I’m thrilled to announce my collaboration with Wedissimo, a cutting-edge platform that celebrates excellence in wedding photography, as the judge for the Wedissimo Wedding Photography Awards. This competition is set to become a significant event in the wedding industry, highlighting photographers who have a special talent for capturing authentic, emotional moments.
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of meeting Andrew Bowker and David Clark, founders of Wedissimo, during a lively chat in Bishop’s Park, Fulham. I could immediately sense their shared passion for wedding photography and their dedication to supporting photographers in honing their craft. We spoke about the upcoming competition, and I was eager to learn more about their vision for this exciting new initiative.
Throughout our conversation, Andrew and David explained how Wedissimo seeks to not only showcase stunning photography but to provide a platform for photographers to grow and learn. I was struck by their commitment to helping emerging talent find their voice within the industry. Their enthusiasm was contagious, and it became clear that this competition would be a game-changer for both budding and experienced photographers alike.
As a wedding photographer who’s had the privilege of photographing key moments for some high profile weddings, I know firsthand how vital it is to capture not just beauty but emotion. This is why, as the judge for the Wedissimo Wedding Photography Competition, I’ll be searching for images that evoke a visceral response.
I often refer to the concepts of punctum and studium, as described by Roland Barthes. Studium refers to the general, surface-level interest in a photograph, the composition, the narrative, whilst punctum is the unexpected detail that stirs something within the viewer, that creates a deep emotional impact. In this competition, I’ll be looking for punctum—the ability to convey the essence of a moment, the raw and unfiltered emotion that transforms an image from a picture into an unforgettable experience.
During our meeting, we also spoke about the physical demands of wedding photography, a topic I hold dear. Photographing weddings requires more than just creativity—it demands stamina, agility, and the ability to think on your feet. I’m still recovering from a broken wrist from a recent wedding, a reminder that wedding photography is as much a physical feat as it is an artistic one!
Despite all the pressures, whether it’s photographing a high-profile wedding or a lively toddler, I’ve learned that preparation and connection are key. For me, photography is about feeling rather than simply looking, as the great Don McCullin said: “If you can’t feel what you’re looking at, you’re never going to get others to feel anything when they look at your pictures.” This philosophy guides every image I take, and I hope it will inspire the photographers who enter this competition to push beyond the ordinary.
Wedissimo’s competition offers an incredible opportunity for photographers to share their vision, with a focus on emotional storytelling. I’m honoured to support their mission and to help discover new talent who can master the art of conveying not just the beauty of weddings but the deep human connections at their core.
I look forward to seeing the entries and can’t wait to celebrate the power of wedding photography with the talented photographers out there.
The competition is open for entries until 31 October 2025. You can enter here
There will be a public vote in the first 2 weeks of November to create a shortlist. I will pick the winners from the shortlist and announce them in January.
Honoured to share with you my latest commission for the Prince and Princess of Wales: a birthday portrait of Prince George as he turns 10. As with my previous portraits of Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte & Prince William, I took this portrait of Prince George in the grounds of the Windsor Estate, a few months later.
I love how this image captures the confidence, maturity and charm of Prince George – and gives us a glimpse of what lies in store as a future king.
For more examples of my children portfolio, click here.
So honoured to have been asked by HRH the Princess of Wales to take a birthday portrait of Prince Louis as he turns 5. Of my two portraits released by the Palace, this image of Louis in the wheelbarrow with HRH The Princess of Wales, laughing down towards him, is my favourite. It not only captures Louis’ spirit and cheek but also the relationship he has with his mother, and the fun they have together. You can’t but help feeling joy, love and laughter when you look at this photo.
For more examples of my children portfolio, click here.
So sad to hear about the passing of the legendary author, actor, ex-drag queen, broadcaster and lover of dogs Paul O’Grady. Feeling blessed to have met and photographed him – thank you Country Life Magazine for such a wonderful commission.
I spent most of my morning listening to stories and experiences, as side splittingly funny as they were touching. What a man! What an inspiration! He will be sorely missed by all.
From left to right, sitting on Paul’s lap are: Arfur, Conchita, Eddie (aka Mussolini!), Sausage & Nancy.
Ancestry and the National Portrait Gallery are collaborating to create a Nations Family Album – the first ever holistic visual representation of the British population in photographic form. So they are inviting the British Public (all ages, backgrounds, cultures) to submit photos of family members (old, recent, together, separate). The winning entries will not only feature in this online Nations Family Album gallery, but also in an exhibition in the National Portrait Gallery when it reopens early next year.
