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Attributes highlighted by couples

Capturing memories
Seasoned with weddings
Pristine quality
Photographer

About

On Hitched.co.uk since 2022

Last update: May 2026

Michael Willatt has been photographing weddings in and around London for 14 years. He's shot over 400 of them. Most couples book him because they don't want a photographer who makes the day about the photography. He finds this completely reasonable.

His approach is guided documentary - which in practice means spending most of the day in the background, watching, waiting, and catching the moments that happen when nobody's performing for the camera. The first dance when one of you mouths something to the other. Your dad trying not to cry during the speeches. The quiet bit at the end of the ceremony when it finally lands that you're actually married.

The portrait session - around 20/30 minutes, built into every full-day booking - is where things get a little more deliberate. Not a long list of poses, just a bit of gentle direction, a good location, and enough time to get something that looks like the two of you rather than a stock photo.

That's where the editorial influence comes in. Think less "stand here and smile", more the kind of images you'd stop scrolling for - natural light, real expression, a bit of atmosphere. Not manufactured romance, just the actual thing, caught at the right moment.

He's especially good with couples who are convinced they're terrible in front of a camera. The pre-wedding shoot, included with full-day packages, tends to sort that out - by the time the wedding comes around, the camera isn't a big deal anymore.

There's also a Dry Wedding Guarantee: if the weather makes outdoor portraits impossible on the day, he'll arrange a complimentary reshoot. Because some things are worth protecting.

Four consecutive Hitched Wedding Awards. Licentiate of the British Institute of Professional Photography.

The photos last longer than the flowers. It's worth getting right.

Frequently asked questions

What services do you offer?

Photography
Pre wedding
Post wedding
Albums
Mini albums
Digital album
High resolution photos
Photocall
Photo booth

What does the wedding package include?

All day photography plus professional boxed album & classic wooden framed photo for your wall

How far in advance should I contact you?

Please contact me whenever suits you. From a couple of years to 2 days before your wedding

Do you cover more than one wedding a day?

No

Can you travel?

Yes, worldwide

What is the charge for travelling?

Free inside M25, then travel is priced on spec

What style of photos do you take?

Traditional
Artistic
Photo journalism
Fine art photography

What kind of technology do you use?

Digital

Do you use a specific technique or innovative approach?

I like us to meet in person so we get to know each other. We need to get on well so we you feel comfortable you have the right photographer and I can get the best phots for your album

What kind of equipment do you use?

35mm professional digital Nikon kit

Do you offer any tool to display the photos online?

Yes, private, password protected gallery on my website

What's the delivery time for a photographic report?

1 month

Do you send all the photos taken?

No

Do you work alone or do you have a team of professionals?

Alone

In case of unforeseen circumstances, do you have a replacement photographer?

Yes

Do you have the rights to publish the wedding photos?

Yes

Do you charge per hour or per event?

Per hour

If needed, would you be able to work extra hours?

Yes

How do you charge extra time?

If it's under 30mins there’s no charge. Then £120 per hour thereafter

What are the forms of payment?

Bank Transfer & Credit Card

How do you work?

I remain in the background for the main part of the day. I'll lightly direct things for your portraits and any formal photos. Other than that you guys just party on and ignore me

Served in

Hertfordshire, South West London and Surrey

illustration notebook

Do you have any questions?

Reviews for Michael Willatt Photography

J
Jess Sent on 03/10/2025
5 out of 5 rating

We couldn’t be happier with our experience!

We couldn’t be happier with our experience! From the very start, Michael was kind, professional, and such a calming presence on our big day. He blended in so seamlessly with our guests that it felt like he was part of the celebration, which meant he was able to capture the most beautiful candid moments that we’ll cherish forever.

On top of that, the portrait shots Michael took of us are absolutely stunning — natural, timeless, and truly reflective of who we are as a couple. He managed to capture every emotion and little detail so perfectly.

We are beyond grateful for Michael’s talent and effort. If you’re looking for someone who is not only an incredible photographer but also a joy to have around, we can’t recommend Michael enough!
J
Josephine Sent on 16/05/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Thoughtful & personalised! Highly recommend!

We had such a lovely experience with Michael - what an absolute gentleman! From our very first reach out, the prep calls in-between, and the day itself, Michael was professional and thoughtful throughout.

He guided us through the practical tips & planning that would help on the day (group shots, places nearby for location between venues), and the pre-wedding shoot was indeed a great idea to do to get all involved as comfortable as possible. We, for example, chose a completely different venue vs. what would be the actual church venue.

