So why would I do this? When I first got into this business I was looking for a way to see what the competition were up to and really couldn’t find any rankings whatsoever. I couldn’t really rely on photography competition winners since those rankings are based on those who actually participate. Secondly, Its a great way to generate discussion in this industry of ours, you should have seen all the commotion that was caused last year! Thirdly, it was a great way to “meet” some of the best in the business and learn from them. So from my point of view doing a “Top 10 wedding Photographers” list was a no-brainer. Finally, David Letterman was unavailable to do the list, so I took up the cause.

Photo by Rob Burress

So how did I decide on the Top 10 wedding photographers in the UK?

Through hours and hours of negotiation I was finally allowed to use CERN’s particle collider machine in Switzerland to compute who deserved to be included in this year’s list. In fact I was the main reason the particle collider broke, while feeding all the different candidates websites into the machine I forgot to tell the collider to have the music on everyone’s website turned to “off”, I tortured the poor thing.

I also dropped a few from last year’s list and I’ve also added some fresh new faces for everyone to have a look at.

There were a few criteria that were essential in this years list. Team Randolph Quan personally contacted everyone who was nominated, if there was any moaning involved about being included they were quickly eliminated (The particle machine dislikes moaning). We also looked for hidden gems throughout the UK. We awarded extra points if photographer’s were from less populated parts of the country.

Our team also judged website presentation. We penalized photographers heavily if they had poor websites. The attention to detail is so key in photography that even if shooters had great images we felt that a poor website detracted us from them.

Unfortunately, much like last year I couldn’t include myself in this list. I tried to sneak my way to number 4 but I was caught red handed! There’s something just not right about awarding yourself a “Quanie”. Perhaps one day I can award one of those lifetime achievement awards myself like they do at the Oscars.

So a big congratulation goes to 2008’s Top 10 wedding photographers in the UK winner Christian Keenan! This year each photographer has kindly sent in their favourite photographs of the past year and explained why its special to them. Enjoy! Cry! Discuss!!!!

1. Christian Keenan

“It is very hard to choose a favourite image from my weddings this past year as every wedding has images that I am very proud of. This image of the beautiful bride walking down a grand staircase with her father and bridesmaids I think captures their moment perfectly. The bride is just about to walk into the church and is anticipating all of the emotions which that entails, while her father gently steadies her with his hand as they negotiate the stairs.”

2. David Pullum

“I love the framing of this image, the fact that there are people other than the bride and groom in the image and that they both have umbrellas. The image appears timeless.”

3. Anil Tohani

“I l love this photo because of the emotion on the brides face, she just seems so joyful in that precise moment, you simple cannot pose frames like this. They just happen. Also I love the composition which shows off the mood of the first dance perfectly, all that falling confetti gives the images a magical feel.”

4. Julie Kim

5. Mark Wallis

6. Christian Michael

“Our shot of Lindsay and Simon walking away from Pendennis Castle in Falmouth, Cornwall is probably our favourite shot from 2008. The light was wonderful, sky detail was perfect, and Pendennis is an imposing wedding venue that really makes a feature in the background of this shot. We had been shooting some images around the Castle, previous to this, when the couple had to return to the reception to have their wedding breakfast, and whilst walking back we captured this totally natural intimate moment, which along with the technical aspects of this picture makes it our favourite shot from 2008.”

7. Nick Kirk

“This is a picture of some fireworks at a wedding I covered last August. They set them off just at the right time in the evening still with some dusky blue colour available allowing the firework colours to captured properly. Definitely my favourite photo of 2008″

8. Margaret Macatier

“I love the imagery which is artistic and creative. I work in a very traditional manner in that subjects are very much posed which usually incorporate immediate surrounding be that buildings or landscape. The results are traditional style images with a contemporary twist”

9. Keith Thompson

“I love this image, when I was looking through the lens I just got the feel that this was one of those old holiday postcards. Easily my favourite of 2008″

10. Tom Catchesides

“My approach to wedding photography is all about making images that tell stories and I find the strongest narratives in pictures that show people interacting. This image – a reaction shot from the best man’s speech – is one of my favourites because the story telling elements are strong enough that you know exactly what’s happening outside the frame as well as in it.” http://www.lightbluesoftware.com/

Honourable Mention

Rob Burress – http://www.shootinghip.com/

About the Author: Randolph Quan is a UK based wedding photojournalist. You can follow Randolph on Twitter or check out his wedding photography here.

Wedding photography is changing. In a trade where return business can hardly be depended upon, photographers have traditionally looked to word-of-mouth for the lion’s share of their work. However, with the growth of the internet has arrived a new, and fertile arena for photographers to promote their portfolios; where reputation once stood, web-wise self-promotion now reigns.

