Documentary and reportage wedding photography in London, Kent, Surrey, Oxfordshire and across the UK.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”).
What is candid wedding photography all about? The dictionary describes candid shots as unposed, informal, uncontrived, impromptu, natural. I certainly think that sums up my style of documentary wedding photography. Regular followers of mine will already know that I’m always looking for those moments that happen naturally…
You have a good eye, Hewson. Nice post
You do some classy work Steven.
Patience and planning pay off – great shot
Very nice. Would I be right in saying that you used the 50mm lens for this picture, as opposed to the 24mm ?
This image was actually taken from the far corner of the room, with the 85mm.
Great summary and lovely image to explain.
Love the lighting in this shot, great moment captured
a bit late to viewing this, but I really like your approach, some great moments captured here Steven
Great capture Steven – patience, timing and great light.
A well thought out firework display can be incredible to watch, always generating a few oohs and ahhs along the way. But fireworks don’t just have to be reserved for 5th November or New Years Eve. Fireworks at a wedding can be a great way to end the days celebrations. I actually had a firework display at my own wedding, a surprise one I might add. My usher, Dan, disappeared on the morning of my wedding and returned a bit suspiciously a couple of hour later to help put the finishing touches to the venue. Little did I know that he and my brother were planning a surprise firework display on Tankerton beach, looking out to sea.
Stunning image.
I have had a few questions from other photographers about this image already asking me if I used a tripod. The answer is no. This was taken handheld with the Canon 5Dmk2 and 24mm F/1.4 mk2, F/1.8, 1/30, 6400 iso.
I love fireworks and water – great shot, especially hand held! Like the new homepage slideshow too.
Regular followers of my website will already know my love for black and white wedding photography. There’s something very timeless about a beautiful image devoid of colour. Once you strip away the colour it becomes all bout the content, The subject, the light, the shape, form and composition. No distractions. Don’t get me wrong, I love a colour photograph too. And actually find myself switching the balance of black and white and colour on a wedding by wedding basis. It really does depend on the day itself.
Great moment captured there Steven… one they will treasure
Nicely put and well written. Good one
Great blog piece Steven, especially as anyone that knows me also knows I love a black and white too! Completely agree with your ‘no distractions’ comment and yes, colour images can also be fabulous, but you only have to look at the above capture and all you can see is the raw emotion of that bride & groom. Love it.
Following on from my previous blog post, I thought I would share another image from the same wedding that showcases low key wedding photography. For an image to be considered low key it should be dark with a majority of black areas. With this image of a bride and groom dancing, I wanted to really give a sense of the mood of the moment.
I often ask for the lasers to be turned off for the first dance. May have to rethink that strategy.
For an image to be considered high key it should be bright with a majority of light or white areas. With this image of a bride and groom entering to meet their guests for dinner,I wanted to create a mood that was fitting with the grand entrance the couple were given.
Perfectly exposed, perfectly timed and perfectly framed – great image Steven
Love the way they’re walking in from a blast of light….
Perfect exposure. Very impressed. Lovely image.
This is absolutely beautiful S. They look so happy
Lovely lovely shot.
Great shot – great timing and the expressions say it all…
lovely image. really looking forward to seeing the wedding blogged
What is a wedding photograph? To put it simply, any picture taken on a wedding day can be considered a wedding photograph. It might be a picture of the bride and groom, but equally it might not feature anyone at all.
My style of documentary wedding photography is all about moments. Real moments of the day, that flow together to form a narrative to tell the unique story of each couple’s day. There are of course the big moments; the vows, the kiss, the speeches, the first dance. But there are also a multitude of little moments throughout the day, too. Moments that for the most part will go unnoticed, or forgotten as time passes.
So important to capture these moments which are often split seconds. Great photograph!
Great timing as always Steven.
Many would have maybe waited for the bride to enter the door and walking through the corridor without taking any shots before, but this moment with these gestures is very telling.
Superb image Steven, and agree with your thought process. I had to take a second glance too, this is the church I photographed the weekend just gone. As always your black and whites have bite! Bravo sir!
