Wedding Photographer Padstow Harbour Hotel

One of the best things about being a wedding photographer is the variety: Every wedding, I pick up my cameras and I never know what I’m going to see; what I’m going to capture. And part of that variety comes from size, as well: I shoot lots of large weddings, with 150+ guests, but also my fair share of smaller, intimate weddings – and they’re very different. My time as Amanda & Karim’s Padstow Harbour Hotel wedding photographer was in the latter camp, with their closest 15 or so friends and family joining them in Cornwall.

And there’s something so special about these intimate weddings! Don’t get me wrong, I love big weddings too (the number of people meaning there’s always something different to capture, another moment to get), but I also really get the appeal of being able to spend real, quality time with just those that matter the very most to you. Being asked to come along and photograph such intimate weddings like this can also – in a way – feel extra special, as I’m obviously not invisible, so the couple really need to feel super at ease in my presence – so I see it as an extra big compliment when they choose me to be around just them and their closest for such a long amount of time.

It was my first time at the Padstow Harbour hotel, and it’s a lovely venue, overlooking the sea. After the ceremony, they had a lovely private room for their wedding breakfast and speeches, with really super views all round.

As I’ve been doing recently, and in case you’re interested, here are some of my thoughts on the Padstow Harbour Hotel wedding photography below:

Emotion, emotion, emotion! I’ve said it before, and I’ll no doubt say it *lots* more times going forward, but this is what I love to capture; what’s *vital* to capture. Morning prep excitement and emotions boiling over to tears all round.
I like this hairspray shot; the way you can see the droplets, lit up (just natural light, from the window) against the dark background.
Sheer joy at just being announced husband and wife! Love their expressions here, and the smiles from their guests behind.
Amanda hugs her brother just minutes after the ceremony; shooting high up here, I get a different angle, whilst also really focusing in on the emotion.
There are lots of different kisses at weddings! Here I capture Amanda and her daughter sharing a little kiss.
Touch is so important; I love to capture it as much as I can. Here I’m shooting between people, close, and it gives a real intimate feel when Amanda reaches out to touch Karim’s face.
Always unposed and unscripted, I love this shout of joy from Karim!
Amanda’s two children did a joint speech; purposefully captured from behind the couple, so you can see who they are talking about.
Amanda’s amazing laugh during her bride speech (more bride speeches, please! I always love it when brides do a speech as well)
Another kiss, and this time not the couple at all: Amanda’s daughter and her boyfriend. Love capturing moments of romance like this; a totally natural capture is worth 100 portraits, in my opinion.