SHOWCASE | MY FAVOURITE WEDDING IMAGES OF 2023
Welcome to a little blog post about some of my favourite wedding images that I have captured in 2023.
These documentary wedding photos may not be the best technically, they will not be the best images I have captured in 2023, they may be missing one of the three ingredients that make an award-winning image (light, composition, or moment), but they are photos which I love looking at. Hopefully, they will show you the images I want to capture outside the ‘normal’ wedding images.
PS: The images are in no particular order!
THE CONFETTI SHOT OF THE YEAR
This is one of my all-time favourite wedding confetti photos, it’s the first image you see when you land on my wedding photography home page, and I hope you can see why.
There are a couple of reasons why I LOVE this image,
Firstly, there is the right amount of confetti; there is nothing sadder than a newly married happy couple walking through a confetti line with each person only having a few flakes of biodegradable confetti to throw, I always encourage couples to get what they think is the right amount of confetti and then double it, and this image shows why.
Secondly, Cherie lets her guard down, she goes for it, and this was probably the first time on the wedding day that she just let go.
To see more images from this Hemswell Court wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO125 | F4 | 1/1000
REASSURANCE
One of the things I am always looking for is touch, a touch between old friends, a touch between two people having a moment or a touch for reassurance, and thats what was captured in this image, a moment between Rick and his Dad.
The wedding of Sarah and Rick was an emotional one; there is an image further down this blog of Sarah and her father having a slow dance together, and the image here of Rick and his Dad was captured during Sarah’s dance with her Dad.
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO125 | F1.4 | 1/320
THE WEDDING GARDEN GAMES
I love capturing guests playing wedding garden games and would always encourage couples, if their venue allows it and they have them, get them garden games out!
This is a favourite of mine from early in 2023, the look on her face as she pulls the jenga piece out from right at the bottom, while also managing to hold a glass of presseco in her other hand - she’s done this before!
To see more images from this The Hall Barns wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A9ii Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO160 | F4 | 1/1000
THE RAINY ARRIVAL
The summer of 2023 was a wet one; I think in the month of July, we had only four days with no rain, but rain didn’t stop play for my couples.
This image was captured as Olivia arrived at the registry office, flanked by her Dad and step Mum trying their best to shield Olivia from the rain.
I love that this image will not have been captured like this ever before at this registry office; why do I know this? Because very few people use the 20mm lens on a wedding day, and no one would have had the composition and the moment happening like this, I believe that this is one of those wedding images that is unique.
To see more images from this Mansfield Registry Office wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO125 | F2.5 | 1/400
THE SETTING SPRAY
Getting images of a Bride having her make-up done is a tricky one; I always work around the MuA; I never ask them to pose a shot or do something again, they are there to do a job, and they will have strict timings to meet so people are not late in getting ready, I do not want to mess with that.
This image needed a bit of patience; I know that there is always ‘setting spray’ once the make-up is finished; I knew this composition would work as I had taken a few images earlier from the same position.
With the MuA’s light adding to the scene, I knew I had to wait, bide my time, and fire off a few shots when the ‘setting spray’ was fired.
To see more images from this Colwick Hall wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO200 | F1.4 | 1/250
TEARY EYES
With experience, comes the knowledge of timing, and this is key during a wedding ceremony.
All Civil Wedding Ceremonies are broadly the same, some with have readings or poems, and some will just be the legal stuff - and that never changes, which means you know when certain things are going to happen.
This image was taken during the ‘Vows’ section of the wedding ceremony, everyone is always asked to stand for this part of the ceremony, which allows me to watch and capture images that are behind or to the side of the couple, and one shot I’m always looking for is Mum, Dad or a Bridesmaids getting emotional, and in this shot, it’s the Bridesmaid.
To see more images from this Cockliffe Country House wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony 50mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO320 | F1.4 | 1/250
DAD’S SPEECH
Wedding speeches can be emotional for everyone; there have been times when I have almost gone; listening to stories and seeing the emotional reactions, always gets me.
Often, with emotional moments during speeches, people scrunch their faces up as they try to keep it all together.
If they need to wipe their eyes, they do so in a way that is not flattering, and that’s why I love this image of Scarlett and her reaction to her Dad’s speech; it’s a lovely emotional photo.
