Why I Became a Wedding Photographer in France

Château de Nieuil - Charente

I live in Bordeaux and photograph weddings across southwest France for couples planning destination weddings or getting married here from abroad. That’s not a sentence I thought I’d be writing six months ago.

When we moved to France, the goal wasn’t business it was starting a new life. We wanted to settle, to build something steady for the family. After years in consulting and corporate work, I knew I didn’t want to rebuild the same life in a new location. I’d spent long enough in boardrooms and workshops, and I wasn’t interested in recreating that on French soil.

What I did know was that I wanted to work for myself and to do something more personal, more creative, and more sustainable. I’ve been photographing people for over twenty years through fashion work, travel, portrait sessions, and street photography. It’s always been part of my life. Whatever I was doing, the camera usually came with me. Weddings were part of that too, but only occasionally. My other work didn’t leave space to give them the energy and focus they demand. And they do demand it — emotionally, creatively, and physically. It’s not something I ever wanted to do halfway.

It wasn’t until a conversation with my brother and his fiancée, whilst planning their own wedding, that the idea really clicked. They asked me, quite directly, why I wasn’t photographing weddings properly. I didn’t have a good answer but the question stuck. It made me take the idea seriously in a way I hadn’t before.

I began paying closer attention to what was already here around me — the weddings happening in this part of France, the venues, the light, the rhythm of the day. And I started thinking more clearly about what it would mean to photograph people on a day that genuinely matters. Not to perform. Just to be there. To document something honest, emotional, and completely specific to them.

Moving to France gave me the time and space to follow through on that properly — to build something with real care, rather than squeezing it around everything else. I’m also doing it for my twin boys. I want them to see their dad doing something he loves. Building something of his own. No shortcuts, no one else to answer to, and no excuses if it doesn’t work.

That’s the work I’ve chosen now and I’m building the business from the ground up, here in France.

Women in Chittorgarh Fort, India

What drew me to weddings

Weddings are intense. They unfold in real time, with no retakes. There’s a lot to think about — how the light is shifting, where to stand, what matters most in each moment. That kind of challenge appeals to me. I’ve never been drawn to orchestrating things or asking people to perform. I prefer to observe, to read the room, and to stay close to what’s really happening. When everything lines up, the photos don’t just record the day — they carry something more. A gesture. A glance. Something someone might have missed.

I also enjoy the structure of a wedding day. It gives shape to the work. From a creative perspective, it’s a balance of problem-solving and patience. From a human perspective, it’s an opportunity to be around people who are open, reflective, and (mostly) trying to enjoy themselves. There’s a reason people remember their weddings in such detail — it’s a rare moment when everything slows down just long enough to feel significant.

A wedding, really, is a mix of almost every kind of photography I’ve done over the years — detail shots, editorial portraits, documentary moments, even elements of travel and product photography. That’s also what makes it so demanding. As a wedding photographer, you have to wear all those hats at once, often without much warning. It keeps you thinking, keeps you moving, and keeps you sharp.

Why France

We didn’t move to France for weddings. We moved for family. But once we were here, it made sense to start something new. The venues, the landscape, and the light all offer a lot for a photographer — not in a dreamy, romanticised way, but in a real, practical one. There's variety, good backdrops, and room to make proper images without needing to stage or force anything.

Weddings themselves aren’t that different from the ones I’ve photographed in the UK. The structure is familiar. Speeches are still written. The emotions still run high. What’s different is the planning — most of my couples are organising everything from abroad. That adds a layer of complexity, especially when you don’t speak the language or know the local customs. I understand what that feels like, and I know how to help people navigate it without making it harder than it needs to be.

I’m not here to blend into the background or play the role of the quiet, shadowy photographer. I’m involved. I stay aware, pay attention, and help where I can. I’ve been told I bring a calm energy to the day, but that doesn’t mean I’m passive. I work hard to be in the right place at the right time, without making a fuss about it.

And the light really is different. Even mid-afternoon sun looks better here. The buildings and landscapes bounce it around in a way that helps more than it hurts. That’s not marketing. It’s just true. As a photographer, it gives you options

Editorial Portrait of Violet from my fashion days

Who I work with

Most of the couples I work with are coming to France for something special. They’ve invested a lot into the experience — the venue, the setting, the people — and they want photographs that do it justice. That might mean a quiet portrait in the vines or a big, bold shot in front of the château. Either way, it needs to feel like them.

What matters to me is the connection. If we get on and they trust how I work, that’s when the good stuff happens. They don’t need to know how to pose. They don’t need a long shot list. What they usually want is someone who understands what’s important, who brings the right energy, and who knows how to move through the day without making it feel staged or stressful.

If they like the way I see things andnot just the images, but the approach behind them — then we’re usually a good match.

More than just images

A good wedding photographer does more than take pictures. That’s something I understood quickly, especially with destination weddings. If you’re getting married in a place that’s unfamiliar, where you don’t speak the language or know the customs, then having someone nearby who feels calm and capable is a real asset.

I do carry cameras, but I also carry a sewing kit. I’ve handed out umbrellas, fixed boutonnières, found lost shoes, and stepped in when something didn’t quite go to plan. I’ve also dropped a wedding cake — just once — and like to think I learned from that particular mistake.

Sometimes I suggest taking portraits not because we need more photos, but because I can see the couple needs a break. The role isn’t just technical. It’s relational. You’re there to help them experience the day as well as remember it.

If you’re planning a wedding in France and aren’t quite sure where to start — or just want someone steady and straightforward in your corner — feel free to get in touch. I’m always happy to talk things through, even if you’re not ready to book.