Does It Matter If I’ve Shot at Your Wedding Venue Before?

One question that sometimes comes up, is whether I’ve shot at your venue before. While it’s a fair question, the honest answer is— to me, it really doesn’t matter if I have or not. In fact, I’d argue that sometimes, it’s even better if I haven’t! Fresh eyes bring fresh creativity, and my experience means I can adapt to any setting to capture your wedding in the most beautiful and natural way.

Experience Over Familiarity

As a wedding photographer with over 20 years of experience shooting all over the UK and internationally, I’ve photographed hundreds of weddings in every setting imaginable—stately homes, barns, beaches, castles, vineyards, and even back gardens. I’ve developed the ability to adapt quickly to any environment. No matter where I am, I know how to work with different lighting conditions, angles, and compositions to create stunning images that truly capture the essence of your day. While it’s certainly easier photographing in naturally stunning settings, a good photographer can transform any space to make beautiful photographs with clever lighting and compositions.

New Venues Inspire Creativity

While it’s great to be familiar with a venue (and I definitely have some local favourites – check the footer links for some of them) there’s something exciting about stepping into a new space with fresh eyes. It pushes me to be more creative, look at things differently, and find unique compositions rather than relying on pre-planned shots. This keeps my work dynamic and ensures that every wedding I capture feels fresh and personal rather than repetitive or formulaic.

It’s All About the Light

Every wedding day is unique, and the most important factor in photography isn’t the venue—it’s the light. Whether I’m shooting at a venue I’ve been to a dozen times or for the very first time, my focus is always on finding the best light to flatter my couples and create timeless, beautiful images. Natural light shifts throughout the day, and knowing how to adapt to it is key to capturing those magical moments. Equally, using flash to create different creative lighting effects is important.

A Documentary Approach to Storytelling

I am a primarily a documentary photographer, which means I’m always looking for genuine emotions and real moments to tell the story of your day. My focus is on capturing the laughter, tears, and unscripted interactions that make your wedding unique. Rather than staging moments, I let the day unfold naturally, ensuring your photos feel authentic and full of emotion.

Pre-Wedding Preparation

If I haven’t shot at a venue before, I always make sure to do my research. This can include visiting beforehand if possible, studying the venue’s layout, and analysing previous weddings held there. On the day itself, I arrive early to scout locations, understand how the light moves, and find the best spots for portraits and key moments.

Your Wedding, Your Story

At the end of the day, no two weddings are the same—even at the same venue. What makes your wedding photos special isn’t the location alone; it’s the emotions, connections, and unique moments that unfold. My job is to tell your story authentically, wherever that may be.

So, whether your wedding is at a grand estate, a cosy barn, a windswept beach, or somewhere completely unexpected, you can rest assured that I’ll approach it with the same excitement, dedication, and artistic eye.

After all, it’s not about where the wedding is— ask yourself rather, do you like the way I see the world? At the end of the day you are hiring a photographer because you like their style and eye.

Questions to ask yourself before you book a photographer:

Do you like the photographer’s editing style – colours, tones etc
Do you get on with them, would you feel comfortable hanging out with them on your special day?
What do previous couples say about them? Check reviews
Ask to see a full day wedding gallery – you want to see all the in between moments and get an idea of what you will receive.
I offer all prospective couples a no obligation zoom call where we can get to know each other. I love to hear about your story and see if we click. I will explain about my booking process and what the packages contain to help you decide the best option. You can ask any questions you have, there is also masses of information on my site about my background, experience and FAQs – so have a good read through 🙂