Hire a Photographer in Islington

Gary Williams offers a documentary photographer based in Islington, London specialising in weddings and events. read on for detailed information and helpful advice about hiring a photographer for your event.

What do you need to know from an organiser in order to provide a comprehensive quote?

So I can give you an accurate price the more you can tell me about your event, the better. Let me know the date, location, times (if rough timetable would be great if you have it) and what you need from me.

What advice would you give to a customer looking to hire a provider in your area of work?

I know that most people have never hired a photographer before and it can be difficult to know what questions to ask and find the right fit for you. Of course, you should look at their portfolio to make sure you're happy with their work, but I think the main thing is to make sure you connect with the photographer you choose and feel comfortable with them. I think this is especially important for wedding photography as it's such a personal event.

These days it's not hard to take a technically decent photo - we all have phones that can do that - what you're really paying your photographer for is to look for and find those special moments that you may not even notice, but that truly capture the essence of your event.

Please tell us a little bit about how and why you started the business.

You already know I'm a photographer so you might be surprised to know I used to spend a bit more time in front of the camera as a presenter and a singer.

I was born in Grimsby and actually started my working life developing a range of fire training videos. One day my presenter didn’t show up so I had to step in. After that, the film company I worked with started hiring me as a freelance presenter and since then I've recorded literally 1000s of videos and voice-overs for clients like the NHS, McCain and (coincidentally) Jessops Cameras.

I’d always loved music and although the fire business was rewarding, when I got the call to play Frank Sinatra in the West End’s Rat Pack show, I said yes and launched my career as a singer.

Since then I’ve performed everywhere from Carnegie Hall to Buckingham Palace, Frank Sinatra's home to Ronnie Scott's and the Royal Albert Hall to Bestival. I wrote a book about stagecraft and have presented shows for BBC Radio 2 and Jazz FM. I've recorded at Abbey Road, been profiled in the Sunday Times' ‘Fame and Fortune’ section and was invited to Downing Street.

But photography has always been my greatest passion. In 2020, I took a workshop with Martin Parr and decided to learn everything I could and make a living from it. Since then my work has been shortlisted for the International Photography Awards and published in the New York Times.

And now I've love to work with you. I'm passionate about photographing people and finding those natural, spontaneous moments that capture the essence of a person or special event.

Please tell us about a booking you've had through Add to Event, how did it go? Would you recommend us to others?

I love working with Add To Event. I get such a wide range of events to photograph and the truth is I have loved them all. I’ve had everything from weddings in the pouring rain, 12 hour business conferences and funerals (tricky but surprisingly heart-warming).

Recently one of the grooms from a gay wedding called me a week before the big day and told me he’d just realised that all of his staff would be at the wedding. He said because they work remotely it will be the first time in years they’ll be in the same room. So… would I mind doing their company headshots at some point during the wedding day? I had to laugh. Fortunately there was a break between the reception and the evening party so I found a space in the venue, set up a mini studio complete with backdrop and lights, and did them all the break. The staff were under strict instructions not to drink too much before their photographs!