Attributes highlighted by couples
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?
What does the wedding package include?
How far in advance should I contact you?
Do you cover more than one wedding a day?
Can you travel?
What is the charge for travelling?
What style of photos do you take?
What kind of technology do you use?
Do you use a specific technique or innovative approach?
What kind of equipment do you use?
Do you offer any tool to display the photos online?
What's the delivery time for a photographic report?
Do you send all the photos taken?
Do you work alone or do you have a team of professionals?
In case of unforeseen circumstances, do you have a replacement photographer?
Do you have the rights to publish the wedding photos?
Do you charge per hour or per event?
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How do you work?
Served in
Hertfordshire, South West London and Surrey
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Meet the team
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.