My Approach to Real Wedding Photography
What makes a great wedding photo?
You might be wondering what makes for the best wedding photos. I can tell you now, they’re not the ones that are staged. They’re not from a performance, they’re not copied from Instagram, and they’re not ticked off a checklist. The best photographs come from the moments that happen naturally. The unpredictable, the lucky, the real.
And here’s the thing: you’re unique. Your day is unique. You could choose the same venue as someone else, wear similar clothes, even follow a similar timeline, but that doesn’t mean your photos should look the same. Imagine if everyone’s day looked identical, it’d be boring (and a bit weird). That’s why I never try to mould couples into something they’re not.
What excites me the most is turning up to your wedding not knowing exactly what I’m going to get. Apart from the important bits, I keep the plan light so I can just capture it all as it unfolds.
That doesn’t mean I won’t step in at times. If there’s a stunning bit of light or a spot that’s perfect for a couple of portraits, I’ll guide you there. But once you’re in that moment, I don’t want you thinking about how to stand, how to smile or how to act. You’ve set the scene, now it’s about letting things happen naturally.
When you’ve got the space to breathe and you realise this isn’t a performance, you’ll relax into being yourselves. The way you walk, talk and look at each other, that’s the real stuff. And that’s exactly what I want to capture.
More Than Just Turning Up With a Camera
The truth is, my job is more than just arriving with a camera. It’s about bringing the right mix of energy, trust, and experience. I know when to step forward and take control, and I know when to step back and let things breathe. On your wedding day, you want to feel looked after. You want to know someone’s got your back so you can enjoy yourselves. That’s what I bring. I don’t just take photos, I make sure the whole experience feels lifted, supported, and fun.
And trust is huge. You’ve got enough going on without worrying about me. I want you to feel like you can hand things over completely. That way, when I say “don’t worry, I’ve got this,” you believe me. That’s when I can go above what you expected and give you photos that feel like you, not like anyone else.
Unlimited Wedding Photography in Devon
Unlimited coverage is part of that. I don’t do time limits. If speeches run late, if the first dance doesn’t happen until midnight, if the party only really takes off after 11pm, I’ll still be there. You don’t need to factor me into your timeline or plan around hours. I stay until I’ve got the full story of your day.
Your Wedding, Your Way
It’s too easy to think, “it’s a wedding, so we need to do certain things to make it look like a wedding.” But your wedding is your wedding. I’m just there to capture it. Don’t think of it as wedding photography, think of it as having a photographer at your wedding. That way, you avoid the clichés and the cheese.
Learn more about my approach here
The Best Seat in the House
One of my favourite moments is right before the ceremony. Everything has been leading up to this, the nerves and the excitement are building. Then there’s that moment when you finally see each other. That’s why you’re doing all of this. And these are the moments I can’t control, which is exactly why they’re some of the best images. So why shouldn’t the rest of the day be the same?
You Don’t Need to Be “Photo People”
I want to move away from the idea that weddings are stiff family groups, cheesy poses that’ll look daft in years to come, or pretending to be cool when you already are cool, in your own way.
Most couples tell me they’re not “photo people.” They don’t want to pose or perform. These are my kind of couples. Often, they don’t even know how to ask for what they want. And that’s where I step in. I tell them not to think of it as a shoot. Think of it as a chance to be together, to spend some quality time on what can be a hectic day. It’s a chance to slow down, take it in, enjoy the place you chose, and appreciate it. I’ll gently guide you, but you’ll never feel like you’re being put on show.
That’s when the best photos happen. When you stop worrying about how you look and just focus on each other. You already look your best, you did that. I’m just there to freeze it in my way.
The Art of Letting Go
I had a couple recently who headed down to the beach after their ceremony. They chose the beach because it was special to them. They had no idea what they were going to do, and they were nervous because they thought there was some expectation. I told them, “just be yourselves.” And they did. They kicked off their shoes, waded into the sea, threw each other around, kissed, cuddled, and laughed the whole time. They tapped into the fun they had in them all along.
Those photos are some of my favourites, not because of the setting, but because they let go and were completely themselves.
That’s what I want for all my couples. To stop feeling like they need to put on a show for the camera, and just live the moment. That’s when the real stuff comes out. The laughter, the chaos, even the awkwardness that makes it all genuine.
My Advice to Couples
If I could give one piece of advice, it would be this: focus on each other. Even if it’s only for small parts of the day, take time to stop, breathe, and look at what you’ve created. You’ve done the hard work, now you just need to enjoy it.
