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Ray Sawyer
Wedding photographer for awesome couples throughout Northumberland, Yorkshire, Newcastle and Durham.
10 Years Experience, 300+ Weddings, 150+ Awards
Film

Cinematic Highlights, Timeless Memories.
Highlight Films
Add film to your collection to create a complete narrative of your day in photo and video. Alongside my photography, I offer a selection of wedding films that beautifully encapsulate the essence of your special day. Full ceremony and speeches are not included in any films.
Feature Film: Dive deep into the magic of your wedding with an 8-12 minute 4K highlight film. This cinematic experience includes an audio narrative, weaving together the most memorable moments of your day.
Short Film: For a more concise yet equally captivating option, the 4-6 minute 4K short film delivers a stunning highlight reel. With an audio narrative that complements the visuals, this film captures the heart of your celebration in a beautifully condensed format.
Vertical Reels: Perfect for social media, three 90-second vertical reels which are a fun, modern take on your wedding day. Designed for platforms like Instagram and TikTok, these reels brings your special moments to life with no audio, allowing the visuals to shine.
Feature Film - Play Me
Ray was outstanding! We can’t thank him enough for capturing our wedding day! It was honestly an absolute honour and pleasure to have him photograph and film our big day! From our first meeting we knew we needed to book him! He put us so at ease, it felt like having another friend at the wedding with us. We are absolutely blown away by our film and photos, he captured the essence of our day just perfectly.
— Sarah & Joe
Approach
my style
You’ve probably seen the phrase ‘It’s a wedding, not a photoshoot’ on my site, and it’s not just a catchy line, it sums up exactly how I work. Most of the day, I’m capturing everything as naturally as it happens. Family hugs, friends cracking up, and little moments that mean everything. I only step in for the family portraits (more on that below), and even the couple portraits are 95% unposed, just the two of you being yourselves.
Still with me? Great! If this sounds like your kind of photography, we’re going to have an absolute blast.

your story
My photography is all about people, capturing human interaction and raw emotion. Whether it’s your dad tearing up when he sees you in your dress for the first time, your nan dabbing her eyes during the speeches, or the epic group hugs after the ceremony, those are the moments I live for.
No two weddings are the same because no two couples are the same. That’s why I don’t show up with a shot list or any preconceived ideas. I let your day unfold naturally and capture the moments that tell your story. My aim is for you to look back at your wedding photos and feel the emotion and atmosphere, not remember staged, awkward poses.

the group
photos
When it comes to family photos, I keep it simple and efficient. I recommend focusing on the VIPs—grandparents, parents, siblings, bridesmaids, and groomsmen. We’ll knock it out in about 10 minutes, leaving you plenty of time to actually enjoy your day, not stand around waiting for Aunt Susan who’s gone AWOL.
Want more group shots? No problem! We can always grab some later in the day when things are more relaxed and we’re not up against the clock. But remember, you book me so you can enjoy your wedding day, not turn it into a long, drawn-out photoshoot. I’m here to make sure your day is fun, not filled with faff.
the
portraits
I know how awkward it can feel being in front of the camera, which is why my approach to couple portraits is super relaxed. No stiff poses or fake smiles here, just you two walking hand in hand, having a laugh, and enjoying a few quiet moments together.
Most of my direction is minimal, where to stand or which path to stroll along. Nothing too staged, unless you’re after more of an editorial vibe, in which case, I’ve got you covered. For the most part, we’ll do two quick 5-minute portrait sessions during the day, so you’re not pulled away from the action for too long. I might even pop on some of your favourite tunes to keep things chilled!

the
dance floor
This is where the fun really kicks off! I’ll be right there capturing the dance floor madness, from the epic shoulder carries to your bridesmaid nailing The Worm. I’ll typically stay an hour after the first dance to make sure the energy of the night is captured. I don’t leave until I know I’ve got everything I need to tell the full story of your day. Let’s make sure every epic moment is documented!

Contact

Authentic Moments, Crafted with Care.
Enquire
I aim to respond to all inquiries within 24 hours. If I’m available for your date, you’ll receive two emails: the first with my Pricing Brochure PDF and availability confirmation, and the second with an Official Booking Proposal to secure your date. If you don’t hear back within 24 hours, please check your spam folder.
Ray's approach was second to none throughout the build up and during the day, resulting in some amazing images that friends and family adore. Our guests couldn’t believe he was there from the very early morning to very nearly being the last man on the dance floor! 100% recommend
— Rebecca & Seb
About

