A bride and groom stand side by side, holding Polaroid photos of themselves as children in front of their faces, obscuring their features. Captured by a Chesterfield wedding photographer at the elegant Ringwood Hall Hotel & Spa.
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Why I Don’t Fit Into Just One Wedding Photography Style and Why That’s Actually A Good Thing

Rachael PhillipsByRachael Phillips

Real Weddings Aren’t One-Style-Fits-All

Honestly? Neither are couples.
✔️ Some people want natural, candid moments.
✔️ Some want dramatic flash photos that look like they belong in a magazine.
✔️ Some want the classic family photos for the grandparents.
✔️ Most want a bit of everything.
And that’s exactly why I don’t squeeze myself into one strict photography style.
Because weddings are layered, your photos should be too.

Bride and groom embrace outdoors with flowing veil.

So… What Is My Style?

If I had to describe it, I’d say I’m mostly documentary-led.
Which basically means for a huge part of the day, I’m blending in, watching moments unfold naturally and capturing things as they happen.

✔️ The laughs.
✔️ The nerves.
✔️ The chaos.
✔️ The tiny little glances you didn’t even realise were happening.

That’s the good stuff.
That’s the stuff that lasts long after the cake’s gone and the tan fades.

A bride and groom smile and hold hands as colourful confetti falls around them at Cockliffe Country House. The bride holds a bouquet, and guests in festive attire celebrate outside, captured by a Nottingham wedding photographer.
A bride in a white wedding dress and high heels sits on a light-coloured armchair at Cockliffe Country House, lifting her skirt to reveal a garter and posing playfully with heart-shaped sunglasses for her Nottingham wedding photographer.
A bride and groom sit on a bench outdoors at their Hazel Gap Barn wedding, laughing as they playfully raise their middle fingers. They hold drinks and the bride’s pink bouquet, with a stone wall behind them—a perfect shot for any Nottingham photographer.
An elderly man in a suit with a buttonhole wipes tears from his eyes, holding a walking stick, as a Nottingham wedding photographer captures his emotions at Cockliffe Country House, with a bouquet and wedding dress softly visible in the background.
A bride and groom share their first dance under fairy lights at Cockliffe Country House, surrounded by wedding guests in a dimly lit hall. Captured by a Nottingham wedding photographer, the smiling couple is illuminated as loved ones watch in the background.

Portraits That Don’t Take Over Your Day

And yes, we’ll absolutely still get lovely photos of the two of you.

✔️ You do not need to know how to pose.
✔️ You do not need to suddenly become models.

Most couples say:

“We’re awkward in front of the camera.”

I promise you, nearly everybody says that 😅
My job is to guide you gently without making things feel stiff or overly posed.
Usually with movement.
✔️ Walking.
✔️ Chatting.
✔️ Laughing.
✔️ Occasionally me being slightly feral, trying to get a reaction out of you.
The aim is simple:
✔️ Nothing that feels overly forced
✔️ Relaxed photos
✔️ Natural connection

Two men lean out of adjacent open windows in a brick building, smiling and shaking hands across the gap. Both are shirtless and appear happy—a moment any Kelham wedding photographer would love to capture for its warmth and renaissance spirit.

And Yes… Family Photos Matter Too

Even the most modern, relaxed weddings usually still want some classic family photos.
And honestly? Years from now, those photos often end up meaning even more.
I keep things calm, organised and as quick as possible so you can get back to the party.
This is usually the only point of the day where I become temporarily bossy 😂
✔️ Quick
✔️ Organised
✔️ No standing around for hours

A large group of people dressed in formal attire pose for a photo in front of a grand red-brick building, beautifully captured by a Kelham wedding photographer, with white windows and decorative gables on a cloudy day.
Bride and groom with groomsmen in blue suits.
A large wedding group poses outside a stone building at Carr Bank Mansfield. The bride in white and groom in blue stand centre, surrounded by family and friends in colourful outfits, smiling and celebrating.
A couple stands outdoors at Whistle Barns; the man in a dark suit and floral tie smiles at the woman in a bright orange dress holding a bouquet, with a garden and brick wall behind them—captured by a Nottingham wedding photographer.
Four people stand close together outdoors, smiling at the camera. Two women in floral dresses and two men in dark attire pose against green bushes and a brick wall—perfectly captured by a Nottingham photographer in charming walled gardens.
A bride in a white wedding dress sits on grass at Arnot Hill House Register Office, surrounded by women in colourful dresses, posing for a photo on a sunny day with trees and blue sky—captured by a Nottingham wedding photographer.
Happy wedding group by brick building

What’s It Actually Like Having Me At Your Wedding?

