Right, where do I even start with 2025? I shot 24 weddings this year, and honestly, I’m absolutely knackered, but so bloody pleased I did it, and grateful to be part of all of those celebrations.

At the start of the year, I decided I would just shoot what I love. Sounds simple, but it was a turning point for me. I properly leaned into the fun, quirky, messy stuff – the things that make me excited to pick up my camera. And you know what? It shows in the images, and the incredible people I have met along the way. I photograph weddings because I genuinely love it. I love watching people (not in a creepy way, promise!) and all the stuff they get up to, then documenting it so they’ve got something to look back on and smile, laugh, maybe even cry a bit.

Check out the slide show, and then scroll on for a closer look at some of my Best of 2025 wedding photography highlights.

Perfecting the mix

When I look back on the galleries I’ve delivered in 2025, I’m really proud of every story I’ve told. And I can see how my style of photography helps me tell those stories. I’ve always said I’m about 80% documentary wedding photographer, and the other 20% is unposed editorial from my fashion design background. I’ve captured loads more of those street-style editorial portraits this year, which I really enjoy doing. No posing though, unless you want to. Just awesome people being completely themselves.

I’ve had some good chats with other photographers at conferences this year, and what keeps coming up is how I balance those unposed, street-style editorial portraits with all the chaos and fun of the actual day. The feedback’s been brilliant. Turns out people DO want evidence of the questionable dance moves, trays of shots they don’t remember, and that crazy pool party with their pals… I’ve been there for it all this year!

Adventures & challenges (AKA the best bits)

Adventures aren’t always about jetting off abroad (although I will get to that bit in a minute!). I’ve shot all over the UK this year, everywhere from Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester and Cheshire to Norfolk, and loads in London. Actually, most of my weddings have been in London, which means I’ve basically documented every possible mode of London transport at this point. Tubes, buses, boats on the Thames – if it moves people around the city, I’ve probably photographed a couple on it!

While we’re on the subject of London, St Paul’s Cathedral was a big one for me this year. Talk about pressure! I had about three minutes to capture photos of the ceremony during one of the hymns; you don’t want to break the rules with these guys. But THREE MINUTES! And then it absolutely chucked it down all day, so we ended up doing the group photo outside with everyone under umbrellas whilst loads of people watched. Total chaos. But honestly? That’s when the magic happens. Give me a challenge and some unpredictable weather over a perfectly planned timeline any day.

I also got to shoot some destination weddings this year, including this wedding in Tangier, Morocco and another in Faro, Portugal. And next year’s looking even wilder. I’ve got two weddings in Italy (one is in a castle wedding in Rome), plus one in Spain too – honestly, I cannot wait.

What does all this mean for you?

If you’re planning something unique, or if your venue throws up challenges, or if the weather decides to do its own thing – I’m not going to panic. I’m going to find the moments that make YOUR wedding yours. The unpredictable bits? That’s often where the best photos come from.

The viral moments (Still Not Quite Over It)

So, I sort of went viral. Twice. Which is INSANE.

First was this Hackney Town Hall wedding with Fred Asquith and his ‘Darling’. We had a collaborative post hit 280k likes and 3.5 MILLION views. I mean, what?! It’s been brilliant because I’ve had loads of enquiries from couples who saw it and got what I’m about. Easy-going, fun, real moments. That wedding was an absolute joy to be part of and really captured everything I love about this job.

Then I made a joke on Instagram, photoshopping myself into Taylor Swift’s garden engagement photos as a laugh (you probably saw it). I posted it, and it ended up going viral on TikTok… and then I had to delete it because some of the Swifties didn’t realise it was a JOKE. I got a load of abuse from that one. Lesson learned: sometimes the internet needs clearer signposting! Absolutely nuts.

Still not sure I’m cool enough for that level of internet attention, but here we are.

Why couples book me

This year, a lot of couples have booked me specifically because they know I’m down for getting properly involved in the party and capturing all the messy, fun, wild stuff. People are often surprised when they meet me in person, a pretty quiet, chilled, and unassuming guy (albeit a fairly giant one at 6ft 2!). I don’t pull focus from couples on their day – it isn’t about me. I blend in, join the party without distracting from it, and just let the celebration unfold around me whilst I document it all.

Weddings aren’t meant to be spent standing around posing for hours, and I really do stand by that. I shot this gorgeous Eastfield Farm Barns wedding where the couple just wanted to be present, celebrating with their people. That’s what I’m here for – catching all the real moments whilst you’re actually LIVING them.

The best feedback I’ve had this year? Couples telling me they love how I capture the emotions and the party. Because let’s face it, that’s what it’s all about, isn’t it? The celebration, the dancing, the 4am finishes. I’m often the one who ends up on the dance floor with a camera in one hand and a beer in the other, getting absolutely carried away, and I bloody love it. No wonder my feet always hurt the next day!

Travel & inspiration

This is the bit where I said I would talk more about travel. I think I’ve been on about 30 different flights this year, including to Nepal, Croatia, Copenhagen, Thailand, Paris, Seoul, India, New York… I expect I have forgotten somewhere! It’s the most I’ve ever travelled in my life. In March, I went to the Holi festival in Nepal, which was such a brilliant way to start the year. I spent the first week with some other photographers, then went solo and just wandered around places that interested me, including taking photos at Everest! I’ll do a proper blog on this at some point soon, I promise!

All this travel has been inspiring, and I’m bringing that energy and creativity back into my wedding work. Different perspectives, different light, different ways of seeing moments unfold, it all feeds into how I approach each wedding. Whether you’re getting married in Hackney or Morocco, in pouring rain or blazing sunshine, in a barn or on a boat – I’ve probably experienced something similar before, and even if I haven’t, I’m used to thinking on my feet (and on skis!).

Learning & growing (The bit about awards that actually matters to you)

I don’t want to bang on about awards because that’s not why I do this, but I do take part in a few competitions and attend some industry conferences, mainly to learn from other photographers and keep myself creatively challenged. Turns out, I did alright. Won a couple of story awards from This is Reportage (finally got the hang of that!), came 21st in the world for photographer of the year and 19th for storyteller of the year. Last year I was top 100, so I’m chuffed with the progress.

Also won Wedding Photographer of the Year for East of England at the TWIA awards, and ended up in the finals, which puts me in the top 10 UK photographers. Got a few images into the International Photographer of the Year finals too.

But what does this actually mean for you? It means I’m constantly pushing myself to get better, to capture moments in new ways, and to tell your story. That’s the real value of all that stuff – not the trophies, but the fact that I’m always learning, always improving, always trying to give you better photos of your day.

What’s Next

Right, so 2026 is already looking mad in the best way. More destination weddings, more London adventures, more late-night dance floors, and hopefully more couples who just want to be themselves in front of the camera.

If you’re planning a wedding and the thought of standing around awkwardly for hours fills you with dread… You know where I am, get in touch. If you want gorgeous photos but also want evidence of all the chaos, laughter, and questionable decisions that make YOUR day completely yours – I’m your guy. The more unique and challenging, the better, because that’s when the best moments happen.

You deserve to actually BE at your wedding. To celebrate with your people. To look amazing in photos without feeling awkward. To have evidence of all the brilliant, messy, real moments that make your day yours.

That’s what I’m here for. Always have been, always will be.

Here’s to another year of adventures, challenges, and celebrating with absolute legends. Cheers to 2025, and bring on 2026!

Ben

(Want to time travel? Check out last year’s post (my Best of 2024!)