Documentary Wedding Photographer

I'm there with my camera capturing your wedding as it unfolds, no awkward "everyone look this way and smile" moments. I'm after the genuine stuff: when someone properly cracks up laughing, when people get a bit teary during the speeches, all those unplanned moments, and definitely your uncle's terrible dancing that'll become family legend.I know when to hang back and let things unfold naturally rather than constantly telling everyone what to do. The whole point is giving you photos that make you go "oh my god, I remember exactly how that felt" when you look at them.

Get in touch as soon as you've got your date sorted - ideally 12-18 months ahead. I know that sounds like ages away, but good documentary photographers do book up quite quickly. Booking early gives us proper time to chat about what you're after, get to know each other, and sort everything out properly. Plus it's one less thing on your massive to-do list.

First thing - have a proper look through their work. Do you actually like what you're seeing? Can you feel the emotions in the photos, or does everyone look a bit stiff and awkward? If you're after documentary style, make sure they're actually capturing real moments rather than just endless posed shots.Obviously experience counts, but honestly, whether you get on with them is just as important.

You'll spend your entire day with this person, so make sure you genuinely connect with them. The right documentary photographer blends in with your celebration without being intrusive. I'll chat to you both, your friends and family, getting people comfortable with me but more importantly my camera so they don't mind me getting close to capture those moments.

Rain doesn't bother me, I've taken loads of great photos in downpours. There's something really nice about catching couples having a laugh as they leg it inside, and the weather creates this lovely atmospheric feel. I'm used to British weather by now, so I'm ready for anything. We can chat about backup indoor spots beforehand, but weather won't ruin your photos - it's rare you get rain all day, there are usually breaks when we can get your portraits and group shots. Rain might change the plan, but it won't change the quality of your memories.

You'll get your complete gallery within 8 weeks of your wedding day usually. I'll share a few preview images within the first week because I can't help myself - I get excited to show you something from the day! The editing takes time because each photo gets individual attention, your wedding deserves that care. When we book, I'll give you a specific timeline so you know exactly when to expect everything.

Absolutely! Destination weddings are brilliant opportunities to document couples celebrating somewhere stunning - Scottish highlands, French countryside, Italian coast. I love the challenge of capturing your story against amazing backdrops. We'll need to sort out travel arrangements and discuss the extra costs, but photographing love stories in beautiful places is genuinely one of my favourite parts of this job.

You'll get loads! Usually somewhere between 600-800 properly edited photos for a full day, but it really depends on how long your wedding is and what's happening. If you've got a massive party that goes on till 2am, you'll obviously get more than a quiet ceremony and dinner.

My style means I'm constantly snapping away - catching people's faces during the speeches, random moments of laughter, little looks between you two that no one else notices. I go through every single photo afterwards and edit them properly, so you're not getting hundreds of rubbish shots just to bump up the numbers.

Yes! Being documentary doesn't mean avoiding family photos - they're important memories for most couples. I just approach them differently than traditional photographers. Instead of spending half an hour getting everyone lined up perfectly, I keep the family photos quick and relaxed - usually about 15 minutes max. I'll still get the shots your families will want (you with your parents, grandparents, the whole wedding party) but without all the faffing about with exact positioning. Most couples send me a little list beforehand of who they definitely need photos with, which helps keep things moving.

Traditional photographers love telling everyone what to do - 'stand here, look there, now smile!' I'm the opposite. I hang back and let your day happen naturally, then capture all the good bits as they unfold.While they're spending ages arranging the perfect family shot, I'm probably snapping your best mate, getting emotional during the speeches, or catching you both having a quiet laugh about something. You'll definitely get lovely photos of you two together, but they'll feel like real moments from your day rather than a photoshoot.The whole point is that when you look back at these photos, you'll instantly remember how everything felt - not just what it looked like.