Blog - Sophie Duckworth Photography

My Favourites – 2018 Wedding Photography

Deep breath here goes – 2018 Wedding Photography

This post is a real labour of love for me. Each year I find it tougher to curate, and I think that’s a good thing. I care SO much about the work I produce for my couples, but I also care that I am doing the very best I can for myself too. I am conscious that I want to show my future couples that I can take great confetti shots, beautiful bridal prep images and lovely timeless portraits for them to enjoy in their later years. But I am also not ‘just a photographer of weddings’. I count myself as someone who really wants to show who they are to the world. Ok maybe not the world (dream big anyone?! Ha) but to my prospective couples, and the only way for me to show who I am is to post what I love. This is why I always name this post ‘My favourites’, and not ‘My Best’. I don’t really know what my best work is, that’s entirely subjective, but I know what I love. And it appears I loved quite a lot of what I shot last year, despite being incredibly hard on myself throughout thinking I wasn’t doing enough (classic photographer anxiety!) :)

The reason I loved looking through my images wasn’t really to do with me or my work though, it was down to my couples. As always. They’re the reason I’m sat here, typing away furiously trying to make this post non-boring yet SEO friendly ;) They are the gift I’m given each time a new booking hits my calendar. I may shoot at a lot of the same venues, but the people are always unique, and those moments happen only once. Having the sole responsibility in capturing them is HUGE. It never wavers. I never get comfortable and let my cameras do the work. I do stress out, I do get nervous and I do rush home to look over what I’ve shot just to check I can deliver what I promise.

Thankfully I am a very lucky person in that all my couples take the time to send me such lovely feedback, some send me gifts and cards too. EVERY time I open up a package like that I squeal. It is THE most humbling thing to be thanked for the job you’ve done. When you’re self employed you don’t have line-managers patting you on the back at the end of a quarter, or HR sending you a review/pay-rise etc. You only have yourself and your crazy artistic mind full of worry to analyse your own worth. So a HUGE thank you, to those who go out of their way to thank people properly, the day I hear nothing from a couple is probably the day I’ll retire!

So back to the post. There are 200 images here, it’s fairly lengthy, but I hope that it shows what I’ve been up to over these 24 weddings. I photograph a lot of families as well as weddings and it’s really lovely to be chosen to shoot weddings where there are lots of kids, as my couples know that they will get lots of images of the little people. They are the BEST at weddings. Always doing their own thing, the most natural of all to capture! I’ve focused on my three motivators, lovely moments, beautiful light and the occasional wow shot. There are lots of hugs and kisses and tears and laughter, just what I love. It really is the biggest honour to do this for a living, and I’m already looking forward to my 2019 weddings which start next month. Enough waffle from me, 2018 was a bloody amazing year for me on so many levels, and 2019 has one extra special wedding date in the diary too, mine :) If you’re looking at this and think we’d be a good match, do get in touch! I’d love to hear from you!

Thank you again to each and every one of you who chose me, you made it a wonderful year!! xxx

Best Surrey Wedding Photographer 2018 Sophie Duckworth

Siobhan & Sam – Tithe Barn

“Sophie! We are blown away!!! These are PERFECT. Thank you so, so much. There are so many amazing ones. You captured my grandmother Shanna so perfectly, her looking at her great-grandson in the pram is priceless. My mum doing my dads pinhole. My girls getting ready. Me talking to Sam’s mum. All the photos of our families and friends. They bring back ALL of the wonderful memories of the day. I don’t think we’ve smiled so much in one day :-) and you’ve captured all of them.”

Siobhan Sam Hampshire Wedding Tithe Barn Sophie Duckworth Photography

Tithe Barn Wedding, Petersfield

Ok you’d think I have better things to do on NYE than blog, but in all truth I’ve been saving this one up because it’s one of my most favourite ever weddings. I LOVE LOVE LOVE these two. We met in a bar in Wimbledon for our meeting, and I’m fairly sure we stayed well past just one drink! I clicked immediately with both Siobhan and Sam because they truly are two of life’s absolute treasures. They were married at the Tithe Barn, Petersfield, in September last year. Yes I know!…but sometimes it’s quite lovely to look back over past weddings and really look at the images I captured. It’s a lovely way to reflect, and to reach into those moments that gave me all the feels, rather than what might be perceived as the ‘hero’ shots of the day. If anyone knows me and my work, I always focus on the in-between glances, or certain expressions that a person has. That’s the tough bit, truly capturing the essence of the people in our lives, and pinning down that moment forever. It’s something I try to achieve at every wedding I shoot, which is what makes my job so fascinating, and challenging! This was a wedding where the people were truly themselves. Tears flowed, loving looks were thrown and many, MANY hugs were given. It was one I remember enjoying so much I wanted to keep hold of it as long as possible.

