Happy 2018 to you all! It's that time of year again.. here are my favourite wedding photographs from last year. I've purposefully waited an extra few weeks to curate these images as I had wedding bookings up until New Year's Eve; I really wanted to take my time and peruse everything carefully to come up with these highlights before I put them out there. 

2017 was another busy, exciting and special year for so many reasons.. My work has taken me all over the UK and abroad, I've met and worked with truly wonderful couples, laughed and cried through speeches and unscripted moments, tried to push myself creatively more than ever, charged and packed my kit, shot, then charged and packed again (ad infinitum), and really tried to push and bring myself and my own approach to my work more than ever before. 

I've rebranded (longer-term followers may have noticed!) to reflect my own personailty as much as possible, and I've been reaching out to show you 'behind the scenes' of my business by insta-storying as regularly as I can through my business Instagram account @sallytphotography  It's something I'm hoping to continue next year, and hope to open up conversations with you all - clients who have already booked, past clients, potential clients, other photographers and anyone else who wants to get involved. I'll be launching new regular blog posts on here for 2018, and will carry on waffling about cameras, albums and from 'behind the scenes' at weddings on Instagram too.

For easy perusal, this year I've separated images into categories: pre-wedding, ceremony, details, children, portraits, in-between (my favourite category) and evening. I hope you enjoy looking through my favourites, and I'd love to hear what you think!

A very happy and healthy 2018 to you all! It's going to be a good one..

Sally x

One of my favourite parts of the day.. Those precious few hours before the wedding; anticipation is building, items of clothing are being ironed, glasses are clinked, hair is being tamed and make-up applied, music is playing.. for me it's one of the most wonderful parts of the day to photograph. I love being witness to that heady mix of nerves, excitement and (usually organised) chaos..

The ceremony anchors the day.. it's why you're all there, after all. It's quiet and weighted by importance when it begins, and full of release and celebration when it finishes. I love seeing eyes meet and deep breaths being taken, quiet tears being shed, the squeeze of a hand and children misbehaving at the back.. it's often not the easiest thing to photograph, but the atmosphere during this time and feeling it lift is wonderful and is the start of celebrations to come..

For me, the details don't just include what's on your tables or part of your stationery; it's the touch of a hand, how the light falls on a dress, noticing magic that some may not spot.. a wedding day is full of little details and tiny moments - I'm there to try and seek them out.

I always find myself drawn to children at weddings.. they are such a joy to photograph; often up to mischief, never behaving exactly how you'd expect them too, muddy knees, asking for snacks and usually first on the dance floor..

Portraits of couples are one of my favourite parts of the day - it's an opportunity to be creative and also for you both to have a little time away and steal some moments together. Finding a beautiful backdrop for portraits can be a wonderful thing.. but it's bettered by seeing your personalities and the reality of how you both are together come through..

OK, hands-down this is my favourite category (and it contains the biggest selection of images!). I struggled to work out what to call it, it's everything 'in-between'. It's emotions, reactions, laughter, unscripted and unexpected moments, it's reality and humanity, it's personalities coming through.. all these smaller moments become the real story of your day.

If you were looking for real magic.. it's everywhere in-between.

The speeches have been made, the meal has been eaten, vows have been said, the day may be over but the night is still young.. I sometimes steal couples for a few twilight photographs, and sometimes I just join you on the dance floor and join in throwing some shapes with you all.. I love the party people at weddings..

I'll be putting another post out there showcasing my 2017 stop motion films in full very soon; for now, here is my 'show reel' of stop motion highlights from the past few years..