groom wearing kilt as he lifts bride in air during first dance
Richard Skins

Dorset wedding photographer

UK / Dorset

Dorset beckons with its enchanting blend of natural beauty and historical sites, making it a dream setting for any wedding day.

couple get close as sunsets through trees at Dorset wedding
Hey there, I'm Richard Skins, a wedding photographer based in Dorset. I travel all over the UK and Europe to capture the magic of weddings. If you had told me ten years ago that I'd be doing this for a living, I wouldn't have believed you. But here I am, loving every minute of it. This isn’t just a job for me; it’s my passion. I get to blend my love for photography since I've developed since University with the joy of capturing all the emotion and fun that can happen at weddings.

Over the years I've developed my photography into more of a documentary style, which means it's less about posing all day at a wedding but rather than focusing on the those joyful, candid moments that can spring up throughout a wedding day, where it's a tear in your the corner of your dads eye as he sees you in the dress for the first time, the thrill of all your loved ones joining you on he dance-floor in a flood after the first dance, I'll be there to capture all these times.
father of bride cries as he hugs daughter in wedding dress
bride and groom walking out of church with large smiles and hands in air, large floral displays fame them either side
rom intimate barn weddings to grand celebrations in historic estates, Dorset offers a stunning backdrop for every kind of wedding. Picture exchanging vows against the backdrop of Pennsylvania Castle's Gothic grandeur or dancing under the stars at a festival-style celebration in the picturesque surroundings of Larmer Tree. Every venue tells a story, and as a Dorset wedding photographer, I'm here to document yours in a way that reflects your personality and the atmosphere of your special day with amazing photos.

Whether you're planning a seaside ceremony or a rustic gathering in the sublime Dorset countryside, I'd love to hear about your wedding plans. Explore some of my favourite weddings below and see how I've captured the laughter and joy that make each celebration unique. Let's connect and discuss how we can make your wedding photography a key part of your day.
bride and groom drive off in vintage car with bouquet being waved in the air

Covering weddings from Bournemouth to Lyme Regis, cliff-top vows to grand Dorset estates

MY STYLE AND APPROACH TO
DESTINATION PHOTOGRAPHY

MY STYLE AND APPROACH TO Dorset wedding PHOTOGRAPHY

two guests hug bride with beaming smiles
Couple during sunset at St Giles House in Dorset
bride being lifted up in the air at Dorset wedding party
Group shot of bridal party at Dorset wedding

DOCUMENTARY / honestly documenting the story of the day

Documentary wedding photography is a method I use to document the story of the day and everyone who came together to celebrate it with you both. My main goal is for you to enjoy your wedding and focus on what's important: celebrating your love and time with your close ones, not feeling like the whole day has turned into a photoshoot! As a wedding photographer in Dorset, I want to capture the day as it was, with all the laughter, love, and everything in between. I'll be in the right place to photograph all the excitement and even some nerves. It's important for me to show exactly how the day unfolded, capturing candid moments that will mean the world to you.

PORTRAITS / Creating timeless, engaging and fun portraits

So forget looking blankly at the camera for countless photographs. Instead, I want you both to not only enjoy the photo shoot on your wedding day but also capture some incredible and natural images of you together. I've got a few techniques up my sleeves to not only make it fun but also make you forget you're having your photographs taken. There will be laughter and connection, and combined with some beautiful light and creative compositions, I will create elegant, modern portraits of you both that will look incredible, whether on Instagram or proudly printed in a frame!

DANCE FLOOR / Helping people remember the party since 2009

Having the chance to photograph the dance floor at a wedding is one of my favourite parts of the job! My aim is to get as close to the action as possible. So whether your mate is 'attempting' the worm or your bridesmaid is in the centre of a circle with those epic moves, I'll be there. When all your friends rush to the dance floor after the first dance, I'll be there. When you both get lifted on top of someone's shoulders, hands in the air, and ecstatic smiles on your face, I'll be there to document it all! With a smile on my face. This is why I love being a wedding photographer in Dorset!

GROUPS / Simple group shots that won't take your whole wedding day

So just because I don't show many group photographs on my website, doesn't mean I don't think they're significant to a wedding day. I do them at every single wedding in Dorset and feel it's right to include some family, friends, bridesmaids, and groomsmen photographs. I suggest to all couples to keep this list down to around 6-8 group photographs, which firstly means you'll get more time to enjoy catching up with friends and family rather than spending an hour trying to get multiple iterations of the same shot done. Secondly, you'll get more shots of the photographic style you booked me for.

faq Dorset WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHy

bride walking up stairs with veil trailing behind
01.

Why choose me out of all the other Dorset Photographers?

There are fantastic wedding photographers across Dorset, but if you're after a documentary, storytelling approach that captures all the authentic moments and energy of your day, then I could be the perfect fit. My natural, unobtrusive style allows me to blend into Dorset's beautiful wedding settings like Pennsylvania Castle, Lulworth Castle, Gorwell Farm and more.

02.

How much does a Dorset wedding photographer cost?

As an experienced Dorset wedding photographer, you can expect to invest around £3,250 for a typical 12-hour package covering all the celebrations from prep through the evening festivities. This includes digital files, an online gallery & 4k slideshow.

03.

Can we meet you before the Dorset wedding?

Absolutely! I'm based in Bournemouth, so I'm always happy to meet local Dorset couples for a friendly consultation over a proper English breakfast. We can get to know each other while discussing all the important details for your big day.

04.

How do we go about booking you as our Dorset wedding photographer?

Firstly get in touch and check my availability for your date. If I'm available, then all you will need to do is pay a 20% non-refundable retainer (This will guarantee that no one else books me for your wedding date) from the price of the package you select and sign an online contract to secure my services. The remainder can be paid off at any point up to one month before the wedding day.

"We booked Richard to photograph our wedding, and can honestly say that it was one of the best decisions we made, as his photos are absolutely beautiful and perfectly encapsulate the spirit of our day."
BECKY & LEWIS

Top 50 Wedding Photographers
in the World

THIS IS REPORTAGE AWARDS 2020 / 2023

South west wEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
OF THE YEAR

THE WEDDING INDUSTRY AWARDS
2014 / 2018 / 2020

FOLLOW MY PHOTOGRAPHY ON
INSTAGRAM @RICHARDSKINSPHOTOGRAPHY
black and white photograph of bride and groom being showered with confetti