Five of the best wedding photographers in the North West

Having been involved the wedding industry as an accessory designer for four years now (that went fast!) I've had the pleasure of meeting, and working alongside, many of the best wedding industry suppliers in the North West of England.

After a recent accessory consultation with a bride, she asked me if I could recommend a local photographer, and since we are blessed in this region with some varied, and talented photographers, I actually recommended my favourite 5. She then asked if I could recommend a hair and make-up artist, again, aware of how quickly my hair and make-up friends book up, I recommended 5. A florist? Again, 5...

You see what's happening here?!

My 'Top 5' series starts today with wedding photographers.

My top 5, North West based wedding photographers

1. Chelsea Shoesmith Photography 

I first 'met' Chelsea when she kindly allowed me to publish one of her images of one of my brides wearing a Glorious hair accessory on her wedding day.

Since that moment, I've been involved in a couple of styled shoots, conceived and captured by Chelsea, and have enjoyed tea & chat with her on a number of occasions.

Chelsea is always thoughtful, adores her craft, is a calming presence, continually strives to improve her skill, and captures her subjects with simple clarity.

2. Stephen McGowan Photography

I worked with Stephen on a styled wedding shoot conceived by Edith and Winston Bridalwear (they'll pop up in one of my future 5 of the best...). I was struck by the ease which Stephen interacted with a room full of strong women, his permanently happy demeanour, and impressed with his photographic skill capturing moving objects, birds and beautiful brides.

3. Zap Image

I met Philip Eagland, the principal photographer at Zap Image, at a Cheshire wedding fair, and loved the uniqueness of his images.

Since then I've worked on a styled wedding shoot with Philip where his enthusiasm for the concept, and the way he framed the subjects, has me very excited to see the final edit!

4. Clare Basiuk

I always love seeing images of my brides wearing their Glorious accessories on their wedding day, and was particularly delighted to be sent Clare Basiuk's joyous photos of bride Laura (top), wearing her Sofia headpiece.

Clare's photography shows an unfailing ability to capture the fun and warmth of a wedding day, and I can't wait to meet and work with her very soon.

5. Teresa C Photography

Her gorgeous saturated colour and vibrant images caught my eye after receiving these wonderful images through from Glorious bride Hannah. 

I haven't yet worked with photographer Teresa C, but would love to one day!

A wonderful woodland wedding shoot

I love being involved in a styled wedding shoot, especially when all I have to do is turn up on the day, meet lots of nice wedding industry people, and do a few refreshment runs!

So, I was delighted to be asked by Becca, of Knutsford plus size bridal boutique Edith & Winston, to provide some of my Glorious hair accessories for her Heaton House Farm shoot.

I've admired Edith & Winston's product shoots featuring the uber glamorous model, Georgina Horne, for a few months, and am very proud to be a Heaton House Farm recommended supplier, so this shoot was set up to be a joy before I'd even boxed up the accessories.

On the day, the hits just kept coming....

Super talented photographer Stephen McGowan, also turned out to be a good laugh (always a bonus),  make up artist Kerry Baker, was a riot! And models Nancy Whittington-Coates and Nic Pollard were top lasses to talk tattoos and hair pieces with.

The shoot made the most of the beautiful natural environment, including the lush English woodland and breath taking Peak District views that surround Heaton House Farm; complimented by beautiful floral arrangements from Knutsford Bloom and strings of romantic festoon lights from Love Lights the Way

AND we had an owl!!! Can't believe how chilled out Eric the owl was, surrounded by lights, lenses, dresses & models, but he was just like "meh, wedding shoot, medding shoot..."!

I cannot wait to see the final edit for this shoot, but if recent form is anything to go by - Stephen McGowan Photography has just been voted as the 15th best wedding photographer in the UK by Your Perfect Wedding Photographer, whilst a stunning collaboration between Stephen McGowan and Edith & Winston has been featured on the cover of Pretty Pear Bride magazine - the results are going to be well worth waiting for.

A sweet styled wedding shoot

I absolutely love being involved in a styled wedding shoot!

Why? Well, first and foremost there's the fun of the day itself. A lot of planning, Facebook messaging, Pinterest board pinning, supplier contacting, emailing, and phone calling should go into a good styled shoot, so when the day finally comes around it's the chance to meet up with all those people you've been 'talking' to for weeks, and with all hands on deck, spend the day making your plans into reality.

 Then there's the chance to see other professionals at work. This gives me great insight into someone's style, attitude, and the quality of what that they do, meaning that when it comes to recommending my colleagues to couples, I do so with complete confidence.


Then there's the results of everyone's collaborative hard work - the pictures! A good styled shoot usually bears profits for all involved as everyone gets something exciting, interesting, and good to look at, to talk about on social media, on their blogs, and in print.

This Manchester shoot, devised by Chelsea and Victoria, was totally sweet to work on!

I'd already admired Chelsea Shoesmith's photography after one of my brides had used her to capture her day, so was delighted when Chelsea approached me to ask me if I'd be interested in this sweetie themed studio shoot to take place at The Pie Factory studios in Salford Quays. Chelsea was particularly after a confectionary themed bouquet to compliment the sugary sweet make-up and styling for the shoot. It's good to be stretched to do something different, and my Liquorice Allsorts bouquet is certainly that!

The day was full of laughs, high drama (as we got chased by security guards for naively thinking we could take pictures anywhere within the Salford Quays complex without needing to apply for a permit...) and hot chocolate. That and these exciting styled wedding pics, mean that this is a day that will stay with me for a long time, with Chelsea and Victoria being ladies I would love to work with again.

Photography: Chelsea Shoesmith
Hair and Make Up: Victoria Shoesmith
Model: Samantha Gregmar
Bouquet: Glorious Tiaras
Dress: 7th Heaven Bridal
Balloons: Balloon Ur Room
Roller Boots: Roller Jems

Hey babe, take a walk on the styled side

Last autumn I was privileged to spend the day working with award winning photographer Janet Broughton, and a team of great wedding industry pros, on a 'vintage / rustic' styled wedding shoot.

We ate cake, we laughed, we marvelled at the hills surrounding our venue, The Wellbeing Farm, we heard the worst chat up line ever, and we produced some beautiful images that were later featured on the Brides Up North blog, Want that Wedding blog, and in Brides online magazine.

To say I'm excited to be working with Janet again is an understatement, but it's the best I've got on this wet Friday morning!

Over the past few weeks Janet and I have sourced the most breath taking venue for our next styled shoot in early June. We've found a stunning dress designer, and some very unique additions...

If you're a North West based wedding industry professional and you want the opportunity to show off what you do whilst spending the day with some fab professionals, get in contact and ask if you can join the party!

Photography: JBroughton Photography - www.jbroughton.co.uk

Venue: The Wellbeing Farm - www.thewellbeingfarm.co.uk

Dresses: Vintage Lane Bridal Boutique - www.vintagelanebridal.com

Tiaras & Brooch Bouquets: Glorious Tiaras - www.glorioustiaras.co.uk

Hair and make-up: Jaki Ann - www.facebook.com/JakiAnnMakeup

Vintage Ice-cream Cart: Love My Trike - www.lovemytrike.com

Vintage accessories: Pearlie Queen Vintage - www.facebook.com/PearlieQueenCollectables