2023 round up!

I’ve taken this first week of 2024 to really look back at the past year. I find myself reflecting on the incredible journey that 2023 has been as a wedding (and boudoir) photographer. It's been a crazy year filled with so many unforgettable moments, some definitely exciting challenges, and a huge amount of personal growth- within my business, especially.

Memorable Moments

One of the main highlights of 2023 was photographing my first Valentine's Boudoir Mini sessions. They were absolutely amazing. The quick sell-out and positive response reinforced the strong connection with my clients and their trust in my work, which was truly heartwarming. It was such a great start for the season, especially as it was my first real year doing boudoir!

Lucy and Stephen's wedding will forever hold a special place in my heart, thanks to the emotional speeches that unfolded after their gorgeous ceremony. I was so honoured to be invited all the way up to the Lake District to capture their incredible day.

Shelley's boudoir session marked a milestone in my journey as a boudoir photographer in July. It was a session that not only showcased personal progress but also really highlighted the positive impact boudoir photography can have on self-perception and empowerment.

Alex and James's intimate wedding fueled my desire to explore more elopements, something I have never really thought to offer before. The intimacy of the elopement allowed me to be so creative, without the stresses of a packed in timeline, and the pictures were just.. chefs kiss.

Fenola and Tom's wedding day was another dream to photograph, a true blend of gorgeous aesthetics and emotion. The day went seamlessly, as they always do at Sant Ffraed!

Favourite New Locations

I had the privilege of shooting at some breathtaking venues in 2023, some of which I had never photographed at previously! Gellifawr in Pembrokeshire, Old House 1147 (a local hidden gem!), and Low Wood Bay all the way up in the Lake District.

Noteworthy Trends

I observed some intriguing trends in weddings in 2023. From the rise in popularity of blurry documentary photographs, to the playful inclusion of funky sunglasses, the new content creation supplier, and a newfound focus on dance floor shots. 2023 was definitely one that followed all of the crazy TikTok trends, and honestly, i’m all here for it! You want something funky? Count me in, girl.

Overcoming Challenges

A yearly round up is not complete without talking about it’s challenges! Despite meticulous planning, the unpredictable British weather threw unexpected challenges my way. Rainy downpours during ceremonies at Gellifawr and The Sugarloaf Barn tested my adaptability and creativity. These challenges, however, resulted in really unique and memorable photos, just showing how quickly you forget about your ‘dream’ wedding when your real one is happening.

Personal Growth and Development

2023 was 100% a year filled with personal growth and self-discovery. Focusing on what truly matters in my work allowed me to delve deeper into creativity and develop a more refined style, especially within wedding photography. The shift from my usually very styled approach to a more documentary approach opened up a whole new way of shooting weddings for me, which is incredibly exciting as we go into the next wedding season. I also really tried to dedicate some time to honing my flash skills and capturing crazy cool dance floor shots, and I think it really paid off.

Collaborations and Styled Shoots

Collaborating with amazing vendors is always a massive highlight of the year, and this year is no different. However, helping to orchestrate a styled wedding shoot near Bristol was definitely a highlight of 2023. Working with new vendors brought fresh perspectives, while the styled shoot provided an opportunity to push creative boundaries and showcase my evolving style. Thank you so much to everybody who was involved! You were all fabulous.

Heartwarming Feedback

The heart of my work lies in the connections I make with my clients, and the feedback from couples this year has been incredibly heartwarming. Knowing that I've played such a huge a part in preserving their most special day is the ultimate reward. Thank you so much to all of my couples, my boudoir clients, and engagement session clients, especially those of you who have left a review. It really does help so much <3

It’s me! On my well needed 2 month break away travelling Central & South America!

Looking Forward to 2024

My goals for the upcoming year include further honing in on my style, organizing another styled shoot (potentially in a new country) to explore destination weddings, enhancing my flash/lighting skills, and potentially delving into the world of filmmaking- more on a personal level though! I think i’ll stick to my photographic skills for weddings..

I'm so so grateful for the love and support from my clients, the inspiration from fellow vendors, and my close friends and family who have kept me calm & inspired this year. Thank you for being a part of my 2023 story, and I can't wait to capture the insane weddings i’m booked for in 2024!

Here's to love, creativity, and an even more extraordinary 2024!

Heather x