Documentary wedding photographer Derby

Documentary Wedding Photographer Derby

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

Documentary Wedding Photographer Derby
Ceilidh Dancing at The Whitworth Centre Wedding Reception
Same sex wedding - Wedding Photographer Derby

Derby Wedding Photographer

Documentary wedding photography for relaxed, offbeat Derbyshire couples who care more about people than perfection.

Hello, I’m Simon, a Derby wedding photographer shooting events across the UK.

Whether you’re getting married in a stately home in the Derbyshire Peak District, or having a unique celebration in an art gallery or cinema,  I focus on creating offbeat, multi-layered documentary wedding photography that comes alive with each glance.

Because the best photos aren’t staged. They’re the ones that take you right back to how it felt.

If you want to ditch the awkward poses and just be you, I’d love to tell your story.

 

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. You truly captured the essence of our day, and I could not have asked for more.

Claire & AdamArnot Hill Park, 2022
Wedding guests play with bow and arrow - Documentary Wedding Photographer Derby

Choosing your wedding photographer is personal—you’re inviting someone to share one of the most meaningful days of your life.

If you want your wedding captured naturally, without staging or direction, we’re likely a great fit. My style is relaxed and documentary, focusing on genuine moments as they happen. You won’t be pulled away from your guests or asked to pose endlessly—I’m there to observe, not interrupt.

I’m a Derby Wedding Photographer, but travel around Derbyshire and the UK photographing weddings. I’ve been a documentary wedding photographer for over 15 years and am the holder of several awards from places like The Wedding Photojournalist Association, This is Reportage, Nine Dots and Photographers Keeping It Real and had work featured in The Derby Telegraph, Derbyshire Life, Brides Magazine, The English Wedding Blog and Rock and Roll Bride, to name a few.

Simon Dewey Documentary Wedding Photographer

"Simon’s approach is thoughtful, focused on capturing weddings naturally and seeing past the pretty details so your memories will be of the atmosphere, the feelings, the emotions and of course ALL the love."

English Wedding Blogenglish-wedding.com
Derby Wedding Photographer

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 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
Dancing at Calke Abbey - Derby Wedding Photographer

I want you to relax and enjoy your day, so I treat portraits as a quick break where you can spend some time together.

Derby Wedding Photographer Couple Portrait

We’ll go for a walk, often around golden hour if the weather and schedule arrives, create some photos and get you back to your guests as quickly as possible.

Derby Wedding Photographer Same Sex Couple Portrait

I try to avoid poses and telling people where to put their hands and look. I want to create portraiture that captures authentically you and your relationship. Whether that’s geeky, excitable, quiet, or whatever you want to bring.

Groom Changes Brides Shoes at The Carriage Hall - Documentary Wedding Photography
Derby Wedding Photographer
Documentary Wedding Photographer

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

Documentary Wedding Photographer

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.

Documentary wedding photography captures your day without directing, posing, or staging moments. To transport you back to the authentic, beating heart of your wedding day whenever you look through the images.

Confetti - West Mill Wedding Photographer

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

Simon is an artist, each picture so beautifully composed, and he managed to capture all the moments and details that we missed as bride and groom.
It is a joy to look at the wedding pictures, remembering our day, but also seeing it as our guests experienced it. These pictures make everyone so happy.

Annelies & LouisOdda's Chapel 2019
Documentary Wedding Photographer Derby

Derbyshire Wedding Photography

Thornbridge Hall Wedding Photography
Thornbridge Hall Documentary Wedding Photographer

Thornbridge Hall Documentary Wedding Photographer

Thornbridge Hall Wedding Photographer "If you’re thinking of booking Simon as your wedding photographer, DO…
Buxton Pavilion Gardens Wedding Derbyshire
Buxton Pavilion Gardens Documentary Wedding Photography

Buxton Pavilion Gardens Documentary Wedding Photography

Katie & Craig "His work is incredible, the way he isn’t afraid of light and…
Carriage Halll Wedding Photographer
Carriage Hall Documentary Wedding Photography

Carriage Hall Documentary Wedding Photography

Saier & James "Simon delivered exactly what we asked for by capturing all the candid…
Nottingham Wedding Photographer
The Ultimate Derbyshire Garden Wedding?

The Ultimate Derbyshire Garden Wedding?

Julia & Josh's Garden Party Wedding. Ashford in the Water, Derbyshire. "Simon is just as…
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Documentary Wedding Photography Derbyshire – Festival Inspired Wedding

Documentary Wedding Photography Derbyshire – Festival Inspired Wedding

Documentary Wedding Photography Derbyshire - A Festival Wedding in Hathersage photographed by documentary wedding photographer…
Bride walks down the aisle at Tissington Hall Wedding
Tissington Hall Documentary Wedding Photographer

Tissington Hall Documentary Wedding Photographer

Tissington Hall Wedding Photographer "Simon kindly photographed our wedding in September and created the most…

Do you take any formal portraits or group photographs

I do – even as a documentary wedding photographer 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! 

Documentary Wedding Photographer Derby

Do I have to have ‘wedding preparation/getting ready’ photography?

We certainly don’t need to take a load of photographs of makeup being applied if that’s what you’re worried about. But the morning of the wedding can be a wonderfully chaotic couple of hours where emotions are running high, and feelings are apparent. It makes for some fantastic relationship-focused photography! 

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 wedding photo albums here. 



Do you do Analog / Film Photography?

Yes – I love the feel of 35mm Film Photography and Instant film, although I do charge extra for it. 

Do you travel?

As a Derby Wedding Photographer,  most weddings I shoot are around Derbyshire and the East Midlands/Peak District,  I love to go on a wedding adventure. I charge for accommodation and travel expenses as needed. 

What is a Documentary Wedding Photographer?

A documentary wedding photographer focuses on capturing real moments as they naturally unfold, rather than posing or directing the day. My goal is to tell the story of your wedding through honest, candid images that reflect your personalities and emotions.

Documentary Wedding Photographer Derby

Do you do smaller weddings?

I love small intimate weddings and capturing weddings of all shapes and sizes. 

Do you do engagement and proposal shoots?


Yes! You can find out about engagement and proposal shoots here. 

Do we get all the wedding 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 400 photos.  



Are documentary, reportage, and photojournalism all the same style of 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.

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

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

Bride Arrives at Tissington Hall Documentary Wedding Photographer Derby

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 using the form below. 



He captures not only fleeting moments but also the atmosphere of the entire day. Looking back through our photos, we were able to relive the joy we felt—and the joy our guests shared with us. Simon documents it all, beautifully and authentically.

Taylor & MattWest Bridgford Hall, 2025
Documentary Wedding Photographer Derby

4 Embankment Close, Derby. DE22 4HF