To see more images from this Hazel Gap wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Settings: ISO200 | F1.4 | 1/250
FINAL ADJUSTMENTS
Getting the wedding dress on can be a stressful experience, especially if you need help from people who have no idea what they need to do. Add in a photographer taking pictures, and you can see why it might become too much for some.
But, Jo, just rocked everything on her wedding day and let me do my thing, and that always leads to images like this, in the moment, candid, beautiful wedding images.
This image was one of only a few portrait orientation images I took on the day, I managed to squeeze in between Jo and the window, and the only way to make this image was to go portrait orientation.
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO400 | F1.8 | 1/250
THE LOOK BACK
Never stop expecting things to happen on a wedding day, always expect that the next moment is around the corner, never stop looking, and always be ready to go.
This image was taken after the confetti run, and for most photographers, the camera would be down, and they would be done with this scene, but not for me, though.
I knew that once the confetti run was done, the couple would be heading back towards the Church to have some fizz and some cake, so I anticipated that something would happen on the walk back down to the Church; it could have been someone coming forward and throwing more confetti, it could have been someone coming in for a hug, or it could be someone getting the Brides attention and her turning around and smiling.
Always be looking and expecting.
To see more images from this The Mill at Hoveringham wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO125 | F2.5 | 1/250
THE DANCE WITH DAD
This is Sarah and her Dad, who I mentioned in the second photo in this blog post.
Sarah and Rick wanted to get married as soon as they could, as Sarah’s Dad was ill, and they wanted him to be there to see them get married.
This image was from a series of images from Sarah and her Dad’s dance; I’ll be honest, I had to hide behind the camera for the whole duration of the dance, and not a single person had dry eyes.
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO250 | F2.5 | 1/250
THE BEST MEN
The best men's speeches can go one of two ways: safe and boring, or embarrassing and funny; you can see from this photo which way these best men's speeches went at Louise and Jamie’s wedding at Norwood Park.
This image is unique for me, as it was shot using a very wide-angle lens, my trusty and well-loved Sony FE 20mm lens.
It’s unique for me as I’m not normally this close during speeches. The layout of the room and two long tables of wedding guests meant that to get a clear shot without the tops of heads in the shot, I had to crouch, get low, and shoot between the wedding guests.
To see more images from this Norwood Park wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A9ii Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO320 | F3.2 | 1/250
A MOMENT
This photo from the wedding of Becky & Jack was taken during the wedding breakfast.
The wedding breakfast for most photographers is a time when they go and sit down for 1 or 2 hours and wait for the food to be served and cleared away before the speeches.
I’m not someone who sits down for hours on a wedding day, I normally get a 10-15 minute break on an 8-10 hour wedding, and the reason for not taking a long break is images like the one above.
This shot was taken after the top table had finished their pudding and other tables were waiting to be served.
Had I been sat down, this image would never have been captured.
A break on a wedding day is important, but it’s also important to remember that these little moments are happening, and it’s important that they are photographed.
To see more images from this Weddings on Pudding Pie Hill wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO1250 | F2.5 | 1/250
THE STAIRCASE
I mentioned patience for an above image, and for this image, I had to wait, be patient, and trust that what I had seen (the staircase & the light) would make for a dynamic image of Louise walking down the stairs.
There was risk in this photo: the risk that the Bridesmaids would be walking with her, which would block my view of Louise; the risk someone would walk through the closed door; and the risk that I’d miss something in the ceremony room whilst waiting for Louise to come down the stairs.
Thankfully, it all came together, and even the veil behaved itself!
To see more images from this Norwood Park wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A9ii Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO1600 | F2.5 | 1/250
ONE LAST LOOK
It’s not often you get to capture this look between Bride and her Dad, often they are hidden behind a door and this look happens out the way of everyone, but thankfully The Hall Barns at Prestwold is an open ceremony!
To see more images from this The Hall Barns wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO160 | F2.8 | 1/250
THE COMFORTING LOOK
I’ve mentioned in an image above that I’m always looking for a touch, and this is another example, but this time, you get to see the face of Grandma.
