SHOWCASE | MY FAVOURITE WEDDING IMAGES OF 2024
Welcome to a little blog post about some of my favourite wedding images that I captured in 2024.
These documentary wedding photos may not be considered the best technically, and while they will certainly not be the absolute best images I have managed to capture in 2024, they might also be missing one of the three essential ingredients that typically contribute to an award-winning image—namely, light, composition, or moment. However, despite this, they are still photos that I genuinely love looking at.
I hope that they will convey to you the unique and candid moments I strive to capture, which extend far beyond the ‘normal’ wedding images that one might typically expect from a ‘Wedding Photographer’.
This year (2024), has been a record year for me with couples who wanted to keep their images off social media and asked me to keep their images private, it is a shame I cannot share some of the images as they would have made this list, but they are not my wedding images to share and I 100% understand that not everyone wants their images potentially on socials.
PS: The images below are in no particular order!
THE SPARKLER EXIT
I love a sparkler run at a wedding, it’s often at the end of the night when everyone has had far too much to drink, but everyone is up for a bit of fun.
This image is probably my favourite wedding sparkler photo, purely because of the reaction of the couple to the sparkler going out.
To see more images from this Prestwold Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO5000 | F2 | 1/200
ALL SMILES
The dilemma when photographing the aisle walk is where to stand and who should be photographed. Do you move to the side and try to get the groom's reaction, or do you go for the bride walking down the aisle?
I pretty much always choose the bride walking down the aisle. I love the angle it gives me. However, I always want context to the shot, so I will always try to get the groom in the shot and get the angle he would have of his new wife walking down the aisle.
This photo is easily in my top five walking down the aisle photos; we were blessed with shady conditions, the bride and her dad have brilliant smiles, and I love that the people on the right are looking at the groom’s reaction.
To see more images from this Shottle Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO125 | F2.8 | 1/1600
THE CONFETTI RUN
Confetti - Yep! Steps - Yep! Been Raining - Yep! Having to walk backward - Yep!
All this made it quite the challenge to capture this confetti photo from Hannah and James's wedding, but despite the guys coming down the steps outside the church at breakneck speed, I somehow managed not to fall over—and this image was well worth the risk!
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO500 | F7.1 | 1/500
ROLLING THE EYES
One of my favourite weddings of the year was actually my first wedding of the year, the wedding of Jade and Darren, who had a fantastic wedding at Rushton Hall.
Jade was just fun. When she booked me, she knew what she wanted, and we just clicked, which made the wedding fun to capture.
I could have chosen a dozen photos from the speeches, but this one, with the eye roll is my favourite.
To see more images from this Rushton Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sigma 85mm F1.4 DG DN Settings: ISO125 | F2.5 | 1/250
A QUIET MOMENT
From the last photo being at my first wedding of 2024, to an image from my last wedding of the year.
This image was taken during a quiet moment when Steph was having the back of her dress done up by her girls.
Often people get ready in rooms which are not that photogenic, often a premier inn, so it’s nice to have a chance to capture this moment with some natural light.
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO320 | F1.4 | 1/250
THE DANCEFLOOR FUN
The dancefloor is one of my favourite parts of a wedding day. It’s the time when even the quiet ones get up and have a good dance, and with this image, not a single mobile phone being used to film it, just people enjoying their kids wedding.
To see more images from this Market Harborough Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony 24mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO2000 | F8 | 1/30
THE REACTION
I love these moments, I love it the you get to see the true reactions of people on a wedding day and not something faked for a mobile phone picture.
Each bridesmaid having their own reaction to seeing Rosie in her dress - perfect.
To see more images from this Shottle Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO250 | F8 | 1/250
WATCHING MUM
Sam and Ash were married at Cockliffe Country House in Nottingham, and the biggest part of the wedding day was their daughter, who amazingly just got on with things despite me being there, which made this image possible.
To see more images from this Cockliffe Country House Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO200 | F1.4 | 1/250
EMOTIONAL DAD
Capturing a moment like this between the bride and her dad is very emotional for everyone in the room, and one of the main things to remember as a photographer is this moment is very real for people, its not a time to be posing, to instruct, its a time to observe, capture and then importantly, let people have their moment.
