Derby Wedding Photographer - Documentary Wedding Photographer - Simon Dewey

Derby Wedding Photographer

Documentary wedding photography that feels real, authentic and full of natural emotion.

Hello, I’m Simon, a Derby wedding photographer working in a documentary style to capture how your day felt. 

Whether you’re getting married at The West Mill, a rustic venue in the Peak District, or having a unique celebration in one of Derby’s museum and art galleries,  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.

Find Out More

Ceilidh Dancing at The Whitworth Centre Wedding Reception
Bride on bus from Arnot Hill Park to Morley Hayes - documentary wedding photography
Same Sex Wedding Ceremony Derby

”If you’re thinking of booking Simon as your wedding photographer, DO IT!

We really wanted photographs of our day which felt natural, captured the little moments we might miss, and didn’t take us away from the fun too much.

Every single photo Simon captured is so full of feeling; we are still completely blown away by how beautiful the photographs of our special day are, and will cherish them forever.

Gabriel & Robyn

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Thornbridge Hall Wedding Photography

Documentary Wedding Photographer

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 and I’m in great position to travel around Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Yorkshire , Staffordshire and the Midlands photographing weddings. I’ve been photographing weddings in a documentary style 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, English Wedding Blog and Rock and Roll Bride, to name a few.

I’m keen to tell a diverse range of stories, and to serve my LGBTQ+ clients with empathy and understanding have attained Rainbow Accreditation with Derbyshire LGBT+. I also photograph families in a documentary style.

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Simon Dewey Documentary 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 & Dean

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Bride Walking down church aisle - Derby Wedding Photographer

Why book a documentary wedding photographer?

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

Same Sex Couple at Wedding Breakfast - Documentary Wedding Photographer Simon Dewey

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.

Wedding Photojournalist Association Award Winning Image

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.

Couple Laughing at Wortley Hall
Couple kissing on Wedding Bus - Derby Wedding photographer
Groom Changes Brides Shoes at The Carriage Hall - Documentary Wedding Photography

Relaxed Wedding Day Portraits

My utmost wish for your wedding day is that you can relax and enjoy time with family and friends, so I treat portraits more as a quick break where you can spend some time together.

Couple Portrait at Thornbridge Hall

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.

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.

”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 & Louis

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Guests drink out of shoes at Derbyshire Garden wedding

Derbyshire Wedding Stories

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…
Derbyshire 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…
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…
Bride and groom walking back down aisle at Swancar Farm Country House
Swancar Farm Documentary Wedding Photographer

Swancar Farm Documentary Wedding Photographer

Swancar Farm is very exclusive and purpose built for weddings - and if you like…
Simon and Amy Microwedding
Bakewell Town Hall Documentary Wedding Photographer

Bakewell Town Hall Documentary Wedding Photographer

  A Micro Wedding at Bakewell Town Hall Simon and Amy married in a micro…
Calke Abbey Riding School Dancing Wedding Photography
Calke Abbey Documentary Wedding Photographer

Calke Abbey Documentary Wedding Photographer

Calke Abbey Wedding Photographer Becky & Paul - this was a high class wedding! Gorgeous…
Bride and Groom First Dance at Kedleston Country House Wedding
Kedleston Country House Documentary Wedding Photographer

Kedleston Country House Documentary Wedding Photographer

Kedleston Country House Wedding Photographer
Guests throw Confetti Outside The West Mill Exclusive Use Wedding Venue
West Mill Wedding Photographer Derby

West Mill Wedding Photographer Derby

A DIY autumn wedding at the West Mill exclusive use wedding venue, Derby. Documentary wedding…

”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 & Adam
Wedding guests play with bow and arrow - Documentary Wedding Photographer Derby

Wedding photography prices & packages

My full day prices start at £1650 though smaller packages and hourly rates are available.

I limit myself to 25 weddings a year so I am able to give my absolute best to each couple.

Don’t know how many hours wedding photography you need? Have a quick read of this article before deciding. 

As for availability, some couples book 2 years in advance, but some dates are still available a few weeks before, so please get in touch to check for late availability.

Please get in touch and tell me about your plans,

Full Pricing

First Dance at North Cadbury Court Wedding

Extras

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”I can’t tell you how glad we are that we chose him. He was worth every penny and more. Neither of us expected such an array of beautiful photos, it’s impossible to choose our favourites, there are just so many! Not only has he captured every moment, he’s captured every feeling. Every time I look at our photos I smile. They are perfect.

Jen & Christopher

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Guests dance at Riding School at Calke Abbey

Derby & Derbyshire Weddings

Derbyshire is one of the most visually rich counties in England to photograph a wedding. The drama of the Peak District, the elegance of its country houses, and the quiet charm of its market towns mean no two days ever look the same.

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I’ve been shooting weddings across this county for over 15 years and I still find new light in familiar places. From the converted mill grandeur of The West Mill in Derby to the wild moorland backdrop of Thornbridge Hall, from a micro wedding at Bakewell Town Hall to a sprawling garden party in Ashford in the Water — Derbyshire rewards the photographer who pays attention.

Derby itself often gets overlooked, but it shouldn’t. It’s a city with real character — independent venues, a creative community, and a relaxed confidence that makes for brilliant, unpretentious weddings. Places like The Museum of Making and Pickfords House  make for excellent wedding venues. 

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If you’re planning a wedding in Derby or Derbyshire and want photography that honours the place and the people, I’d love to hear about it.

Get in touch

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHY ALBUMS

Folio Fine Art Wedding Photo Album

I’ve always loved Folio Albums because their materials, production values  and attention to detail are second to none. They are also made in Yorkshire, so a local company.

Your Wedding Album will be designed by me in house (I have a very simple and elegant style to my albums to let each picture breathe and add to the story) and you will be able to view the design and revise until it’s perfect.

Fine Art Albums start at £550

Wedding Albums

FAQ

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! 

Same sex wedding at Bridge House Barn

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 Analog / Film Photography?

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

What’s the back up plan if you can’t make it?

I’ve been photographing weddings for 15 years and in that time have made a lot of contacts (some of whom are even now friends) in the industry. I have hundreds of people I can call on in the event of an emergency.  

How do you keep our files safe?

By backing up, at every stage of the process. It’s a big question, so there’s a whole article here

 

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 London

Are you insured?

Yes, I hold both Public Liability and Professional indemnity insurance.

 

Do you do smaller weddings?

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

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

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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.