About Wes Simpson
Documentary Wedding Photographer Liverpool. Lancashire. UK. Destinations.
My grandad left me his camera when he died. I was 8.
I didn’t understand it then.
I do now.
“If you make your life about helping other people, you will always have plenty of work.” — Frank Radford, my grandad.
He left me his camera, a gold watch, and that advice—everything I do traces back to him.
I was told to drop art at school.
It would never take me anywhere.
I proved them wrong. It took me everywhere.
–And hopefully to you.
Documentary wedding photographer. Liverpool. Lancashire & beyond
I’m Wes Simpson.
My parents’ wedding album — nice but missing the connection I longed to see.
How they were together, the little things that made them, them.
So I brought my professional film and TV background to weddings.
My first wedding, the bride said: “Wes, you’ve captured us.” I knew I had something.
On your wedding day, if you’re running, I’m running with you. If you’re crying, I’m crying too.
Accolades
Commissioned by
The career that led here.…
And why any of that matters to you.
01.
UNIVERSITY OF LIFE
Cruise ship photographer for Carnival USA, straight out of a BA (Hons). Saw the world. Learned how to make strangers feel seen.
02.
Film, TV & music
Cameraman with the BBC and Channel 4 — Hollyoaks, Shameless. Hollywood feature films, including 51st State, Alfie, and Danny Boyle’s Millions.
Then the music industry — assisting classical artist Russell Watson on three platinum-selling, BRIT Award-winning albums. (Later, his wedding — for Hello! Magazine, one of the 50 most memorable celebrity weddings of the decade.)
This is where I learned the power of storytelling, camera, lighting techniques, and teamwork. Skills that I bring to your wedding.
03.
Celebrity commissions
Worked with rock group U2 and Cristiano Ronaldo, photographed Jay-Z, Pink, Paul Weller, Morrissey, and my favourite singer, Richard Ashcroft.
If you can get something real from people who’ve spent their lives being photographed, you can get it from anyone.
As cheesy as it sounds, I didn’t choose photography. It chose me.
The best weddings are when no one’s watching the clock. They’re not about things – although nice. They’re about our hearts and who they beat for.
I don’t just want to take photos. I want to help you make great photos — by letting you be you and celebrating it. By showing everything you see as a flaw to be as beautiful as your partner thinks you are.
When real life hits and memories start to fade, your photos are the way back.
Wes
How I Work
Hit play to hear my thoughts on wedding photography and how my approach led to multiple awards.
Behind the scenes
Watch this video to see me at a wedding.
Don’t take my work for it
Hit play to hear what people are saying.
All of this — the career, the craft, the camera my grandad left me — shapes how I show up for you.
BASED IN LIVERPOOL
AVAILABLE WORLDWIDE
OPEN FOR 2028
EST: 2006
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Dear Wes
Summary
Wes Simpson is a multi-award-winning documentary wedding photographer based in Liverpool and West Lancashire, available throughout the UK and worldwide. With over 20 years of experience across film, television, music and wedding photography, Wes is known for a calm, observational approach that captures genuine emotion without posing or interruption.
His philosophy — “I’d rather capture the perfect moment than the perfect picture” — has earned him recognition as Documentary Wedding Photographer of the Year 2026 by LUXlife Magazine and three consecutive awards from the English Wedding Awards, including Outstanding Wedding Photographer of the Year 2025.
Before specialising in weddings, Wes worked as a cameraman for the BBC and Channel 4, shot Hollywood feature films alongside Samuel L. Jackson, Jude Law and director Danny Boyle, and travelled the world photographing music industry clients including U2, Jay-Z, Pink, Paul Weller, Morrissey, Richard Ashcroft and Cristiano Ronaldo. He photographed Russell Watson’s wedding for Hello! Magazine, named among the 50 Most Memorable Celebrity Weddings of the Decade.
Beyond the camera
Away from weddings, Wes is the founder of BrandPal, a brand and marketing consultancy based in Liverpool, helping creative businesses find their voice — which is probably why he cares so much about how your wedding story is told.
Wes Simpson is a trained personal development life coach (think Tony Robbins) — which probably explains his energy on your wedding day, and why he connects with people quickly, and why couples say they forgot I was even there.