Hey, I'm Ray
Thanks for stopping by! So, a bit about me… I’m Ray, a wedding photographer based in Chilton, Durham. I live here with my amazing wife Bee and our two little gremlins, Elodie and Tobias. Life’s busy with these two running around, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Before photography, I was deep into IT Support, Graphic Design, and Web. A mix of skills that somehow, when mashed together, led me down the path of becoming a wedding photographer. It all kicked off in 2015 when I was designing school prospectuses and realised the photos were, let’s just say, not great. So, I did what anyone would do—I bought a camera on eBay, watched a ton of tutorials, and dove headfirst into the world of photography.
From 2015 to 2017, I dipped my toe in the wedding industry, shooting just a handful of weddings while I figured things out. Then I decided to go all in, and by 2018 I’d booked 38 weddings in my first full year as a pro. No looking back since!
Fast forward a few years, and I’ve now photographed over 300 weddings across the UK and Europe. Along the way, I’ve been incredibly lucky to win over 150 awards, including Winner of 30+ Masters Awards, 2022 Top 3 Wedding Photographer of the Year – Masters, and being named a 2021 + 2022 Rangefinder 30 Rising Stars Nominee. Not to mention picking up the 2021 + 2020 Wedding Photographer of the Year and UK Number One Photographer – Wedisson. It’s been a wild ride, but one I’m so grateful for.
When it comes to my photography, it’s simple: it’s a wedding day, not a photoshoot. I’m all about capturing the real, authentic moments that make your day special. No forced poses or awkward smiles, just genuine memories that you can look back on and feel all the feels. I’ve been told more than once that having me at a wedding feels like having a mate there with a camera—and that’s exactly how it should be!

Outside of weddings, you’ll find me with a coffee in hand (Whittard’s Coffees of the World set is a personal fave), holidaying with the fam, or enjoying a cheeky glass of red wine. I’m also a sucker for charcuterie boards and musicals like Les Misérables and Phantom of the Opera—don’t judge! TV-wise, I’m into Ozark, Yellowstone, Suits (shame all 3 are now finished) and anything directed by Spielberg, Nolan, or Snyder.
Well, that’s a little bit about me. If you think I’d be a great fit for your wedding, and you’re looking for relaxed, authentic photos that tell the real story of your day, let’s have a chat. I’d bloody love to hear from you!
The Family
Bee, Tobias and Elodie x
Pricing
Enquire for a quote
I believe in keeping things straightforward, which is why I offer a single comprehensive photography package that ensures your wedding story is beautifully captured from start to finish.

The Collection
From bridal preparations to the energy of the dance floor, I typically don’t leave until 9pm.
5 couple portraits you can post to social media the day of the wedding!
A secure, beautifully designed gallery, with an integrated print store for prints, frames, and albums.
Delivered in my signature Filmic TrueTone™ colours for a timeless, soulful aesthetic.
Via Zoom or in person (location permitting), I’m here to discuss plans, ideas, or questions.
Your gallery is delivered within 8 weeks, reflecting the care and precision I put into each image.
With 10+ years of experience and passion, I’ll guide and create a collection of images truly unique to you.
Words do not express our thanks and gratitude. Ray, you have went above and beyond for us over the last 3 years and we are now lucky enough to call you a good friend. You were a pivotal part of our big day and helped to make it so perfect.
— Amy & James
Additional Services
My films are captured alongside your photography, seamlessly blending both mediums. I offer a 4-6 minute highlight film, an 8-12 minute feature film with audio snippets (NO full speeches or ceremony), and a set of three unique 90-second Vertical Reels, perfect for socials, featuring no audio from the day.
Vertical Reel X3, 90 seconds: +£500
Short Film, 4-6 minutes: +£1000
Feature Film, 8-12 minutes: +£1500
All Films, 3 Reels, Short Film + Feature Film; +£2500
Full Recording of Speeches: +£250
For full videography coverage, including the entire ceremony and speeches, I can recommend trusted videographers.
Perfect for weddings with 120+ guests, when extra coverage is needed or if booking Hybrid Coverage of photo/video.
They capture alternative angles, cover multiple prep locations, and handle moments like guest arrivals while I focus on you. This ensures every candid detail is captured seamlessly. Expect 150-200 additional photos, all hand-edited in my signature TrueTone™ style. Maximise your coverage with this valuable addition.
I have a trusted team of associate photographers – If you require two, three or more photographers this is not a problem.
+ £500 Per Shooter
Highly Recommend; A wonderful way for us to build a connection before your wedding day. It’s important to me that you feel comfortable and at ease, rather than having a stranger behind the camera on such an important day.
This session allows you to get familiar with being photographed, while we chat about your wedding plans and capture beautiful, relaxed portraits to celebrate your engagement. It’s the perfect opportunity to create memories and ensure you feel completely at ease when your big day arrives. I often recommend the Lake District for the incredible views but the location can be your choice, if extra travel is needed such as a train to London, this is charged extra at cost.
+ £500
All your wedding photos, expertly edited and delivered within a week. Perfect for reliving your day without delay.
+ £500
Enhance your wedding gallery with the timeless charm of 35mm black and white film photography. Using my classic Canon AE-1 Program camera and Ilford HP5 film, this add-on offers 36 exposures per roll, capturing your day with a nostalgic and unpredictable beauty that only film can provide.
Due to the nature of analogue photography, I can’t guarantee all 36 exposures will be perfect—that’s part of the magic. Each shot holds the excitement of discovery, as you won’t see the final images until they’re developed.
Your film will be processed by one of the UK’s finest film labs in Leeds. The high-resolution JPEG scans, will be delivered alongside your digital gallery. These stunning images are perfect for printing, adding a distinctive and artistic touch to your wedding collection.
+ £150 per roll of HP5 film (includes roll, development, archiving & gallery delivery)
