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Documentary Wedding Photographer Derby

Your wedding day will be a riotous, rousing, and rollicking affair - shall we tell it like it is?

As a Documentary Wedding Photographer,  I focus on creating offbeat, multi-layered images that come alive with each glance.  Photos that stand on their own as pieces of art. From the excitement of the morning preparations to the energy of the dance floor and every beat in between.

Whether you’re tying the knot in a stately home, museums, or having a Peak District garden party. If you’re looking for a Derby wedding photographer who’s not here to pose you or direct your day. I’m here to quietly document it — exactly as it unfolds. The real laughter, the quiet nerves, the wild dance floor moments.

Because the best photos aren’t staged. They’re the natural wedding photos that take you right back to how it felt.

Wedding photography packages start at £1650. If you want to ditch the awkward poses and just be you, I’d love to tell your story.

Wedding Guests play with bow and arrow - Documentary Wedding Photographer Derby

You’ll often see the words reportage, documentary wedding photography, and photojournalism used interchangeably.

Documentary wedding photographer Derbyshire

But all you really need to know is that it’s my aim to create a visual narrative of your wedding day as it unfolds before me.

Ultimately, the goal of a documentary wedding photographer is to transport you back to the authentic, beating heart of your wedding day whenever you look through the images.

Bride and Groom First Dance at Calke Abbey Riding School Wedding Reception

Preserving the living, breathing, joy-filled story that each wedding day inherently becomes.

Bride on bus to Morley Hayes - documentary wedding photography Derby

My photography is all about capturing the feel of your wedding day. I see photography as a means of artistic expression and embrace imperfections and authenticity - often using blur, grain and other defects that are inherent to the medium of photography.
But most importantly, giving you space to relax and be yourselves.

There’s a reason Simon is rated five stars and called “the best wedding photographer in Derby.” He captures not only fleeting moments but also the atmosphere of the entire day. Looking back through our photos, we were able to relive the joy we felt—and the joy our guests shared with us.

Yes, he covers the staged group shots and the obligatory “one with the parents and grandparents” photos, but the real magic lies in the moments you don’t even notice he’s there. That nervous anticipation before walking down the aisle, the quiet exchanges of joy between guests, the warm embraces at the evening reception—Simon documents it all, beautifully and authentically.

Taylor & MattWest Bridgford Hall, 2025
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I cannot begin to tell you how much I love your 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
Bride and Groom Wedding Ceremony Derby Wedding Photographer

The pictures arrived and what can I say? The amount of happy tears I shed looking through each one. The more I looked the more I spotted - the attention to detail Simon has is absolutely out of this world.

They are beyond beautiful, real and so full of love and care.
They are beyond anything we could have dreamed of.

Caris & JoshThe Malthouse, 2024
Documentary Wedding Photographer Derby

Hello – I’m Simon. I love being a Derbyshire wedding photographer – getting to spend such an important day with each couple. I’m keen to ensure that your wedding day is special and as stress free as possible so you can enjoy the experience. (Whilst I run around making natural, relaxed documentary wedding photos)

I’m a member of the Wedding Photojournalist Association (currently ranked #1 Wedding Photographer in Derby), have won several  This is Reportage awards and have been awarded Best Wedding Photographer In Derby by  The Quality Business Awards two years in a row. I also made Photographers Keeping It Real’s Top 10 Photographers in the World 2024.

This year I’ve gained Derbyshire LGBT+ Rainbow accreditation because I want to make sure I’m creating a positive and inclusive service.

I have had work published by The Derby Telegraph, Derbyshire Life, Boho Weddings, Your East Midlands Wedding & Rock’N’Roll Bride.

My style is influenced by music, street photography and cinema, but ultimately it’s inspired by the Derbyshire couples I meet and trying to do justice to telling their stories.

Simon Dewey Documentary Wedding Photographer

Well, I honestly don’t know where to start. Thank you so much for our absolutely incredible photos ♥️ You have, without doubt, captured the essence of our 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
Dancing at Calke Abbey - Derby Wedding Photographer

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Do documentary wedding photographers take 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! 

I’ve written a guide to group photos; read it here.



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 the albums available here.

Do you cover weddings outside Derby?

Although most weddings I shoot are around Derby and the Midlands/Peak District,  I love to go on a wedding adventure. Accommodation and travel expenses are included for weddings in England and Wales – but there is a discount if your wedding is within 25 miles of Derby.

Do we get all the 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 350 photos.  

Do you edit the images?

I do edit, yes. Each one is edited by hand. I don’t believe in using AI to edit images – the computers don’t know how it felt to be there!

How long do we have to wait until we see our photographs?

Your wedding photographs are usually ready about a month after the wedding.

Simon Dewey Photography
4 Embankment Close
Derby
Derbyshire
DE22 4HF