The wedding shoe shot is one that nearly every wedding photographer under the sun will take. But that doesn’t mean they all have to look the same. I have nothing against a nice shot of some shoes. After all, the bride has probably invested quite a bit of time tracking down the right pair and probably paid a fair bit for them, too. So it makes sense to get a shot of them where possible.
My favorite kind of shoe shot! Really lovely moment with a clear view of her pretty shoes. Well done!
Nice shot! Very nice B&W too – far better than the setup detail shots that litter the wedding blogs.
Great photograph As Martin have mentioned before – far better than any propped shot of shoes.
Such a great shot. Full of emotion and excitement even though you can’t see her face.
Lovely tones there Steven, and I agree – much more compelling and relevant this way.
Lovely composition Steven and the black and white conversion is superb as usual.
Lovely work!
What lovely feet! But I would say that as they are mine! Love this shot though – especially the angle of my feet. Perfect!
The first dance is always a wonderful moment for a wedding photojournalist to capture, as no two are ever the same. Different couples, different venues, different songs. It’s always a lovely moment when the bride and groom are essentially alone for just a minute or two, albeit under the watchful eyes on their onlooking guests. It’s great to see how couples treat this moment differently. Some choose to slow dance in each others arms, staring lovingly at each for the duration of the song. Others will whisper things into each others ears, prompting smiles and laughter which is always a joy to watch. I have even photographed a couple pulling some ‘pulp fiction’ style moves on the dance floor.
Gorgeous first dance image Steven.
I really like this Steven. An image that gets better the longer you study it. I love the expression on the singer’s face.
Thank you, both.
nice image, nicely framed! I agree with singer’s face expression!
Reportage Wedding Photography means different things to different people. To some it’s a series a close up faces, photographed through a crowd and then converted to black and white. To me, reportage wedding photography is so much more than that. It is storytelling wedding photography, observed and unobtrusive.
Love the framing on this one. Very nice!
I love how natural this image is and cannot believe how relaxed the whole scene and couple look. So different from your usual image of a couple walking through a city.
Very natural, as if it’s the most ordinary thing in the world to be walking down the High Street in a wedding dress. Lovely moment.
A lovely natural and unique photo. x
I’m a big fan of your shopfront work, Steven. It’s just a shame that couple had to get in the way!
With my discreet and emotive wedding photography, I always seek to tell the real story of the wedding day. Not just the big moments that everyone sees, or the ones that make the guests laugh, smile and cheer. I like to capture all the tender little moments too. Part of my style as a reportage…
Nice one Steve… Striking shot and great read
Great capture. It will mean so much to the couple that you were able to show how they were feeling at the time.
I don’t think people realise how much they want photographs like these until they get them. It’s a brilliant photograph that I imagine will take the couple right back to that feeling every time. Great work!
I agree with the comments above. It is a brilliant shot. I know because I’m also a wedding photographer. But more importantly, this is a shot of me and my new wife.. 
Beautifully composed shot S. Big congrats to Nick & Sara. She looks beautiful.
Can’t wait to see more!
Lovely image Steven – you cant ‘set up’ images like this!
Stop teasing us already!! Lets see the whole wedding Hewson! Don’t make me beg.
This was the first image I saw from my wedding and it made my heart soar.
I love looking at it and although i dont remember the exact moment I remember the feeling.I love that you cannot see either of our faces but all the emotion is there.
Thank you Steven for our wonderful, beautiful (pure reportage – not one single posed shot) photos – you gave us the best lasting memory ever. xxxx
For many, this is not your typical wedding photograph. It doesn’t contain a bride. Or a groom for that matter. It doesn’t contain details like shoes, flowers, favours or cakes. It doesn’t even show the wedding venue per se. But it does tell an important part of the story of the day.
That image is a great. The couple will remember this scene as the setting of their special day and may be able to enjoy it as some wall art too.
Excellent image and great thinking. Great venue too. I enjoyed shooting a wedding there a few years ago too.
Anything that tells the story of the wedding day is a wedding image – love the framing of the rowers and cyclists. Great shot
Jeff west - 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.