Kent Wedding Photographer, Matt Rock Photography - my 2023 review

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I thought i’d share a little insight to some of my wedding work and reviews from 2023 with some of my favourite images… I might have to produce another, blog part two as I hadn’t expected to include so many and there are lots of weddings not featured.

Wedding at South Lodge Hotel Brighton Road, Horsham, RH13 6PS, and then onto The Cider Trap, Wobblegate Farm

Black & White photo of the Bride and Groom walking back to their wedding car
Matt is amazing!! Our pictures have completely blown us away!
Matt was so easy to work with, his communication was spot on and we felt completely safe in his hands!
On the day, Matt was great! He made us and our wedding guests feel so at ease, and as a result got some brilliant candid pictures that really captured the spirit of our day! Can’t recommend matt highly enough!
— Sarah & Martin 20.12.23
Colour photo of the Bridesmaid helping the Bride get ready in window light
The best man helping the Groom with his suit

Photographing weddings at this time of year is a real joy; with all the lights, cosy warm rooms and the anticipation of Christmas just around the corner. This was a standout wedding in 2023 for me because the groom was a friend who i’ve know for a few years and also a great videographer / film maker himself. The lovely family and friends that attended this wedding always helps make my job that much more fun!


Wedding at Lympne Castle, The St, Lympne, Hythe CT21 4LQ

Matt was one of the first people we contacted when planning our wedding and he was so helpful and friendly when we had issues with our venue. He was so easy to talk to about what we wanted, helping us decide what to book.

On the day he was really good at helping us get some really lovely shots- they show the whole day and everyone that was there so well! Loads of our guests have said how friendly he was- very happy with everything!
— Katherine & Neil 28th October 2023
Drone shot showing the front of Lympne Castle with Autumnal colours
Bride & Groom walking through the court yeard into the confetti
Drone shot of Lympne Castle and surrounding countryside
Colour photo of the Bride & Groom portrait outside the castle door with a puddle reflection
Colour photo of Bride & Groom walking up Lympne Castle driveway
Colour photo of the Bride & Groom at Lympne Castle entrance gate
The Bride & Broom's first dance
First Dance

Autumn is an amazing time of year for weddings and the outcome is beautiful photographs to cherish forever - simple as that. The colours are beautiful, the weather is unpredictable and Lympne Castle really shines at this time of year. I’ve been on the recommended list of photographers at Lympne Castle for a few years now and always love coming back. The Bride & Groom were very welcoming and their gust were fun to work with. Really loved this one!


Wedding at 0ne Warick Park Hotel, 1 Warwick Park, Tunbridge Wells TN2 5TA

Matt was great to have as our photographer - we love the candid approach! He was very easy to work with, he took all the pictures we wanted and was great at getting shots of friends & family, the pictures turned out great and we couldn’t be happier. We received loads of great quality pictures, and what’s more he’s fun to have around on the day!
— Maisie & Jonny - 5th August 2023
Bridesmaids looking at a hotel sign that says 'Hello Gorgeous'
Colour photo of the Bridesmaid opening the hotel room door to the usher
Bride having her makeup added
oroid photo being taken by a guest
Pile of poloroid photos on a table with wine glasses
Bride looking in the mirror laughing with her bridesmaid crying
Bride portrait, standing with her flowers looking out of the window
Black & White photo of the Bride in the window
Black & White photo of the Bride looking at her two bridesmaids
Bridesmaids fanning the brides armpits while bride waves her arms and flowers in the air
Bride walking to the ceremony in the hotel coridor
Bride in the lift pushing the 0 floor button
Groom waiting for his bride
Bride in tears as she walks down the aisle
Bride and groom during wedding ceremony
Bride & Groom walking
Bride & Groom confetti walk

Bride and Groom photo walk
Couple clinking wine glasses
Bride & Groom messing around
Bride & Groom eating their wedding donuts
Bride and Groom fun first dance

The sun doesn’t always shine in August and this was one of the only wet weddings I shot in 2023. Despite this, it was the perfect venue for a rainy day. There was no outside space to use apart from a public footpath but it was enough to get some great outdoor photos and we had a break in the rain until after we’d finished the groups. So it may have rained but it didn’t disturb or intrude on the photos and the fun. Some of the wedding were Scottish so lots of Kilts on show and half of the family were from France and they performed a family tradition after the first dance and it was fantastic atmosphere. Wonderful day!


