Wedding Photography – what’s in a style?
Everything! So much in fact that I’ve come back to this page to update, after it sat here for the last eight years relatively untouched. It’s been an epic journey of self discovery as a person, along with my organically growing in creative direction.
Eight years maturing has led to new levels of understanding and attunement to others behaviours. Being more considered and mindful in my approach, seamlessly blending the right place and right time with finger on the shutter button!
All the personal experiences that have come my way, have all shaped the unique way I see the world. My unique perspective on how I chose to capture individuals, showing their humanity within fleeting moments – these very moments are things that others simply won’t get!
This is the value that I bring to others and it’s what I hold as being my creative direction.
Documentary Wedding Photography
Often referred to as Documentary wedding photography, reportage wedding photography or wedding photojournalism, the subtle differences do not need elaborating here. More important is to exploit their combined virtues of being natural, observational story telling.
Documenting a wedding through a strong observational approach is the only real way of telling the story of your wedding day, the way you planned it, the way you visualised it and the way it really was. Any other way would simply the photographers interpretation of what they thought your day should be.
Documentary wedding photographers approach a wedding with the intent of capturing the connection, the energy and the passion of the day. Through experience comes intuition, being able to see and anticipate moments as photographic opportunities to create images of timeless beauty.
Natural storytelling is something I have always done as a professional photographer. My years of working on Fleet Street titles honed my skills producing both features, – a process of telling a story through a series of photographs to single, stand alone images. Each image capable of telling the story, providing context and clearly projecting the story behind the moment.
Five Documentary Images that I love
This first shot I initially overlooked during the edit. Only later did I appreciate how much it conveyed about a wedding. Colin and Alex having just walked down the aisle after their wedding ceremony at Stockbridge Farm Barn. Their expressions saying so much about their range of emotions from relief to happiness & success. Alex clasping the box holding their wedding document and Colin almost gasping for air. It was one crazy hot day! The rustic pallet with the timings for the day giving it that final bit of context – sometime around 2.30pm to be precise!
One of the most tender hug pictures I’ve ever captured… Two bridesmaids upon seeing their friend, ready to go standing in her wedding dress. Such a strong image to capture so early on it the story of the wedding day. Perfectly illustrating why each aspect of a wedding day needs to be captured by a documentary wedding photographer.
Capturing heightened emotion is amazingly rewarding, some people just keep giving. Seldom do you get presented with two people simultaneously giving, both mirroring each other. Covering their faces, wiping away tears with their outermost hands. Mike and Kelly showing so much about themselves and their relationship. On hell of a couple and such a pleasure to work with. Their day was one that provided so many naturally simple, yet powerful documentary wedding photos.
Strong documentary wedding photography involves keeping the mind open to opportunities. Anticipating where one can, but also recognising something fresh when it is presented and capturing it in that all important stand alone image. Humour, if you haven’t already noticed being a big part in the images I try to capture. Reversing and maybe questioning social expectations in this image. When it’s more often the case that younger members are lost from ‘the moment’ looking down, when they should be looking up and engaging with others – this gift came together nicely. Split seconds, fleeting moments – but capturing them well is what I set my creative sights upon.
An unscripted moment, that came and went within seconds. These are the moments that keep us alert, the chance of capturing such things.
I had decided to move to the back of the ceremony room, hoping to get another angle, another opportunity to compose and to tell the wedding ceremony story for this couple.
Unknown to me from this perspective, a member of the family was shedding a few tears and looking for a tissue. Their need was met when a bridesmaid offered one forward across the aisle and across my line of vision – I took the frame and caught the moment.
The perspective and the instance caught, says so much to a viewer in its strength and poignancy. A unique perspective that encapsulates everything that wedding photography should have – context, emotion and timing.
Great documentary wedding photography speaks volumes. I love the sound of its voice…
Ready to book?
Book your wedding with us. Check our availability and get our full pricing for wedding photography & videography.
Wedding dates can be booked up to 2 years in advance so please contact us as soon as you have a confirmed date to avoid disappointment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Below, I’ve answered some of the most common questions I get asked about my services. From how I work on the day to the specifics of packages and delivery, I’m here to make the process as simple as possible. If you have any further questions, feel free to get in touch!