So back to the start, I began at Siobhan’s family home, meeting Wes their gorgeous dog first of all, and then a wall of happy faces followed, and I knew it was going to be a goodun’. Siobhan was so happy and relaxed and her sisters and Sam’s sister kept her nice and chilled until it was time to head to the barn. An anxious but excited Sam awaited the bridal crew, and the beautiful ceremony began. Siobhan’s Mother read the most beautiful piece (I think from The Velveteen Rabbit, but I will need Siobhan to confirm this!) and we all cried. There were moments when her Mum couldn’t quite get through it, and she glanced away from the guests only to catch my eye, which was also brimming with tears, so I smiled and she carried on. It was one of the loveliest moments of 2017 for me. A wonderful confetti line in the Autumnal surroundings of the Tithe Barn kicked off the reception, and we took our chance to wander the grounds for some quiet time. Sam and Siobhan’s guests were absolute legends. SO upbeat and fun, a total joy to photograph. After a few group shots the couple made their way into the wedding breakfast accompanied by New Order, Blue Monday which was quite possibly the best entrance I’ve ever seen. Bless them for being the BEST sports and doing it their way. We had some brilliant and heartfelt, but still funny speeches and a beautiful first dance, followed by some cracking dance-floor action. When it was my turn to say farewell I knew that I’d been very lucky to spend my last wedding of September (my 7th of that month!) with such awesome people. A big thanks also goes to Caroline at Perfect Peony Weddings who ensured everything ran smoothly and I know was a life-saver to the couple in the lead up to the wedding. I have been incredibly lucky these past 6 years, and each year I am invited to take part in people’s weddings, I have to pinch myself that I get to call this my job. My sincerest thanks goes to Siobhan and Sam, for being downright ruddy wonderful. I hope we always keep in touch, but for now (better late than never!), here are my favourites from your day. Lots of love xxx

Siobhan Sam Hampshire Wedding Tithe Barn Sophie Duckworth Photography

Thanks for looking! Like what you see? Head over to my Portfolio page for more images, and my favourite images from previous years! x

Lucy & Simon – Garden Wedding

“All I can say is wow. I knew the photos were going to be good having seen your previous work but oh my, nothing prepared me for how utterly awesome these photos are. You’ve truly outdone yourself. Simon and I can’t stop looking at them. We are so sad the day is done but so unbelievably glad it happened and you were there to capture it in such wonderful glory! Our comments consisted of: “oh I love that one” “oh that one’s great” “no that’s my favourite, no, THAT’s my favourite. Honestly we love them so much. Thank you!”

Lucy Simon Surrey Garden Marquee wedding Sophie Duckworth Photography

Surrey Garden Wedding

Lucy and Simon’s beautiful back garden wedding at home was up there with one of my favourites of 2017. Yes that’s right, I’m still sharing last year’s weddings because I shoot so many beautiful days and I find it SO hard to choose just a few to blog as well as running the business so please accept this, over a year later! This was a special wedding for me for a number of reasons, not least because my lovely fiancé came and joined me as chief ‘light stand holder’ for the dancing ;)! But mainly because I’d been lucky enough to meet and spend time with Lucy at her friend Sarah’s wedding where I’d been the photographer. It’s always nerve-wracking receiving enquiries before you’re due to meet a potential client, spending the day with them and waiting with baited breath hoping they will like what you do for others, so I felt very honoured when Lucy and Simon said they still wanted me! Yay! The wedding was held very close to my old home, where I spent many happy years, so in advance I knew it was going to be a good’un!

Lucy chose a bespoke Jesus Peiro dress, from the one and only Miss Bush Bridal for her stunning gown. She looked SO chic, beautiful and elegant, with such a beautiful up-do and classic natural make up. Being a bit of a stunner it wasn’t going to be difficult to turn her into such gorgeous bride, but I’m fairly sure she still took Simon’s breath away when she walked down the aisle, at the lovely and quaint St Thomas of Canterbury in East Clandon. We had PERFECT September weather, for which I was very grateful! The whole day felt relaxed, cheerful, full of the right sort of giggly tears and it was plain sailing from the word go. The dream. I have to pinch myself regularly that my job is to turn up and document days such as these.

After a brilliant confetti run taking over the whole of the lane, Lucy, Simon and I hopped into the car to Hatchlands Park to spend a bit of time alone (them, not me..ha!) and capture a few couple photos. We returned to a sun-drenched, flower-filled garden with the loveliest marquee and decor. The guests were in full swing enjoying the wonderful Two Many Cooks food (so wonderful they’re doing my wedding next year!) and the brilliant music from Shine On (who I am lucky enough to work with a few times, check them out, they’re on my favourites list!). After some candids we managed the all important group photos and one of my favourite things of all time…outdoor speeches! SUCH a lovely idea if you’re considering a more laid back wedding. I have to give HUGE credit to Simon’s speech. It was simply, incredible. He did a sort of rap/song/speech and the words and rhyming were outstanding, I’ve never been so impressed in all my 200+ weddings! His best man had some rather interesting things to divulge and it was a thoroughly enjoyable part of the day to capture. Not forgetting Lucy’s Dad who of course, brought on a few tears and many proud face moments

After the meal we had some dancing, and a confetti canon, which I still secretly hope all my couples organise, since it’s such a gorgeous addition to the first dance! I said my goodbyes knowing I was lucky enough to be seeing Lucy once more this Summer, at the lovely Louise & Greg’s wedding too. It was such a huge privilege to be a part of Simon and Lucy’s wedding day. Two absolutely lovely, funny, sweet people, TOTALLY made for each other and who made me feel like one of the guests all day. I have the fondest memories looking back at their photos, so I hope this snippet gives you an idea of what a lovely time we all had! Happy belated one year anniversary Lucy and Simon! I know the next year for you is a big one! :) Enjoy and thank you so much for having me along for the ride xxx

Lucy Simon Surrey Garden Marquee wedding Sophie Duckworth Photography