My partner sometimes jokes that my job can’t possibly be a proper job. Apparently, I come home smiling, full of stories about the wedding I’ve just photographed, and spend my consultation calls laughing and chatting with couples in the studio. From what he can hear and see, it all sounds rather too enjoyable to count as work. I can see why he thinks this, but wedding photography also has long days, travelling, half or full days photographing and travelling home, then the editoring afterwards, so there is quite a lot of work involved, I promise!
But he does have a point about how much I enjoy it. I love talking to my couples, hearing their ideas, sharing their excitement and then being there when the day they’ve spent months planning finally arrives. Quite often, by the time I leave, it feels as though I’ve been welcomed into the family for the day.
Now that we’re in mid-October, with the main summer wedding season behind us, I thought it would be lovely to stop for a moment and look back. It’s been extremely busy, a little frantic at times, and thoroughly enjoyable. My quick guesstimate is somewhere around 75+ weddings photographed done and still to go this year, although I haven’t sat down and done the final count. There are still busy weeks ahead through October and November, with some Christmas weddings to look forward to as well.
I’m based here in Rugby, photographing weddings across Warwickshire and the Midlands, and I’m a well known and recommended Warwickshire Wedding Photographer, but this year has taken me further afield too. There have been castles, woodland ceremonies, beautiful barns, tipis, intimate weddings and much bigger celebrations. There has also been rather a lot of sunshine, which brings me neatly to something I certainly won’t forget about this year and this summer.
Lovely sunshine… and quite a lot of searching for shade
I know we all hope for sunshine when we’re planning a wedding, but there were days this summer when the heat really was quite something. A long wedding day carrying cameras and equipment can feel very long indeed when there’s little shade, and of course I’m also thinking about how comfortable my couples and their guests are.
One outdoor ceremony at Warwick House particularly comes to mind. Half the guests were sitting in shade and the other half were in strong sunshine, which made the light quite challenging to photograph. The couple had thoughtfully put fans on the chairs for everyone, and they were certainly being used.
From a photography point of view, that sort of contrast needs care. I took some photographs concentrating on the different areas separately, and for the wider pictures I needed to protect the detail in the brighter areas, then carefully balance the shaded parts when editing. There’s quite a lot going on behind the camera that you wouldn’t necessarily notice while enjoying the ceremony.
What was lovely about this particular wedding was how flexible the couple were. They trusted me to use my judgement and were happy to work with the light as the day went on. They had a barbecue rather than a more formally timed wedding breakfast, which gave us some freedom to make the most of the softer evening light for their couple portraits. It was more comfortable for them too.
I also helped the bride with her dress during the day, and afterwards I sent her a little video over WhatsApp of the day. She messaged back to say she absolutely loved it and had been crying watching it. Those messages really do mean a lot to me. You’ve been there with them, you know what the day felt like, and then you get to help them enjoy it all over again.
If you’re planning for next summer, I’ve shared more of the practical side in my summer wedding photography guide. A little flexibility with the light can make such a difference.
A wedding that felt much more like a friendship than a job
When I was asked which wedding this year reminded me why I love doing this, there were many that ran through my mind instantly, but Mark and Mandy’s was right at the top of them. Their September wedding at Hothorpe Woodlands was incredibly personal, and I felt very privileged to be part of it, just thinking back about it makes me smile.
Their daughter had found me online and recommended me to them. Once they booked, much of the planning went through her, so we had been communicating as the arrangements came together. Sadly, she passed away before the wedding.
She had helped organise so much of the day, including choosing her dad’s suit, and there were reminders of her throughout the celebration. Mark and Mandy spoke so openly and lovingly about her. They shared stories with me during the day, both about their daughter and about their own relationship, and made me feel incredibly welcome.
There was understandably a great deal of emotion, but also so much warmth and love. Remembering their daughter was part of the day, alongside celebrating their marriage. Having been involved in the planning with her made it particularly meaningful for me too. I felt priviledged and so welcomed into this incredible day.
