Direct Flash Photography for Wedding Receptions: A Bold and Timeless Look
This blog is all about my love for direct flash photography and how I incorporate it into wedding days to create bold, timeless images. Here, you'll find a collection of my favourite wedding moments captured using this technique. My full wedding galleries are typically a blend of 70% natural light and 30% direct flash, striking the balance between soft romance storytelling and high-energy editorial flair. If you’d like to see real weddings where I mix natural light with direct flash, click here.
What is direct flash photography?
As the name suggests, direct flash involves pointing the flash directly at your subject, creating a nostalgic, film-inspired aesthetic reminiscent of celebrity flash photography. I love its crisp, polished look—there’s something so effortlessly cool about it. For winter weddings, where daylight disappears early (especially here in the UK), direct flash becomes an essential tool. It’s a game-changer for receptions, capturing the energy of the evening.
Direct Flash for Wedding Details
For darker venues or winter weddings, I love using direct flash to highlight the little details—tablescapes, décor, and ambiance—making everything pop beautifully. One of my favourite techniques is shutter drag, which creates dreamy streaks of light, adding an artistic touch to images.
Direct Flash for Couple Portraits
Cold or rainy weather can sometimes limit outdoor portrait sessions, but that doesn’t mean we sacrifice stunning shots. In these cases, I embrace direct flash in a statement room within the venue, creating striking, editorial-style portraits.
Direct Flash for Wedding Reception Chaos
And of course, we have the wedding reception. This is when I use it the most—capturing the wild energy of the dance floor, candid guest moments, and cake cutting. In dimly lit spaces, direct flash transforms the night, making every moment feel vibrant and alive.
Booking Wedding Photography
If you’re having a winter wedding or just love the vibe of my work and are looking for a wedding photographer, I’d love to hear from you, get in touch here.
