I was absolutely delighted to be asked to photograph Jenna and Elliot’s evening wedding reception. They already had another photographer booked for their daytime coverage, but when that photographer couldn’t attend the evening, I was thrilled to step in last-minute to capture all the fun, laughter, and energy of their celebrations.
A Warm and Welcoming Setting
I arrived around half an hour before the guests, which gave me time to meet the DJ and a few family friends who were busy putting the finishing touches to the setup. The space looked beautiful - warm lighting, soft tones, and fairy lights strung above the dance floor. The moment I saw them, I knew they’d be perfect for some creative shutter drag photography, where you use a slower shutter speed alongside flash photography to show off the movement and joy of people dancing.
A Night Full of Moments
Over the following hours, I captured a whole range of moments that made the evening so special - from the first dance and cake cutting to an amazing champagne glass tower pour that had everyone cheering. The dance floor quickly filled up, and there were kids running around having the time of their lives, which always makes for some brilliant candid shots.
One of the things I love most about wedding receptions is the atmosphere - people are relaxed, the formalities are done, and the focus is purely on celebrating. That kind of energy translates beautifully in photographs, especially when everyone’s letting loose and enjoying themselves.
More Than Just Taking Photos
Even though I was only there for part of Jenna and Elliot’s day, it didn’t take long before I felt like part of the family. I ended up staying a little while at the end, chatting with people I knew and soaking in the positive buzz that filled the room.
For me, building connections with the people I photograph is just as important as the technical side of the job. When guests feel comfortable, they forget the camera’s there - and that’s when you capture the genuine, joyful moments that really matter.
I hope that when Jenna and Elliot look back on their evening photos, they’re reminded of all the laughter, warmth, and love that filled the room that night. That’s always the goal - to create images that keep those memories alive.
If you’re planning a wedding and want to make sure your evening reception photography captures all the fun, movement, and magic of your celebration, I’d love to hear from you. Get in touch through my contact page.
