Documentary wedding photography by Gary Phillip — honest, unposed, and true to your day
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I tell stories.

Documentary wedding photographer
Nottingham & across the UK

Photographs with Soul

Eighteen years  ·  Five star reviews  ·  UK wide

Gary and Amanda's wedding in Positano, 2008 — a guest photograph showing the couple at the ceremony while their photographer leans against a tree not watching

The Reason I Care

I know what it feels like
when your photographer
gets it wrong.

My wife Amanda and I were married in Positano in 2008. When the album arrived, we were quite disappointed. The feelings we had felt throughout the day just didn't show through. Those small moments that had made the day uniquely ours were simply gone, forever.

Every couple gets one chance at this. We have never forgotten that feeling. Nearly twenty years later, it still changes how I see and work every single wedding day.

Taken by a guest. Our photographer is the one in the shades, not watching.

Taken by a guest. Our photographer is the one in the shades, not watching.

Holly's grandmother at her wedding — a moment captured by Gary Phillip, documentary wedding photographer Nottingham

"A huge thank you for snapping the photos of my Nana. From this day she deteriorated, but you have given me so many beautiful ways to remember the love she gave me. For this I am so grateful."

Holly and Mr Rouse   Google Review   ★★★★★

Gary Phillip, documentary wedding photographer based in Nottingham — One Love by Gary Phillip

The Photographer

Hey.
I'm Gary.

I've been photographing weddings in Nottingham and across the UK for eighteen years though it didn't start that way.

Away from weddings, I'm a genealogist tracing family histories, some going back as far as the 16th century. This work teaches you one thing above all else: the stories that matter most are always about the people around you. I arrive at every wedding knowing nobody. By the time I leave, I know everyone. That's what makes my photographs what they are.

Before photography I was a professional DJ living in Liverpool. I held resident spots in Chester and Edinburgh and spent many a late night on the Liverpool club scene. That's where I met Amanda. Our first date was in 2000 and we haven't been apart since.

Amanda is an international flight attendant with Qantas and we have two children. Frank, who plays American Football and is doing remarkable things in design, and Elsie, who wants to fly just like her Mum. Eric the Lhasa Apso has no particular ambitions, apart from claiming the best spot on the sofa.

Gary Phillip I'd love to hear about your day

How it feels when your soulmate walks in the room.

How It Works

Your day.
Your way.

Some couples want lots of portraits. Some don't want any. Others need lots of family groups while most land somewhere in between and work it out on the day.

Family groups, couple portraits, the formals and the chaos. You tell me what your day needs. If you're not sure, I'm here to help and advise. Either way, I'll make sure we get it all.

Father of the bride overwhelmed with emotion seeing his daughter — documentary wedding photography by Gary Phillip

Documentary Wedding Photography

The Art of Documentary Photography

Documentary is at the core of how I work. Anticipation. Composition. Patience. Timing. Moment. Just for a fraction of a second, they all align.

Bridesmaids react seeing the bride — Gary Phillip documentary wedding photography
The vicar takes a selfie with the wedding party — Gary Phillip documentary wedding photography
Bride and groom walk through confetti — Gary Phillip documentary wedding photography
Two children amid the wedding crowd — Gary Phillip documentary wedding photography
Bride laughs during speeches while groom hides his face — Gary Phillip documentary wedding photography
Bride descends the grand staircase — Gary Phillip documentary wedding photography

What it feels like
to work with Gary.

"We're not the most photogenic couple and we aren't really ones for having photos taken, but Gary put us at ease instantly and, unbelievably, made having our photo taken fun."

Mick Roddy  ·  ★★★★★

"Not only did I have the pleasure of having Gary photograph my wedding. Seven years later, he has now taken some of the most beautiful photos of my little sister's big day too. Gary truly feels like one of the family."

Hayley Leckie  ·  ★★★★★

Your day deserves photographs that tell the truth.

