What does Editorial Wedding Photography mean to me?

And why I’m choosing to now describe myself as an Editorial Wedding Photographer

For years, I've described myself as a documentary or candid wedding photographer. More recently, I've leaned towards describing myself as a "storytelling wedding photographer" because that's exactly what I aim to do: capture your wedding day naturally, honestly and with as little interruption as possible.

So why the change?

The truth is, I always felt that editorial wedding photography was something that high-end, luxury photographers did. The photographers that covered celebrity weddings or whose work was featured in glossy magazines. But, guess what? My work has been featured in glossy magazines. A few times in fact, including just this week where my images were published in Bath Life Magazine.

That in itself doesn’t automatically make my work editorial but, diving deeper into what editorial photography really involves means that I’ve realised that it truly does reflect the way I work.

True documentary photography captures everything exactly as it happens, untouched. That's not quite me. I aim to create photographs that feel authentic while paying close attention to composition, light and the details that make an image feel timeless.

During morning preparations, for example, I might quietly move can or hairspray out of the way or remove a bright carrier bag out of the background. I intentionally look for clean, complementary backdrops for your wedding details and even if that means taking your bouquet through to an adjoining room or outside to make the most of the available light. Throughout the day, I'm constantly looking for interesting framing, beautiful light and thoughtful viewpoints that elevate a fleeting moment without changing it.

The story remains completely real, I'm simply presenting it in the strongest way I can.

So where do I draw the line? Where does documentary editorial photography tip over into something that is posed and more fine-art? Put it this way, I lose count of the number of times during every wedding I readjust my viewpoint to keep distracting items (bright red fire extinguishers, fire exit signs, pushchairs etc…) out of frame, but I will never ask for an emotional moment to be restaged.

One trend often associated with editorial photography is heavy motion blur. While I love seeing other photographers use motion blur creatively, it’s not something I’ve chosen to make a defining feature of my work. I believe your wedding gallery should feel cohesive from beginning to end, with consistent colour, composition and timeless images that you'll love just as much in twenty years' time.

So, while documentary photography will always be at the heart of what I do, editorial wedding photography feels like the most honest description of my approach: natural moments, thoughtfully captured, with an eye for beautiful composition and a gallery that tells the story of your day with elegance and authenticity.

Ultimately, my goal has never been to chase trends or labels, it's simply to create a wedding gallery that feels honest, beautiful and timeless. I aim to gather a collection of photographs that tells your story exactly as it deserves to be remembered.

If that sounds like the type of coverage you are looking for - authentic but with a touch of elevation - then I’d love to hear from you. I’d be more than happy to talk you through my approach and see if I’m the right photographer for you, simply get in touch.