This image was taken during the wedding ceremony of Gen and Mikey, and with it being a Church ceremony and having excellent access to move around during the ceremony, I found myself here, next to an emotional Grandma.
To see more images from this The Mill at Hoveringham wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO2000 | F1.4 | 1/250
BIG SISTER
This image was from a series of images showing the reaction of Emily’s sister seeing her in her wedding dress.
With these types of shots, it’s important to remember that these are real moments and should be affected minimally.
I could have photographed this close on a 20mm or a 35mm lens, but I went with a 50mm lens as it gave me distance from the moment but still allows us to feel like we are in the moment and, most importantly, the 50mm allowed me the distance to minimise the effect of me being there.
To see more images from this Colwick Hall wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO1250 | F2.5 | 1/250
THE BIG GROUP SHOT
I’m not one for big group shots; they take far too long, no one is looking at the camera, and you have to be so high (looking down on people) or so far away to get everyone in - no one can hear you say anything!
But, some venues & some planners know how to make it work, and this big group shot at Wollaton Hall is a prime example of the venue making sense for a big group shot.
To see more images from this Wollaton Hall wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO640 | F14 | 1/200
THE FRIENDLY HORSE
Freya wanted to go and see the horses in the field next to The Hall Barns during the afternoon of her wedding day.
I decided I would tag along to see if there were any moments worth capturing, and I’m pleased I did, as we captured this moment of Freya & Alex and a very friendly horse who took a shine to Freya’s wedding flowers.
To see more images from this The Hall Barns wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO2000 | F4.5 | 1/500
STAR LIGHT FIRST DANCE
First dances are often awkward things; most people hate having their photos taken, and pretty much everyone hates having their picture taken when they are dancing in front of loads of people who are watching!
The DJ had bought a backdrop with lights, and the backdrop covered some rather sad-looking windows that looked out onto a car park.
I lit the first dance as I always do and hoped that Cherie and George would dance near the backdrop and would be dancing rather than holding on to each other for dear life.
It all came together, and we got a great first dance wedding photo.
To see more images from this Hemswell Court wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony 50mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO6400 | F2.5 | 1/250
THE BAND
I love live music at weddings; a live band brings so much energy to a wedding and even more energy when the Groom and his best men are members of the band!
I chose this image for the depth and the layering of the image; by focusing on the bass player at the back and using a shallow depth of field, you get this odd sense of depth where you are not sure who is standing towards the front of the frame and who is towards the back.
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO500 | F1.4 | 1/200
THE FLOWER GIRL
Another image taken during a wedding ceremony, this time at the wedding of Izzy & Ash, and again, because I was given great access to move around the Church, I was able to capture the flower girl looking a little bored with it all.
To see more images from this Repton School wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Settings: ISO10000 | F2 | 1/200
TISSUES
This is a fun image from the wedding of Caitlyn & Isaac; I saw Mum in the background reaching for some tissues, I expected that she would be using them, but instead she handed them to Caitlyn’s sister.
With weddings, you always have to be on the look out for images like this.
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO1250 | F2 | 1/250
THE COLOURFUL DANCEFLOOR
The dancefloor at weddings can be chaotic, with limbs and body parts moving to the music; it’s a great time to get stuck in and close and capture the action.
I have so many great dancefloor images which could have made this list, but there is something about the angle, the handbag, and the brightly coloured dress being worn by the person on the left.
To see more images from this Norwood Park wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A9ii Lens: Sony 24mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO2000 | F8 | 1/25 | Flash Fired
ALBIE
All dogs are good boi’s is the saying, and Albie was a very good boy during the wedding of Izzy & Ash.
I think there should be a law, that there needs to be at least one dog at every outdoor wedding; it’s so much fun watching them mingle, scooping up the food being dropped, and they often follow me around - which I love!
This image was my favourite, because of how close Albie is; you know he is going in for a sniff of the camera lens.
To see more images from this Repton School wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO125 | F2.5 | 1/400
THE EXCITEMENT
Many photographers pose cliche bride-looking-in-the-mirror shots, I don’t, I just let people do whatever they feel like doing, and if I get a cool shot of the Bride looking in the mirror, then awesome and even better, when I get other people in the frame, especially when one of your Bridesmaids is super excited to see you all made up.
