It was meant to be spring – the sun should have been out, the flowers in full bloom and clear blue skies, but in fact, we still had snow on the ground, it was a little chilly, the flowers were fighting but had yet to really show their faces. It wasn’t how it was meant to be for the start of April, but do you know what, having got to know Victoria and Alastair, I don’t think they’d have had it any other way. They didn’t want what you “should” have for your wedding day, they wanted it to be individual to them, unique and different from the masses. So, at Callow Hall on the 1st of April, Victoria wore a lilac wedding dress, her own hand-made jewellery, rocked some awesome Jenny Packhams, met Alastair ‘before’ the ceremony for a first look, and created her own photo booth!!

I’ve been waiting for a couple to embrace a “first look” wedding photography shoot for some time now, and having suggested it to Victoria and Alastair before the wedding due to timings on the day, it was brilliant when they jumped at the idea to do something a little different. It really was amazing to be a part of. In the UK it’s always been tradition to see your bride for the first time whilst stood at the front of the alter or ceremony room, not in the middle of a cobbled garden path on a cold wintery day. It was amazing to see it unfold, watching Alastair’s nervous face whilst he knew Victoria was approaching him, the urge to turn around and look, and then the sheer delight and joy on both of their faces when they saw each other for the first time. I think my first “first look” was a success!!

A massive congratulations to Victoria and Alastair, it was an absolute pleasure spending the day with you both, and your families, and Kenny!!

The post First Look Wedding, Callow Hall – Victoria + Alastair appeared first on Derbyshire Wedding Photographer | Samuel Docker.

I love meeting up with my clients prior to a wedding, they’re always full of excitement for their wedding day and its completely infectious, sometimes they can be a little nervous, but thats the great thing about meeting up, after a few minutes of drinking and chatting or taking a few pictures, those nerves take a hike and we just have a good laugh. I had a great evening with Nicky and Alastair, we met up for a drink in a bar just by Nottingham Castle before a little engagement shoot, we chatted about everything they have planned for the day (which is awesome by the way!), and then went for a little walk to take some cool pictures. I love it even more when couples are up for trying something a little different, and when I suggested we head up to the top floor of a car park in Nottingham city centre (which I understand might have sounded a little dodgy, especially if you saw the car park!) they didn’t hesitate. This is Nicky and Alastair, they get married in 2 and a half weeks!!!!!

The post Nicky + Alastair – [Engagement Shoot, Nottingham] appeared first on Derbyshire Wedding Photographer | Samuel Docker.

Any couple who are prepared to run 200 yards up a steep inclined hill just so that I can take a shot, are top banana in my eyes!! It almost didn’t happen though, we had a huge downpour just before we met, I encountered a bad crash on route and struggled to find a way round it, and when I did get there, it was somewhere I’d never been before, in the middle of nowhere and with absolutely no phone signal, it felt like it just wasn’t meant to be…. after a few minutes of walking round trying to get hold of J+J to check I was in the correct deserted car park, they pulled up!! We went for a walk, had a good laugh, stroked a lamb and made some photo’s.

This is Julie and James, they get married in 4 weeks, and I can’t wait;

The post Julie + James – [Engagement Shoot, Ashbourne] appeared first on Derbyshire Wedding Photographer | Samuel Docker.

So, this year Mel and Simmo tie the knot, but unlike most brides, Mel might not be the centre of attention as she has some very strong competition!! I’m sure she’ll agree, but I suspect their little girl Evie might just be stealing her limelight a little, she certainly knows where the camera is, and she’s mega cute!! I can’t wait until the end of May for their wedding, but in the meantime, this is their engagement shoot;

The post Mel + Simmo – [Engagement Shoot, Leicester] appeared first on Derbyshire Wedding Photographer | Samuel Docker.

I’m so excited to be blogging this set of images from Molly and Matts amazing day. It wasn’t even 2 months ago when Matt called to ask if I was free, its was short notice, but thank god I was!! It was to be a small and intimate wedding in Derby followed by a reception (aka an enormous party!!) at his folks barn conversion, set amongst the rolling hills of Ashbourne in Derbyshire. It turned out Molly was a New Yorker, and they’d managed to find a small window of opportunity to get her close family over from the US, and having had them both round for a coffee the week before the wedding, I could tell it was going to be a pretty special day, and maybe slightly emotional. Don’t get me wrong, all weddings are special and always emotional, but this one seemed different.

Matt had told me his dad would be lending him his beloved 1952 MG, which instantly gives you street cred in my eyes!! But there was also to be a slightly different take on the evenings entertainment…. it turned out Matt, Molly and the rest of the wedding party were slightly talented musicians and would be providing their own entertainment, so much so, by the end of the night, I’d counted 2 different lead guitarists, 2 bass players, 3 drummers, a trumpeter, and needless to say dozens of different vocalists!! I very much doubt I’ll ever attend a wedding again where the bride and groom are on lead guitar and vox, that really was something else.

So, this is Molly and Matt, and they’re pretty awesome wedding;

…and if you want to check out the video Molly made especially for Matt during the reception, you can do here – Mollys Boys Love on Top

More weddings?

First Look Wedding, Callow Hall – Victoria + Alastair

It was meant to be spring – the sun should have been out, the flowers in full bloom and clear blue skies, but inView full post »

EMMA + TREVOR – [Donington Park Farmhouse - Derby]

I’d previously met Emma and Trevor at the Donington Park Farmhouse the summer before their wedding, we’dView full post »

2012 – The Best of

Well, what a year that was. If 2013 is half as good, I’ll be a very lucky boy!! I loved every minute of 2012, itsView full post »

The post MOLLY + MATT – [Derby Registry Office - Derby] appeared first on Derbyshire Wedding Photographer | Samuel Docker.

