About Us

Why Smiling Tiger?

When we shoot weddings, it’s all about you! But here’s a little bit more about us, if you’re interested.

The concept of the Smiling Tiger is a nod to our ability to use our experience and instinct to oversee our environment. We let nature unfold, knowing the right moment to strike and capture our prey with pinpoint accuracy.

We’re always anticipating moments, whether it’s an emotional glance between family members, a squeeze of the hand, or something hilarious going on during the speeches – We’re judging the right angle and timing for the shot, to capture that moment forever. When you look back on your wedding photographs and film, you’ll see things you didn’t even realise were happening on the day, documented in timeless style.

Moments Over Formalities

Our aim is to have as little impact on your wedding day as possible, keeping you living in your moments. No direction, orchestration or undue influence from us. We’ll listen, align and effortlessly capture everything. Stunning portraits will be created quickly and efficiently so you won’t be dragged away from your guests for too long.

Of course, we do the group shots too, but we’d do our upmost to keep the time involved as short and sweet as possible, leaving more time to mix, mingle and enjoy the day naturally.

“Emotional context has always been at the heart of my work, it has an allure and magnetism that I simply cannot ignore. Stripping back and exposing our human vulnerabilities, and catching these creatively will always be my passion.

No doubt my eyes to the world have been shaped by my own neurodiversity, seeing & capturing connection within others relationships aswell as my own. After my poignant diagnosis of ADHD in recent adulthood, I now recognise how Neurodiversity has been a blessing in many aspects of my life providing incessant drive, along with a dynamic creative force to capture images full of truthful, poignant moments.

I look for the same qualities when working with other creative folk as part of Smiling Tiger. Our photographers and videographers all have the ability to hone in on raw emotion, at the precise moment it presents. Many having professional awards for their documentary work, along with memberships of world leading photographic organisations.”

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Who is Behind Smiling Tiger?

Linus Moran and William Bazlinton are a seasoned creative team with a shared dedication to capturing authentic moments through photography and film. Linus, a Creative Director with a background in international photojournalism, brings over 15 years of global experience and a distinctive eye for emotional depth in his work. Partnering seamlessly with photographer William Bazlinton, the two have spent the last eight years working together, intuitively supporting one another to achieve powerful visual storytelling. Their work, part of the Smiling Tiger team, is marked by an unerring focus on raw emotion and human connection, an approach that has earned them recognition within the field of documentary photography and videography.

Linus Moran

Linus Moran

Creative Director Linus Moran began his professional career within international photojournalism.  Having graduated art school in Salisbury, Linus’s journey into the world of wedding photography and videography has been anything but conventional. After a brief stint at the Ministry of Defence in Whitehall, He worked for over 15 years covering world assignments, then relocated to Eastern Europe for a number of years to setting up his own photo agency.

When he’s not behind the lens, Linus can be found at the gym – lifting weights, or exploring the stunning landscapes of the West Country. Accompanied by his stunning Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs, which he also breeds, Linus finds inspiration in the natural beauty and tranquility of the countryside.

Linus and Will have worked together for the last 8 years, intuitively knowing the shot they both want, each creating the opportunity for the other to get the best coverage they can when shooting film and stills.

William Bazlinton

William Bazlinton

When working as a team, Will Bazlinton is an integral part of Smiling Tiger Studios, specialising in stills photography. With over eight years of collaboration alongside Linus, Will brings an intuitive understanding of storytelling to every project. Their seamless partnership ensures both video and photography are captured with a shared vision, creating space for each other to deliver the best possible coverage in any situation.

Will’s work is grounded in his passion for authentic storytelling. A graduate of UCA in Surrey with a BA in Photography, he has honed his craft over two decades, specialising in portraiture and human connection. For Will, photography is a way to understand and remember—capturing moments of raw emotion and the unique stories they tell.

Part of a team renowned for their creative documentary style and dedication to capturing genuine moments, Will embodies Smiling Tiger Studios’ ethos of producing natural, timeless images that resonate with honesty and heart. If you’re looking for stills that reflect the essence of the moment without artifice, Will’s work is sure to leave a lasting impression.

Our Charity Pledge

We’ve documented so many happy days, and feel hugely lucky that we get to experience human emotion and love as part of our work. We also acknowledge those times when important people have been missing from those events, people who should have been there but were not.

It is really important for us to donate to a charity that provides everyone with the support they need, no matter what. Our chosen charity is CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably), a charity that shows we must stand together to show that life is always worth living.

A percentage of every wedding booking we take goes directly to this charity, through our Just Giving page.

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Ready to book?

