About Me, About The Way I Work

Fifteen years I've been doing this thing called wedding photography. Over 500 weddings! It wasn't a family business or anything like that. Aviation was my hobby, you might like to call it "plane spotting" - yeah, a bit nerdy I know! But the photography went along with that and I got half good at it, even selling pictures to magazines now and then.

 

Wedding photography though was but a distant thought until my own wedding in 2007. I'd always thought of it as that guy that turns up for a couple of hours, does a few "firing squad" type line ups and then shoots off home in time for the football scores - how wrong was I - things had clearly moved on ... and I was hooked. With 2010 came the opportunity to take voluntary redundancy from my boring bank job. And that was me - Mike Cook Photography was born. Many sleepless nights preceded my first few weddings - I still get slightly nervous on the morning of a wedding day - the day I don't is the day I quit. The responsibility is enormous, and rightly so.

 

Originally from London, I've lived in Scotland for 23 years now, so please excuse my Scottish banter in a Cockney twang! I'm married to Claire and have one teenage son, Matthew, and Christopher, a teenager in all but actual age itself!

 

So, how I roll then...

 

Documentary, reportage, candid, natural, unposed, storytelling - some words I've used before to describe my shooting style - "storytelling" is my favourite.

 

Come the day, I rock up and just get on with it, shooting what I see and hardly bothering you at all. Sure, I still do a few groups (just not that many) and there's still a couple shoot or two where we can create some "wow" pictures, but without the cheesy grinning at the camera! Or, don't do any at all if you prefer it that way...I'm easy.

 

You may not even notice me much on the day, but for me that's a good thing - I've been called a "photo ninja" many a time! I prefer to call it "hiding in plain sight" - I'm not invisible, but I'm certainly not in your face all day either.

 

I'm told I'm good at what I do by other people. The WPJA have recognised me as Scotland's top wedding photographer for the past two years. I'm very honoured by that, naturally, but it's always couples' opinions that matter more to me and I'm always chuffed to bits to receive the nice words that I do...

 

Manner wise, well I'm just about as laid back and easy going as easy going can be and that very much suits the way I work. I'll never bark orders at you and be one of those loud shouty guys (they are out there!) - I'm more like one of your guests with a fancy camera. And, trust me, we'll have some fun on the day...often at my expense...it's OK, I can take it.

 

Location, location, location - well, anywhere really. I'm based just outside Falkirk but have shot weddings all over Scotland and England too - honestly, nowhere is off limits. Still waiting for that gig in the Maldives though...one day, maybe!

 

And, a few things I like...

 

Tottenham Hotspur FC - my big passion from as young as I can recall. Season ticket holder for many a year when I lived down South. And, I worked there as a steward for a few seasons too. One of these days, we may actually win something too ...

 

Music - how could I live without. My wife calls me a "music snob" which is probably a little true. Things like Radiohead, Pink Floyd, The Smiths, The The, Talk Talk, John Grant, Elbow, PJ Harvey ... you get the drift ... no plastic chart rubbish! I also have a guitar in the office - can't really play it but it looks good sitting in the corner if nothing else.

 

Greek Islands - my go to holiday destination. Just love the place and the people, any island will do, although Kos is the favourite. And I've taught myself to speak Greek, a wee bit anyway. I can order a beer in Greek and ask where the toilet is...what else do you need to know for a good night out!

 

Add : 25 Lavery Avenue, Larbert, Stirlingshire FK5 4GF

Tel : 01324 557977

Mob : 07824 380674

Email : mike@mcookphotography.co.uk

Office Hours :

Monday to Friday - 8.45am to 3.15pm

Monday & Wednesday - 8.30pm to 10.00pm (meetings only, no phone calls please)