To see more images from this Weddings on Pudding Pie Hill wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO1250 | F8 | 1/250
GRANDMA
Another image taken during the downtime of a Wedding Breakfast, and another image that would not have been captured had I been sat on my bum for 2 hours while everyone enjoyed the food of a wedding.
This is a lovely little moment between Scarlett and the Grooms’ Grandma.
To see more images from this Hazel Gap wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO1000 | F1.4 | 1/250
MATES
Hugs are still my favourite images to capture on a wedding day, and I have really had to limit myself to just one for this blog post; I could have done a WHOLE blog post on hug photos from this year!
This image was captured after Annie & Chris had done the confetti run, which is the typical time for great hug images as it’s the first time that people have had a chance to see the happy couple and congratulate them.
I love this image because of the closeness and tightness of the hug, and I can hear them hugging, if that makes sense?
To see more images from this Cockliffe Country House wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 35mm F 1.4 GM Settings: ISO125 | F1.8 | 1/640
THE WALK AWAY
I love capturing the wedding dress details when the dress is going on or when it’s being worn; you can only see the shape of a dress when it’s being worn; there is obviously a time and a place for a wedding dress hung up shot, but its got to be right.
This image was captured whilst Izzy & Ash were having a few minutes to themselves before being introduced in to the Wedding Breakfast, the dress and the look on Ash’s face make this image for me.
To see more images from this Repton School wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony 50mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO125 | F1.4 | 1/400
THROW AND CATCH
This was a lovely little moment between Annie, Chris & their young daughter Pim just as we were about to do a quick family picture of the three of them together.
The look on their faces in this image is priceless; I hope this image gets printed.
To see more images from this Cockliffe Country House wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 35mm F.4 GM Settings: ISO125 | F2.8 | 1/250
“I DONT BELIVE IN GETTING MARRIED”
Another best man shot that made the list, but this one made it because a) it’s in a wood, which is a lovely unique backdrop b) he started his speech by saying that he doesn’t believe in marriage and doesn’t see the point, to which everyone booed and looked at his girlfriend, and his reaction was to smile and shrug his shoulders.
All good fun and made for a cracking photo.
To see more images from this Mansfield Registry Office wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO125 | F1.4 | 1/400
THE CAKE CUT
Ah, the cake cut, a traditional photo that every parent expects to see in a wedding gallery, but often they fall a bit flat; the cake is next to a wall or a fire escape, and all the couple wants to get it done and out the way.
This image was taken in a restaurant, I’m pushing myself into the wall in the hope it will give me some more space (which it didn’t), but for me, its the look on Caitlyn and Isaac’s faces as they try their best to cut into what looked like a solid cake!
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony 24mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO1600 | F2.8 | 1/250
ITS NOT GOING ON
This happens so often, the ring will not go on, its usually the Groom’s ring which will not going on as they have been stood at the front of the ceremony room with their nervous hands.
This one though, this is Kyle struggling to get the wedding ring on Jo’s finger, you can see from the reactions that everyone found it funny, almost as funny as Kyle saying his own name wrong.
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO1600 | F1.4 | 1/250
HEIDI
Well, this was fun, and certainly, none of the guests expected Hedi Wurst to make an appearance during the first dance!
Freya and Alex had told me what they had planned, they were going to start their first dance before Heidi would make an entrance, and oh boy, did she make an entrance!
Make sure you click the link below to head to the full wedding blog and look at some more reaction photos.
To see more images from this The Hall Barns wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony 24mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO250 | F1.6 | 1/250
HELP WITH THE SHOES
I don’t think I have seen any Bride manage to get her wedding shoes on after having put the dress on, and certainly, no chance if the shoes need to be fastened, but that’s what your mates are for, to step up and get you in your wedding shoes.
To see more images from this Norwood Park wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO500 | F5 | 1/250
THE ENTRANCE
This is a big YES image for me: Cherie looking happy to see George, Dad smiling at George, the light and composition all work, and a few seconds later, the wedding planner walks behind them to close the doors, which could have ruined this image, but thankfully we got lucky and captured one of my favourite walking down the aisle images from 2023.