Wedding at The Oak Barn, Frame Farm, Iden Green Rd, Benenden, Cranbrook TN17 4EZ

We couldn’t be happier with all the photos we had taken on our wedding day by Matt Matt made us feel so relaxed and we hardly knew he was there. Matt captured so many lovely memories from throughout the day and we love how the pictures tell the story of our special day so perfectly. We have had so many lovely comments from the photos Matt took.
Would highly recommend :)
Thank you
— Liza and Dexter - 7th July 2023
Bride and bridesmaids walking up the stairs to the venue
Brides flowers with pendant
Groom looking in the mirror combing hair
Groom looking nervous and ushers fixing his cufflinks
Groom portriat
Bride in mirror reflection brides mum helping with dress
Brides reveals her dress to her dad and bridesmaids
Bride having a drink
Groom and ushers
Bridesmaids walking to the ceremony
Bride walking with her dad to the ceremony
Groom waiting for his bride
Bride walking down the aisle with her dad
Bride and groom during their outdoor ceremony
Bride and groom laughing during the ceremony
Exchange of the rings
Bride & grooms first kiss
Bride signing the wedding certificate
Confetti
Confetti walk
Brdesmaids and ushers
Bride and groom walking in the sun
Bride and groom walking black and white
Bride & Groom portrait holding hands
Bride and Groom portrait laughing
Silhouette of the Bride and Groom
Bride and Groom first dance

Hot hot hot! Lovely wedding and we all survived the heat. I’m lucky to be a recommended supplier here at The Oak Barn, Frame Farm and have been for a couple of years. The first time I was lucky enough to shoot here I knew it was going to be a popular venue. The guest were all very friendly and the couple were welcoming and it felt like I spent the day with a group of friends. Always my favorite way to enjoy a wedding.


Matt was a dream on our big day. He was efficient, funny and a great part of our wedding day. He worked candidly for the majority of the day, which is what we wanted, but he still got those ‘posed’ shots that were important to us.
He also turned around our final photos a lot quicker than we expected and we are so happy with the result and the photo film too - which made me cry happy tears! We currently have over 200 photos favourited for printing, which just tells you how happy we are! Thank you again Matt.
— Kelly & Oliver - 16th June 2023
Drone shot of Salomons Estate
Confetti walk
Bride and Groom confetti walk
Bride and groom with bridesmaids
Black and White photo of the Bride and Groom and brides mum
Cheers!
Bride and portrait on the bridge
Bride and Groom walking downstairs
Bride and groom portrait
Bridal party with coloured smoke cannons
Smoke Cannons
Bride and Groom first dance

Another hot day at this wonderful wedding. A gorgeous couple and really friendly too. I felt so welcome with their friends and family which helps me enjoy the day far better and I’m lucky that I get lots of weddings who’s guests are friendly and welcoming. Another fun bunch of people, great venue and a very hot and sunny day. Oh and I almost forgot; this was the first wedding i’ve shot smoke cannons. For some reason they have passed me by until now.

If you decide to use these cannons at your wedding you must be very careful and I would recommend sticking to just the bridal party. They are fun and can make for some lovely colourful photos but proceed with caution….

If you made it this far - THANK YOU! - Hope you enjoyed seeing a little window into my 2023 weddings if you or a friend would like to chat more about your wedding get in touch below.

Salomons Estate Wedding Photographer

Wedding of Kelly & Oliver at Salomons Estate - Matt Rock Photography

A summer wedding at Salomons Estate in the idyllic county of Kent, UK, is a perfect blend of romance, natural beauty, and timeless charm. From the enchanting gardens to historic buildings Salomons offers an exquisite backdrop for couples to tie the knot. As a wedding photographer, I had the pleasure of documenting the magic of Kelly & Oliver’s recent summer wedding and I am excited to share the unforgettable moments and stunning images from this beautiful celebration.

