Alderley Edge Hotel Wedding of Matthew and Natalie - New Years Eve 2023

The secret to being a good candid/documentary wedding photographer is observation, and maybe a bit of luck, being in the right place at the right time. The story of a wedding day doesn’t always have to revolve around the bride and groom and my job is to present a holistic account of their day - both involving them but also showing some of the things going on that they may not have necessarily known about. Such is the case with this image taken during the evening celebration. It is one of my favourites. The young girl is perfectly lit and framed by her father on one side and one of the bridesmaids just stopping by for a chat. There are other figures in the background which give this image depth and a painterly feel - like the Old Masters painting of gatherings where the main characters are front and centre, but surrounded by a supporting ensemble. These always make good images because there is a story being told. Below are some more images from this wedding with a bit more commentary. See also my blog of this wedding.

The next few to follow were taken deep into the evening celebration so a flash is required. I have mastered a technique known as “shutter dragging” which enables me to capture the subjects sharply whereas lights around them are swirled and streaked. For dance floor images this gives them a sense of energy and movement - quite a good reflection of what’s really happening in fact…