It genuinely felt more like a friendship than a job and still does as we’re in touch, and that is one of the things I treasure about this work: sometimes you start as a WhatsApp, or Telephone call, and leave after a wedding with a connection that carries on long after the wedding and I was part of my couple’s wonderful big day.
Some lovely new places, from countryside barns to a castle
I couldn’t choose just one favourite venue from this year. Different places offer such different experiences, and sometimes going somewhere new gives you that extra little feeling of excitement as you look around and start imagining the photographs.
I’ve photographed quite a few tipi weddings this year, and I really enjoy their atmosphere. There’s often a lovely connection between the celebration inside and the countryside around it, especially when the weather allows everyone to move between the two. The warm colour of the canvas can make the light inside quite orange, so that needs consideration, but I do love the overall feel.
Ava and Liam’s wedding at Coton House Farm near Lichfield stands out, as does Richard and Hannah’s wedding at Royle Forest. Woodland, countryside and a couple who are enjoying themselves give me so much to work with.
Then there was Helen and Adam’s wedding at Clearwell Castle in Gloucestershire. I don’t spend every weekend photographing in a castle, so arriving somewhere with that scale, character and beautiful grounds was a real pleasure. They were a lovely couple, and it was wonderful to have those surroundings to explore with them.
Having an impressive venue doesn’t mean a couple wants an elaborate photoshoot, though. Helen and Adam preferred to keep their portraits fairly brief and let me capture much of the day naturally. That was absolutely fine. The setting gives us opportunities, but the way I photograph the wedding still needs to suit the people getting married.
The venue that had really thought about photography
Heaton House Farm near Macclesfield was somewhere I hadn’t photographed before, and I was really impressed by the thought that had gone into it. I visited for Chloe and Joseph’s wedding, and there was so much to enjoy, from the open countryside to the spaces within the venue itself.
One thing I particularly noticed was the provision for photographs in wet weather. There were different backdrops within a barn, including logs built into a wall and fairy lights. It felt as though somebody had properly considered what couples and photographers might need if we couldn’t use the grounds.
We were also able to use the owners’ private garden for the couple portraits, with its pond and lovely planting. Having access to somewhere like that added another personal element to the photographs.
Chloe and Joseph were childhood sweethearts, and hearing about their relationship during the day and the speeches made the wedding even lovelier to photograph. I spent time with Chloe, her bridal party and her mum during preparations, and there was that familiar mixture of excitement, laughter and anticipation.
I do enjoy that part of a wedding. There’s often a glass of something nearby, plenty of chatter and everyone getting increasingly excited as the ceremony approaches. Where the arrangements allow, I can move between both partners’ preparations too. It’s about working with what is happening and keeping things relaxed.
Small weddings, big weddings and everything in between
One of the smaller celebrations I photographed was Jess and Phil’s wedding at The Wash Shed near Banbury. It was an intimate countryside wedding with wonderfully bright colours, and their best friend conducted the ceremony, which made it feel especially personal. What a wedding !
Phil wore his sailor’s uniform, and the bold colours of the wedding looked lovely against the fields and open landscape. It was relaxed, full of personality and a pleasure to photograph. A smaller wedding can give you such a strong sense of the people involved because so much of the day is built around those closest relationships.
Then there was Thorpe Garden near Tamworth, another memorable setting and completely different. The reception space felt almost like a banquet hall within an enormous tent, with beautiful gardens and so many places for photographs around the grounds. The rain made an appearance at the start, but thankfully eased as the ceremony went on, allowing us to enjoy the setting afterwards.
It’s funny, though, because my idea of a “big wedding” isn’t always about the number of guests or how grand the venue is. Sometimes it’s the length of the day, the travelling, the different locations or the number of lighting situations I’m working through. Moving between preparations, a church, outdoor portraits and a darker reception can make a wedding quite involved, whatever its size.
What makes a day enjoyable for me is much harder to measure. It’s the couple, the guests, the conversations and the atmosphere. Smiling and chatting with people, getting to know them a little and seeing everyone enjoy themselves—that matters far more to me than how large the room is.