Based near Blandford and Bournemouth, I’m a Dorset wedding photographer and videographer, offering my services throughout the UK and occasionally abroad to ensure your wedding day is beautifully captured, wherever it may be.
To secure my services, simply complete my online contract and pay a £500 booking fee. Once that’s done, your date is confirmed, and I’m all set to capture your special day!
I’m a member 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.
I provide professional Dorset wedding photography, dedicating full attention to each wedding. I 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.
Large enough for poster prints, if desired. All images are high-quality and delivered in full resolution.
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.
Certainly, I’m covered with up to £10m for public liability and professional indemnity, including photography and drone operations.
I 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 TELL US ABOUT YOURS?
Your wedding won’t look quite like anyone else’s – and that’s exactly the point.
Tell us a little about what you’re planning, who you’re bringing together and what matters to you. We’ll check the date, talk through the possibilities and take things from there.
**Sometimes you just have to miss the flight. ✈️**
Six years ago, Rich was sitting airside at an American airport, waiting to board his flight home to the UK.
The night before, he’d been on a date with Katie. Not exactly your conventional first date either - they’d gone for a bike ride and, by all accounts, it had got just a little competitive. 😂
As Rich waited to fly home, Katie casually suggested that perhaps he was about to miss out on something pretty big.
So he took a gamble.
He pulled his luggage from the flight, cancelled his journey home and stayed.
Turns out, she had a point.
What followed was a transatlantic relationship, Covid, lockdowns, a move to the UK, a legal ceremony six years ago... and finally, last weekend, **the celebration they’d never really had.**
And what a celebration.
@thesecretbarnweddings, just outside Brighton, couldn’t have suited these two better. Hidden away in the Sussex countryside, a collection of beautiful old timber barns carried the day from ceremony through to dinner and one hell of an evening party.
@petal_and_feast transformed the place with incredible florals, before doing what they do equally brilliantly - feeding everyone with a proper feast from the fire and BBQ.
But underneath all of that was the bit I love photographing most.
Two people surrounded by the family and friends who’ve watched their slightly improbable love story unfold over six years, finally getting the chance to stop and celebrate it properly.
All because one bloke decided his flight home could wait.
**Sometimes the impulsive decisions really are the good ones.**
Rich & Katie - The Secret Barn, Sussex.
#SecretBarnWedding #SussexWeddingPhotographer #DocumentaryWeddingPhotography #BrightonWeddingPhotographer #WeddingPhotojournalism
Aug 19
From the States to Stourhead, with a little Pride & Prejudice pilgrimage along the way...
Summer & Jaraad were honeymooning in the UK and squeezing in a few locations made famous by their favourite period dramas. Well... I suspect Summer may have been driving that particular itinerary slightly more than Jaraad. 😄
A very last-minute message landed in my inbox asking if I could meet them at Stourhead on Wednesday and capture part of the trip.
Thankfully, I could.
And there was really only one place they wanted to be photographed - the Temple of Apollo. The very spot made famous by that rather spectacular proposal refusal in Pride & Prejudice.
We had about an hour before they needed to head off to their next stop - Highclere Castle - but honestly, an hour was plenty.
These two were effortless together.
Summer arrived armed with a few inspiration shots she’d saved, which we absolutely nailed, but once we’d got those in the bag we simply played. Walked, talked, laughed and let the place and their connection do the rest.
Soft light, no brutal midday sunshine, one ridiculously beautiful setting and two people who made photographing them an absolute cinch.
And it got me thinking...
I want to photograph more honeymoons.
Engagement shoots have anticipation. Weddings have adrenaline, nerves and a hundred moving parts.
But honeymoons?
They’re different.
The pressure is off. You’re married. The big public declaration has been made. Nobody is waiting for a speech, a first dance or wondering where they’re supposed to be next.
Now you get to breathe.
To wander somewhere beautiful together, soak it all in and celebrate the simple fact that you actually did it.