✔️ Relaxed.
✔️ Supportive.
✔️ Very un-awkward.
I’m not there to stage your entire wedding day like a photoshoot.
I’m there to help things flow naturally while still making sure you end up with photos you absolutely love.

That means:

  • stepping in when needed
  • stepping back when not needed
  • helping keep timings calm
  • fixing dresses
  • calming nerves
  • rounding people up for group photos
  • blending into the background during moments that matter

And if things don’t go to plan?
We roll with it.
Because honestly, some of the best moments happen in the in-between bits nobody planned for.

Woman holding yellow duck balloon

Just me with a duck

A bride and groom sit at a table in the rustic Carriage Hall wedding venue with brick walls, while two women stand nearby as one helps the other pin on a corsage. The bright, celebratory moment is beautifully captured by a Derby wedding photographer.

Helping fix a buttonhole

Breaking Down The Different Wedding Photography Styles

Because there are actually quite a few. 😅
And truthfully? Most modern wedding galleries are usually a mix of several styles.

Traditional Wedding Photography

✔️ The classic posed portraits.
✔️ Family groups.
✔️ Wedding party photos.
✔️ The “everybody look at the camera” moments.
✔️ Timeless.
✔️ Structured.
Still important at a lot of weddings.
Even couples having super-modern weddings usually still want some traditional photos mixed in.

  • A bride in a white dress walks down the aisle at Cockliffe Country House with a man, likely her father, as guests stand and watch. The Nottingham wedding photographer captures every moment whilst a flower girl stands in front amid flowers, mirrors, and lights.
  • Happy couple with a bridal bouquet
  • A bride and groom stand together by a calm lake at their Norwood Park wedding, gazing at one another, with a large elegant mansion and green lawns reflected in the water—captured by a skilled wedding photographer Nottinghamshire.

Documentary Wedding Photography

Real moments as they happen.

✔️ Minimal posing.
✔️ Minimal interference.
✔️ Natural reactions over perfect positioning.
This is the heart of how I shoot most of a wedding day.

  • Bride and groom exchange wedding rings.
  • A bride in a wedding dress holding a bouquet walks arm-in-arm with an older man in a suit, accompanied by another woman, as they enter a building; the scene is in black and white—captured by a skilled Nottingham wedding photographer.
  • A bride and groom smile and hold hands as guests throw colorful confetti outside Cockliffe Country House, celebrating their wedding. Captured by a Nottingham wedding photographer, the bride holds flowers while the groom wears a checked suit.

Editorial Wedding Photography

This is the more fashion-forward magazine-style look.
✔️ Intentional posing.
✔️ Stylish compositions.
✔️ A little more dramatic and polished.
These moments can look incredible in the right setting, but they definitely don’t suit every couple or every part of a wedding day.

  • Group celebrating in stylish outfits under neon sign.
  • Overhead view of a bride and groom sitting on ornate, Renaissance-style floor tiles, lace train spread out. Two young children in white are nearby, with a staircase partially visible—perfect inspiration for a Kelham wedding photographer.
  • Bride and groom standing hand in hand

Lifestyle Wedding Photography

Probably the sweet spot for most couples.
This sits somewhere between documentary and posed.

✔️ Natural moments, but with gentle guidance when needed.

I use this style a lot during couple portraits because it helps people feel relaxed without just leaving them standing there wondering what to do with their hands. 😅

  • Wildes inn, chesterfield, wedding venue. Bride and groom embracing in a field.
  • A bride and groom stand facing each other outdoors, smiling warmly and holding a bouquet, surrounded by lush greenery in a black-and-white photograph taken at their Breadsall Priory Country Club Wedding.
  • A groom lifts and embraces his bride in a garden at sunset at Whistle Barns wedding venue, surrounded by trees and yellow flowers, both smiling and dressed in elegant wedding attire.

