Wedding Photographer Northern Ireland: Modern Creative Luxury

Philip Topping Photography and Films is a professional wedding photographer in Northern Ireland telling your story with friendly modern creative vibes. I like to capture natural, candid moments and care about giving you great memories to remind you of one of the best days of both your lives. Established in 2015 I only take on a limited number of weddings each year so check with me ASAP if I’m available.

For some ideas and inspiration for traditional wedding photography have a look through some of my past photos including Roisin and David’s Gracehall wedding, various castle weddings and a city hall wedding. Traditional real weddings are much more natural and candid than staged and posed. Limited dates for 2024 and 2025.

Also engagements too and you are free to check out my best locations for engagement photos for some ideas and inspiration as well as previous engagement photos and shoots.

RELAXED FUN TRADITIONAL & DOCUMENTARY WEDDINGS



Real Weddings

I like chatting with clients as it helps capture and personalise your big day, giving you memories that you will cherish forever.

LATEST WEDDING

Wedding Reviews

“I would defo recommend Philip Topping as he was so good at taking the best wedding photos that I didn’t even realise he was taking them, that’s what Jason and Sarah wanted from early in the morning til’ late at night and he never complained once, thanks”

“From the get-go, Philip Topping was great and easy to deal with, very clear about the process, on our wedding day he was relaxed and fun and we just loved the end product” Linda

Would highly recommend Philip Topping to all our friends! Just had a preview of our walled garden pre-wedding shoot, they are fabulous! My partner and I had never had a professional photoshoot before so we were a bit nervous about what to expect” Joanne

Wedding Photography Progress

Editing photos takes a while to go through so please keep this in mind. When you booked in with me you should see your names below. After your wedding day, you should see some progress on your photos My current times are 3-4 weeks after the shoot but could be delayed in the summer months.

Booked for 2024

  1. Janice and Dean Hotel wedding

  2. Sandra and partners engagement

Sorted in 2023

  1. Gemma and Scotts Hotel wedding

  2. Laureen and Wiliams Hotel wedding

  3. Celia and Charles Castle wedding

  4. Ciara and Paddy’s Court wedding

  5. Ashley and Jake’s Church style wedding

  6. Ashley and Jake’s Country Park engagement

Hi, I’m Philip Topping

The music is playing, guests are dancing and the DJ is amping up, the groom pulls his bride into the middle of the wedding dance floor. The DJ hits the note and the air is filled with magic and the two of you are smiling surrounded by your closest friends. Those are the moments people want to relive in 10 years. They’re also the moments I've been photographing since 2016. I like to tell stories and want to genuinely make you feel your best, reduce the stress you might feel and celebrate both of you. Don’t worry, I have your photographs covered. To read a bit more about me visit Philip Topping.

Philip Topping Photography and Films works as a professional photographer for weddings travelling all over the province and I’ve shot in most of the counties photographing at larger wedding venues including Loughshore Hotel and Malone Lodge Hotel to smaller more intimate venues like Malone House and Edenmore. Your wedding photographer must have the correct photo gear for several reasons. I also photograph in the South of Ireland (ROI) including the Four Seasons Hotel and Carrickdale Hotel. Thank you for considering me.

PLAY MY INTRODUCTION

Why book a Wedding Photographer?

Quality Photos

Professional wedding photographers use high-quality equipment and lenses to shoot images. This means you will receive better-quality photos than those taken by friends.

Capture Moments

You should consider hiring a photographer when planning your big day. Not only will they capture your memories but they will also ensure that everything goes smoothly.

Experience

Professional photographers understand and know how to work with people and make sure that everyone has fun during the day.

How to book your Wedding Photographer

Explore Website

Step 1 - You should find all the information you need on my website. You’ll find FAQs. If you’ve still got a question feel free to contact me through my contact page.

Check Availability

Step 2 - Once you’re happy get in touch to check I’m available for your date. We can chat over email, text, phone, WhatsApp or in person if you're local. Unfortunately, I can’t reserve any dates without the booking fee.

Keep in Touch

Step 3 - Getting married can be a bit stressful so I’m available in the run-up to your wedding to answer any questions. You can rest assured that you’re in capable hands so you can relax and enjoy your special day.

MOMENTS, DETAILS, LAUGHTER, FRIENDS & FAMILY CAPTURED

Latest Weddings and Info

As a wedding photographer shooting all over NI a few of my previous shoots are in the below links. Click on a thumbnail to visit each wedding.

IF YOU’D LIKE A WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER I’D LOVE TO BE A PART OF YOUR BIG DAY.

Creative Wedding Photographer

I am one of the best creative wedding photographers. Time permitting, as the day is quite busy with lots of things going on and some pretty tight timeframes. As well as the formal type photos I can also get some creative wedding photos and pictures with certain angles and poses throughout the day. When the formals are shot it’s time to get creative! I can incorporate some blurred distortion elements like a prism or even some leaves may do the trick. I can experiment with poses in the bridal party photos and I plan to incorporate more creative images and photos in weddings. I like adding some creativity to photos even though it doesn’t always work out.

What makes Philip Topping the best?

  • I've shot in lots of locations and venues in the province

  • I'm great at organising and photographing groups of people from small to large

  • I'm confident and experienced

  • Heck, I’ll run with it and say I'm the best!

Why NOT to book me

  • You’re happy with sub-standard photos that look like they were photographed by a five-year-old, a wannabe photographer or Uncle Bob

  • You couldn't give a hoot about your wedding photos

  • You have zero budget

  • You have the budget but don’t want to pay

Documentary Style

Not all photos should be posed and formal as you may also want documentary-style wedding photos which are more informal in style. This is more fly-on-the-wall wedding photos of the bride and groom mingling with guests in contrast to setting up formal photos.