A mobility scooter, Ozzy Osbourne and a wedding full of personality
At the end of August, I travelled to The Giraffe Shed in mid Wales for a wedding that certainly had its own personality. It was around a two-and-a-half-hour drive, and the couple had booked four hours of photography, covering their ceremony, photographs and the start of the wedding breakfast.
The bride arrived on the back of her dad’s mobility scooter to Ozzy Osbourne, which was a first for me! The bridesmaids brought the bouquets partway down the aisle, went back and took what looked like shots. Everyone thought it was vodka, but it was actually water.
There was a chimney sweep there as well, adding another playful touch to the celebrations. Between that, the entrance and the couple’s love of rock and roll, there was always something happening that made the day unmistakably theirs.
It still had elements of a traditional white wedding, but with those little touches of rock and roll running through it. I loved the mix. Those are the things I remember on the drive home and then find myself telling my partner about when I get through the door.
Being comfortable with me matters more than knowing how to pose
If there’s something I would really encourage couples to do before booking a photographer, it’s to have a proper conversation. Email and WhatsApp are useful, and I use both, but picking up the phone or having a video call gives us a much better chance to get to know one another.
Your photographer may be with you for a large part of the day. You need to feel happy and comfortable around them. I want to hear about both of you, what you’re excited about, what you love in photographs and what you would rather avoid.
Not everybody enjoys having their photograph taken. This year, quite a few people have mentioned feeling self-conscious about a particular angle or feature. I’m glad when they tell me, because those little conversations help me understand how they feel. You don’t need to apologise for being nervous or pretend that you love the camera.
Sometimes we’ll talk about ideas for the photographs, and sometimes the conversation wanders into the wider wedding plans. Having photographed so many different days, I can often spot where a little more time might help or where moving something slightly could make the afternoon feel less rushed. If you would welcome suggestions, I’m very happy to share them.
That is part of how I help couples plan their wedding photography. The conversation is about your day as a whole, with the photographs fitting into it.
Finding a way that works for the person in front of me
Some of the most important conversations this year have been about individual needs and what will help somebody feel comfortable. I’ve photographed weddings involving autistic couples and guests, children with different needs, and people living with health conditions or limited mobility. The useful starting point is always listening to the people themselves.
At one wedding, an autistic groom found the prospect of physical adjustments during posing particularly uncomfortable. His partner asked whether there was a way to approach the portraits without moving his arm or adjusting his position for him.
I put together a little storyboard with photographs showing the poses we could try. He could look at the pictures and position himself, rather than have me physically guide him. It gave us another way of communicating and made the experience more manageable for him.
With children, I try to be approachable and take things at their pace. Sometimes getting down to their level or letting them take a photograph with my camera helps them feel involved. At other times, the right thing is to give them some space. I don’t want to keep pushing when it’s clear somebody has reached their limit.
I’ve also worked with couples whose health or mobility meant that we needed to move more slowly and think carefully about the arrangements. At one wedding, that included planning around oxygen equipment. Comfort and safety come first; we can adapt the pace and the photographs around the person.
I’ll keep those weddings anonymous, but I wanted to mention them because couples sometimes worry that asking for an adjustment will be difficult. Please tell me what helps. There isn’t one approach that suits everybody, and understanding your needs gives us a much better chance of making the photography enjoyable.
A few of the lighter moments behind the camera
Of course, wedding days also bring plenty of little moments that make me smile. Occasionally, evening guests arrive without knowing who I am, or I’ve only just arrived myself and haven’t got the cameras out yet. There can be a bit of playful flirting, followed by a rather funny moment when somebody realises I’m the photographer. It’s all good fun, and I don’t mind at all.
I also lose count of how often I meet a photography enthusiast who is delighted to talk cameras. I can find myself in a wonderfully detailed conversation about a technical feature while keeping one eye on something happening across the room that I really ought to be photographing.
