Documentary and reportage wedding photography in London, Kent, Surrey, Oxfordshire and across the UK.
These bridal preparations at Ston Easton Park Hotel were a lovely couple of hours to photograph. Extremely calm and relaxed, it was just Deborah, her two bridesmaids and I for most of the morning. Until Kevin arrived. Kevin is one of Deborah’s very good friends and he was given the honour of giving her away…
An glorious Easter wedding at Burgh House in Hampstead and Home House in London.
Classy work, as per usual, Sir.
stunning work, steven. so many wonderful frames.
Working with the available natural light allows me to remain discreet, without bursts of flash alerting my presence to all and sundry. But more importantly than this, it allows me to capture the true mood and ambience of a scene so that viewers might really feel what it was like to be there at that precise moment.
I agree that natural light is always better than an artificial light source. The talent that it takes to use it properly is a gift reserved for a very few it seems to me. You have the gift. The photo is incredibly detailed and soft. Amazing shot.
Things move pretty fast on a wedding day and as a documentary wedding photographer there to tell the story, I need to keep up because as soon as the bride steps out of her car, it’s all systems go.
You’re totally right Steven there’s a lot of narrative in the picture and each person within has a slightly different priority as I see it. The driver being professional and efficient, dad doing being polite and doing his duty, and bride, oblivious to all else but the moments that await. Not flashy, but a well observed and very telling moment.
And, to pick up on your thoughts on making the shot and Bob’s comment, it’s interesting that the different narrative strands are clear even though we can’t fully see anyone’s face. It’s all there in the body language.
Thanks guys, I really value your thoughts on this and your well worded comments.
I love a winter wedding, especially around Christmas time so I was absolutely delighted when Sophia and Nick asked me to join them at St Audries Park to capture their wedding day. Even the wet weather couldn’t put a dampener on things and the whole day was full of love and laughter. Click on the picture to see more from this wonderful winter wedding.
Love this mate – great perspectives, and storytelling. Top work.
Great work Steven, too many top frames but love the the silhouette & piano!
Perfect work as always! love the group shot, and the guests sitting on top of the radiator 
A classy wedding at two of London’s ‘hidden gems’ – St Mary’s Church and Hotel Verta.
This is a lovely set of images Steven. Great use of light, some really lovely observations – the bridesmaids reflected in the car window and the bride’s father seeing his daughter in her dress for the first time. Nice.
Outstanding set Steven. Particularly like that your patience paid off waiting for the bride to turn around for the reflection in the number plate. Top job.
Wow these are fantastic – absolutely love the reflection in the car window. Great stuff! Mj
A sunny ‘gig themed’ summer wedding at the picturesque Turkey Mill in Maidstone, Kent.
Beautifully captured Steven. Really love your framing.
Thanks for the kind words Steve! We had an amazing day and we are so glad we chose you as our photographer, you were amazing and captured some amazing photos! Thanks again!
It’s great to capture a shot of all the guests in context and there are a couple of points in the day when everyone will be together in the one room. The wedding breakfast is usually one of them, and the ceremony is the other. Following this beautiful ceremony at the oh so special Botleys Mansion a couple of weeks ago, I spotted the stairs at the back of the atrium and knew they would make for a wonderful sweeping shot of everyone in the room. Click the picture to read more.
This was my daughters wedding, the day was absolutely perfect in every way. Your photographs truly capture the moment, I can’t wait to see more. Thank you
Great image, Steven. A perfect alternative to the “boring” staged group photographs.
Excellent. Got to agree with Colin…it beats a staged group!
Man, Steven. You are the bees knees. ‘Nuff said.
fantastic image! WOW!
A fabulous documentary style group photo, brilliant!
I like my pictures to be neat, balanced, tidy so I’m always looking for lines and shapes to help balance the picture and lead the viewers eye through it. I’m also a sucker for a bit of symmetry. Click the image to read more.
Fantastic photo steven!
The contortion was worth it Steven! Super shot, fabulous composition.
A beautiful shot Steven, worth contorting yourself to get it!
Brilliant shot! Great vision to get that one.
Beautiful Steven and a wonderful description as well.