To see more images from this Hemswell Court wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO500 | F2 | 1/250
PLAYING UP
Poor Max, he was a little star all morning until he had to get into his suit for the wedding!
I struggled to pick between these two images, so I thought I’d show both of them, one showing Max having ‘help’ getting into his wedding suit and then the image on the right showing him having had enough and going for a cry and scream in the bathroom.
To see more images from this Colwick Hall wedding, click HERE
Left Picture - Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 35mm F.4 GM Settings: ISO1000 | F2 | 1/250
Right Picture - Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 35mm F.4 GM Settings: ISO400 | F2.2 | 1/250
THE DRESS AND THE VEIL
I never touch a wedding dress; I fear that as soon as I move it to a better spot, it will fall apart in my hands!
Often, with my weddings, when I arrive for morning prep, the dress is hung up and in its travel bag, and that’s how I will leave it. Sometimes, one of the Bridesmaids will get the dress out and pose it for a photo, but I never ask for this to be done.
Occasionally, the dress will be hung and it will be in a room that is in nice light and where the photo of the dress makes a great start to the wedding gallery; this image above for Jo & Kyle’s wedding is one of those images, I particularly love the way veil is draped over the chairs and the light hitting the veil.
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO125 | F1.4 | 1/250
FIRST DANCE
The first dance can be very similar at most weddings, so as a photographer, you are always looking for different ways to show similar things.
Often during the first dance, I grab some images of the couple doing the dancing thing, then I’ll look to focus on some important people who are looking on.
In this image I saw that everyone was in the archway and noone was around the edges, so I worked my way around the scene and planted myself with my back towards the band, in the hope that I would get a shot of Michele & Dean with everyone in the background, thankfully I managed to get a shot of the kiss during the first dance with the guests in the background.
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO3200 | F3.5 | 1/250
MUM
I love capturing the reactions of parents; often, its Dad who comes to see his Daughter in her dress, but for this image, it was Becky’s Mum who was seeing her for the first time in her wedding dress.
I mentioned in one of the other images above, how important it is to capture these moments, but also to allow people to have their moments and not feel like they have to stop themselves because I’m in the room.
Get the shot, and then let people have their moment.
To see more images from this Weddings on Pudding Pie Hill wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO400 | F1.8 | 1/250
BOXERS
This was a genius idea and very funny; what you can’t see in this image (but was in other images) was the ten other people who were holding up the same boxers with Tim’s face on it.
This is the first time I have ever seen this at a wedding; such a funny thing.
To see more images from this Wollaton Hall wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO640 | F1.4 | 1/250
IN ONE GO
Along with looking for touch and emotions at weddings, I’m always on the lookout for humor, sometimes that someone pulling a ‘selfie face’ or someone is playing around with something, but a little game I try and play is getting humor into food shots.
This one made my list as Freya is going for it all in one go, you can see Alex on the left looking proud or surprised I’m not sure which, the food did look amazing though.
To see more images from this The Hall Barns wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO160 | F3.2 | 1/1000
GET CLOSE AND FILL THE FRAME
One of the sayings in wedding photography is ‘get close and fill the frame’ and that’s certainly the case in this image taken during the live band at Hazel Gap.
To see more images from this Hazel Gap wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO2000 | F8 | 1/40 | Flash Fired
NERVOUS HANDS
I love looking for symmetry on a wedding day, and this is a perfect picture showing the symmetry of the nervous hands of Izzy & Ash during their wedding ceremony at Repton Chapel.
To see more images from this Repton School wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Settings: ISO3200 | F1.4 | 1/200
THE ALFA SPIDER
I love Alfa’s; I have owned three Alfa’s over the years, and one of my all-time favourites is the Alfa Spider; it is such a stunning shape for a car.
This Alfa was parked outside Hemswell Court when I arrived for the wedding of Cherie & George, and I knew I wanted to get an interesting photo of the car and the venue.
I spotted that there was a little gate leading to one of the car parks, so using the gate frame to get rid of some distractions, I used the leading lines of the path to lead the eye towards the car (and of course, it’s a photo of the venue as well)
To see more images from this Hemswell Court wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO125 | F2.2 | 1/800