Best wedding photography 2018 – Retrospective

Here we are again, the annual round up of just some of my favourite and best wedding photography from 2018. It’s been a very busy year and it’s been heck of a journey so far!

2018 saw me turn full time, scary as it was exciting in equal measures but I was so ready. After several years before hand in preparation for the leap to self employment. It was also my biggest commissions of weddings yet with 41 weddings booked, photographed and almost complete (I have 2 more before the year is out). Not sure what to full expect and how to anticipate the year ahead, especially with doubling the number of weddings from 2017. I was totally ready and prepared…

Family is so important, despite traditions of weddings no two sets are ever the same. I’ve witnessed some of the most intimate and personal moments from many weddings, with loved ones opening their hearts and pouring out tears as they confess their love for one another and express their deepest feelings… Along with their most embarrassing humorous moments together. It’s a spectacle, certainly a position of privilege. As a wedding photographer I get to experience everything while documenting the rawness of the expressive moments throughout the day. Some of those moments has struck with me so personally. Words spoken have had a direct impact on me, the way I view life, in how I hold my family so dear and that friendships, relationships and acquaintances can develop and evolve over time, irrelevant of any bumps along the way.

“Lewis is so easy to get on with, which for us was super important as we wanted to be relaxed on our special day, safe in the knowledge a true professional was on hand to capture it all . He felt like part of the family by the end of our wedding day! Lewis has an exceptional talent for creating the most beautiful images which show all the tiny details of your day and which will last a lifetime.”

Sophie & Simon – Fonmon Castle wedding

The couples I’ve had the privilege of meeting and photographing this year have been fantastic, carving, shaping and educating me into the photographer I find myself today. I have been able to develop and elevate my business, my skills and persona in such a way, I almost don’t recognise myself from a year ago. I’ve learned more about business than I thought there was to know about it and it’s fascinating. There have been challenges, falls into ponds lots of new client bookings and a new one… AWARD NOMINATIONS! What the heck! To be shortlisted for Best wedding photographer for the Welsh National Wedding Awards AND The Wedding Industry Awards was epic and such a motivational booster for someone who is super needy of a good ol’pat on the back here and there. The icing on the cake to such a brilliant year.

As per, of those who know me, and those who don’t, well, I can’t keep still. At the end of this year I decided to completely change over my camera systems and be super conscious of the gear I carry. Helping to de-clutter my workflow on a wedding day. To keep me focused on the moments in front of me and to inspire me to develop my skills even further. I’ve moved house twice, with once being mid peak crazy season but I’m back in the centre of Cardiff where I feel most settled. Other plans are slowly being fed out ahead of the 2019 season, I’m super excited to launch these new projects soon, just watch this space. It’s another full year having being fully booked with another 40 weddings of the most fantastic couples. I can’t wait to get started.

So thank you! To all of those who have supported me, shared my work in any format, liked or corresponded with me. To the wedding venues I’ve worked at once or ten times. Most of all to my clients and fantastic couples (I say that a lot but it’s true). You’ve made me laugh, inspired me, taught me new things, we’ve shared some great little moments, and you’ve trusted me to document your most important part of your life, your wedding day! Best of all, I’ve made some great friends along the way.

So here are my retrospective highlights and favourites moments – my best wedding photography