Natural · Relaxed · Documentary
Lake District Wedding Photographer
Relaxed wedding photography for couples who'd rather enjoy their wedding than spend half of it posing for photographs.
I'm Richard, a Lake District wedding photographer covering weddings across Cumbria, Windermere, Ambleside, Grasmere and the surrounding fells.
My approach is simple — your wedding should feel like a wedding, not an all-day photoshoot.
Check My Date
Wedding photography that feels like you
Your Wedding. Not A Photoshoot.
You don't need to be good at having your photograph taken. You don't need to know where to stand. And you definitely don't need to spend hours away from everyone you've invited.
Most of the day I'll simply let things happen. I'm looking for the reactions, ridiculous laughs, hugs, nervous moments, people getting emotional during speeches and everything happening when nobody thinks they're being photographed.
We'll still make the most of the Lake District scenery — obviously. But we'll do it without turning your wedding into a photoshoot.
Check My DateMy approach
Natural Lake District wedding photography without the awkward posing.
A little direction when you need it. Left alone when you don't. Loads of photographs of the people you love actually enjoying themselves.
Real weddings in the Lakes
Lake District Wedding Photography
From weddings overlooking Windermere to celebrations hidden away around Grasmere and the quieter valleys of Cumbria, the Lake District gives us a ridiculous amount to work with.
14+ years behind the camera
Relaxed, documentary wedding photography.
I've been a professional photographer for over 14 years, with a background that includes music, commercial and studio photography alongside weddings.
That experience has shaped how I photograph a wedding. Rather than constantly stopping things and setting photographs up, I'm usually watching what's already happening.
It means your gallery isn't just a collection of nice portraits. It's the story of the day — your people, the atmosphere, the chaos, the quiet bits and the things you completely missed.
And when the light suddenly breaks across the fells or Windermere looks incredible? We'll absolutely disappear for five minutes.
Five minutes. Not two hours.
Check My DateBeen there. Photographed that.
Real Lake District Weddings
I've photographed weddings throughout the Lake District, from Windermere and Grasmere to the quieter valleys and fells of Cumbria, including weddings at Lancrigg, Holbeck Ghyll, Merewood Country House, Cragwood Country House, Town Head Estate and New House Farm.
Grasmere
Lancrigg
Hidden away just outside Grasmere, Lancrigg is surrounded by gardens, woodland and the fells. Laura and Sam booked me from New Zealand two years before their wedding, so this one had been a long time coming.
See Laura & Sam's wedding →
Windermere
Merewood Country House
Set above Windermere with gardens, woodland and views towards the lake, Merewood is a brilliant place for a relaxed Lake District wedding.
See the Merewood wedding →
Windermere
Cragwood Country House
Cragwood sits in its own grounds on the edge of Windermere, combining a relaxed country-house wedding with the lake and fells just outside.
See the Cragwood wedding →
Windermere
Holbeck Ghyll
Sitting above Windermere with views over the lake and surrounding fells, Holbeck Ghyll is a pretty spectacular place for a wedding.
Cammi and Euan's day also involved a red wedding dress and alpacas, which made this one particularly difficult to forget.
See Cammi & Euan's wedding →
Lorton Valley
New House Farm
New House Farm sits in the Lorton Valley surrounded by countryside and the Lake District fells.
The old farm buildings and relaxed atmosphere made it a brilliant setting for Harriet and Tom's wedding.
See Harriet & Tom's wedding →
Lake District
Town Head Estate
Town Head Estate combines a beautiful wedding venue with the surrounding Lake District landscape right on the doorstep.
Hannah and Mike celebrated here after their church ceremony and the whole day suited my relaxed approach perfectly.
See Hannah & Mike's wedding →Getting married in Cumbria?
Weddings Across The Lake District
One of the best things about being a Lake District wedding photographer is how much the landscape changes within a relatively small area.
Lakes, woodland, mountains, valleys and some brilliant wedding venues are all packed into one corner of Cumbria.
Windermere & Bowness
Home to some of the best-known Lake District wedding venues, including Holbeck Ghyll, Cragwood Country House and The Belsfield. You've got the lake, woodland and fells all within minutes.
Grasmere & Ambleside
Further into the fells, Grasmere and Ambleside bring together stone buildings, woodland, mountain scenery and some brilliant smaller wedding venues including Lancrigg.
Eastern & Northern Lakes
From the Eden Valley to Lorton and the quieter parts of Cumbria, there are some incredible wedding venues away from the busiest areas around Windermere.
Four seasons in twenty minutes
What If It Rains?
It's the Lake District. There's a reasonable chance it will.
I don't plan your wedding photography around needing perfect weather. If it's sunny, brilliant. If it's raining, we'll work with it.
And if the clouds suddenly open and incredible light appears over the fells, I'll probably come and find you.
Some of my favourite Lake District wedding photographs have happened precisely because the weather wasn't behaving itself.
“Richard did an amazing job, a consummate professional with an uncanny ability to manage being in multiple places at once yet remain unobtrusive. He captured the essence of our day to perfection.”Andrea Cloughley
A few useful bits
Lake District Wedding Photography FAQs
Do you photograph weddings throughout the Lake District?
Yes. I photograph weddings throughout Cumbria and the Lake District, including Windermere, Bowness, Ambleside, Grasmere, the Eden Valley, Lorton and the surrounding areas.
Do you charge extra for Lake District weddings?
I'm based in the North West and regularly photograph weddings across Cumbria and the Lake District. Get in touch with your venue and date and I'll give you everything you need to know.
We're awkward in front of the camera. Is that a problem?
Not remotely. Most couples tell me exactly the same thing. My approach is deliberately relaxed and I'll give you a little direction when it's useful rather than expecting you to know how to pose.
Do you take group photographs?
Absolutely. Documentary wedding photography doesn't mean refusing to photograph your family. We'll keep the important group photographs organised and efficient so you can get back to the wedding.
Can we have photographs around the Lake District?
Yes, but I normally recommend making the most of what's close to your venue rather than disappearing for hours. Many Lake District wedding venues already have lakes, woodland or fell views within a few minutes.
How far in advance should we book?
Popular summer Saturdays can book well in advance, so it's worth checking your date once you've confirmed your venue. If I'm available, I'll send over my current wedding photography options and we can go from there.
Planning a wedding in the Lakes?
Check If I'm Free For Your Wedding.
Tell me your date, venue and a little bit about what you've got planned. I'll get back to you with my availability and everything you need to know.