Great composition and photograph overall! Stunning work as usual Steven.
Not only a good composition, but lovely rich colours too, lovely stuff!
Great vision, well captured…even through the pain!
Thanks Mick, much appreciated.
It was Edie’s 3rd birthday and her aunt and uncle, Izzy and Mark, had arranged a huge party at The Master Builders in The New Forest that day to celebrate. There were cards, cake and dancing. Oh, and a little wedding ceremony of their own thrown in for good measure.
Fabulous work as always Steve, love the shot of the two ladies laughing through the window, epic framing!
What a great set of pictures – real breadth in the coverage, really nice job.
Your images kick some serious ass. Great work!
I love a London wedding, and this Kensington Roof Gardens wedding was no exception. Rebecca and Oli found me while searching for inspiration on one of the top UK wedding blogs and when I met up with Oli prior to the day I knew I was in for a treat. Click the image to see more from this trendy London wedding.
Absolutely glorious. I love the colour of the images and the storytelling is wonderful and so expressive.
I was going to comment on the amazing venue (it looks sensational), and on your great storytelling, but then I reached the end and those last two images completely blew me away. They are incredibly good.
These are stunning! The emotion and storytelling is very touching
Very, very cool! Amazing work!!
Pictures are always worth a thousand words. These are wonderful and it is nice to share such a happy occasion. Our fondest best wishes to the newly weds. Harry
As a documentary wedding photographer, I pride myself on my discretion. My ability to remain low-key throughout the day and almost disappear amongst the guests. This is fundamental to my style and my whole ethos regarding wedding photography is built on this premise. Click on the image to read more about the story behind this candid portrait.
Very nice. I really like the way the light falls on her face and the table top, and the diffused light through the window…
I beg to differ – you CAN’T pose that! The hands and face would give it away as inauthentic. It’s a subtle distinction but one I believe anyone can see, whether consciously or not. Great illustration of the need for a photographer to be a quiet presence, and nicely described too.
Thanks Martin. You are right, of course. Perhaps ‘posed’ was the wrong word. ‘Directed’ is more appropriate.
A really beautiful moment and well balanced image showing the benefits of being a careful observer. Great little write up too.
2012. It was a busy old year for me. It’s always an honour for me when I’m asked to photograph someone’s wedding. To be invited to the most intimate and special day of a couples life is not something I take lightly. Click the image to see more wedding photography from 2012.
A beautiful set of highly evocative images there, Steven. I find the narrative flow really enjoyable too. Here’s to a fantastic 2013 for you and your clients!
Really lovely stuff Steven. That shot of Sara on the stairs is just gorgeous. Really looking forward to your 2013 blog.
A really excellent selection Steven. Very much looking forward to seeing your work in 2013
I really like the way you see the world. Have a great 2013
Classy documentary work. All the best for 2013.
Great stuff. Some brilliant shots in there.
Beautifully heartfelt, every picture tells a story and evokes an emotion. Now that’s documentary photography. Great work.
Beautiful work, as always, Steven.
Amazing images from a very talented photographer, well done Steven.
Some great stuff there Steve, wonderful moments captured.
You’ve got a great eye. And you seem to pick weddings that have the most amazing dancing!
Great stuff fella…lovely observed and captured images…and a lovely gentle simplicity about them all..
It all still looks fantastic after so many views. Good luck for this year, Steven!
Wonderfull images from an amazing 2012 for you Steven, looking forward to more this year 
Fantastic work, really enjoyed looking through it all. Documentary at its finest and best. Dom xx
That’s a gutsy picture to have taken – the bride and bridesmaids shot through the window, looks like she’s on the way to the ceremony as there’s no one else around. Great picture, in an outstanding set!
Steve some amazing photos which capture your creativity and style perfectly. Congratulations on your success in 2012 and here’s to even more in 2013!
A lovely collection of images Steven, good work!
Hello Steven, i am wondering where if some of the photos are been taking in Italy! some places look so familiar i am a wedding planner from Le Marche!
