South West Wedding Photographer
Living in Gloucestershire 5 minutes from the M5 I have the pleasure of being a South West Wedding Photographer at many of the wonderful venues we have and have formed close working relationships with venues like Clevedon Hall, Grittleton House, The Other Place Tracy Park plus one of my favourite types of wedding in the DIY and marquee wedding to name just a few, not mention those venues in the Cheltenham, Cotswolds Gloucestershire and Worcestershire.
These weddings have not only been enjoyed by local couples, but I have many clients who travel over here from London and all over the country for the dream wedding, and the South West is just perfect which makes my job as a South West wedding Photographer all the better.
What is your approach to South West wedding photography?
Every wedding is unique, and that is reflected in the images I deliver to you. I tell your wedding day story creatively and naturally, no standing around for hours having cheesy photos, I blend in like a guest with a camera capturing you and your guests at their most natural. I love to celebrate the joy and light of your day which hopefully shines through the pages of my website.
Just as every wedding is unique, every couple is unique as well. Some happy to play the model, others deeply shy and inexperienced in front of the camera. I work within your comfort zone, never dictating awkward or forced poses, but preferring for you to have a casual stroll together whilst I shoot from a distance, or place you within a beautiful scene simply existing together. Having worked at the majority of South West wedding venues I also know how they like to work, which makes the process even smoother.
South West Wedding Photography Venues
What local knowledge do you have?
I have lived in the South West all my life. This means that not only do I know South West wedding photography venues well, but I know loads of other little spots to sneak away to if needed for either a few portraits on the day itself, or an engagement shoot in the build up. As you may have picked up from my website, I have a real passion for what I do, so anything I can do to make it even more personal and tailored for you, I will.
I live here with my wife Kim, our sons Milo & Monty, plus a variety of dogs, cats and chickens! I don't just work as a South West wedding photographer, but I live it too, with a huge portfolio of South West scenery photography, often with a dog or two in the foreground!
What locations do you cover?
Most of my weddings are in Cheltenham, the Cotswolds, Gloucestershire, Worcestershire and the South West, but I travel nationwide for several weddings each year, and will even go overseas.
Have a look at some of my favourite venues in:
- Cheltenham - Where I grew up, and has some of my most familiar venues such as Manor by the Lake, Pitville Pump Rooms, Hatherly Manor, Priors Court Barn, The Barn at Upcote and the Greenway.
- Cotswolds - One of my favourite places in the world. So much character and unique charm, and a wonderful location for a wedding with these venues Hyde House, Manor House Hotel, The Swan at Bibury, Lapstone Barn, Cripps Barn, Melksham Court, Matara, Hare & Hounds, Stone Barn, Kingscote Barn and The Great Tithe Barn.
- Gloucestershire - Something for everyone with Eastington Park, Stonehouse Court, Egypt Mill, Tortworth Court & the Bear of Rodborough to name a few.
- South West - With easy access to the M5 I cover many venues further afield such as Clevedon Hall, Grittleton House, The Other Place plus one of my favourite types of wedding in the DIY and marquee wedding!
- Worcestershire - Now living on the Gloucestershire/Worcestershire border I get to enjoy some beautiful venues like Redhouse Barn, Wootton Park & Curradine Barns.
- Nationwide and location - I love going to new venues and locations so Im very happy to travel around the UK and abroad.
Why Choose Lee Hawley Photography
This is not formal wedding photography – I tell your wedding story naturally and creatively. No awkward poses, no saying cheese & no taking you away from your guests for hours. My goal is for you to feel like you have a friend as your photographer. By doing that I capture you at your most you, and create genuinely personal images.
I would love you to watch this short video on how I go about my passion.
South West Wedding Photography! - Alex & Doug
I was recommended to Alex by Steve who’s wedding I shot in 2018. After meeting up for a drink, they booked me for their wedding at the wonderful Clevedon Hall.
A month before the wedding we met up at Clevedon hall to have a walk around the venue and the surrounding areas to discuss photo ideas for the wedding. With the pier being unavailable on the wedding day, we took the chance for some snaps there.