Dark & Moody Photography

✔️ Rich colours.
✔️ Deep shadows.
✔️ Dramatic light.
✔️ A little cinematic.

I LOVE this style when the light is right.

✔️ Golden sunsets.
✔️ Window light.
✔️ Stormy skies.
✔️ Big contrasty indoor spaces.

It doesn’t suit every single moment of a wedding day, but when it works… it really works.

  • A bride and groom stand hand in hand, silhouetted against a golden sunset sky at the stunning Newstead Abbey Nottingham wedding venue, with trees in the background and sunlight shining between them.
  • Bride and groom by window in silhouette
  • Couple embracing in sunny field

Flash Photography

Probably one of the biggest wedding trends right now.

This is the bold, direct flash look.
✔️ A bit paparazzi.
✔️ A bit chaotic.
✔️ Loads of energy.

Perfect for:
✔️ Dancefloors
✔️ Party moments
✔️ Champagne sprays
✔️ Evening chaos
✔️ Fun candid energy

Could I shoot an entire wedding like this?
Absolutely not 😅
But used at the right moments?
It looks epic.

I also use flash in a completely different way too:
✔️ Sparklers
✔️ Backlit evening shots
✔️ Subtle fill flash
✔️ Adding drama after dark

Flash doesn’t always mean harsh party photos. Sometimes it’s just there to create a little extra magic in the right moment.

  • Couple celebrating wedding with sparklers.
  • Silhouetted figure in a dress dances on a dimly lit floor, illuminated by bright stage lights. Colorful confetti floats around, adding a festive atmosphere.
  • A bride and groom celebrate by spraying champagne against a twilight sky. The groom, in a light gray suit, and the bride, in a long white gown, stand on grass with silhouetted trees in the background.

So What Does All This Actually Mean?

Basically…

I adapt.

Because no two weddings are the same.
No two venues are the same.
And no two couples are the same.

Some moments need calm documentary storytelling.
Some need gentle direction.
Some deserve dramatic lighting.
Some just need everybody to stand still for five seconds while nan looks at the camera 😅

And honestly? That balance is what makes a wedding gallery feel real.

Not overly staged.
Not completely hands-off.
Just a genuine reflection of your day, your people and your personalities.

  • Smiling wedding party in green attire
  • Bride and groom kissing under veil
  • Bride and groom signing marriage certificate
  • Aerial view of bride and groom on tractor.
  • Wedding invitations and jewellery on wooden table.
  • Bridesmaids celebrating with champagne outdoors.
  • Bride descending staircase with bouquet.
  • Bride and groom lying on grass
  • Bride places ring on groom's finger
  • Bride and groom with dog on stone steps
  • After-party scene with people relaxing in bar
  • Bride and groom cutting wedding cake.
  • Couple kissing surrounded by colourful smoke
  • Romantic couple kissing in smoky night scene
  • Playful wedding party posing together
  • Bride and groom kiss in a wedding ceremony.
  • Bride and groom smiling at each other
  • High heels with engagement ring
  • Gothic cathedral with dramatic cloudy sky
  • Bride and groom laughing under a rainbow
  • Newlyweds celebrate with champagne at night.
  • Joyful wedding party spraying champagne
  • Couple dancing at a wedding reception
  • Couple celebrating with champagne outdoors
  • A wedding group poses outside a stone building at Cockliffe Country House. The bride and groom sit on steps, surrounded by children and adults in formal attire, with relaxed, playful expressions—captured by a Nottingham wedding photographer.
  • Newlyweds celebrating with champagne at night.

Rachael Phillips Photography

Rachael Phillips

Hey, I’m Rachael! A wedding and newborn photographer based in Mansfield, covering Nottingham, Derby, and the East Midlands.
I’m here for the big feels, belly laughs, and happy tears—because life’s too short for stiff, awkward photos! With over nine years behind the camera, I capture the real, unfiltered moments—whether that’s your nan throwing shapes on the dancefloor or your newborn giving the sleepiest little yawn.
When I’m not snapping memories, you’ll find me with my family, sipping a cuppa, planning my next trip, or running around after my fur babies and soon my first grandchild! (Because let’s be real, they run the show).

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