He was enthusiastic about the different things we wanted to try, and the correspondence of admin via email & calls was a consistent and reassuring presence. On the wedding day, he was extremely sensitive about positioning and not being in the way. He also got on great with a number of our guests - making it a fun experience all around! We’d wholeheartedly recommend Michael to others; he’s a trusted & supportive pair of hands for sure.
E
Et Wong Sent on 28/03/2026
5 out of 5 rating

Incredible photos, amazing service

Michael was very professional and accommodating. We had him as our photographer at our wedding, and he captured the sentiments perfectly while being discreet. Would highly recommend him to anyone.
Alice
Alice Sent on 18/03/2026
5 out of 5 rating

An Absolute Joy to Work With!

If you are looking for a photographer who is as talented as they are kind, look no further than Michael Willatt. From the very first moment we booked him, through every stage of the planning process, Michael was the definition of professional.

​What truly sets Michael apart, though, is his incredible personality. He is so easy-going and has a natural gift for putting everyone at ease. He didn't just take photos; he made the entire process incredibly fun! He has this amazing ability to interject joy into the day, making us feel completely comfortable in front of the lens.

​Our guests haven't stopped raving about him, either. Every single person we spoke to commented on how lovely he was and how much they enjoyed his presence. He felt less like a vendor and more like a part of the celebration.

​The photos are absolutely fantastic. We couldn't be happier with how he captured the essence of our day. We cannot recommend Michael highly enough—he is a true professional and a wonderful person to have by your side on such a special occasion!
Mervyn
Mervyn Sent on 03/03/2026
4.8 out of 5 rating

A moment to remember.

Michael Willatt is a very detailed oriented and patient photographer. knowing this day the customer demands could be so personal and varied. Michael could always adjust to suit the best of customer's need. Michael' ve been on the spot of my wedding for solid 4 hours and captured lots of precious moments. My partner and me have very high demand and Michael have been always very helpful. I really appreciate that.
R
Rupi Sent on 23/11/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Great photographer and a great experience!

Michael was a great photographer. From start to finish he was calm, flexible and really responsive. The pre-wedding/engagement with Michael helped us learn about him and for him to get to know us. This session helped us relax and made the day a lot easier. Our wedding photos are fabulous and we love them. Thank you Michael!
E
Emma Sent on 26/10/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Michael is an amazing photographer and person!

We found Michael online and reached out via email. He got back to us so quickly and we booked in a call to discuss what we were after. He was super friendly, clearly very experienced and knowledgeable, we felt we were in safe hands! We decided to book with Michael and his communication throughout was great, everything felt really organised.

When it came to the wedding day, he was so great - calming, fun, very professional. I didn’t even notice him he just knows what to do!

We were so pleased with our photos, we got them much quicker than we expected too! His photography is fantastic but having him part of are day was just so lovely. Can’t stress enough how reassuring and skilled he is!

Would absolutely recommend to everyone! Thank you so much Michael!
L
Livi Sent on 16/08/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Book Michael - seriously good choice

We were so happy with Michael as our photographer. He's a real pro, took some showstopping pictures and is an easygoing lovely guy (important as you'll spend a lot of time with your photographer). We appreciated the engagement shoot as a warmup (we are pretty awkward people in front of a camera) so the actual day was relaxed and easy. Michael was super responsive, very organised and touched up pictures for us where requested ;) Wouldn't hesitate to recommend
Keith
Keith Sent on 01/08/2025
5 out of 5 rating

GREAT Photographer

We loved having Michael at our wedding. He was really professional. He made us feel at ease and was great with all of our guests. But most importantly his pictures were stunning. We only wish we could afford to pint them all!
L
Lynda Sent on 02/07/2025
5 out of 5 rating

We could not of been happier with the experience.

Michael was an absolute joy to work with and did a fantastic job photographing our wedding. From the very first phone call, Michael was responsive, thoughtful and friendly. He had some great suggestions about where to take photographs and made us both feel at ease. He made the whole day run smoothly whilst being fun to be around. If you are considering hiring Michael, I would whole-heartedly recommend that you do.
Max
Max Sent on 30/06/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Captured our day perfectly

Michael went Above & Beyond to meet our needs for our wedding day. He was extremely professional and made sure he understood exactly what we wanted from our photos before the day so that we could actually enjoy the day and not have to worry. We asked him for certain shots of which he did them all.
The fact he does a pre-meet up before the wedding day to have a practice shoot really helped us relax as neither of us enjoy being in front of the camera. It also allowed us to pick what we wanted to do on the day to save time so that we could actually go and enjoy time with our friends instead.
We wanted very natural shots, mostly, which is why we picked Michael as we liked his photography style and he did not disappoint us.
Thank you for our wonderful photos!
Max
T
Tim Sent on 28/06/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Extremely professional

