As a photographer, I’m constantly jokingly asked things like:
“Can you just photoshop three stone off?”
“Can you remove my double chin?”
“Make me look 25 again?”
Every time I hear that — even in jest — it breaks my heart just a little bit. Why? Because I’ve lived that struggle. I’ve battled with my own weight, confidence, and self-worth for as long as I can remember.
So let’s talk about what being a body positive Wedding Photographer really means to me — not as a buzzword, but as something deeply personal and rooted in humanity.
I can’t change the way you look — and I won’t try
Yes — I could digitally alter your photographs. I could smooth skin, shrink bodies, erase features, and reshape faces. But I don’t. And I choose not to for a very intentional reason:
changing your appearance in photos sends a message that you should change to be acceptable.
We live in a world where social media filters, curated feeds, and unrealistic beauty standards are considered aspirational. Where greatness is judged by how flawless someone looks, not how fully they live. And that culture? It’s toxic.
Altering bodies in photographs might make an image look “pretty” — but it doesn’t honour you. It doesn’t celebrate your story, your relationships, your joy, or your humanity.
So no — I won’t Photoshop bodies. Because to me, your photos should reflect who you really are, not an edited version of who someone thinks you should be.
This is what I am all about
Instead of body altering, here’s my philosophy:
✨ Real beauty comes from within.
There’s nothing more beautiful than a real, unguarded smile, a laugh that makes your eyes sparkle, or a moment of connection that’s honest and true.
✨ Your photos should reflect real happiness, emotion, and connection.
Your walls should make you feel something — not make you question your worth.
✨ Growing older and changing is part of life — and that’s beautiful too.
Age is not something to hide. It’s a story, not a flaw.
✨ True self-acceptance is worth more than a perfect image.
I want you to look at your photos and remember yourself — not a filtered version of someone else’s expectations.
What I’ve seen as a wedding photographer
I’ve seen brides berate themselves in front of the mirror. I’ve seen new husbands look on with love and pride while their partner apologises for how they look. I’ve seen tears — not from sadness, but from relief when someone realises that their partner truly sees them, not just their appearance.
That’s the thing:
Your partner, your friends, your family — they love all of you. The quirks, the softness, the scars, the stories. And they don’t want you to apologise for taking up space.
Why this matters to me personally
I’ve lived most of my life placing my self-worth on a number — what the scale said, how I looked, whether I fit into some ideal. I spent years obsessing over exercise habits, calories, and the endless cycle of trying to “fix” myself.
Then something changed:
I met the person who saw me — not the number, not the shape, not the flaws. And it made me realise that none of those things define my worth.
I don’t want my children growing up thinking that their bodies are something to be modified, apologised for, or ashamed of. I refuse to normalise that mindset in our home.
(This is us by the way!)
Your body is more than a photograph
Body positivity isn’t just about loving every inch of yourself every second of every day — it’s about respecting your body, honouring what it does for you, and refusing to let society dictate your worth.
I want your photos — your wedding album, your portraits — to tell your story truthfully. Not perfectly.
Because when you look back at those images years from now, I want you to remember the laughter, the hugs, the warmth, the love — not whether your chin looked a certain way or your waist was “photo-ready.”
Thank you for being you
If this resonates with you, if you believe that real moments matter more than edited illusions — then you and I are on the same page. I’ve made a conscious choice in my photography not to be part of a culture that reinforces unrealistic ideals.
Instead, I’m here to celebrate you, unfiltered, un-altered, and beautifully whole.
f you’re searching for a body positive wedding photographer in North Yorkshire who values authenticity over perfection, you’re in the right place. My approach to documentary wedding photography is rooted in honesty. I won’t reshape your body or alter who you are. I’ll gently guide you, find your best light, and capture the moments that matter — naturally, confidently, and truthfully.
If you’d like to talk more about this — or about your photography — feel free to get in touch. 💛