I’d previously met Emma and Trevor at the Donington Park Farmhouse the summer before their wedding, we’d arranged to meet there for a drink so that I could say hello and show them my work, and so that they could check I wasn’t a complete physco (I’m not!!). Fortunately, I put on a good show and they booked me the following week! But I remember leaving that night and thinking they weren’t normal, and I mean that in the nicest possible way (they’ll understand!!). They’d chosen the farmhouse because it was different and unique, and that only reflected their personalities, they certainly didn’t want the traditional “what you expect” kind of wedding.

We met up again in the build up to the wedding, discussing the plans for the day. I knew Emma would be arriving in a VW Camper, and that Trevor had a new suit with an amazing dried flower buttonhole, but that was about as close to “mainstream” as it would get. I certainly didn’t (and I don’t think many of the guests did either) expect to see Hulk Hogan sat on top of their wedding cake, or Emma to be wearing a blue floral handmade dress (courtesy of Jema Hewitt by the way!), or that they’d walk out of the ceremony to AC/DC Back in Black!!!!! But they did, and it made for one hell of a wedding.

So, congratulations Emma and Trevor on an amazing day, this is my record of your madness:

Like this? Here’s some more weddings;

First Look Wedding, Callow Hall – Victoria + Alastair

It was meant to be spring – the sun should have been out, the flowers in full bloom and clear blue skies, but inView full post »

MOLLY + MATT – [Derby Registry Office - Derby]

I’m so excited to be blogging this set of images from Molly and Matts amazing day. It wasn’t even 2 monthsView full post »

2012 – The Best of

Well, what a year that was. If 2013 is half as good, I’ll be a very lucky boy!! I loved every minute of 2012, itsView full post »

The post EMMA + TREVOR – [Donington Park Farmhouse - Derby] appeared first on Derbyshire Wedding Photographer | Samuel Docker.

This is the Boyd family (they’re awesome by the way!!) at Allestree park on a cold February afternoon!! Kate had asked me a few weeks before if I could meet them to do a little shoot for Grahams fathers day present, so off we went for a walk round a lake, armed with bread for the ducks (and a dog!!), wellies and plenty of layers. This is a little collection of that walk;

Some amazing words from Kate after I sent over the images – “We absolutely LOVE the photographs! You are a talented man ) we never expected that you would have caught so many lovely moments of us with our boys. You made the right choice of setting too, the lake looks beautiful. Thank you so much, definitely need to purchase a few frames! Xxxxx” – So pleased you like them guys, until next time!!

Nicky + Alastair – [Engagement Shoot, Nottingham]

I love meeting up with my clients prior to a wedding, they’re always full of excitement for their wedding day andView full post »

Julie + James – [Engagement Shoot, Ashbourne]

Any couple who are prepared to run 200 yards up a steep inclined hill just so that I can take a shot, are top banana inView full post »

Soma + Alex – [Portrait Shoot, Derby]

There’s a baby on the way!!! I’m really really excited for these guys, I’ve known Alex as a fellowView full post »

The post The Boyds – [Family Shoot, Derby] appeared first on Derbyshire Wedding Photographer | Samuel Docker.

YES!! This happened on Saturday! I had a stroll round the Oxford Botanic Gardens with Jo and Neil, and even if it did take us all back to that feeling of being dragged round a garden centre by our parents, it was well worth the entry fee, amazing! Just to note, its much much better than a garden centre!! Jo and Neil will be getting married in early May this year, and after talking about their plans over a coffee at lunch, I’m really looking forward to another journey down south….

You wanna see some more?! OK, try these:

Nicky + Alastair – [Engagement Shoot, Nottingham]

I love meeting up with my clients prior to a wedding, they’re always full of excitement for their wedding day andView full post »

Julie + James – [Engagement Shoot, Ashbourne]

Any couple who are prepared to run 200 yards up a steep inclined hill just so that I can take a shot, are top banana inView full post »

Mel + Simmo – [Engagement Shoot, Leicester]

So, this year Mel and Simmo tie the knot, but unlike most brides, Mel might not be the centre of attention as she hasView full post »

The post Jo + Neil – [Engagement Shoot, Oxford] appeared first on Derbyshire Wedding Photographer | Samuel Docker.

There’s a baby on the way!!! I’m really really excited for these guys, I’ve known Alex as a fellow photographer for a while now, and when he asked me if I could get some shots of his soon to be new family, I couldn’t wait (even if I did feel the pressure of a fellow peer!!!). I’ve no doubt they’re gonna be awesome parents, and can’t wait to hear the good news come in.

The post Soma + Alex – [Portrait Shoot, Derby] appeared first on Derbyshire Wedding Photographer | Samuel Docker.

I think I have a new found love for London after this engagement shoot. I’ve never really ‘got it’ before, I’ve always felt it was slightly (I mean massively) over-rated, but the penny might have dropped!! If Pam and Ed were writing this intro, they’d probably tell you I was like a little kid in a very big sweet shop who’d been given permission to fill his pockets!!! I could have spent all day walking round with them, although I suspect they might not have been so keen, maybe we went for tea at the right time. Which reminds me, we all highly recommend the little TeaSmith shop round the side of the Spitalfields market, don’t go in expecting an earl grey though, its much much better than that. Back to the photo’s, this is Pam and Ed, they get married this year!!!!

The post Pam + Ed – [Engagement Shoot, London] appeared first on Derbyshire Wedding Photographer | Samuel Docker.