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About
On Hitched.co.uk since 2011
Last update: September 2026
OBSERVED, NOT STAGED. FELT, NOT FORCED.
Smiling Tiger Studios is a documentary wedding photography and film studio based in Dorset, covering weddings across the South West and throughout the UK.
Their philosophy is simple: a wedding is something to experience, not perform.
The studio is interested in people, relationships and everything that happens between the obvious moments. The nervous hand before a ceremony. A parent trying not to cry. Friends disappearing off laughing. A look across a crowded room. The moment the dance floor completely loses control.
These things can't be staged. They have to be noticed.
THE SMILING TIGER EYE
Led by founder and former photojournalist Linus Moran, Smiling Tiger Studios brings more than 15 years of experience and over 400 weddings to every celebration.
That experience has shaped what the studio calls the Smiling Tiger eye - knowing how to read a room, understand relationships and recognise when something is about to happen.
Sometimes it's the huge moment everybody sees.
Sometimes it's something that lasts half a second.
Both matter.
YOUR WEDDING ISN'T A PHOTOSHOOT
Smiling Tiger Studios works quietly and unobtrusively, allowing couples to spend their wedding with the people they invited rather than disappearing for hours of photographs.
For most of the day, there is nothing couples need to do for the camera at all.
When portraits are wanted, the approach is equally simple - a short wander, good light, a little direction when it's useful and enough space for couples to be themselves.
Not teaching people how to perform for a camera. Making them comfortable enough that they don't have to.
The result is photography that feels natural because the moments within it actually were.
PEOPLE MAKE WEDDINGS
Every wedding is approached on its own terms.
There is no formula to reproduce and no interest in recreating somebody else's wedding from a Pinterest board.
Instead, Smiling Tiger Studios wants to understand the people.
Who matters? Who'll be first on the dance floor? Who'll cry during the speeches? Which relationships carry history? Who has travelled halfway around the world to be there?
Understanding those things makes it possible to photograph much more than what a wedding looked like.
It allows the studio to preserve what it felt like to be there.
PHOTOGRAPHY + FILM
The same documentary philosophy runs through Smiling Tiger Studios' wedding films.
Rather than turning the wedding into a film production, the team works around the day as it naturally unfolds. Vows, speeches, laughter, movement, music and the natural sounds of the celebration become part of the storytelling.
Photography preserves the split seconds.
Film brings back the voices, movement and sound.
Together, they tell different parts of the same story.
Smiling Tiger Studios also offers engagement photography, extended coverage and aerial imagery and film where appropriate.
SUBTLE. EMOTIVE. RAW.
Smiling Tiger Studios is based in Dorset and regularly photographs weddings throughout Dorset, Hampshire, Somerset, Wiltshire, Devon and further across the UK.
For couples who want to spend their wedding actually having a wedding - surrounded by their people, present in the moment and not constantly thinking about the camera - Smiling Tiger Studios might just be the right fit.
Plan enough that the day works. Leave enough space that it can live.
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?
If needed, would you be able to work extra hours?
How do you charge extra time?
What are the forms of payment?
How do you work?
Served in
Dorset, Gloucestershire, Hampshire and Somerset
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Reach out about anything you didn't see answered here—no question is too small!Reviews for Smiling Tiger Studios
Couldn't have asked for anything more!
Linus replied to our initial enquiry really quickly and we were reassured in our first meeting that he was highly reliable and professional. In addition there was real clarity over pricing through his website as well as a wide range of previous work to look at, which made us confident in our choice.
On the day Linus captured so many beautiful and fun moments, featuring all our lovely guests and our pet dog ring bearer! His catch up with us before the day and calm presence on the day helped the whole thing feel really relaxed.
We also had the whole set of photos back less than 3 weeks after the wedding which was much quicker than we expecting for such a large, high quality set of photos. All our friends and family have commented on how wonderful the photos are and we are so happy to have such beautiful captured moments to look back on.
Brilliant photographer, excellent service and value for money.
Incredible memories
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