Sam Crathorne Photography

Sam Crathorne Photography Authentic & Story-driven Photography 🤍
Weddings, Events, Sports & Corporate

Limited 2026 Spaces | Now Booking 2027

22/07/2026

“Engagement shoots are just another photographer upsell…” 👀

I hear this one a lot, but I think engagement shoots are one of the most misunderstood parts of wedding photography.

They’re not essential, and I’d never tell every couple they need one. But if the thought of being in front of a camera makes you nervous, or you want to feel completely comfortable with your photographer before your wedding day, they can make a huge difference.

It’s your chance to get to know how I work, build that trust, practise being photographed, and come away with some beautiful photos before the big day too.

If you book a full-day wedding package with me, I always offer discounted engagement shoots.

19/07/2026

🚨 Big changes could be coming for weddings in England and Wales.

The government has announced proposals to reform marriage laws for the first time in almost 200 years. If they go ahead, couples could legally marry in almost any location, rather than having to use a licensed venue. Think gardens, family farms, pubs, beaches and other meaningful places.

As a wedding photographer, I think this could be a really positive step. Venue hire is often one of the biggest wedding expenses, so giving couples more flexibility could make weddings more personal and more accessible. Imagine creating your own venue, bringing in your favourite food vans and celebrating somewhere that genuinely tells your story.

That said, it’s worth remembering that traditional venues offer so much more than a beautiful space. Experienced coordinators, insurance, licensed bars, catering facilities, health and safety procedures and contingency plans are all things you’ll need to consider if you’re planning a wedding somewhere less conventional.

These are still proposals, not new laws, so nothing is changing just yet—but it’s definitely one to watch if you’re planning a wedding.

Would you choose a traditional venue, or somewhere completely unique? Let me know in the comments. 👇

WeddingIdeas WeddingPhotographer UKPhotographer WeddingInspiration SamCrathornePhotography

19/07/2026

There could be a major change to wedding laws in England and Wales, giving couples much more freedom over where they legally get married, and the possibility is really exciting.

I’ve written a short blog on what’s being proposed, what it could mean for budgets, and a few practical considerations from a photographer’s perspective. Have a read here.

Whilst I took photo 1, my second shooter took photo 2. The same moment from your big day, two simultaneous points of vie...
18/07/2026

Whilst I took photo 1, my second shooter took photo 2. The same moment from your big day, two simultaneous points of view.

A second photographer isn’t just about getting more photos, it’s about getting more of your story.

When one of us is photographing your first kiss, the other is capturing your parents’ reactions. When one is with you walking down the aisle, the other is focused on your partner seeing you for the first time. The same moment, two completely different perspectives.

It’s also one of the most cost-effective upgrades you can make to your wedding photography. Hiring a second shooter is much cheaper than trying to book a completely separate photographer. You’ll still receive one beautifully curated gallery, edited in the same style, delivered together, and within exactly the same turnaround time as if you had booked a single photographer. No trying to piece two galleries together.

For weddings with lots of guests, separate morning preparations, multiple locations or couples who simply don’t want to miss a single reaction, a second photographer can make such a huge difference.

Because while one photographer captures the moment, the other captures everything happening around it.

And those are often the photographs that end up meaning the most years later. 🤍

Would you add a second photographer to your wedding day? If you’re planning your wedding and want to chat about whether it’s the right fit for you, send me a DM, we’d love to help.

11/07/2026

Golden hour, bump, and two hours with Bethany & Ryan. ☀️🤍

A relaxed maternity shoot before life gets a whole lot busier.

I still have a couple of slots left for 2026, and my 2027 wedding dates are open. If you’re planning something relaxed, ...
04/07/2026

I still have a couple of slots left for 2026, and my 2027 wedding dates are open. If you’re planning something relaxed, natural, and focused on real moments, I’d love to hear about it.

My DMs are always open, or feel free to drop me an email at [email protected]

Full family together, one of those frames that only gets more valuable with time.
24/06/2026

Full family together, one of those frames that only gets more valuable with time.

✨ FREE Engagement Shoot Giveaway ✨Hi everyone! I’m Sam from Sam Crathorne Photography and I’m looking for a lovely coupl...
22/06/2026

✨ FREE Engagement Shoot Giveaway ✨

Hi everyone! I’m Sam from Sam Crathorne Photography and I’m looking for a lovely couple to gift a FREE engagement shoot to 💍🤍

You can already be engaged, or this could be for anyone planning a surprise proposal!

📍 You must be based in the Midlands, or happy to travel to the Midlands for the shoot.

Head over to TikTok to find the details and enter!
❤️ Like the post
💬 Comment below telling me a little about you and your partner
➕ Follow my page
📲 Share to your story if you want to catch my eye!

Feel free to tag any newly engaged couples or anyone planning to pop the question! 💕

20/06/2026

🎉 BIG NEWS FOR 2026 & 2027 COUPLES! 🎉

Why book your wedding photographer and videographer separately when you can have a team that already works seamlessly together?

No getting in each other’s shots. No clashing styles. Just one shared vision to capture your wedding day beautifully from every angle.

For a limited time, if you book BOTH and full-day packages, you’ll receive a FREE first dance lesson with Sally from !

That’s professional wedding photography, cinematic wedding videography, and expert first dance coaching for just over £2,000!

✨ Capture every moment.
✨ Relive every emotion.
✨ Feel confident on the dancefloor.

2026 and 2027 dates are already filling up – get in touch to secure yours!

📸 Sam Crathorne Photography – A candid, documentary-style wedding photographer covering the UK, based in the Midlands, creating beautiful, natural wedding photographs that tell the genuine story of your day. Affordable, relaxed and focused on authentic moments with full day packages priced at £1095 and second shooter options available.

📽️ Watkins Wedding Cinematography – Based near Telford, Isaac brings years of professional videography experience to wedding filmmaking. Offering stunning cinematic wedding films with full-day packages ranging from £999–£1,200, including Gold and Platinum options to suit your investment level.

🤍 Simply First Dance – Founded by Sally, an experienced dancer, musical theatre performer, TV actress and stage singer. Sally has helped countless couples choreograph their first dance, build confidence together and enjoy every moment on the dancefloor before their big day.

19/06/2026

Here a day in the life of a man who sacked off watching the first to see , Together at Wembley 🥂🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿

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