You'll notice in my wedding photography gallery that apart from group photos, very few images has anyone looking directly at the camera.

    I’m a strong believer that candid photos are the best, capturing moments rather than creating them.

    Be yourselves and trust me to capture beautiful, emotive and artistic photographs that will not only remind you of how it all looked, but how it felt to be there surrounded by your favourite people.

  • I capture it all. My style is very relaxed and natural - nothing staged/forced. I'm all about capturing moments candidly and creatively, not creating them with forced poses.

    Just be yourselves, have the best day and trust me to capture it all.

    Click here to see what a typical all day wedding looks like

  • Yes I capture group photos at almost every wedding and these can be as formal or informal as you like.

  • Yes whilst many weddings I capture are in Cornwall and Devon, I do cover all the UK and also Europe as a destination wedding photographer.

  • Yes I capture on average 5000 photos from an all day wedding and I go through each image, curate and individually hand-edit.

    I deliver a minimum of 500 edited photos from an all day wedding.

    I never outsource my editing to anyone else, it’s something very personal to me and I pride myself with consistent high quality wedding images.

    The final collection is presented in a professional website gallery that you can share with friends and family. From the gallery shop you can order professional prints, framed photos or design and order a fine-art wedding album. I send some previews within a few weeks of your wedding day which you can use on social media or thank you cards. The full collection is ready within 12 weeks after your wedding day.

  • With my all day photography, I start a few hours before the ceremony to capture the build-up and getting ready photos and I'll be with you all day until late into the evening.

    I’m not a wedding photographer who has the car running straight after first dance. Photographing first dance is always a special moment and I enjoy getting creative with off-camera flash to capture eye-catching images.

    I’m there for at least one hour after your first dance capturing images of the party in full swing.

  • I shoot a lot, my galleries are always on the generous side. From an all day wedding you’ll receive a minimum of 500 edited images (average is 700). All images are full resolution, no watermarks, provided on bamboo USB + online gallery which you can share with friends and family. From the gallery there are lots of print and wedding album options.

  • Yes I’ve captured many pre-wedding parties and also the day after the wedding such as a bbq.

    Just let me know your plans and I’m happy to tailor a package that suits your celebrations.

  • 10 years as of 2023. I went professional as a wedding photographer in 2013 and I’ve had the pleasure of documenting wedding stories in beautiful locations across England and Europe and working with inspiring couples who've helped elevate my work to new heights.

  • I know how exciting it is to wait your wedding photos and I always aim to get a handful of previews within two weeks of your wedding day so you have some photos whilst you wait for the full collection to be ready.

    During peak wedding season the full collection can take up to 12 weeks, the average time is 10 weeks. 

    Photos are uploaded to your website gallery first (you can share with family and friends) and then photos are posted to your home address on USB along with some professional prints that you choose from your website gallery.

  • I’m part of a group of similar style wedding photographers and we cover each other when required. The best backup, without cloning myself.

  • Yes absolutely, I’m always looking for opportunities to make the most from natural light and scenery. 

  • With my all day photography, I start a few hours before the ceremony to capture the build-up and getting ready photos and I'll be with you all day until late into the evening. I’m not a wedding photographer who has the car running straight after first dance.

    Photographing first dance is always a special moment and I enjoy getting creative with off-camera flash to capture eye-catching images. I’m there for at least one hour after your first dance capturing images of the party in full swing.

    All day coverage in the summer months is often 10am to 10pm.

  • Booking me is nice and simple, I send you my website booking form and bank details for the 25 percent booking fee. Once both of those have been received, that’s me booked for your wedding day. The remaining balance is due one month before your wedding day.

  • Please get in touch with me using my contact page or email me at mark@markshawphotography.co.uk

    Alternatively give me a call on my mobile number 07738418846

  • Absolutely, please get in touch to discuss yours.

  • Yes i’m happy to be flexible on the day. Extra hours are £200 per hour paid within 7 days of your wedding day.

  • Yes please get in touch and let's chat

  • Yes please get in touch and let's chat

questions about extras

  • Yes I offer two options for video -

    Option 1 - I film your ceremony & speeches whilst photographing at the same time. Price is £395

    Option 2 - I recommend a wedding videographer to you. Price range from £1500 - £3500

    Please visit my wedding videographer page for video examples and more information

  • Yes I’ve a handful of professional photographers who second shoot for me.

    Available from £495

    View example 2nd shooter photos

  • Yes you can book an engagement session with me anytime before your wedding day here in Cornwall. We get to know each other, and i’ll capture some candid photos of the two of you and i’ll offer a few tips if needed, practice makes perfect!

    This all translates in the wedding photos on the big day so it’s something I recommend especially for the camera shy.

    Price is £250 within 20 miles of Falmouth, further afield mileage applies.

    View an example engagement session gallery

    I’ve also captured post wedding photo sessions in Cornwall, often those who get married in the countryside but would like photos on the coast.

    View more about my pre-wedding shoot in Cornwall

  • Yes absolutely, nothing quite beats having a cuppa with your family and flicking through your wedding photos in print, there’s just something special and nostalgic about it & I think family albums are such special pieces of history.

    So although we live in a digital age, I still feel that it’s incredibly important to show off your wedding photographs in print.

    Using the website gallery you’ll receive from me you can choose, design and order a stunning wedding album within the shop. Price ranges depending on album cover choices, how many pages etc. I’ve detailed how to order your fine-art wedding album here.