Hey, I’m Ben Holbrook, a full-time professional wedding photographer and videographer based on the Gower Peninsula in Swansea, south Wales.
About My Style
Natural documentary storytelling paired with a timeless editorial aesthetic.
I’m old enough and fortunate enough to have learned photography in the film days. And although I now shoot with modern digital cameras, I still aim for that timeless 35mm film aesthetic (whether I’m shooting photo or video).
You just can’t beat those warm hues and muted tones. It never gets old or dated – the grit and grain, the feeling…
And I just adore black and white images. In fact my obsession with photography began with shooting 35mm Ilford film and developing it in the darkroom at college.
Monochrome is just one of those magical things that looks better and better with age. Just think of all those iconic Golden-age Hollywood images – that’s the look I’m chasing every time!
Oh, and by the way, I also have a first-class BA in Photography from Falmouth University, so I’m "technically qualified” as well.
About My Approach
My vibe is super relaxed, friendly and informal. But always highly professional.
I’m a quiet and sensitive soul by nature, a natural observer who loves people and people-watching. I’m not the sort of photographer to bark orders or try to control your day – in fact the idea of that makes me cringe.
I shoot with a documentary style to capture real and meaningful moments as they unfold naturally throughout your day.
All you have to do is enjoy your day to the fullest, be present in the moment and forget that I’m even there. After all, your wedding day is the biggest celebration of your life and the only thing you should be focussed on is making the most of every second and having the absolute time of your life.
“I’m looking for candid interactions, authentic emotion and the finer details that make your day yours.”
It’s important to me that you and your guests feel 100% comfortable with my presence. I blend in and become part of the day, build rapport and trust, and capture the magic without intruding.
What about group shots and couple portraits?
Though I’m mainly focussed on candid shooting, we will of course still make time for your important group shots as well, with family members, bridesmaids, groomsmen and friends.
And it’s always fun to sneak off for 10/15 minutes to get some couple shots of you and your new husband/wife on your big day.
I suggest a mini couple’s shoot before you sit down for your wedding breakfast, and then another during the golden hours before sunset.
We’ll keep it light and breezy, as natural, relaxed and comfortable as you like.
About Me
I’m a happy and dedicated family man at my core and everything I do is for my beautiful wife Sarah, our nearly-three-year-old son Jack, and our daughter who will born in exactly six days from the time of writing this.
They are my raison d'être, no question.
Home is Where the Heart is
I grew up on the Gower Peninsula in Swansea and spent my youth cycling, surfing and strumming my guitar. Then I moved to Barcelona… then London, and then back to Barcelona again, where I spent the best part of a decade working as a travel writer, photographer and filmmaker.
I travelled widely, reviewing restaurants, hotels and travel destinations for publications like National Geographic Traveller, Telegraph and Singapore Airlines. If you’ve ever read an inflight magazine on a flight, it’s likely you’ve read one of my travel guides. I also published a couple of books and created one of Spain’s leading travel blogs (Driftwood Journals).
It was a hugely fun and rewarding period of my life, but the biggest reward came when I moved home to the Gower Peninsula and met my now-wife, Sarah.
Our family and life together means everything to me.
I feel extremely fortunate to be able to continue being creative for a living. Shooting weddings has give me so much, and I approach each and every booking with gratitude.
Available Throughout Wales (and Beyond)
I love shooting weddings where I live in Gower, Swansea and across south Wales. We’re spoilt for choice here with venues like Fairyhill (where Sarah and I got married), Oldwalls, Oxwich Bay Hotel, The King Arthur, Ocean View and many more.
I also love shooting weddings in Carmarthenshire and Pembrokeshire and have shot at some seriously epic wedding venues in west Wales, including Gellifawr Woodland Retreat, Manorbier Castle, Pembroke Castle (in Haverfordwest), and also Hensol Castle and Craig y Nos Castle.
Wherever you’re getting married, whether it’s in Wales or further afield, I’d love to be there to capture the magic and tell the story of your beautiful day with beautiful wedding photography and/or videography that you and your family with cherish for generations to come.
Let me know your date to find out if I’m available.
Contact
Send me your date to quickly find out if I’m available. I’m also happy to chat on the phone if you’d like a call – please email and we can arrange.
hello@benholbrook.com
Hire Ben Holbrook - hello@benholbrook.com