Andy Gaines Photography

This is why we stay until the end of each and every wedding.

Heather & Anthony's Isle of Man celebration lit up the night - literally.

While some wedding photographers and videographers might pack up after the first dance, some of the most magical moments happen when the sky turns dark and the fireworks begin. No posing needed here - just a natural kiss beneath the sparkles, surrounded by their loved ones watching the show. These spontaneous displays of joy and love are what documentary wedding photography is all about. Real moments, real emotions, real memories. ✨

Unlimited coverage comes as standard when you book me (us). Get in touch, I'd love to hear more about you both and your plans so far!

Documentary wedding photography is about much more than just the big moments- it's about finding the perfect balance between epic landscapes and intimate connections. I love letting natural moments unfold in spectacular places.

Making an entrance.
Roni and Jack at Wharfdale Grange Barn

Some of the most genuine moments on your wedding day happen in the quiet hours before the ceremony. When the suits are still fresh, the nerves are starting to kick in, and best mates share that ceremonial first beer.

These aren't just 'getting ready' photos - they're the calm before the celebration, the deep breaths, the pep talks, and yeah, sometimes the Dutch courage. It's your best friend straightening your tie for the fifteenth time, or that moment when you help your dad with his.

As a documentary photographer, I know these seemingly small moments make up the bigger story. They're not about staged poses or 'now pretend to put on your jacket' - they're about capturing real connections, genuine emotions, and those brilliant little moments of brotherhood that happen when the pressure's off and the camera's forgotten.

Because when you look back at your wedding photos in 20 years, you'll want to remember not just how the day looked, but how it felt. Each and every moment.

The best ceremonies are like this - a perfect mix of heartfelt and hilarious. And as your photographer, I'm there for all of it - the tears, the laughs, the looks between you both when you think nobody's watching (spoiler: I am 📸).

"Should we have you stay for the party?'
The answer is always YES. Because when ties come loose, heels come off, and inhibitions fade away - that's when some of the best moments of your wedding story unfold.

There's something powerful about letting a couple sink into their surroundings. The Utah mountains provided the drama, the stormy skies added the mood, and these two? They just needed to be themselves. This is what real moments look like when you trust your couples to feel their way through them.

Jess and Sam rocking their wedding day.

The thing about documentary wedding photography is catching these unscripted reactions. Dad's face says it all - and that's exactly why I stay quiet, keep shooting, and let these precious seconds play out naturally. These are the photos that become family treasures.

This is what happens when you let your couples be themselves. No 'stand here and smile' - just pure joy, authenticity, and yes, even a vintage London bus! Sometimes the best wedding photos come from simply letting moments unfold naturally..

That perfect moment when the champagne tower catches the light... but I'm more captivated by the genuine kiss happening behind it. These are the real moments I live for - the ones that tell your true story, not just the staged highlights.

Jess & Sam at Park City, Utah, USA

It was really great to scoop an award for this image in a recent round of awards. TIR awards celebrate all that is good and great in the world or documentary and unposed wedding photography. Which is exactly what I specialise in!

So, if you’re wondering; No - I don’t bring the pet wasp to every wedding to harass the brides bouquet for a photo op. I like my wasps wild and unpredictable - so that you never really know what you’re going to get! Just how I like my weddings!

This wedding was at aka where the wasp was actually featured in the second series. Probably.

Super happy to have scooped up a few Story Awards in the recent round of awards. Last year I was named as top 10 in the world by them so it’s great to add a few to the tally! Like all my work, these images are completely natural and totally unposed. Real, authentic and genuine moments :-) Here’s one of the set of 20 images that won.

In a job in which I’ve essentially been a professional party attendee for the last 13 years, i have seen A LOT (I’m also pretty good at it, just sayin 😜) - but and (and their legendary guests) took things up a notch! Their wedding party in a marquee by the village they grew up in was nothing short of beautifully, chaotically, joyously magnificent!

It’s one of the things I love about weddings - not so much all the wedding ‘stuff’ - but the fact that the day is an excuse for all your important people in the world ever, to get together and bring the best, most beautifully, chaotic, incredible versions of themselves to let loose and enjoy just how great life can be, for you both, for one crazy day and night.

It’s why I’ll always stay to the end of the night - and why I love weddings so much. And to those who think ‘I wouldn’t like how I look in pictures at that time’ - well the pictures of you (or whoever is in them) are not really just for you. They are for everyone who isn’t in them - to remember what a total legend you were, that one evening, in a field, in the Derbyshire dales…

I’d say that no one was harmed in the making of… etc etc a bit I’d possibly be fibbing!






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Jess and Jack, you pair of legends.

Such a wonderful, laid back and low-key day, that somehow manage to cram in tuktuk rides, a beautiful ceremony in the Captains Palace, Mamma Mia parades through the street of Malcesine, private vows by the castle, all the food in Italy and an epic lakeside party on the shores of lake Garda!

Just. Perfect.

Thanks so much for having me along for ride - I’ve so much more to share with you both from the day - but for now hopefully these photographs will suffice - I’ve got a plane to catch!

Thanks and high fives to the amazing team:

italian.weddings

Yesterday! Just. Wow! brought the moody skies and and (along with their friends and family) brought all kinds of awesome - oh, and the party. They definitely brought the party!

An amazing day with genuinely wonderful people - can’t wait to share more of your images with you - but here’s a sneaky little peek for now…

I love this job!

Incredible work from:

Last weekend was special. After first meeting Austin 5 years ago at his brother’s intimate wedding at their amazing family home of Rookery Park in Suffolk, we returned to document his wedding to the incredible Rachel!

And, What a day it was! Two wonderful families coming together with friends from all over the world at an incredible house - and boy did they make it count! From Spitfires and classic cars to hot air balloon rides and partying until way past 3 in the morning - it was a day to never forget! So many incredible moments and events… can’t wait to share them all with you both!



Amazing suppliers:

alexandra

Ok ok! Just a few more from this weekend - Because it was *that* awesome! Jess and Sam brought their people together from all over the world - and then they (and beautiful Park City) did the rest! A super special day that even some epic evening mountain storms couldn’t dampen!

My feet are aching, my cameras worn out and my heart is full! A total honour to be here and document their incredible day in their beautiful family home. X

Thank you

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High fives and thanks to an amazing team:
rodeo_

Jess and Sam. What a day! They (and beautiful Park City) brought all kinds of awesome yesterday!

My feet are aching, my cameras worn out and my heart is full! A total honour to be here and document their incredible day in their beautiful family home. X

Thank you

📷
🎥

High fives to an amazing team:
rodeo_