Bride and groom walking hand in hand along a lakeside deck at golden hour, laughing

Relaxed wedding photography in Derbyshire

Hi, I’m Alex, a documentary wedding photographer based in Derbyshire. I love the moments you’d never see for yourselves: your nan wiping her eyes, the best man losing his notes, the two minutes you finally get to yourselves. I’ll be quietly in the background all day, so you can enjoy it and your photos feel like you.

Check my date See the weddings

I’d love to hear about your day. I reply to every message myself, usually within a day or two, and there’s never any pressure.

Most couples don’t want a day of being told where to stand.

If that’s you, we’ll get on brilliantly. I work quietly, mostly from a distance, and I get a handful of proper portraits of the two of you done quickly so you can go back to your guests. What you get back looks like your day felt: unhurried, a bit chaotic, and full of people you love.

I live in Derbyshire and work across the county and the Peak District, and I travel to Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire and the rest of the East Midlands too. Packages start at £850.

About meDerbyshire wedding photography

Planning a small day? Read about intimate wedding photography in Derbyshire.

Couple kissing on a woodland path

Recent weddings

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What working with me looks like

Bridesmaids laughing together before the ceremony

Before the day

We talk it through, on a call or in person. You tell me about the people who matter, the bits you’re looking forward to and anything that makes you nervous about being photographed. Then we sketch a timeline together so nothing important gets squeezed out.

Newlyweds walking through a cloud of confetti

On the day

I turn up for the hours you’ve booked and blend in. Preparations, the ceremony, the speeches, the dancing. If something needs sorting, tell me and I’ll sort it. Otherwise you won’t see much of me, which is how it should be.

Couple laughing together on a fence in a field, in black and white

Afterwards

Your photos arrive five to eight weeks after the wedding in a private online gallery, fully edited, that you can share with family and download in full resolution. If you want prints or an album, just ask.

Is this you?

We’ll get on if…

  • You’d love to forget there’s a camera in the room
  • The thought of a long list of group photos makes you tense
  • You care more about the laughing, crying and dancing than a perfectly lined-up shot
  • You’d like your photographer to feel like a friendly guest who happens to be very good at their job

I might not be your person if…

You’d love a long list of staged portraits and a heavily choreographed day. I would much rather tell you that now than have you disappointed later, and I’m always happy to point you towards someone who is a better fit.

Not sure which side you’re on? Send me a message and we’ll work it out together.

What couples say

Couple embracing under a floral arch in front of an arched window

“Alex gave us way more photos than we originally agreed on, and to look back through the day and re-live it was incredible.”

Lucy & JedRead the full review
ED

“We had the best day ever and felt completely at ease with Alex behind the camera.”

Elaine & DaleRead the full review
TG

“Half the time we didn’t even realise he was there! The photos are incredible and capture so many little moments we would otherwise have missed.”

Tina & GaryRead the full review
Bridal party getting ready in a bright room

“Looking through the gallery felt like reliving the whole day again. There were so many moments we hadn’t even noticed happening!”

Dan & VanessaRead the full review
RL

“He was professional and made sure that us and our guests felt comfortable while perfectly capturing our day.”

Rachael & LewisRead the full review
MC

“He was friendly, professional and so easy to have around. The photos really tell the story of our day.”

Mark & ChloeRead the full review

Read all six reviews

Free: the Derbyshire wedding planning checklist

A month-by-month guide to what to book and when, from choosing your venue to the final week. I will also send the occasional note on Derbyshire venues and real weddings. No spam, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

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Questions couples ask me

What is documentary wedding photography?

Documentary wedding photography means I photograph your day as it happens rather than arranging it. I stay in the background, use natural light where I can, and take pictures of the moments you would otherwise never see: the reactions, the in-between bits and the things people do when they forget there is a camera. You still get portraits of the two of you, but they are relaxed and quick rather than a long list of set-ups.

How much does a wedding photographer in Derbyshire cost?

My packages start at £850 for four hours of coverage and go up to £1,600 for a full day of ten to twelve hours. The most popular choice for a full wedding is the eight-hour Storytelling package at £1,400. Travel depends on where your wedding is, so I talk it through with you and agree it before you book. Every package comes with a private online gallery of fully edited photos.

Do you do posed photos?

A few, if you would like them! I will take portraits of the two of you and any family groups you ask for, and I will keep them short and relaxed so you can get back to your guests. The rest of the day is candid. If the thought of formal group photos makes you tense, just tell me and we will plan around it together.

How many hours of wedding photography do I need?

Four hours covers a ceremony and portraits, which suits small weddings and registry office days. Six hours takes in the morning preparations through to the speeches. Eight hours runs from preparations to the first dance, and that is what most couples with a full day choose. Ten to twelve hours covers everything from start to finish, including the evening.

How long until we get our photos?

Your gallery is usually ready five to eight weeks after the wedding. Every photo is edited by hand, and I would rather take the time to do that properly than rush it. It arrives as a private online gallery you can share with family and download in full resolution.

Do you photograph weddings outside Derbyshire?

Yes. I live in Derbyshire and photograph weddings across the county and the Peak District, and I also work in Yorkshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire and further afield. Travel costs depend on where your wedding is, so tell me your venue and I will talk it through with you and give you a straight answer before you book.

How do we book, and is there a deposit?

To secure your date I take a deposit, which is a percentage of the package you choose, so the amount depends on the package. Send me your date and I will confirm availability and the exact figure for your package.

How do I check if you are free on our date?

Send me your date, your venue and a little about the day using the contact form. I usually reply within a day or two, and if the date is free we can arrange a call or a cuppa to chat it through. There is never any obligation.

What happens after you get in touch

  1. 1

    I write back

    Usually within a day or two. I’ll tell you honestly whether I’m free for your date, and if I’m not, I’ll happily point you to someone good.

  2. 2

    We chat

    Over a cuppa, on a call or in person. I’d love to hear about the two of you, what you’re looking forward to, and anything you’re nervous about.

  3. 3

    You book

    If it feels right to us both, a deposit holds your date and we start planning your timeline together.

Is your date free?

Tell me your date, your venue and a bit about the day. I usually reply within 24 to 48 hours, and there’s no pressure to book.

No obligation and no sales pitch. I read every message myself and reply personally, usually within a day.