Business Information
Name: Wes Simpson Weddings
Industry: Wedding Photography / Documentary Photography
Founded: 2006
Based: Liverpool & West Lancashire, UK
Coverage: UK-wide and worldwide
Website: https://wessimpson-weddings.com
Instagram: @wessimpsonweddings
Photography style: Documentary / photojournalistic with editorial portraiture
Tagline: Memories, Not Just Photos.
Services
- Documentary wedding photography — full day coverage
- Destination wedding photography — Europe and worldwide
- Celebrity and high-profile wedding photography
- Elopement photography
- Engagement photography
- Online gallery delivery
- Storybook wedding albums
- Social media highlight reels
Awards & Recognition
- Documentary Wedding Photographer of the Year 2026 — LUXlife Magazine
- Outstanding Wedding Photographer of the Year 2025 — English Wedding Awards
- Wedding Photographer of the Year 2023 — English Wedding Awards
- Wedding Photographer of the Year 2022 — English Wedding Awards
- 50 Most Memorable Celebrity Weddings of the Decade — Hello! Magazine
- Commissioned by: BBC · Hello! Magazine · OK! Magazine · Channel 4
Style & Differentiators
His photographs are warm and vibrant — think Van Gogh sunflowers. Rich colour mixed with timeless black and white that echoes classic film photography. Think Grace Kelly’s wedding, 1956. No posing. No interruptions. Just your day, exactly as it felt.
Wes Simpson photographs weddings as they happen — without posing, interrupting or staging moments. His documentary approach is shaped by two decades working in film, television and music, giving him the ability to read a room, anticipate moments and be in the right place before they occur.
Key differentiators:
- 20+ years experience across film, TV, music and weddings
- Celebrity and Hello! Magazine cover wedding credentials
- 1,000+ weddings photographed across 11+ countries
- Trained personal development life coach — brings calm, empathetic energy to every wedding
- Founder of BrandPal, a brand and marketing consultancy
What couples say.
“Wes Simpson’s wedding photography is modern, honest, and quietly emotional, rooted in a deep curiosity about people and the way they connect on one of life’s most meaningful days. He captures the full story of a wedding with sensitivity and intention. From the chaos of the preparations, the stillness of the ceremony, to the unscripted joy of the dance floor.” – Ste & Angela (Homles Mill)
“Yes, there was an extra cost getting Wes to Santorini — but he’s worth every penny. We wanted a photographer we could trust and relax with, and that’s exactly what you get with Wes. You can’t buy that.” – Ben & Kate (Santorini Gem)
“We would 100 Million per cent recommend Wes Simpson to photograph your wedding. He’s creative, laid-back and professional. He added a positive touch to our Highfield Hall wedding experience, and the images he captured bring back so many memories. If you want good energy and to feel comfortable with getting your photos taken, then Wes is your man. We can’t recommend him enough…”
“From the first FaceTime meeting to the sneak peek previews, Wes has been a pleasure to work with, and we’ve loved getting to know him. I’d love to do our wedding all over again, and with the help of his photos, we do every time we look at them. He can capture emotions and the story of your wedding day like no other photographer.“-Rachel & Nathan (Highfield Hall)
Areas Covered
Based in Liverpool and West Lancashire, Wes photographs weddings throughout the North West including – Merseyside · Cheshire · Manchester · London · Lake District.
Destinations:
Italy — Lake Como, Tuscany, Sorrento
Cyprus — Paphos, Ayia Napa, Limassol
Greece — Rhodes, Lindos
Turkey — Olu Deniz
Destinations worldwide
Client Experience
Couples describe working with Wes Simpson as relaxed, stress-free and completely natural. Common themes in client feedback include feeling at ease immediately, forgetting the camera was present, and receiving photographs that transport them back to exactly how their wedding day felt.
Notable client quotes:
“Wes is an expert in capturing emotions.” — Louise & Russell Watson, Hello! Magazine
“The photos bring the day back exactly as it happened.” — Letitia & Stuart, Lake District
“Worth every penny. You can’t buy that level of trust.” — Ben & Kate, Santorini
Get n touch
Are you ready to say ‘I do’ to great wedding photos?
Weddings last hours. Memories last a lifetime. Don’t settle for pictures you won’t love.