If we’ve struck the balance right and you’re still reading this at the bottom of the page, there’s a good chance we’ll get along. Hopefully the imagery resonates and you’re interested to know how we could capture your day.

Drop us a line through the contact form, or fix a date in our diary for a brief chat to sound one another out! All details can be found by hitting the button below. Hope to speak soon!

Frequently Asked Questions

Below, we’ve answered some of the most common questions we get asked about our services. From how we work on the day to the specifics of packages and delivery, we’re here to make the process as simple as possible. If you have any further questions, feel free to get in touch!

Where are you based?
Based near Blandford and Bournemouth, we’re Dorset wedding photographers and videographers, offering our services throughout the UK and occasionally abroad to ensure your wedding day is beautifully captured, wherever it may be.
How do we book?
To secure our services, simply complete our online contract and pay a £500 booking fee. Once that’s done, your date is confirmed, and we’re all set to capture your special day!
Are you a member of any Professional organisations?
We are members of the Wedding Photojournalist Association (WPJA), an international organisation for professional photographers skilled in candid, unobtrusive wedding photography, joining some of the most respected, award-winning photojournalists worldwide.
What makes you different from other Dorset Wedding Photographers?
We provide professional Dorset wedding photography, dedicating full attention to each wedding. We personally oversee every step, from shooting and editing to colour correction, retouching, and album design. Every album is meticulously quality checked before being presented to the client, ensuring a truly personalised and exceptional result.
How big are the images?
Large enough for poster prints, if desired. All images are high-quality and delivered in full resolution.
Can we print for ourselves?
Absolutely! You’re fully licensed to print as many copies as you like for your personal use. Friends and family can also order prints directly from your gallery.
Are you insured?
Certainly, we’re covered with up to £10m for public liability and professional indemnity, including photography and drone operations.
How long before we see the photos or film?
We typically share a selection of 12-20 preview photos within a couple of days, with the full set ready within two weeks. During busy periods, this may take up to a month. Film previews are delivered within three weeks, and the full highlight video is available within six weeks.

Ready to say “I do”?

We’d love to hear about your wedding plans and how we can help capture your special day.

Get in touch with us today to check availability or discuss your vision and let’s create something unforgettable together.

Golden hour, wild heathland, and the cutest Cavapoo sidekick — Charlotte & Ethan’s New Forest engagement shoot had all the right ingredients.⁠
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Their connection? Effortless. The light? Glorious. The moments? Real.⁠
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Throw in a surprise foal encounter and it was pure photo magic.⁠
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If you're dreaming of your own shoot in the New Forest (or just want to bring your dog along!), this is your sign. 🌟⁠
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📍 Bolton’s Bench, New Forest📸 Smiling Tiger Studios⁠
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Trends fade. Moments don’t.⁠
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It’s easy to get swept up in the look of wedding photography — but the feel is what lasts. The quiet glance. The squeeze of a hand. The emotion that lingers long after the cake’s been cut.⁠
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We just dropped a blog that dives deep into the difference between style and substance — and why both matter.⁠
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✨ If you want wedding photos that look beautiful and feel like you, this one’s for you.⁠
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📸 Smiling Tiger Studios⁠
📍Dorset | Somerset | UK & beyond⁠
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A simple ceremony and a beautiful image.  Vaishi & Jason's wedding at the Tudor House in Southampton a few weeks back.⁠
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The joy on Vaishi's parents faces says it all!⁠
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#southamptonweddingphotographer #tudorhouseweddings #indianfusionweddings
They’re the storytellers, the baby-whisperers, the ones who’ve loved us the longest.⁠
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Including grandparents in your family shoot isn’t just beautiful—it’s meaningful.⁠
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We recently shared our thoughts on why these moments matter (and how to make them effortless) in a new post that’s all heart, no pressure.⁠

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✨ Head to the blog for tips, ideas, and a whole lot of love.⁠
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Perfectly timed, completely unposed — and an absolute favourite of ours.⁠
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The best man lands a killer punchline. The bride, groom, maid of honour and best man? All mid-laugh, eyes wide, caught in that rare shared moment of total joy.⁠
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You don’t always get the whole top table aligned like this. But when it happens — and everyone’s dialled in — it’s storytelling gold.⁠
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“All-day coverage” — sounds like a dream, right?⁠
But too often, it means 8 hours and done. Or “until the first dance”... if you're lucky.⁠
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We do things differently.⁠
At Smiling Tiger Studios, we tell the whole story — from final prep to the dance floor chaos, and all the emotion in between.⁠
No clocks. No cut-offs. Just honest, story-led coverage that flows with your day.⁠
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Thinking about booking a photographer? Ask the right questions.⁠
Start here 👉 💥Linkin.bio💥⁠
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