And perhaps that’s what I love most about these photographs.
They’re not about the wedding.
They’re simply about Summer & Jaraad.
If you’re honeymooning in Dorset, Somerset or Wiltshire - or building a slightly obsessive British period-drama pilgrimage into your trip - give me a ring or drop me a line.
I’d genuinely love to photograph more of this.
#Stourhead #HoneymoonPhotography #CouplesPhotography #SomersetPhotographer #DocumentaryPhotography
Aug 7
Who knew tequila could be responsible for a wedding like this?
When I first arrived to see the colourful Mexican-inspired styling, I have to admit I was intrigued. Then, during the speeches, everything clicked into place. Catherine and Jonjo’s love story began over a shared appreciation of tequila, so what better way to celebrate the journey that brought them here?
It wasn’t just a wedding theme. It was their story.
With the summer sun shining over CIM Business Centre in Cookham, the day unfolded exactly as the best weddings do - full of laughter, hugs, good food, plenty of colour, and a dance floor that didn’t need much encouragement.
The moments that stay with me aren’t always the grand ones. They’re the quiet, blink-and-you’ll-miss-them memories. Like their young son, taking his role as ring bearer incredibly seriously, carefully passing Jonjo’s ring to his mum. Such a simple little exchange, but one that says everything about what this day was really about - family.
Then came the confetti…
I’ve photographed a lot of confetti throws over the years, but this one was something else. A riot of colour filling the air, just enough of a gap to catch Catherine and Jonjo laughing as they made their way through it. Pure chaos. Pure joy. Exactly how confetti should be.
Weddings don’t need to follow traditions to be unforgettable. They just need to reflect the people at the heart of them.
Congratulations, Catherine & Jonjo. May there always be sunshine, laughter… and perhaps the occasional tequila. 🌵🥃❤️
#DocumentaryWeddingPhotographer #BerkshireWedding #WeddingStorytelling #ConfettiMoment #SmilingTigerStudios
Jul 30
Some weddings are remembered for the sunshine.
Others are remembered for the people.
Anna & Steve’s wedding at Highcliffe Castle was definitely the latter.
With British and Austrian families coming together on the Dorset coast, there was a warmth to this day that no amount of rain could dampen. In fact, the weather almost became part of the story. Umbrellas appeared, guests huddled together, laughter echoed through the castle, and every break in the clouds felt like a little gift.
We made the most of those moments. A fleeting walk through the grounds. Reflections caught in a car mirror. Anna arriving on the castle steps beneath an umbrella, looking every bit as elegant as the setting itself.
But what I’ll remember most wasn’t the weather or even the photographs.
It was the people.
The hugs. The smiles. The genuine affection everyone seemed to have for one another. At one point I joked to Anna and Steve that it felt a bit like an American hug therapy session. Not that I’ve ever attended one, but if they exist, I imagine this was pretty close!
There was simply so much warmth, kindness and connection throughout the day.
And that’s the thing about weddings. Long after the flowers have faded and the cake has been eaten, it’s those moments of human connection that remain.
Congratulations Anna & Steve. Thank you for trusting me completely and allowing me to document your day exactly as it unfolded.
Subtle. Emotive. Raw.
#HighcliffeCastleWedding
#HighcliffeCastle
#DorsetWeddingPhotographer
#DocumentaryWeddingPhotography
#WeddingPhotographyUK
Jun 11
Looking forward to sharing Tara & Jamie’s full wedding gallery shortly. These two were a laugh a minute, throughout the church ceremony, all the way into the evening!
@#bridportwedding #dorsetweddingphotography #documentarywedding
May 12
Edward & Jilla’s St Audries wedding - midweek, intimate, and full of heart.
A friend-led ceremony in the Orangery (the light in there is unreal), confetti and sunshine outside, their little one soaking up all the grandparent attention, then Iranian details and heirlooms before everyone went in for food. Finished with a drone flight because the weather was too perfect to ignore.
💥Linkin.bio💥
#StAudries #StAudriesWedding #SomersetWedding #DocumentaryWeddingPhotography #MicroWedding
Apr 10
