Relaxed Wedding Photography in the Scottish Borders
I’m Mags, the photographer behind M Banka Photography, based in Melrose and photographing weddings throughout the Scottish Borders, Edinburgh, Northumberland and beyond.
If you’re worried about feeling awkward in front of the camera, you’re definitely not alone. My approach is relaxed, natural and unobtrusive. I’ll gently guide you when you need me, but I won’t spend your wedding day constantly posing you or pulling you away from your guests.
I focus on the real moments — the nerves before the ceremony, the laughter, happy tears, little looks between you, family and friends having fun, and all the details you’ve spent so long planning.
Wedding photography that feels like you
I’ve been photographing weddings since 2017, from small intimate ceremonies and elopements to full wedding days. Whether you’re planning a registry office ceremony, countryside celebration, castle wedding or a big party, I’ll help you feel comfortable and make the photography one less thing to worry about.
What you can expect
• Natural, candid wedding photography with gentle direction when needed
• A relaxed and friendly experience from enquiry to final gallery
• Beautiful couple portraits without hours of posing
• Experience photographing weddings since 2017
• Local knowledge of the Scottish Borders
• Fast turnaround, with your finished gallery normally delivered within 1–2 weeks
• Coverage available across the Scottish Borders, Edinburgh, Northumberland and beyond
Most importantly, I want you to enjoy your wedding. I’ll capture the story while you concentrate on actually living it.
If you’re looking for relaxed, heartfelt wedding photography and someone who’ll feel more like a friendly face than a stranger with a camera, I’d love to hear about your plans.
Most of my couples tell me this before their wedding, so you’re definitely not alone! My approach is relaxed and natural. I’ll gently guide you when needed, especially during your couple portraits, but I won’t have you constantly posing. I want you to enjoy your wedding while I capture the real moments as they happen.
That’s absolutely no problem. If I’m unfamiliar with a venue, I research it and, whenever possible, visit before your wedding to look at the light, portrait locations and the layout. Even with venues I already know, I like to keep up with any changes or improvements. I want to arrive on your wedding day already knowing where we can create beautiful photographs without wasting your time.
You won’t be waiting months to relive your day! My wedding galleries are normally edited and delivered within 1–2 weeks. Every image is carefully selected and individually edited in my natural, timeless style.
Absolutely. I photograph everything from intimate ceremonies and elopements to full wedding celebrations. If you’re planning something small, I offer shorter coverage that can include preparations, your ceremony and relaxed portraits afterwards.
Yes, but nothing stiff or uncomfortable! During portraits I’ll give you simple prompts and gentle direction so you know what to do, while still allowing moments to happen naturally. You don’t need to know how to pose — that’s my job.
Yes! I’m based in Melrose in the Scottish Borders and regularly travel throughout the Borders, Edinburgh, Northumberland and further afield. I’m always happy to hear about weddings a little further away too.
I’ve been photographing weddings since 2017, and families since 2009. Over the years I’ve photographed everything from tiny ceremonies to busy full wedding days. That experience helps me know when to step in and guide you — and when to quietly step back and capture what’s happening.
Natural, relaxed and documentary, with a romantic and timeless feel. I love genuine expressions, movement, laughter and all the little moments happening around you. I’ll also make time for beautiful couple portraits and important family photographs, so you get a complete story of your day.
Definitely not. Your wedding is there to be enjoyed! I keep couple portraits relaxed and efficient so you can have beautiful photographs without disappearing from your celebration for hours. I can also plan portrait time around the light and your wedding-day schedule.
We’re in Scotland, so I’m always prepared for the weather! 😂 I’ll work with whatever the day gives us, using beautiful indoor locations, covered areas or little breaks in the weather. Rain certainly doesn’t mean you can’t have gorgeous wedding photographs.