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2021 WEDDINGS – latest guidance

2021 Weddings – latest guidance HM Govt has announced the following updated COVID-19 guidance regarding wedding ceremonies in England.

From 21 June, there will no longer be a maximum number cap for attendees set out in law. Instead, the number of attendees at weddings, civil partnerships and receptions will be determined by how many people the venue or space can safely accommodate with social distancing measures in place. This will be based on the COVID-19 risk assessment of the venue or outdoor space, and the measures put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19.

In a COVID-secure venue, where the premises are operated or used by a business, a charitable, benevolent or philanthropic institution or a public body (such as a place of worship or a hospitality venue) your venue manager will need to tell you the maximum number of people who will be able to attend.

For events taking place in other venues with more than 30 guests, (such as a garden of a private home or on private land), organisers will need to complete a COVID-19 risk assessment to determine how many guests will be able to attend, and make the venue as safe as possible. A marquee or other structure in a garden of a private home must have at least 50% of its walled area open at any time for it to be classed as ‘outdoors’ and for the limit based on safe capacity to apply.

These events must not happen indoors at private dwellings, unless they are urgent marriages where one of those getting married is seriously ill and not expected to recover. These can take place in private dwellings with up to 30 people. This includes enclosed structures in gardens of private homes.

Some restrictions on ceremonies and receptions remain in place to enable them to take place safely. This includes Step 3 requirements on table service, face coverings, social distancing, and restrictions on dancing and singing.

Viewings can continue to take place with appropriate COVID-19 mitigation measures in place at any venue which is not required in law to remain closed. This includes, for example, any restaurant or indoor visitor attraction.

 

This 2021 WEDDINGS – latest guidance will hopefully inspire more confidence in those couples who have already booked dates and those who have been waiting for the green light.

Since the Covid-19 restrictions came into effect last year I have introduced a new wedding photography package to better serve those with smaller weddings and changed plans.

NEW COVERAGE BY THE HOUR
£250 per hour (min 2 hours)
£200 per hour thereafter
Retouched hi-res pictures via download link
Option to upgrade to book later

Book with confidence. If your booked date is forced into cancellation because of new government restrictions I will transfer the deposit to the new date. If that new date is already taken I will return your deposit in full.

For further details please contact me here.

Hopefully it won’t be long until I can start photographing your own special day and scenes like these.

 

Newly married couple in Lincolnshire stand together in shade of a tree.

2021 Weddings – the key dates

2021 Weddings – the key dates HM Govt has announced the proposed key dates that would enable post lockdown weddings to take place this year.

2021 Weddings – the key dates are as follows:

8th March – Weddings can take place with up to 6 attendees
12th April – Weddings can take place with up to 15 attendees
17th May – Weddings can take place with up to 30 attendees
21st June – All legal limits will be lifted on weddings

This will hopefully inspire more confidence in those couples who have already booked dates and those who have been waiting for the green light.

Since the Covid-19 restrictions came into effect last year I have introduced a new wedding photography package to better serve those with smaller weddings and changed plans.

NEW COVERAGE BY THE HOUR
£250 per hour (min 2 hours)
£200 per hour thereafter
Retouched hi-res pictures via download link
Option to upgrade to book later

Book with confidence. If your booked date is forced into cancellation because of new government restrictions I will transfer the deposit to the new date. If that new date is already taken I will return your deposit in full.

For further details please contact me here.

Hopefully it won’t be long until I can start photographing your own special day and scenes like these.

Newly married couple in a rural setting

Daisy & Will after their Tealby, Lincolnshire wedding during a brief relaxation on weddings in 2020 ©michaelpowell.com

 

Lincolnshire Outdoor Family Portraits

I managed to shoot some Lincolnshire outdoor family portraits between lockdowns and tier restrictions. I’m quite happy shooting family portraits in my studio but location photography is what I’ve been doing throughout my 36 years as a press photographer. A typical job for The Times involves me travelling to a location new to me to shoot a person I haven’t met before and creating a strong page-leading shot for publication. Outdoor family portraits are not that different especially as all my newspaper shoots now have to taken outside anyway during the pandemic.

I find the variable lighting more an opportunity than challenge. The studio may offer a completely controlled environment (and it’s warm and dry) but I still prefer controlling daylight and introducing supplementary lighting (usually flash). Throw in a dramatic location or sky and we’re really getting there. As an aside, I am still offering one to one photography tuition vouchers on my site.

I spent a morning in December shooting Lincolnshire outdoor family portraits in a village near Lincoln. I immediately spotted a wonderful field with mature trees and traditional stock control fencing. Here’s a picture I particularly like shot with very powerful flash using a gold reflector and the low morning sun as backlight. I shot lots of tight family portraits and smiling faces too but this is my favourite and I now have a framed A2 print on display in my studio. It’s the sort of page-leading shot I might take for The Times.

To book your Lincolnshire outdoor family portraits please contact me here.

 

Lincolnshire family portraits of brother and sister sitting on fence in field.

©Michael Powell

Last Minute Christmas Gift – Photography Tuition

Here’s a great last minute Christmas gift idea, give a photography tuition voucher. I’ve been doing one-to one photography tuition sessions for about ten years now. Learn how to stop that camera bossing you around and how to control it and understand light and composition better. Order at michaelpowell.com

 

Powell_Photography_tuition voucher

 

 

Covid-19 Weddings – Photography Coverage by the hour

 

Pic shows champagne glasses overlaid with postponed rubber stamp text

 

Covid-19 weddings rules have effectively shutdown wedding ceremonies in UK until further notice. Weddings are being postponed and cancelled. My diary has melted. So here comes a new simplified Covid-19 weddings photography option.

Wedding photographer now unavailable for your new date?
Downscaled your wedding? Expecting just a dozen guests?
Last minute wedding plans for when weddings are back?
Worried about a possible second lockdown?
Midweek availability only at venue?
Register office wedding?
Wedding this year and a big party next year?

NEW COVERAGE BY THE HOUR
£250 per hour (min 2 hours)
£200 per hour thereafter
Retouched hi-res pictures via download link
Option to upgrade to book later

For further details please contact me here.

Of course I’ll be operating responsibly, safely and adhering to guidelines and best practice. I’ve not been rusting away these last few months. I’m also a press card carrying newspaper photographer so have been able to continue working responsibly during lockdown.

Hopefully it won’t be long until I can start photographing scenes like these.