Tell me about your wedding

Eighteen years of moments

Bride with red hair arms outstretched holding her dress in the wind against a dramatic cloudy sky — documentary wedding photography by Gary Phillip Bride smiling with eyes closed hugging her new husband tightly after the ceremony in black and white — documentary wedding photography by Gary Phillip Bride with red hair resting her head on her groom's shoulder, both with eyes closed in a quiet tender moment — documentary wedding photography by Gary Phillip Bride laughing with delight as guests pin twenty pound notes to her wedding dress during a traditional money dance — documentary wedding photography by Gary Phillip
Guest in traditional Chinese wedding dress winking at the camera surrounded by laughing guests — documentary wedding photography by Gary Phillip Bride and groom laughing together in front of old barn doors, bride in lace dress holding a blush bouquet — documentary wedding photography by Gary Phillip Groom kissing his bride on the cheek as she laughs with pure joy outside their wedding venue — documentary wedding photography by Gary Phillip Wedding guest in a navy suit pointing directly at the camera with a wide grin — documentary wedding photography by Gary Phillip
Groom laughing helplessly at the top table during the wedding speeches, best man standing behind him with a microphone — documentary wedding photography by Gary Phillip Bride and groom surrounded by sparklers at night, bride in flower crown raising her arm in celebration — documentary wedding photography by Gary Phillip Bride with blue-grey hair laughing with her mouth wide open holding a colourful bouquet, groom smiling beside her — documentary wedding photography by Gary Phillip Bride and groom walking and laughing together down a country lane in autumn, both unable to contain their joy — documentary wedding photography by Gary Phillip
Two female wedding guests laughing together outside a yurt at a festival wedding, wildflower bouquet in hand — documentary wedding photography by Gary Phillip Father of the bride overcome with emotion pressing a handkerchief to his face as his daughter approaches — documentary wedding photography by Gary Phillip Bride smiling warmly as an elderly gentleman leans in close to her cheek in a dark warmly lit room — documentary wedding photography by Gary Phillip Two female wedding guests dancing together on the dancefloor laughing and pointing at each other in a brick walled venue — documentary wedding photography by Gary Phillip
A couple standing in a Kent forest at night beneath string lights, wolves watching from the darkness — wedding photography by Gary Phillip

Wild days don't worry me. I just go to work.

Gary Phillip · One Love

Real days. Real people. Real stories.

View all real weddings

The Investment

The most important photographs
you will ever own.

I photograph around 25 weddings a year. If your date is in the next six months it is worth checking availability soon.

Full day, from

£1,950

Travel within 60 miles of Nottingham is always included. A small supplement applies beyond that, always discussed upfront, never a surprise.

Planning a last minute wedding or need just a few hours covered? Get in touch for a bespoke quote

Ask about availability

What every collection includes

  • Full day coverageFrom bridal preparations right through to the first dance and beyond
  • Colour and black and white, both delivered as standardMy complete editorial treatment across your whole gallery
  • Private online galleryShare with family, download at full resolution, yours to keep
  • Highlight slideshowA cinematic edit of your day, set to music
  • Two Sony cameras on me all day, backups in the carZero single points of failure
  • Two to four week turnaroundOften sooner outside peak season. Queue Jump option available.

To secure your date

£300 deposit and signed agreement

Albums, engagement sessions, parent books and additional hours are all available. Full details including every collection and every price are in my brochure. Got questions? Read the FAQ.

Ask & I'll send you the full pricing guide

Start Here

Tell me about
your wedding.

The best place to start is a conversation. Tell me about your day, the venue, the vibe, what matters most, and I will be honest with you from the first reply.

There are no awkward sales calls. No pressure. Just people working out whether we are the right fit.

Currently booking 2027 and 2028. A small number of 2026 dates remain.

Phone 07980 607610
Studio Wollaton, Nottingham
Coverage UK wide, East Midlands based
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I reply to every enquiry personally, usually within 24 hours. Prefer something faster? Message me on WhatsApp.

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