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Freddie Bates Photography

Northumberland · Scotland · Yorkshire · Cumbria · UK · Europe · anywhere you're going

Here to deliver on your dreams, whether that be timeless, refined elegance or foot-stomping, beer-soaked fun.

I'm Freddie and I document how the day actually felt, not just how it looked for that twenty minutes in front of a lens: the belly laughs, your hands reaching for one another, the chaos, the quiet, all stitched into a gallery with a heartbeat. I photograph weddings that are lived, not performed.

Liz & Josh's wedding at Dalston Hall, Cumbria

Chapter one

Nothing's really happened yet, and it's already one of my favourite parts of the day.

Your mum clumsily doing your veil as she holds back tears. Your best man rehearsing a speech he’ll edit five times on the day. A room full of people who love you, being slightly drunk and useless together.

For most of the morning I’m just another guest with a camera, chatting to whoever’s on tea duty and catching the bits you’ll only see for the first time in your gallery. If nerves kick in, I’m a calm shoulder. If the room needs waking up, I’m your hype man.

Wedding photography at Hexham Abbey
Libby & Tyler's wedding at The Hidden Oak, County Durham
Libby & Tyler's wedding at The Hidden Oak, County Durham
Libby & Tyler's wedding at The Hidden Oak, County Durham

Chapter two

Wedding photography at Lartington Hall

You'll remember your vows, but will you see your dad's face as you say them?

Ceremonies move fast and they only happen once – chances are, you won’t have a chance to look away from each other to take in the beautiful faces around you. I’ve shot enough of them to know where to stand before I need to be standing there.

No flash. No interruptions. No photographer blocking your guests’ view of the important moments.

The method

Every day I shoot gets divided three ways.

20

Safe. The anchors of your day. Family groups, the rings, the room before anyone's in it. Calm hands, quiet voice, nothing missed.

60

Real. The heart of the day as it unfolds. Nobody looking at me, nobody being told what to do, just the whole thing as it actually happened.

20

Bold. Weather, movement, hard light: the intentional handful of warm editorial portraits and breath-catching frames you'll return to again and again.

Chapter three

Twenty minutes per session. That's all I need you for.

We'll walk somewhere with good light and I'll ask you something daft to get you talking instead of posing, the same kind of daft my wife rolls her eyes at. About a minute later you'll forget the camera's even there. It's 90% candid, 10% gentle, intentional guidance. I'm not turning your portrait time into a content shoot - just a quietly energised moment where you can enjoy a moment away from the madness and soak up what has just happened. What's left is a beautiful set of warm editorial portraits that reflect who you are as a couple, the ones that actually get framed.

Caitlin & Tom's wedding at Doxford Barns, Northumberland
Laura & Kieren's wedding at Durham Masonic Hall
Wedding photography at The Story, Durham
Wedding photography at Teeside, North Yorkshire

Chapter four

The bit your guests cut loose for and where all the dancefloor magic happens.

I stay for this beautiful madness. Ten hours means ten hours, and the last two are where your drunk uncle finally gets on the dancefloor.

Libby & Tyler's wedding at The Hidden Oak, County Durham

What it costs

I only take on 30 weddings a year, so whichever of these you book, you're getting my full attention.

Currently booking 2027

Tell me about your day.

Where it's happening, roughly when, and what you're most looking forward to. That's genuinely all I need to start with.

Check your date