Bride on bus from Arnot Hill Park to Morley Hayes - documentary wedding photography

Birmingham Wedding Photographer

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

Hello, I’m Simon, a documentary wedding photographer serving Birmingham and the wider West Midlands. I work in a photojournalistic style — reactive, unobtrusive, and always looking for the shot you didn’t know was happening.

Whether you’re getting married at a show-stopping city venue like Highbury Hall, a converted industrial space in Digbeth, or a rural retreat on the edges of the Cotswolds, 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.

Same sex wedding at Bridge House Barn
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Same sex wedding - 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.

Based in Derby, I’m perfectly placed to travel across Birmingham, the West Midlands, Worcestershire and Warwickshire. I’ve been photographing weddings in a documentary style for over 15 years and hold awards from the Wedding Photojournalist Association, This is Reportage, Nine Dots and Photographers Keeping It Real, with work featured in Brides, Rock and Roll Bride and English Wedding Blog, among others.

I’m keen to tell a diverse range of stories. I hold Rainbow Accreditation with Derbyshire LGBT+ and am committed to serving every couple with empathy and understanding — whatever your background, your relationship, or the kind of day you’re planning.

Simon Dewey Documentary Wedding photographer

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.

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

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.

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Wedding Ceremony at The Cube, Birmingham

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
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Groom Getting Ready Against Birmingham City Skyline reflection

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
Documentary Wedding Photographer Derby Slideshow

Popular posts

A selection of some of my best Nottinghamshire Wedding Photography

This is Reportage Award
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Couple kiss at Fazely Canal Birmingham

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
Documentary Wedding Photographer Nottingham - Simon Dewey

Wedding Photographer FAQ

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!

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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. 

Documentary Wedding Photographer Derby

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.

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.

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 Nottingham / Derby) 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.