What if it Rains on my Wedding day?

OMG, what if there’s rain on my wedding day and is it good luck? You’ve been planning your wedding for months maybe even years. You dream of guests enjoying themselves at the drinks reception, while you and your husband/wife take a romantic stroll around the garden. But before you decide to fly off to a sunnier location wait. Plan and rain on your wedding won’t spoil your day.

Top 10 Wedding Photographers

A wedding couple, as you’d expect, is never the same and I believe your wedding photos should reflect that which is why I take an approach to find out what’s important to you. When I arrive on your day I know what you want, and how to capture it and with me by your side you can sit back and relax. It should be all about telling your story. Wedding photography has several different names including wedding photojournalism, documentary wedding photography and reportage. I don’t believe there are any differences between the three names apart from maybe what the bridal magazines see as the way to describe storytelling.

I must say I love storytelling through your wedding photos. There are many different styles of wedding photography including artistic, fine art, vintage, modern, contemporary and candid wedding photography. If you like what I do and would like me to photograph your wedding get in touch for a chat.

Candid Wedding Photographer

A candid wedding photographer in Northern Ireland can capture more unposed and natural photos on your big day and this type of style of wedding photography takes out the stress of your day which I’m all for. Instead of setting up poses and the like I focus more on unscripted emotions. They can be more relaxed but you’ll still get the usual group and bridal photos and all the rest too.

Wedding Albums

A stylish luxury wedding album or book is a great way of seeing your wedding photos in print. Luxury wedding albums, photo albums or photobooks can be ordered when booking me or afterwards, it’s completely up to you although it is always best and advisable to order when booking.  A lovely recent wedding couple ordered their 8x8inch Wedding Album, 20 pages (10 spreads) with photos and images of their choosing when they booked me for their Wedding.

Lighting

There are no two ways about it lighting is essential for wedding photography. This is why you see most wedding photographers with flashes on top. Without light, there is no photo. The best wedding photography looks more natural but there could be some flash used that you can’t see. The way flash works is you can point directly at a subject (a person) and get very harsh shadows. This is by far the worst type of flash is direct. The best type of wedding photography flash is bouncing light from the flash from ceiling or wall, preferably white as black will just absorb the light. If the ceiling is too high this wouldn’t work as the light may not even hit the ceiling to be able to bounce back to the subject. In this case, a light modifier is used to spread the light. Due to its size relative to the subject, I’m not too sure if you say it softens the light. Using flash at a wedding reception is similar to above but you can use flash and head outside for some nighttime photos which makes the photos a little different.

LGBTQ Wedding Photographer

I’m an LGBTQ wedding photographer so if you are a couple looking for wedding photos get in touch. I support marriage equality and everyone has the right to love and be loved. It doesn’t matter gay or lesbian feel free to browse through the website first though.

Same-Sex Wedding Photographer

I would be more than happy to be your same-sex wedding photographer anywhere in the province. It doesn’t matter if gay or lesbian, love is love after all. I am comfortable shooting in front of small or larger crowds, it doesn’t matter to me how many are there.

Gay Wedding Photographer

If you are interested in me photographing your gay wedding please get in touch with more information.

Any questions I’m here to help, contact Philip Topping for any enquiries, thank you.

Wedding Photo Service areas

I photograph all over NI and it does not matter about travel as there are no travel expenses so if you are as far up north as Carrickfergus or in Omagh I’d love to hear from you.

Wedding Photographer Lurgan

I’m a wedding photographer in Lurgan town and there are some great locations and wedding venues and Moira to photograph your wedding in. You might be an engaged couple asking yourself where to take wedding photography. Well, I shoot in the town and there are some fantastic venues within the town itself including Gracehall, Brownlow House and also some great locations including Tannaghmore Gardens and Lurgan Park making for great wedding photography.

Last Minute Wedding Photographer or left yours late

Left things late, looking for a last-minute wedding photographer or had a cancellation? Contact me as I could help. Depending on your date and location I might be able to assist you with last-minute photos for your wedding. This is for anywhere in NI and ROI along the border counties only. Ideally, wedding photography should be booked 1-2 years in advance but contact me with more details ASAP.

Frequently Asked Questions

Wedding photography FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) and other questions you might have before booking me.  These are asked often so I am listing as many here as I can.  Please read through for more information and if you need to know anything else don’t hesitate to contact your wedding photographer, thank you.  These are important to ask and know before booking.

How can we book you?  

To book the very first thing you should do is check if I'm available on your date by contacting me and I will be in touch quickly with booking instructions.  I keep the booking procedure simple.   

How long will you stay? 

I stay as long or short as you want (within reason) and that’s up to you but generally from bridal prep to the first and second dance is the ideal length.  If you just want me for the ceremony only, that’s perfectly fine or if you want me for a couple of hours that's no problem too.   

Is there anything extra for travel? 

There is nothing extra within Northern Ireland (NI) and over the border in the Republic of Ireland (ROI) within 1.5 hours drive from the border.  All of mine include travel so need to worry about that. 

Should I book one or two photographers?

In my opinion, you should book one wedding photographer as you don’t need two, two is just overkill.  Book one who moves quite a lot (like myself) can get different angles.  Two just get in the way.

How many wedding photos do we receive?

The number of wedding photos you receive varies by how long I'm there for but usually, a full day is 800+.  If I’m there for a couple of hours you’d get quite a few less.   

Do you need some food? 

Yes, some grub and food on the day at tea time would be great please but nothing fancy.  Just a small bar snack would do me.  I often get the full great meal but a sandwich will do the job too.

Can we meet? 

We can arrange a meeting to discuss your requirements or we can arrange a Facetime or Zoom chat.  We meet up at the pre-wedding photo shoot if you have one booked but if you'd like to meet up before this contact me