Cornwall Wedding Photographer

Unposed, Natural, Relaxed Professional Photography

Hey! I'm Steven. I am a Cornwall Wedding Photographer. I have been professionally photographing weddings since 2004 and have captured hundreds of happy couples. Before I was a wedding photographer I was a professional music photographer working worldwide with big acts. My approach to wedding photography is simple: to create a whole story that documents your most important day in the most natural and beautiful way possible. Working on all that the pictures are captured for forever. I will always look to capture your special day naturally and organically, documenting the fun, laughter and happiness as and how it occurs. I cover set up, love, photographs of your big day directing you or your guests. I follow the narrative of the day and capture all of the magical moments.

Click here to read more about My Style

A Little Bit About Me

I love being a wedding photographer in Cornwall. I've been professionally photographing weddings since 2004 and have captured hundreds of happy couples. Before I was a wedding photographer I was a professional music photographer working worldwide with big acts. Photography has always been a huge passion of mine ever since I was a child.

I grew up in Cornwall but have enjoyed travelling the world as much as possible since my early 20s. Not only do I love photographing weddings in Cornwall, I've never been lucky enough to capture couples special days all over the UK, Europe and the rest of the world.

Click here to read more about me and my journey into the world of Cornwall Wedding photography

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A Wedding Day 'First Look' | Tips, Ideas & More

A “first look” is a wedding industry trend in which the wedding couple will share an intimate moment by seeing each other for the first time before their wedding ceremony. This expression is typically used when the moment is planned beforehand with the photography and videography team present. This is the moment you see each other all dressed up in your wedding attire for the first time, and whether you elope or have a traditional wedding, it can create some really special memories. This guide will help you answer the question, “should we do a first look” with some pros and cons to figure out if it’s right for you, and give you some ideas for making your first look extra special.

Why You Should Consider a First Look

Personal and Intimate Moments: Seeing each other for the first time without all of your guests around you takes some pressure off, allowing the two of you to relax a little more without worrying about all those eyes on you. This usually creates a space for both of you to fully express how you feel, because you know that it’s just you and your partner! It’s always a really sweet, emotional moment that you’ll remember forever.

Freedom to Your Wedding Schedule: A first look will bring freedom to your wedding schedule. If you see your fiancé earlier in the day, you can get all your formal portraits and bridal party photos done before your ceremony, meaning you don’t have to spend cocktail hour taking pictures. This means you’ll actually be present during cocktail hour and enjoy extra time with your guests!

Calming Your Nerves: A first look will melt your nerves and avoid you feeling overwhelmed during the ceremony. You’ll have a beautiful moment to prepare for the day with your loved one. It helps allow any emotions to come out before the wedding.

Planning the Perfect Reveal

To pull off the first look, you’ll coordinate with your photography and video team. With their help, choose a location at your venue that is beautiful and well-lit. To begin, one partner is often staged in a place with their back turned to their partner. Alternatively, both couples can stand with their backs to each other. Partner 2 will then come up behind their partner, walk towards them, then tap them on the shoulder or give them a hug! They’ll turn around so they’re both facing each other, and can soak in the moment of seeing each other ready for the day.

Other first look reveal ideas include standing back to back, holding hands and turning around at the same time, walking around a corner, or removing a blindfold! If your venue has an elevator, use it for a dramatic reveal!

First Look Locations

Some couples choose to have their first look at their getting ready location, maybe in the front or back yard, out on a spacious deck, or in any pretty corner of the property. The benefit of doing your first look right at the getting ready location is that you’ll be able to diminish any nerves right from the start. Other couples will choose to travel separately to their first portrait location or trailhead and do a first look there for the views.

If you are having an adventure elopement and plan to hike to your ceremony, you can have your first look at the top of a mountain or where it’s most scenic. This is an especially great option for sunrise elopements since it’ll most likely be dark until just before your ceremony.

Sample Wedding Day Timelines Comparison

Creating a more flexible timeline is one of the main perks of having a first look. Below are two sample wedding day timelines with a 4:00PM ceremony time to show how the schedule changes.

Option 1: Timeline With a First Look

  • 8:00 AM: Start Getting Ready
  • 12:30 PM: Get Dressed
  • 1:00 PM: First Look
  • 1:15 PM: Couple's Portraits
  • 2:15 PM: Wedding Party Portraits
  • 4:00 PM: Ceremony
  • 5:00 PM: Enjoy Cocktail Hour!
  • 5:30 PM: Reception Entrances & Dinner

Option 2: Timeline Without a First Look

  • 9:00 AM: Start Getting Ready
  • 1:30 PM: Get Dressed
  • 2:00 PM: Partner 1 & Party Photos
  • 2:30 PM: Partner 2 & Party Photos
  • 4:00 PM: Ceremony
  • 4:30 PM: Ceremony Ends, Family Formal Photos
  • 5:15 PM: Couple's Portraits
  • 5:30 PM: Reception Entrances & Dinner

Perspectives from Past Couples

“Do it! Its such a great experience for you to have alone with your new husband, especially since you'll be busy the rest of the day.” — Angel B.

“I’m glad we didn’t do a first look because I think it would have ruined the moment. Seeing him for the first time while walking down the aisle made the ceremony more real and emotional not only for us but for family and friends watching as well!” — Izzy P.

“My advice is to do the first look. It helps allow any emotions to come out before the wedding. Plus we were able to have more pictures done! If you wait to walk down the aisle, you have to wait like 30+ minutes to hug or even say anything.” — Ashley D.

Engagement and Couple Photographer Cornwall

As well as being a wedding photographer in Cornwall I am also a professional couple and engagement photoshoots. I love photographing love! In which I do love having photographed couples for the last 15 years in Cornwall and the rest of the world.

Whether you are a new couple or have been married for 50+ years, a professional couple is a wonderful gift. I have photographed couples of many stages of their relationship.

I always make sure the photoshoots are relaxed, unposed, and fun. Not many people enjoy having their photos taken, including me, which is why I make sure that you are both relaxed and happy during the shoot.

Engagement photoshoots are a great way to get used to the camera before your wedding and are offered as part of my wedding photography.

Click here to read more about professional engagement and couple photoshoots in Cornwall