To see more images from this Prestwold Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO125 | F2 | 1/250
THAT LOOK
Humour is everywhere on a wedding day, the key is being able to sense or see when it’s going to happen, experience gives you a helping hand, my sensors were going off when Vicky and Ash were chatting and joking during the signing of the wedding register.
To see more images from this Tortworth Court Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony 50mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO125 | F1.8 | 1/320
WAVING TO THE GUESTS
I had my eye on this composition as I waited for Noni to arrive for her wedding ceremony at Doddington Hall. I knew the car would swing round, and I knew I wanted the curves of the entrance in the photo. But what really elevates this shot is Noni waving to the wedding guests looking out the window on the top floor of the Hall.
To see more images from this Doddington Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO125 | F4 | 1/1000
THE COLOURFUL PORTRAIT
I don’t show many couples portraits on my site, because it’s such a small part of the coverage I do. My couples are given a few options for images of them on their wedding day, they can go with none, one or a little 15 minute walk around their wedding venue.
Tom and Amy wanted to have a little walk around their venue, and with the spring in full bloom, it was nice to be able to capture some of that colour.
To see more images from this Brooksby Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A9ii Lens: Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO125 | F1.4 | 1/800
DAD WATCHING ON
With experience comes the knowledge of timing, which is key during a wedding ceremony.
All Civil Wedding Ceremonies are broadly the same; some will 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, which allows me to watch and capture images behind or to the side of the couple. One shot I’m always looking for is Mum, Dad, or a Bridesmaid getting emotional, and in this shot, it’s Dad.
To see more images from this Rushton Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO160 | F1.4 | 1/250
THE HUG WITH MUM
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 Ash & Sam 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.
To see more images from this Cockliffe Country House Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO125 | F2.5 | 1/2000
ALL EYES ON THE CAKE CUT
It’s not often you get a chance to do a cake cut outside, and when you do, it's important to get something a little different from the normal shot.
I normally get the couple to cut the cake twice, once for me (I then step out the way) and once for their wedding guests. When the couple is doing the ‘second’ cake cut, I try to look for a different image. With plenty of space in the garden at Doddington, I was able to capture this image of the guests taking their photos of the cake cut.
To see more images from this Doddington Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO125 | F5 | 1/320
THE FIREWORKS
I can go years without photographing fireworks at weddings, and then I have years where almost every wedding has fireworks; 2024 was a year of fireworks!
This display was a little different to what I have seen before, out of frame is two very large stereo speakers, which played a favourite song of Amber and Nathan, meaning they could watch the fireworks and have a little dance at the same time.
To see more images from this Prestwold Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO1600 | F1.8 | 1/100
THE HAPPY LOOK
Nat and Dario were married at the Telegraph Hotel in Coventry, a former print works made for an incredible venue, but this image is my favourite one from their wedding - it’s all down to that happy look between them as they walked back down the aisle as a newly married couple.
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO10000 | F3.2 | 1/250
PLANNING THE NEXT MOVE
Garden games are always a great distraction on a wedding day, they give people a chance to have a bit of competitive fun.
Jack and Leanne, had a garden full of games, we had mini golf, darts, football, croquet, and my personal favourite - Connect Four, which gives me a chance to play with the holes in the game to get some fun compositions.
To see more images from this Market Harborough Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO125 | F1.8 | 1/800
THE FIRST LOOK
As you might have seen from a few of the images so far, I love capturing eye contact between people, you can see so much in people’s eyes, and a great image I am always looking for is the look between the couple as they get close to each other on the wedding day, and this image from the wedding of Hannah and James, captures that look perfectly.
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO2000 | F4.5 | 1/500
THE MIRRORED REFLECTION
Mirrors on a wedding day can be a godsend and also a pain in the bum, they are great as it allows you the chance to get some interesting reflection photos of people, but they are a pain as sometimes, no matter where you stand as a photographer, you will always see your self.
This image from Amber and Nathan’s wedding gives you a few different views of a single moment, something you can only get when using the mirrors.
To see more images from this Prestwold Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO125 | F1.4 | 1/1000
THE KISS DOWN THE AISLE
Always be on your toes expecting something to happen, and thankfully for this image from the wedding of Ashley and Sam, I was!
