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Documentary Wedding Photographer Derby

Hello, I'm Simon, a Derbyshire wedding photographer specialising in candid, unstaged wedding photography for laid-back couples and events.

Whether you’re tying the knot in one of Derbyshire’s stately homes, museums, or a back garden in the Peak District, my photography is all about capturing your unique story. Recreating the atmosphere of your wedding day, and allowing you to relive those special moments over and over again.

I focus on creating offbeat, multi-layered documentary wedding photography that comes alive with each glance— photos that stand on their own as pieces of art. From the excitement of the morning preparations to the energy of the dance floor and every beat in between.

”I cannot begin to tell you how much I love your wedding photos. You've honestly left us with the best gift ever. You capture moments, movements and most importantly, emotions. And then, you wrap them all up into gorgeous photos which tell story after story at every turn.

Claire & AdamArnott Hill Park 2022
Bride and Groom first dance at nasty Hall Wedding

Your wedding day will be a riotous, rousing, and rollicking affair – shall we tell it like it is?

The perks of photojournalistic wedding photography

Imagine not being pulled away by your wedding photographer from the people you really want to spend your special day with.

And instead, being part of all those adrenaline-fuelled and love-buoyed interactions that are truly worth remembering.

Instead of trying to orchestrate a feeling of wedding serenity and calm just for the photos, imagine choosing to embrace the nerves, the build-up, the tension in the room, the chaos, the ugly cry, and the toddler who won’t stand still and smile. The real moments.

Your wedding photography doesn’t need to be dictated by your wedding timeline. Let’s get the picture-perfect moments and the almost unnoticed bits in between.

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Why fake memories when you can make them?

You’ll often see the words reportage, documentary photography, and photojournalism used interchangeably throughout the wedding photography industry.

Wedding guests on dance floor

But all you really need to know is that it’s my aim to create a visual narrative of your wedding day as it unfolds before me.

Ultimately, the goal of a documentary wedding photographer is to transport you back to the authentic, beating heart of your wedding day whenever you look through the images.

Preserving the living, breathing, joy-filled story that each wedding day inherently becomes.

Natural, relaxed portraits

Along with capturing all the genuine stories and moments of your wedding, you may want to slip away for some couple portraits.

We’ll simply go for a walk, find some beautiful light, and enjoy a quiet moment together before getting you back to the party and your guests.

”The wedding pictures arrived and what can I say? The amount of happy tears I shed looking through each one. The more I looked the more I spotted - the attention to detail Simon has is absolutely out of this world.

They are beyond beautiful, real and so full of love and care.
They are beyond anything we could have dreamed of.

Caris & JoshThe Malthouse, 2024

Your friendly, slightly rebellious and award-winning Documentary Wedding Photographer.

Hello, I’m Simon.  I’ve been shooting candid, unstaged, wedding photography around Derby and the East Midlands for well over a decade.

I love my job – getting to spend such an important day with each couple – and I’m keen to ensure that your wedding day is special and as stress free as possible so you can just enjoy the experience. (Whilst I run around making gorgeous photos)

I’m a member of the Wedding Photojournalist Association (currently ranked #1 Wedding Photographer in Derby) , have won several  This is Reportage awards and have been awarded Best Wedding Photographer In Derby by  The Quality Business Awards two years in a row. I am also one of Photographers Keeping It Real’s Top 10 Photographers in the World 2024.

I have had work published by The Derbyshire magazine, Derbyshire Life, Boho Weddings, Your East Midlands Wedding & Rock’N’Roll Bride.

When I’m not busy being the best wedding photographer in Derby or looking after the children I’m into music, cinema and street photography. I can often be found playing guitar or tinkering with ancient analogue cameras.

Simon Dewey Documentary Wedding Photographer

Real Derbyshire Weddings

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”Well, I honestly don’t know where to start. Thank you so much for our absolutely incredible wedding photos ♥️ You have, without doubt, captured the essence of our wedding day. We’ve cried & laughed so much this evening. My hearts bursting! I’m so incredibly happy we found you.

Amanda & DeanSt John’s Mexborough, 2022
Bride with Bridesmaids and Flowergirls

THIS IS A BIG MOMENT AND YOU’RE BOUND TO HAVE QUESTIONS

Do you take any formal portraits or group photographs?

I do – about half of my couples ask for group shots at their wedding. I like to do this quickly and efficiently so that it’s not too distracting from the day itself, so I ask couples to pick a maximum of 10 combinations where possible. It also helps to rope in someone loud and bossy to gather the relevant people for each photo! 

I’ve written a guide to group photos; read it here.



Do you do Wedding Albums?

Yes – I use Folio Albums. They are beautifully crafted, locally and sustainably produced, and the people who work there are fantastic. You can read more about the albums available here.

Do you travel?

Although most weddings I shoot are around Derbyshire and the Midlands/Peak District (Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, West Midlands, Yorkshire), I love to go on a wedding adventure. Accommodation and travel expenses are included for weddings in England and Wales – but there is a discount if your wedding is within 25 miles of Derby.

What equipment do you use?

I use small Fuji cameras. After trying out DSLRs and systems with all the bells and whistles, I fell in love with using a lighter system that replicates a film camera. I try to travel light on a wedding day and use a flash only in emergencies. I like to capture the day’s ambiance, and I believe that natural light is a big part of that. 

Do we get all the photos?

You get all the good ones! I take far more than I need to so that I can send the absolute best ones to you. The odd dud photo is a natural part of the process and one that you probably wouldn’t appreciate viewing!

For a full day’s wedding, I usually deliver a minimum of 350 photos.  

What have documentary, reportage, and photojournalism got to do with wedding photography?

Documentary wedding photography, reportage, and photojournalism are just different words for the same thing. They’re fancy ways of saying I’ll photograph the day without trying to control it or affect the natural proceedings.

Do you edit the images?

I do edit, yes. Each one is edited by hand. I don’t believe in using AI to edit images – the computers don’t know how it felt to be there!

How long do we have to wait until we see our photographs?

Your wedding photographs are usually ready about a month after the wedding.

How do we book you?

We’ll schedule a chat (or a meeting if you’re local to Derby/Nottingham) about your wedding.

To begin with, I like understanding what you want from your day and your wedding photography.

If we get on and you’re happy with my approach to wedding photography, I’ll send out a booking form and contract and ask for a 25% deposit to secure your wedding date. 

You can book a chat or meet up with me here.