Ciao
Hi Paola, some of those pictures are indeed taken in Italy. San Paolo Albenese for the ceremony, and Piccolo Paradiso, Potenza for the reception. This was a beautiful destination wedding for me and I had the pleasure of also photographing the Serenata the evening before.
You can see more pictures from this wedding by following these links:
The Serenata: http://www.carterhewson.com/destination-wedding-photography/italian-serenata-photography/
The Ceremony: http://www.carterhewson.com/destination-wedding-photography/traditional-italian-wedding-ceremony/
The Reception: http://www.carterhewson.com/destination-wedding-photography/italian-wedding-piccolo-paradiso/
Such beautful images, what an incredible year you’ve had, your clients are really lucky to have amazing memories captured
OUTSTANDING selection of images …
Simply beautiful work. A great year! David
Lovely work as always!
Most weddings that I photograph usually include a good mix of both colour and black and white wedding photography, ensuring these are used to best effect to tell the story off the day. Colour often plays an important part in a wedding day so it’s great to show this in the wedding pictures. However, there is something very special about a collection of beautiful, well crafted black and white wedding photographs. CLICK THE IMAGE BELOW TO VIEW THE SLIDESHOW.
I photograph weddings of all sizes, from intimate weddings with just a handful of guests to extravagant weddings with 200 or more. As a documentary wedding photographer I very rarely take the typical ‘large group shot’ of every guest stood in front of the venue. Instead, I always look for different naturally formed groups at weddings…
Beautiful – scene setting from a high viewpoint – watching guests interact.
A wonderful Cotswolds wedding at the stunning Birtsmorton Court in Worcestershire.
Top work as always Steven, loving your colour images in here especially.
Beautiful work again Steven, looking forward to following your work in 2013.
My wedding cuff links come out nicely!
Wow Steve fantastic pictures I felt like I was there when I looked at these.
Stunning venue. Great set of images Steven!
Stunning set, great framing and composition (the upright of the reading in the church) and love the swan picture too
It’s all about timing when photographing weddings. You can have the most amazing eye and set up the most amazing compositions, but if nothing happens the resulting photograph is going to be a little flat. I’m a reportage wedding photographer but first and foremost I am a people photographer. People are what make a wedding day for me and so I use people in nearly all my pictures in some way or another…
wow! great shot!!
Lovely Steven… really good to read your description and just goes to prove that it’s not just framing that matters but knowing when to wait and anticipating those moments. Great storytelling
Timed to perfection. Stunning shot Sir.
Great shot Steven – hopefully you didn’t get too wet waiting for it!
Yes, photography is all about light and timing. Not actions and fancy gear. 
Really love this shot, there is a real sense of drama and anticipation about it. Nicely done!
The decisive moment was a phrase first coined by the late Henri Cartier-Bresson to describe the precise moment when everything in a scene comes together. In his own words “Inside movement there is one moment in which the elements are in balance. Photography must seize the importance of this moment and hold immobile the equilibrium of it…
I absolutely LOVE this shot! I agree, it’s got everything in this, great narrative, get expressions. It’s a brilliant piece of photojournalism and great use of the wide angle
I’m in love with this blog post, more importantly ‘ the decisive moment ‘.. Coming from a street photography background and now venturing into weddings. I feel what you have written is extremely important for any photographer. Not only about the vision, the psycology, and being aware of your surroundings. I try to ‘hear’ the moment aswell as ‘see’ the moment. Its all about being in the zone whilst shooting. Being in ones element..
P.s Excellent photo Steven. Definitely a decisive moment
Great photo of a decisive moment. The connection between psychology and photography is very interesting. As far as I can see good people photographers are good people themselves, they love life and love people. They approach photography through people and vice versa, none of the two exists for them without the other. If there is no one to take photos of, they are lost or not interested. The more we love life the more we love people and the more we love people the more we know people. The more we know people the better we photograph them. And the easier we find the decisive moment.
To capture it, I too prefer the latter way. At least that is what I can enjoy. The camera is necessary to record the image but ideally we should ‘take the photo’ in our mind first and use the camera to not loose it, so we get it written into a file or onto the film by the help of the camera. If we have to depend on the camera to find it for us by taking chances, it is a bit less of a photography and more of a playing around with a gadget. The result might be very similar or even identical, but we as photographers learn and grow much faster if we don’t expect the camera to do it for us. It should be like a hammer when driving nails in. We don’t expect the hammer to find the nail head, we know we do it, and the hammer is the tool we need for that, it is made to work for us, not replace us.