But, is a camera and a website really enough to join the ranks of the UK’s wedding photography elite? When the stakes are high – and with fees running well into the thousands, they certainly are – who can you trust to deliver the most professional service on your wedding day? For this list of the UK’s top ten wedding photographers, Randolph Quan – himself cutting a respected figure in the business – offers a industry-insider look at some of the biggest names from the trade today.

1st - Jeff Ascough

“An industry heavyweight with credentials to make any photographer’s eyes water, Jeff is a practically a household name in the world of wedding photography. He’s no stranger to admitting his admiration for the late, great Cartier-Bresson, but when Jeff turned the photojournalist’s lens on weddings he inspired a whole new generation of wedding photographers. If you hire someone to shoot your wedding, ask them what they think of Jeff Ascough – if they give you a blank look, take it as a cue to remind them not to leave the lens cap on later. Numero uno, for sure.”

2nd – Christian Keenan Photography

“Fantastic reportage photography from this Jersey-based photographer. Again, some truly beautiful photojournalism here – it isn’t easy to get warmth and feeling from black and white, but Christian makes it seem effortless. The whole site design is superb, and his blog has some great non-wedding photos, too.”

3rd - David Pullum Photography

“A wedding photographer’s portfolio can be impeccable. The technique, the timing, the lighting; all faultless. But then there’s that extra quality you just can’t quite put your finger on – a natural flair no amount of training can issue you with. David’s non-intrusive attitude towards wedding photography is pretty bog standard for the reportage style he shoots, but there is that certain something about his collection that makes him a real personal favourite.”

4th – Anil Tohani Photography

“The weird thing about wedding photography is that, generally, people would pay a lot of money to avoid the idea of a total stranger shooting their most intimate moments – turn that situation on its head, and you’re suddenly looking for a cast-iron guarantee the photographer won’t miss a thing. Anil specialises in Asian weddings, and it’s easy to see a real sensitivity to the vibrancy and colour of the occasion in his work. It’s a real testament to the calibre of his photos when you have to remind yourself these were each single fragments in time, unique and un-staged. As for the Detail section under his portfolio – outstanding.”

5th – Julia Boggio

“It was sheer joy to see a portfolio of work that doesn’t feel the same, going through website after website tends to hurt your eyes, so when you see something that catches your attention you really notice it. At first I had to look deeper into her website just to make sure she was a wedding photographer, that’s how different her work is. Definite high marks for her outstanding portraiture and outstanding website design. Brilliant!”

6th – Murray Photography

“David Murray has an outstanding body of work, the emotion and energy of each moment he captures really shines through on so many of his images. The first image of his portfolio literally makes you take notice and that this photographer is seriously good.”

7th – Gillian & Tim Foster

“OK. I’ll admit it. I prefer reportage wedding photography. Every ceremony is unique – so why feel obliged to re-enact the same poses people have done a million times before? But, for all that, sometimes a photographer will come along and prove there is still plenty of life in the traditional style – like Tim and Gillian. Traditional, without looking like something you might find in an attic, Gillian and Tim do – dare I say it – classic with a twist. Stylish and individual, a no-brainer for number seven.

8th – Steve Shipman Photography

“A fantastic traditional photographer – one of the best, in fact. I must confess there’s nothing quite like formal photography to show off the grandeur of an stately venue, and it only takes five minutes to see Steve knows it. Like Tim and Gillian, you can forget about the ‘smile and say cheese’ of old – it’s dynamic, inventive stuff.”

9th – Simon Atkins

“Simon’s a professional photographer, not a web designer – and it shows. Still, it’s always good to see a photographer cut his teeth on the news circuit before working weddings – nothing makes for good preparation quite like the real world. The subject of some impressive media coverage himself, I’d say the portfolio – beautiful, imaginative and varied – speaks more for Simon than anything else.”

10th – Margaret McAtier Photography

“You would have come across one, at one point or another – a wedding photograph so cheesy you could fill sandwiches with it. Based in Scotland, Margaret shoots a more formal flavour of wedding photography, but like Steve Shipman, Tim and Gillian Foster, never once does it feel like she’s on well-trodden ground. Browsing her portfolio doesn’t feel like just looking at a wedding, in kilts, either – the Highlands tradition really shines through. Great traditional photography from Margaret, I can’t think of anyone more deserving for number ten.”

Honourable Mentions

Simpson Photography

Christian Michael

Lisa Aldersley

About the Author: Randolph Quan is a UK based wedding photojournalist. You can follow Randolph on Twitter or check out his wedding photography here.

Disclaimer
This ranking is competly the opinion of Randolph Quan and is not intended to be an official list. This list is not sponsered by any organisation.