I enjoy what my cameras allow me to do, but I wouldn’t describe myself as a technical geek. My real enthusiasm is for wedding photography as a whole: the people, the planning, the atmosphere and being there to photograph it. So if I have to gently escape a camera conversation, it’s usually because there’s a wedding moment calling me back.
Then there’s the occasional little dance with a videographer or content creator as we realise we’re in each other’s shot. Usually, we have a giggle, shuffle around and sort it out between us. Guests can find themselves in precisely the place I’m trying to photograph too, often without realising. It’s all part of working around a room full of people who are enjoying themselves.
And if I have one tiny, good-humoured quirk, it’s being introduced as “just the photographer”. I know nobody means anything by it, but by that point I may have helped with a dress, talked through the timings and got to know half the family. Hopefully, somewhere along the way, I’ve become Emma.
Helping when plans suddenly change
There have also been calls this year from couples who suddenly found themselves without a photographer, sometimes very close to the wedding. Where I’ve been available, I’ve stepped in. Where I haven’t, I’ve tried to help by putting them in touch with photographers I know.
Sometimes the request has come from another photographer dealing with an unexpected problem. I won’t name anyone or go into individual circumstances, but travel disruption has been involved on more than one occasion. It’s understandably worrying for a couple when plans change at short notice, and I’m happy to help where I can.
It’s also one reason I’m mindful of leaving a buffer around my own travel. Wherever possible, I allow extra time to be back before a wedding, with more room for longer journeys. I take those bookings seriously. Once we’ve agreed your booking and the deposit is paid, I don’t replace it because another enquiry comes along.
Still plenty to look forward to, and a little look ahead to 2027
Although the summer season has drawn to a close, the year certainly hasn’t finished for me. Alongside photographing the autumn weddings, I’m spending plenty of time back in the studio working through galleries and bringing those days together for my couples. There are Christmas weddings ahead too, which bring a completely different atmosphere to enjoy.
The diary for 2027 is filling, and 2028 bookings are coming in as well, although there is still availability. As a rough guesstimate, many couples book me around nine to twelve months before their wedding, but there are also enquiries six months out and some much closer to the date. It’s always worth asking.
For new bookings in 2027, weekends and bank holiday Mondays will have a minimum of six hours’ coverage. That is a change from some of the shorter weddings I’ve talked about here, which took place this year.
There is no confirmed price increase as I write this, but prices may change in the future. Once your booking is agreed and secured with the required deposit, I’ll honour the agreed price for that booking. An earlier enquiry on its own doesn’t hold a date or a previous price indefinitely.
If you’re fairly sure you would like me to photograph your wedding but haven’t settled on the hours, have a chat with me. We can discuss securing the appropriate minimum coverage, but please tell me if you may want to extend it so we can check my availability for the full day. Extra hours need to be agreed rather than assumed.
You can find my current wedding photography packages and prices here, or simply get in touch with your date and plans.
Thank you for making me feel part of your day
Looking back, what stays with me most is the relationships. I’ve spent a lot of time talking with my couples this year, and some I’ve come to know really well. We still speak after the wedding, and a few have become friends, which is a lovely thing to come out of doing a job you already enjoy.
Couples have told me how much they appreciated having someone approachable, relaxed and supportive alongside them. Sometimes they say the day wouldn’t have been the same without me, and that is such a lovely thing to hear. I want you to enjoy the photographs, of course, but I also want you to have enjoyed me being there.
That feeling of being almost part of the family for a day is very special. You welcome me into preparations, introduce me to the people you love and trust me with moments that matter enormously to you. I don’t take that for granted.
So, to everyone whose wedding I’ve photographed this year, thank you for the conversations, the laughter, the stories and the trust. And to anyone thinking about booking me, please do pick up the phone or arrange a video call. I’d love to hear about the two of you and what you have in mind.
You can explore more of my recent weddings or find out about my wedding photography across Warwickshire and the Midlands. But the best place to begin getting to know each other is with a proper chat.
Emma x