The guys had done their first kiss at the front of the ceremony room, and as they were walking back down the aisle, they decided to stop and go for another big kiss - which was a surprise to me, but I was ready and managed to get a few shots of this moment happening.
What I love about this image is everyone in the background looking and clapping as Ashley and Sam kiss.
To see more images from this Cockliffe Country House Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO1600 | F4 | 1/250
ALMOST DROPPED
Family formals don’t have to be boring, especially when someone has had a lot to drink…
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO125 | F3.2 | 1/320
THE EMBARRASSING SONG
I’m not sure if Annika’s dad set out to make her cringe with his song about her and George, but if that was his goal, he absolutely succeeded!
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO6400 | F2.5 | 1/250
THE PULP FICTION FIRST DANCE
The first dance, or as I call it “the first shuffle’ as nine times out of ten, couples just cling on to each other, dying on the inside whilst everyone watches on.
Steph and Craig wanted to do it differently, they wanted to surprise people, and then did just that by recreating the dance scene from Pulp Fiction.
This image has plenty to it, you have the projector showing the film, you have Craig doing his thing, and you can see the wedding guests on the right, loving it!
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO2000 | F1.8 | 1/250
FINAL TOUCHES
This image from Rosie and Roan’s wedding was taken towards the end of prep, it’s always tricky getting nice clean shots of people having their make-up done.
For this shot, I’m standing in the kitchen, shooting towards the mirror as Rosie is sitting against a wall; timing and patience is essential for getting a shot like this.
To see more images from this Shottle Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 35mm F 1.4 GM Settings: ISO200 | F1.4 | 1/250
HOLDING ON
On a wedding day, there is always section of the day where nothing ‘major’ is happening; we have had the ceremony, the food and the speeches are done, and people are mingling, chatting and catching up with each other.
It’s during these times when I know I have plenty of ‘wedding guests chatting’ images, I start to look for other things; sometimes, it might be looking for a clash of colours, it might be looking for interesting shapes, or it could be looking for funny little moments, like this one.
To see more images from this Market Harborough Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO125 | F1.4 | 1/640
HEADLESS GAMES
Doing a Limbo contest at 10 pm on a wedding day, is not something you see that often (or ever), but at 10 pm the drink has been flowing for many hours, which means people do things you might not expect, and that’s great for me.
Often, when people are playing games at a wedding, you make sure you have some ‘safe’ shots, after which you can look for interesting compositions, and that’s what happens here - looking for something different.
To see more images from this Prestwold Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO20000 | F1.8 | 1/200
THE BEST FRIENDS READING
I’m not a massive fan of moving during a wedding ceremony, I fear that I’m distracting and people will be watching me more than the couple getting married!
But, when it comes to readings or poems during a wedding ceremony, you have to move to try and get a better angle for the image.
This image is precisely what I was after, I wanted the arbour to frame the couple, and I wanted the Maid of Honour framed by the couple looking at her.
It’s a simple photo for a simple moment during the wedding ceremony and one that people will skip by, but it’s a unique way to capture this moment and shows the thought process that goes into an image like this.
To see more images from this Shottle Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 50mm F 1.4 GM Settings: ISO125 | F1.4 | 1/10000
THE MIC DROP
This image was taken at the end of the Groom’s emotional wedding speech.
These sorts of images are as much luck as it is experience.
I knew I wanted to capture the end of the Grooms speech from a center position, I already had plenty of images off to the sides photographing along the top table, but I wanted a more central shot for the ending.
I didn’t know that Nathan would be raising the mic at the end, I didn’t know that Amber would be emotional, or that everyone would be visible and not blocked by the glasses they were raising, so experience and much luck for this shot.
To see more images from this Prestwold Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO1250 | F2.2 | 1/250
THE CARD TRICK
I have mentioned in the blog post about luck, about looking for interesting images when you have made sure you have some safe shots, and both are true for this image.
I had my safe shots, I knew that the magician (to the right of the image) was about to reveal the end of his magic trick; all I had to do was be there to capture the image - I didn’t know what the reaction would be within the frame, that was down to luck and fate!
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO2000 | F3.5 | 1/250
THE FIRST KISS
I love using my 20mm (wide) lens for first kiss images when the room allows for it, you get to see the reactions of the front row of people, you get to see the kiss, and you get a sense of the room that the couple got married in.