Wedding Day
The day itself quickly came around, and Clevedon Hall was looking epic in the summer sun. A real Jewel in the crown of South West wedding venues!
Alex was looking very calm during prep, and I had a great couple of hours capturing her and Doug and their respective teams get ready!
The ceremony was outside, and they don’t look much better than the Clevedon hall outdoor ceremony space! With vows and confetti nailed, Alex and Doug enjoyed a relaxed drinks reception.
The wedding breakfast was in the impressive orangery. Which is fully airconditioned! A huge plus point on a day like this.
During our prep we had discussed when sunset was, and that we wanted to get down to the “coast” for some shots with the setting sun. However as can be the way, the speeches ran late, resulting in the final word of the best mens speech being followed by Doug saying “we’ve gotta go guys!”. The three of us running down the driveway with minutes to spare!
It's moments like this that experience and competence really pays out. Not panicking, and being composed, and getting camera settings correct and quickly, which can be especially challenging shooting into a low sun and using off camera flash as I was in some of the photos. All the while keeping your couple relaxed and ideally enjoying themselves!
It worked perfectly, and resulted in one of the best ten minutes shooting of my year. A genuine “high five” moment that left me buzzing!
That wasn’t the end of the day either, with some great dancing, magic and shotskis!
It was a pleasure working with you and we are so happy we booked you.
We received our photos in the post yesterday and wanted to thank you so much for such beautiful photographs! We are so pleased with them and it was a joy to go through them and reminisce about our wedding day.
Everyone we have shared the photos with have have loved them and were really impressed with your work – as are we!
Thank you for working so hard both on the day and afterwards in order to send the photos to us. We will treasure the photos forever ?
It was a pleasure working with you and we are so happy we booked you.
Who is the South West Wedding Photographer behind Lee Hawley Photography?
Lee Hawley Photography is owned and run by little old me. Everything you see on my website, every photo, web page, brochure, leaflet, email or social media post is made by me. This is way more than a wedding photography business. It is an all consuming passion and I want everything you experience with Lee Hawley Photography to be the result of my approach, work ethic and style. Warts and all! I would rather things be a bit quirky but be the real me. I know for every couple that is puts off, another will feel a connection. Resulting in me being the right wedding photographer for the right couple.
I am never not at "work". Email me, and you will get a reply ASAP, often at all hours. In a previous life I worked for well over a decade in construction and building services. Including 3 years on the tools as an electrician. I know what hard work is and what long hours are. I maintain that work ethic and then some as a South West wedding photographer in my own business Lee Hawley Photography. Often up late into the evening editing your images to stick to the short turn around times I promise, or meeting couples any evening of the week, sometimes in different counties.
The truth is, this isn't really work. I feel immensely privileged to do something I love so much. So it is the least I can do, to give it my all.
You can see my obsession on my Instagram updated daily here.
Homelife
I live in a little village in the South West with my wife Kim, our 4 year old son Milo, new born Monty, Hugo the Bearded Collie, cat Dexter and 3 chickens. We also have 3 ponies, Paddy, Fern and Whisper. Oh, and my wife is a veterinary nurse, and serial animal hoarder. Can you tell?
Kim’s veterinary work and my working from home results in me being a very hands on dad. Spending a lot of my time with Milo, finding fun things to do, roping him into wedding photography research trips. Sat on my lap watching Thomas and Friends whilst I catch up on admin. Serving hundreds of meals, plus bath and bedtimes! I love it.
If you have enjoyed reading this South West Wedding Photography page, you can find more here and to see more of my work go to my galleries page!
Request a Brochure & Price List
This is not formal wedding photography
I tell your wedding story naturally and creatively. No awkward poses, no saying cheese. My goal is for you to feel like you have a friend as your photographer, and by doing that I capture you at your most you.
I truly invest in my couples, spending time to understand what makes you tick. Even if you don’t really know what you want, in a brief chat over coffee I will understand how best to approach your day, resulting in you being relaxed and able to enjoy your wedding and resulting in a set of images tailored to you.
To receive my latest brochure and full price list, please complete the simple form . I’d also love to hear a bit about your day! Packages start from £995.
This is not a wedding production line, you will not be added to any mailing lists and I will reply to you in person