Can't recommend Michael highly enough. From replying soon after the initial point of contact to checking in before and after the event, we always felt Michael had our best interests at heart. Amazing photos and gave us exactly what we wanted. Super friendly too which is an added bonus. Nothing seems too much for him.
Augusta
Augusta Sent on 25/06/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Great wedding photographer

We couldn’t be happier with our experience working with Michael for our wedding. He offered an engagement shoot where he came to visit us before which was a great touch as we got to know him and he made us feel comfortable with his style and tested a few poses out. He really spent the time with us which we appreciated. The wedding day went smoothly and the photos are brilliant. He captured everything we were expecting, and lots of casual/subtle moments that we will cherish.

On top of that, the turnaround time was incredibly fast. We were so excited to see the final photos, and we were not disappointed! Michael is really friendly and we would definitely work with him again.
K
Kate Sent on 13/06/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Fantastic Photogrpher

What can I say... What a lovely, helpful and generally nice man. From the initial contact to the actual wedding day Michael could not have been more helpful, from guiding us through the process to making suggestions to ensure we got the best possible photos to remember our day. Could not be happier with the service he provided.
Stephanie
Stephanie Sent on 29/04/2025
5 out of 5 rating

Michael didn’t just take photos — he time-travelled, soul-read, and sprinkled fairy dust on our memories.

We were incredibly lucky to have Michael as our wedding photographer. Not only is he a consummate professional with a fine eye for detail, but he is also a truly wonderful human being — kind, thoughtful, and calming in every way. From the very beginning, he took the time to get to know us as a couple, meeting us well before the big day to understand our vision, our story, and what truly mattered to us.

On the day itself, Michael was simply extraordinary. The photos he took of the bride getting ready were not only stunning but captured with such sensitivity and attention to detail — the delicate moments, the joy, the anticipation, and even the quiet reassurances he offered that helped put everyone at ease. He brought warmth and encouragement to the whole bridal team.

But his real genius shone during the ceremony. Michael managed to blend in seamlessly, liaising so gently with the groom and guests while never being intrusive. He captured every touching moment of the ceremony with such care and precision, preserving memories we will treasure forever. His photographs are moving, joyful, and deeply human.

After the ceremony, Michael had already scouted the perfect location for our couple shots, ensuring not a moment was wasted. He gently guided us in a way that felt natural and unforced, producing images that genuinely reflect who we are — not a trace of anything cheesy or clichéd. Just pure, authentic storytelling through his lens.

Even the details — like our stunning wedding cake — didn’t escape his eye. He made sure it too was captured in all its glory!

I chose Michael because I had seen his previous work and was struck by its authenticity, the warmth it radiated, and the elegant, delicate touch he brings to his craft. He never goes over the top, yet his work is never bland — always full of soul.

Michael is a joy to be around, someone who instantly makes you feel at ease and who you can trust wholeheartedly. His pricing is extremely fair, especially considering the exceptional quality of his work. With so many aspects of weddings often overpriced, Michael stands out not only for his talent but for his integrity.

I would recommend him wholeheartedly and without hesitation. Truly, one of the best decisions we made for our wedding day.
We're all about trust. Our community relies on honest reviews to make your big decisions easier.

Badges

Hitched Wedding Awards 2026 Winner
Hitched Wedding Awards 2025 Winner
Hitched Wedding Awards 2024 Winner
Hitched Wedding Awards 2023 Winner
illustration stars

Did the reviews win you over?

Michael Willatt Photography Real Weddings

Gary & Michelle
37 photos · 27/09/2025
Jess & Joe
43 photos · 30/08/2025
Augusta & Tom
39 photos · 31/05/2025
Fiona & Alistair
35 photos · 21/09/2024
Kelly & Iqbal
101 photos · 07/07/2023
Pauline & Alan
62 photos · 14/08/2021

Deals

Meet the team

Michael Willatt
Michael Willatt
Owner

Hi, I'm Michael.

Think of me as your professional third-wheel, your unofficial bridesmaid-man, and your ninja-in-a-nice-shirt. My mission? To capture the real, unstuffy, beautifully chaotic moments of your wedding day. I'm all about the belly laughs, the happy tears, and the "we-did-it!" high-fives. Stuffy, awkward poses are my arch-nemesis. Your genuine story is my jam.

When I'm not behind the camera, I'm probably fuelled by an alarming amount of coffee, exploring the south downs by foot or MTB, and hunting for the next moody shaft of lighty for a nifty photo op.

So if you want photos that feel as fun and authentic as your love story, let's chat.

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Map

18 Ullathorne Road SW16 1SA London - South West (South West London)

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