There is a time and place for a tighter composition for the first kiss, but not for this one!
To see more images from this Rushton Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO500 | F5 | 1/250
KIDS AND THEIR PHONES
I’ll be honest, mobile phones on a wedding day is a bugbear for me, I dislike people who use them during a wedding ceremony or people filming the speeches.
It used to be that it was the young ones, always on their phones, but recently, it’s more the older bunch, with their massive phone cases holding all the cards they don’t use or need.
Anyone, rant over, I like the composition for this one; three blokes just sat on their mobile phones.
To see more images from this Tortworth Court Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony 24mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO1600 | F2.8 | 1/250
NO PEEKING
The wedding dress reveal is one of the only parts of the day that I need to orchestrate a little bit - especially when Courtney wanted everyone to see her in her dress at the same time.
Having everyone cover their eyes makes for a fun picture - even if the little one is peeking just a little bit!
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO500 | F3.2 | 1/250
THE MAKE-UP REVEAL
I have repeatedly mentioned looking for different images when you have your safe shots, which is what I was trying to capture in this image: a different take on showing the bride her finished make-up, not using a mirror, but a mobile phone.
To see more images from this Rushton Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 50mm F1.8 GM Settings: ISO1600 | F1.8 | 1/250
EMOTIONS
It’s not often that the Bride gives a wedding speech, but Hannah wanted to say a few words about the emotional year she and James had been through.
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO2500 | F1.6 | 1/200
THE BUBBLES
Roan and Rosie wanted to do things a bit differently, they went for bubbles instead of confetti and wanted the bubbles to be blown as they walked back down the aisle.
The instructions on the bottle of bubbles will never not be funny!
To see more images from this Shottle Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO125 | F2.5 | 1/5000
THE FURRY SQUEEZE
Vicky and Ash wanted their Furbaby at their wedding and wanted him to be there when they got married.
This image shows Ash at the front, giving a little squeeze before Vicky was due to walk down the aisle.
To see more images from this Tortworth Court Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO125 | F1.8 | 1/250
HELP WITH THE SHOES
Wedding shoes on before putting the dress on or wait till the dress is on?
Not sure if there is a right or wrong way, but Noni putting the shoes on after made for this funny image.
To see more images from this Doddington Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO200 | F2.5 | 1/250
THE SWORD CAKE CUT
Cutting the cake with a knife is so bring right :) why not do it with a mahoosive sword instead!
To see more images from this Shottle Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO320 | F4 | 1/250
NOM NOM NOM
Cakes instead of canapes are something I could easily get behind!
And judging by the little girl’s reaction, she agrees.
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO2000 | F2.8 | 1/250
THE TWIRL
A twirl during the wedding first dance shows the detail in Sam’s dress, with a bit of motion added to bring some dynamism to the image.
To see more images from this Cockliffe Country House Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 50mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO640 | F1.4 | 1/250
FINDING IT FOR WEEKS
I’ll be honest: even I find confetti weeks after a wedding, it’s either in my pockets, camera bag, or still in the beard…
Noni will be finding that confetti for months, let alone weeks!
To see more images from this Doddington Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO160 | F4.5 | 1/1000
THE CHURCH CEREMONY
Quite often, for Church weddings, you are asked to stand towards the back of the Church during the wedding ceremony, that’s normally a bit of a problem in a dark Church, but thankfully, the Church where Hannah and James were married was bright and had a stunning ceiling, which had to be shown off with this wide image.
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO1250 | F3.2 | 1/250
BRIDESMAIDS
The first few minutes into the dancefloor action are where the best images are.
The couple have done their first dance and asked for people to join them, and then it all kicks off, but to get the best images, you have to be in the thick of it!
To see more images from this Shottle Hall Wedding, click HERE
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 20mm F1.8 G Settings: ISO1000 | F2.5 | 1/250
A LITTLE WALK TO THE SHOP
When I do my couples shots on a wedding day, we always go for a walk and chat.
Walking is the easiest thing for people to do and looks natural in pictures.
Sometimes, when you go for a walk, you find interesting backdrops, compositions or, in the case of Sam and Nick, we found a little village shop with lovely colourful flowers.
Camera: Sony A1 Lens: Sony FE 35mm F1.4 GM Settings: ISO125 | F2 | 1/1250