Mikayla DierdrePhotography

Journal

Wedding photography advice without the nonsense

The journal is where I can answer the questions that do not fit neatly onto a service page.

Some of them are practical. How many hours of photography do you actually need? How long do group photographs take? What happens if it rains? Others are more about choosing what you actually want: documentary photography, candid photography, black and white work, engagement sessions, first looks and all the terminology that gets thrown around when you start planning.

Flower girl's pale blue tulle dress and tights on the carpet

November 2026

How to choose a wedding photographer: five steps, in the right order

Start with your own day, shortlist from full galleries rather than portfolios, talk to the few you like, compare written quotes like for like, and get the booking in writing before you pay.

October 2026

Wedding photography styles explained, and what each one means for your day

Documentary, traditional, editorial and fine art wedding photography in plain English: how each one feels on the day, why editing is a separate choice, and how to tell what a photographer really shoots.

October 2026

The wedding photo list: which group shots to plan, and why to keep it short

Which group photographs are worth planning, a starting list of nine, how to order them, and why a short list agreed with both families works better than a long one.

October 2026

Wedding day timeline: planning your day around the photographs

How long each part of the day really needs, two example timelines for a full day and a short civil ceremony, and where to leave room for things to run late.

September 2026

Civil ceremony photography: what to expect on the day

How a civil ceremony or register office wedding is photographed, what the restrictions usually are, and how to get natural photographs from a short day.

September 2026

Questions to ask a wedding photographer before you book

The questions that actually tell you something, and what a useful answer sounds like.

September 2026

How many hours of wedding photography do you need?

A timeline-based way to decide coverage, from getting ready to the last thing you actually want photographed.

September 2026

How much does a wedding photographer cost? A plain answer

What actually drives the price of wedding photography, why hourly pricing is easier to compare, and how to work out what your own day will cost.

My aim here is to keep those answers useful and plain. I do not think wedding planning needs more vague advice. If something normally takes twenty minutes, I would rather tell you that than write three paragraphs about creating space for meaningful moments. If I think a long group-shot list will eat into the rest of your day, I will explain why. If there are two sensible options, I will give you both rather than pretending there is one perfect answer for every couple.

There will also be local content where I genuinely have something useful to add. That includes Buckinghamshire locations I have photographed myself, civil ceremony venues and places that work well for photographs afterwards. If I have not photographed somewhere, I will not write as though I have. That matters because there is already enough generic wedding content online. The useful stuff is specific. What the light is like. How far something is from the ceremony. Whether a location works when you only have twenty minutes.

If you are early in planning, start with the practical guides. If you already have a date and venue and are deciding whether my approach is right for you, the experience, work and investment pages will probably be more useful. And if you have a question that is not covered yet, send it over. If one couple is asking it, there is a good chance somebody else is wondering the same thing.

Questions

Common questions

  • What will the journal cover?

    Planning advice, photography questions, real local experience and practical guidance around wedding photos.

  • Is the advice specific to Buckinghamshire?

    Some articles are local to Buckinghamshire, while others apply to weddings more generally.

  • Will you write about venues you have not photographed?

    Not as though I have first-hand experience. Venue content will be clear about what is and is not based on my own work.

  • Can I ask a question for the journal?

    Yes. If you have a wedding photography question that is not covered, you can send it through the enquiry form.

  • Where should I start if I am choosing a photographer?

    Start with the work, experience and investment pages, then use the journal for deeper questions.