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Photography Style
Products and Services
More Laughing, Less Posing – Relaxed Wedding Photography in Essex & Beyond
I’m Derek. Del. Delboy. More recently, Deccers. Whatever works for you. I’m an Essex wedding photographer for couples who want to enjoy their wedding day, not spend it stuck posing for photos.
15+ years and hundreds of weddings in, I still can’t quite believe I get to do this. Being invited along to document someone’s wedding day is a privilege I’ll never take for granted.
I capture weddings as they really happen — the big laughs, happy tears, proud parent moments, dodgy dance moves and everything in between. The real stuff. The moments that matter most once the day is over.
My Approach
I work in a documentary style: sometimes up close, sometimes hanging back, always chasing the moment. There’s a Japanese philosophy called wabi-sabi — finding beauty in the imperfect and the fleeting. That’s pretty much my approach in a nutshell: real, perfectly imperfect moments, as they happen.
I also shoot on 35mm film alongside digital. Film brings a warmth and texture digital doesn’t quite replicate, but the biggest benefit is the mindset. When every frame counts, I’m more considered and more present, and that care feeds into every image, film or digital.
What It Feels Like Working With Me
You get to be fully present and enjoy the day with your favourite people, while I quietly capture it all as it unfolds.
That means:
- No awkward posing
- No forced smiles
- No disappearing for hours for portraits
- No endless group photo lists
Instead, you’ll get natural images full of life, personality and genuine emotion. I’ll give you a little guidance when needed, keep group photos quick and painless, and take you away for a few relaxed couple photos without eating into your day.
Why Couples Book Me
- 15+ years and hundreds of weddings
- Relaxed, documentary approach
- Digital and 35mm film, plus GoPro ceremony footage
- Calm, friendly presence on the day
- Fast sneak peeks, full online gallery within a month
- Coverage across Essex, London and the whole UK
For Couples Who Want a Proper Good Day
My vibe suits couples who care more about having fun than following traditions perfectly. The ones planning a brilliant party, filling the room with people they love, and wanting photos that bring it all flooding back years later.
If that sounds like you, we’ll probably get on very well.
Pricing
Wedding collections start from £995
Full-day coverage from £1,795
Every wedding is different, so just get in touch and I’ll happily send over the details.
Let’s Chat
Before any booking, I like to have a short video call. Nothing formal, just a chance to chat and make sure we actually like each other. I’ll be following you around on the day, so it’s worth checking the vibe first.
Send me your date, venue and a little about the day — I’ll get back to you as soon as I can.
Message from the team
Experience
Travel Notes
Nearest Town
Nearest Motorway & Junction
Nearest Train Station
Nearest Airport
What is your most memorable wedding?
All weddings have something unique about them that makes them memorable. If I had to pick one, I'd choose a recent wedding that took place at Christ Church in Brentwood. The couple included a few hymns during the ceremony. Typically, there are a few singers while everyone else quietly follows along, but this wedding was different! All the guests enthusiastically joined in, belting out the hymns with gusto. It was a beautiful and fantastic experience, and it was a pleasure to be a part of it.
Describe your style in 5 adjectives.
Authentic
Friendly
Nostalgic
Candid
Easy-going
What about your business are you most proud of?
I'm proud to have been trusted with so many weddings, intimate behind-the-scenes moments, and the fact that I'm genuinely creating a family heirloom for someone! It's a bit crazy when I dwell on it for too long, to be honest. I'm also proud of my longevity. Not many small businesses last a year or two, and here I am over 15 years later, still loving what I do.
What is your No.1 wedding planning tip for couples?
It's a bit of a cliché, but it's your day, so do it your way! Let go of the small things. Your day will be perfectly imperfect. Embrace whatever comes your way and enjoy it! x
What is your favourite personal touch you have seen at a wedding?
I love hearing about the personal touches on a wedding day, and this is one of the sweetest stories I’ve encountered. The bride, a school teacher, had her classroom assistant secretly have the children pen messages of love and congratulations, which were then attached to a bridal veil. It was a surprise gift in the lead-up to the wedding, one that was warmly received. On the day, the bride asked if we could use the veil with the attached messages in the photos. Yes! Of course! I couldn't pass up the opportunity to incorporate such a loving and thoughtful gift into the photos and jumped at the chance.
Describe your typical process with a couple.
Send me your date and venue and I'll check I'm free. If I am, we'll book a short video call before anything is confirmed. It's a relaxed chat about what you have planned: I get to know you a bit, and you get to see if I'm the right photographer for you.
What is the No.1 photo that you think every couple should take?
I like photos of the grandparents, so if you're lucky enough to still have them with you, get them involved and have a lovely portrait photo with your grandparents.
What is the most original photo you’ve been asked to take at a wedding?
I don't get asked to stage photos, I'm very fortunate my couples trust me to do what I do, and they love my approach to the day.
What do you recommend for a rainy day wedding?
Smiles, a great attitude and umbrellas. I'll have a plan B ready (a few sheltered spots for portraits and somewhere dry for group photos), then grab you for five minutes whenever the sun comes out. Some of my favourite photos have happened in the rain.
Describe how you got into photography.
I've always been creative and love art and design. Photography is an outlet that I've pursued as an occupation. I got my start in wedding photography through my dad. Before retiring, my dad was a wedding photographer, and I had assisted and carried his bags at a few weddings before going it alone.