About me - York Wedding Photographer
Every wedding day is completely different. No two couples, no two stories, no two lives are ever the same — and that’s exactly why I love photographing weddings.
To me, a wedding day feels like a brilliant story with a beginning, a middle and an end. You get dropped right into it, surrounded by people who mean the absolute world to the couple, and trusted to capture moments that can never be repeated. It’s a privilege, every single time.
I’m Charlie, a York wedding photographer specialising in relaxed, colourful, documentary-style wedding photography for couples who want to enjoy their day — not pose through it.
How I Got Into Wedding Photography
I actually started out as a nightclub photographer, roaming around the bars in the city of York with a camera and a flash, photographing people mid-dance and mid-laugh. It wasn’t glamorous, but it taught me something incredibly valuable: I could make people comfortable in front of the camera.
That experience still shapes my work today. Whether it’s a dark dancefloor, a candlelit ceremony or a rainy Yorkshire afternoon, I’m completely at home adapting to whatever the day throws at us.
I began photographing weddings professionally in 2019, took an enforced break during Covid, and haven’t looked back since. Weddings are thrilling, emotional, energetic days to be part of — and there’s honestly no buzz quite like them.
What I Love About Wedding Days
Every person at your wedding has been chosen for a reason. They’re there because they matter to you. Seeing all of those faces in one place — laughing, crying, hugging, celebrating — is incredibly powerful.
There are moments on wedding days that genuinely stop me in my tracks. Speeches that make me well up. Quiet exchanges that happen in corners. Reactions you never notice in the moment. Capturing those is what drives me.
One of my favourite things is showing couples moments they didn’t even know happened — little glances, hugs, laughs that were happening elsewhere while they were busy being pulled in ten different directions.
My Photography Style
My wedding photography style is laid-back, colourful and fun.
I’m not a traditional, heavily posed photographer. I don’t want you stood around doing stiff, awkward poses or feeling like you’re being directed all day. The more relaxed and present you are, the better your photos will be — because they’ll actually feel like you.
I focus on genuine moments. The things you can’t plan or put on a shot list. Those moments only happen when people feel comfortable enough to forget the camera is there.
That means I spend a lot of the day working quietly in the background — especially during prep and the ceremony — but I’m also not afraid to step in when needed. Whether that’s gently herding people for group photos, helping you relax during portraits, or cracking a joke to lift the mood.
What It’s Like to Have Me There on the Day
Couples often tell me that having me at their wedding feels like having a new friend around — someone they’re comfortable chatting to, but who also knows when to blend in and let the day happen.
Setting people at ease is one of my biggest strengths. If you’re camera shy, awkward, or just not sure what to do with your hands — you’re exactly the kind of couple I love working with.
Rather than standing you in one spot and over-directing, I’ll usually take you for a walk, encourage you chat to each other, and photograph from a distance. We ease into things naturally, often just talking about your honeymoon or what you’ve got planned next. Before you know it, the nerves are gone.
When the day gets busy or emotional, I stay observant and calm. I’m always aware of what’s happening in the room — not just the obvious moment, but everything around it. That awareness is how stories get told properly.
Experience & Trust
I’ve photographed around 70 weddings across Yorkshire, in every kind of weather you can imagine.
One of my very first weddings was during Storm Dennis — horizontal rain, chaos outside, and not a chance of going outdoors. Thanks to strong flash skills and adaptable planning, we stayed inside and still created beautiful, atmospheric images.
Yorkshire weather doesn’t scare me. I always have a backup plan, I know how to work indoors when needed, and yes — there’s always a brolly in the bag.
Couples trust me not to miss important moments because I prepare properly. We’ll have a one-to-one call around six weeks before your wedding to go through your plans, priorities and timings. Everything important gets noted, checked and double-checked, so when the day arrives, you don’t need to worry about the clock.
I photograph weddings as a full day, not by the hour — so if plans shift or timings slip, it’s never a problem.
York Weddings & Local Knowledge
I’ve grown up in York and lived here my whole life. I know the cobbles, the paths, the shortcuts and the hidden green spaces inside out.
Being a York wedding photographer means I can confidently and quickly take you to beautiful spots — whether that’s in the city centre or somewhere quieter and greener. I’m also shamelessly local enough to bike around the city, which makes moving between venues far quicker than dealing with York traffic and parking.
Some of my favourite York wedding venues include the National Centre for Early Music, York Register Office (criminally underrated), and The Normans just outside the city. I also have a real soft spot for farm weddings, marquees, fields and DIY celebrations full of family, love and slightly chaotic energy.
Who I’m a Good Fit For
I’m best suited to couples who:
Want relaxed, natural wedding photography
Care more about genuine moments than perfect poses
Want to actually enjoy their wedding day
Value feeling comfortable with their photographer
If you’re looking for highly staged, cinematic, movie-scene-style photography with lots of posing, I might not be the right fit — and that’s absolutely okay. Choosing the right photographer is a bit like choosing a restaurant: the style has to suit your taste.
That’s why I always make time for pre-wedding consultations. It’s important that we’re a good match, not just creatively, but as people.
A Bit About Me
Outside of weddings, I’m outdoorsy, dog-loving and always up for an adventure. I love walking in the Yorkshire Dales with my partner Morgan and our fox red Labrador, Belle — we’ve tackled long-distance walks like the Cleveland Way and the Cumbria Way, usually fuelled by good pubs and cold pints of lager at the end of the day.
I’m also a bit of a gamer, very fond of a proper pub, and happiest when life feels relaxed and unforced — much like the weddings I photograph.
The Big Picture
Ultimately, my goal is simple:
I want you to look back at your wedding photos and feel like they truly represent your day — the people, the atmosphere, the emotion, and the joy.
No matter the weather, the timings, or the unexpected hiccups, I want you to remember that you enjoyed your wedding day.
If that sounds like what you’re looking for, I’d love to hear about your plans.