I need to stop writing, sorry Steven for the long rambling. On this picture I like how the grandfather is pointing the camera slightly off direction suggesting that he is going to miss the moment when someone catches the flowers. It is funny but we are not laughing. We are smiling because we love him instantly. Sorry again Steven for the lengthy comment.
Hi Steven, stunning image. Wow you can hear the laughter. I love photos when you can imagine the moments before and after the shot was taken. Amazing photo.
I dont think I have ever seen a better interpretation of Cartier-Bresson’s ‘Decisive Moment’ in a wedding photograph. Your work transcends the traditional approach to wedding photography. Bravo.
Really good catch both for the girl and for you
Great capture here! well done!
In 1952, Cartier-Bresson published his book Images à la sauvette, whose English edition was titled The Decisive Moment. It included a portfolio of 126 of his photos from the East and the West. The book’s cover was drawn by Henri Matisse . For his 4,500-word philosophical preface, Cartier-Bresson took his keynote text from the 17th century Cardinal de Retz : “Il n’y a rien dans ce monde qui n’ait un moment decisif” (“There is nothing in this world that does not have a decisive moment”). Cartier-Bresson applied this to his photographic style. He said: “Photographier: c’est dans un même instant et en une fraction de seconde reconnaître un fait et l’organisation rigoureuse de formes perçues visuellement qui expriment et signifient ce fait” (“To me, photography is the simultaneous recognition, in a fraction of a second, of the significance of an event as well as of a precise organization of forms which give that event its proper expression.”).
An emotional London wedding at St Marylebone Parish Church and Burgh House in Hampstead.
Great great work as always Steven…love that colour shot of the bride looking in the mirror during the prep!
Gorgeous wedding coverage… Very classy images showing the emotions of the day. Nice preparations shots! Alexis
really emotive work, steven.
When a couple is in love like this, it’s so easy to get beautiful, natural shots of them without directing. Lovely work!
Not as easy as it looks, Teresa
The real trick is staying discreet enough so as not to affect the moment itself.
Perfect black and white processing and classy work. Beautiful emotions captured.
Beautifully atmospheric. Really great black and white photography.
Classy and elegant. Great work mate.
Lovely images. Nice to see the colours. Great documentary.
Gorgeous black and white pictures, really bringing out the architecture of that stunning building. Beautiful! Also, you can’t beat a good old London Bus at a wedding!
London wedding photography at its finest. Burgh House never looked so good.
Beautiful storey telling. I thought I was at the wedding! 8)
Thank you everyone. Very kind.
These shots look like the very best highlights from a film -portraying love and life and capturing all the humour and pathos of the day in motion and spirit – really skillfully orchistrated and and such delicately captured moments. Thank you
An unconventional Oxford wedding at Magdalen College and Bibury Court in Gloucestershire.
Some absolute classics in here mate, really lovely.
really lovely set steven! the bride has a killer smile. particularly loved the third to last and the last image, especially.
This is a lovely set of pictures – great rich black and whites and nice colour processing. Nice to look at a sunny wedding when it’s cold and foggy outside.
Stunning photos that do justice to a stunning bride. The one of her in the bus doorway could be poster.
Beautiful images here and lovely processing.
Lovely set and it is nice to see another take on the city and on Bibury Court of course.
Beautiful images of beautiful people and such a beautiful setting. Great black and whites.
wows – Another top set of images Steven! I love the walking shots, but then I love all of them!
Outstanding work. Beautiful bride
Stunning, a lot of those shots here prove your excellent eye to catch those special moments!
Wow, such beautiful photos and what looks to have been a delightful wedding to photograph. Like Nick says, the bridal portrait on the bus is sublime, such a lovely looking girl too. Regards
Matt
Lovely work Steven!
Some of the best documentary wedding photography I’ve seen in ages. Great stuff!