I love shooting weddings! I always feel so grateful that my passion is also my job.
From a young age I’ve loved photography and there’s no better occasion than a wedding… where everyone is happy, dressed to impress, and ready to party.
My biggest pleasure is really capturing all the drama, emotion and telling the visual story of the big day. I live in a little village in foothills of the Pennines with my wife, Lesley, my two kids and our cat Coco. Whenever I have time outside of work it is usually spent going on walks in the countryside or ferrying my kids to their many different sporting activities. On the rare occasions I still have a bit of time left over for me, I’ll head out with my camera to do some wildlife or landscape photography just for myself.
Through many years of shooting weddings, I have learned that every couple is different and for each couple I like to tailor my approach to give them the best, most relaxed and stunning images. Some couples like a little direction, others prefer to just go for a relaxed stroll. I am happy to come up with ideas for creative images but will always take my couples lead if they fancy trying these ideas out.
As a skilled reportage photographer, my success lies in capturing the genuine emotions of a wedding day by seamlessly blending into the crowd and capturing candid moments. My approachable demeanor and experience ensure I identify and capture the day's stories, while pre-wedding discussions help me be in the right place at the right time, enhancing the overall experience for the couple and resulting in a natural and memorable collection of photographs.
I also like to take my couples away for short periods on the day to capture some stunning couples shots. This is a chance for you, as the bride and groom, to have some alone time and take in the wedding day experience, whilst also allowing me to be creative and produce beautiful couple portraits.
So what happens next?
Well, usually, not a lot! There is normally quite a long period between booking and the wedding itself. If you have any questions at all, or want recommendations for suppliers (videographers, surprise singing waiters, magicians etc) or just needed someone to bounce around wedding ideas with you who isn’t going to get bored, then I’m always free for a call and happy to talk.
“The pre-wedding communication could not have been better! David helped with every single question I had”. Beth & Joe
About six weeks before the wedding, I reconnect with my couples for a pre-wedding consultation, during which we discuss the day's schedule and any planned surprises. This not only ensures I capture key moments but also helps break the ice, making the couple more relaxed on the actual day, while strategic planning allows for relaxed and memorable couples' portraits without having to leave their guests for too long.
Arriving early for bridal prep, I initially focus on capturing essential details like the bride's dress, shoes, and jewellery, along with any other special mementos. This not only ensures meaningful shots but also gives the bridal party time to acclimatise to my presence, resulting in more relaxed and natural photographs during the bridal prep later on.
The moment to say "I do" has arrived! Through effective communication with registrars/vicars, priests/celebrants, and other vendors like videographers, we’ll strive to work together to discreetly capture all the magical moments during your wedding ceremony.
The reception drinks, or “Cocktail hour” as I’ve heard it called recently, provides an opportunity for you to mingle with your guests as they congratulate you on your marriage. Additionally, it's an ideal time for formal family photographs if this is something you desire. Through pre-planning, we can work together to ensure this process is smooth and effortless, so you can get back to your guests and I can capture some more candid shots of friends and family having a great time.
At various points during the day, I may suggest a brief, private moment away from the guests for about ten minutes for you, the bride and groom. It's an excellent opportunity for you to pause, take in the occasion, and reconnect with each other. During this time, I can also capture some wonderful and relaxed moments between both of you.
Throughout the day I will be working on capturing all those little details you have spent so much time and effort on to make you day unique and special for you, so you can rest easy knowing all those little details are never forgotten.
You’ve just finished your first dance and all your guests have joined you on the tiles. Nothing beats a full dance floor! I love getting involved capturing all the wild moves and dancing feet.
Yes, regrettably, but rest assured, you can revisit those all those cherished moments by perusing your beautiful wedding images. I typically provide my couples with a preview of approximately 30-40 teaser wedding images shortly after the event for sharing with friends & family and on social media. The complete collection will be accessible in your personalised online wedding gallery approximately 6-8 weeks after the big day.
“Wow! These are incredible, we absolutely love them!!! Thank you so so much for getting the teasers to us soo quickly!” Ben & Michelle
If, after you have your online wedding gallery, you decide you would like an Album, just get in touch and I can guide you through the process. Album's start from £220. You can also order any wall art or prints directly from the gallery.
I am always here though, to answer any questions and help in any way I can.
“We received our wedding album today - We love it so much! Thank you. It's beautiful and looking through the pages was like reliving our big day all over again”
Find answers to some common questions below. Alternatively, you can contact David directly either by chat, phone or video. (This is often the quickest way to get the information you need.)
I am based in Holmfirth, West Yorkshire, which gives me access to Greater Manchester, Cheshire, and the rest of Yorkshire - North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire and South Yorkshire. As a rule, I am happy to travel up to 60 miles to cover a wedding. Any further than this I charge a fee to cover travel costs. Some of my favourite venues include: Allerton Castle, Bunny Hill, Carlton Towers, Colshaw Hall, Delamere Manor, Foxtail Barn, Hawkstone Hall, Hazlewood Castle, Heaton House Farm, Holmfirth Vineyard, Howsham Hall, Manor House, Merrydale Manor, Nunsmere Hall, Owen House, Peckforton Castle, Ripley Castle, Rudding Park, Rushpool Hall, Saltmarshe Hall, Swinton Park, Tithe Barn, Wharf Grange & Woodlands Hotel
Every wedding is different and the number of images you receive can be a reflection of what moments are there to be captured. On a normal wedding day I usually deliver between 600-800 images to your online gallery.
I know how keen my couples are to see and share some images from their wedding day, so with this in mind I always like to provide a selection of teaser shots a day or two after the wedding day. This would usually be around 20-30 images. I then aim to deliver the full collection of images on an online gallery within 6-8 weeks.
From the online gallery my coupes will have access to the full selection of wedding images, but they will be subtly watermarked. From the gallery you would be able to order any prints or wall art directly through my professional printing service. You would be able to share the gallery to any friends and family, and they too, would be able to order any prints they may like as well. If you wanted the full collection of high resolution images to share and keep, my couples do have the option of ordering a USB. See more on my packages page here.
Having been photographing weddings for the best part of 13 years, I am a highly experienced photographer. I have been lucky to work at some of the countries premium wedding venues and have one many awards, including the prestigious Guild Of Photographers Wedding Photographer of the Year in 2021 & 2023.
Yes, I have insurance for all my equipment as well as £2M public liability insurance. I also have Drone insurance as well as the necessary drone qualifications to be legal and safe when flying at a wedding.
No. I see my drone as an essential piece of equipment on a wedding day, and so long as the weather allows it and it is safe to do so, I will use it on your wedding day to capture shots of the venue, your guests and it allows me to get creative when getting shots of my couples too.
Get in touch using my contact page here and we can arrange a chat, either in person at my home in Brockholes, Holmfirth, or we can arrange a Zoom call.