I am honoured to say that I’ve been elected as one of the four judges on the panel of experts, along with the baritone singer Peter Brathwaite, renowned for his series of photographs on Rediscovering Black Portraiture, the National Portrait Gallery’s Chief Curator, Dr Alison Smith and Simon Pearce from Ancestry.
Themes for the photos are: legacy, belonging, connection and identity – all of which reflect the emotions experienced when looking through old family photos or starting a journey on your family history. You can submit up to 3 photographs per person. And the deadline is 11.59pm on 30th June. For more information, visit the Ancestry website.
I’m really looking forward to seeing all your entries.
Morwenna has always flicked through each issue of Country Life Magazine to see who was the latest ‘girl in pearls’. So when she got engaged to Phil Bush, it seemed like a rite of passage. However, she chose to wear a stunning Vivienne Westwood dress, with black boots and and a black manicure.
She was a total joy to photograph. She looked incredible in every single image, my favourite of which you’ll find in the portrait section of my website.
This image from a teenage portrait photography shoot in Berkshire is one of my favourites from last summer. Children portraiture isn’t always about capturing a smile. Indeed many of my favourite portraits are the more serious shots. They eyes are the windows to our souls. It is a portrait photographer’s role to capture the essence of their models. And no better way to do this than a striking portrait where there is a real connection visible in their expression. This portrait stops me in my tracks every time I look at it.
As with all my children and family photoshoots, I provide a variety of images: striking portraits or them individually and together with their siblings, as well as a range of more candid, fun and spontaneous images which are more story telling images. Many photographers struggle with teenage portrait photography, providing rather static staged and soulless images. But as my children have grown up into teenagers themselves, I have found I enjoy photographing older children and teenagers as much as I do young children. They may not be as spontaneous and unpredictable as the latter, but I have found my connection with them, they are so rewarding to photograph.
Please do explore my website to see more examples of my children,teenage and family photography. If you are interested in booking a family or children photoshoot, please do get in touch. I’m based in Dorset but travel all over the country. And I’m also regularly in Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, London, Wiltshire, Somerset, Devon and Cornwall.
I took this photo during one the speeches at a Dorset wedding. It’s one of my favourite parts of the wedding day. They are charged with so much emotion. From pride, nostalgia, excitement and love, to sadness for those that could not be there, & the the inevitable highly entertaining stories which has everyone in stitches. They make for wonderful photos that capture the spirit of the day. They are also the perfect time to take lovely portraits of family and guests, too busy listening to the speeches to notice the camera. This bestman’s speech was one of the funniest I’ve ever heard. And I have heard a lot! The reactions of the bride & groom and the father of the bride say it all.
It was the wedding closest to home, near Sherborne in Dorset, I have ever photographed. If our little rowing boat had less holes in it, still had an oar, and the river more water, I could have rowed up stream to their house in 5 minutes. Instead it was a 2 minute drive and I arrived at both destinations dry! The wedding service took place in Sherborne Abbey. with a reception in a lovely country house with stunning gardens. You might find one or two other photographs from their wedding in my wedding gallery.
If you’re getting married and would like to consider booking me for as your wedding photographer, please do email me with your date, location of the ceremony & reception, timings, and approximate number of guests so I can send you a bespoke quote. Alternatively, do call me on 07815 750 141 to discuss your day in more details. Whilst based in Dorset, I travel throughout the South, photographing weddings regularly in Wiltshire, Hampshire, Berkshire, London, Gloucestershire, Oxfordshire, Somerset, Devon, Cornwall and further afield too.
This week’s Country Life Magazine‘s frontispiece features the highly talented and utterly beautiful actor Kate Phillips, who appears in the Downton Abbey film as Princess Mary. You might also recognise her as Linda Shelby in Peaky Blinders.
A special thank you to Paul Ellis who assisted me in this shoot, Mach Management for make up, the Ritz London for providing a fabulous location and a much needed supply of coffee, and Lucy Editor, the picture editor at Country Life for this wonderful commission! Feeling very blessed.
Meet this week’s stunning frontispiece for Country Life Magazine – Princess Adebomi Adewale, from Nigeria, photographed at the Church of St Mary & St Nicholas, Wilton in Wiltshire.
A joy and honour to photograph – Bomi was beautiful, vibrant, intelligent and great fun. What more could I ask for? Thank you Country Life for another wonderful commission. Lucky me!