The possibilities for making stunning outdoor photographs are endless here. The bride and groom, surrounded by beautiful flowers and lush greenery, radiated love as they exchanged vows against the backdrop of the venues grounds.

Salomons Estate boasts a rich historical heritage, and many couples choose to tie the knot here. Situated just two miles outside the spa town of Royal Tunbridge Wells, Salomons Estate is a stunning Victorian mansion, designed by the acclaimed architect Decimus Burton. Set in 36 acres of rolling gardens, parkland and woods, it enjoys an enviable location in the heart of England’s garden, yet within an hour’s travel of Central London. The grandeur of this mansion adds a touch of timeless elegance to any wedding.

Incorporating drone photography of Salomons Estate made on the day of the wedding

Weddings are not just about picturesque settings and beautiful details; they are about the emotions, connections, and joy that fill the air. Throughout the day, I focused on capturing candid moments of laughter, tears of joy, and embraces. From getting ready to the couple's first dance and the heartfelt speeches these images tell the story of the love and happiness shared by all.

With the opportunity to have both your wedding ceremony and reception at the Manor House, we pride ourselves in offering a personalised and bespoke service, working to the very highest of standards. We guarantee you will be the only wedding party at the Estate, enjoying our picturesque grounds and charming views.

Couples also benefit from the services of a dedicated wedding host, who will assist in the coordination and delivery of your wedding celebration. Your wedding host will assist in offering supplier recommendations, from florists, photographers and entertainment options.

Our food and drink is locally sourced by our in house kitchen team. Able to accommodate any special requests, we offer a complimentary food and wine tasting ahead of your celebrations.
— Quotehttps://www.salomons-estate.com/weddings/

With the sun shining brightly overhead, the couple and their loved ones gather in Salomons beautiful terrace gardens. The gentle breeze cooled us down a little as they exchanged their vows beneath a beautifully adorned arch. Each embrace and smile is captured, immortalising the cherished connections formed on this special day.


As a wedding photographer, my goal is to immortalise the essence of your special day through beautiful, creative, and timeless photos and portraits. I believe that every couple deserves to have their love story documented in a way that reflects their unique style and personality. With an artistic eye and a passion for storytelling, I strive to create images that will be cherished for generations to come.

In addition to seeing the candid moments, I love to incorporate artistic composition and creative techniques into my work. I use various elements such as lighting, framing, and perspectives to create visually stunning images that evoke a sense of beauty and intrigue. From unique angles to creative use of natural light and the surroundings, I strive to add an artistic touch to your wedding photos and portraits.

While trends come and go, timeless photography never goes out of style. I aim to create images that will stand the test of time, allowing you to relive your special day with the same emotions and excitement years down the line. By focusing on classic poses, elegant details, and a clean editing style, I ensure that your photos will remain timeless and cherished for years to come.


One of the most anticipated and memorable moments of any wedding celebration are the speeches.

The speeches are an opportunity for loved ones to express their love, admiration, and well wishes for the newlyweds. As a wedding photographer, I understand the significance of these speeches and aim to capture the essence of these heartfelt moments through my lens, always looking for the emotion & storytelling aspect of wedding photography.

The first dance is a romantic and intimate moment where the couple becomes lost in each other's arms, surrounded by the love of their guests. I discreetly document the tenderness and emotion displayed as they sway together.


If you're looking for a wedding photographer, contact me to discuss my availability and lets chat about how I can help make your wedding special.

Wishing you a beautiful and unforgettable wedding day filled with love and laughter!

Watch their photo-film below - 4 minutes 46 seconds.

Photographer - Matt Rock

Venue - Salomons website

Dress - Dress Dreams

Suits - Moss Bros & Studio Suits

Flowers - Miranda Jayre Andrews

Hair - Bridal Hair By Kerrie

Make up - Avril Jarrett

The Oak Barn Frame Farm Wedding Photographer

I WORK QUICKLY, QUIETLY & UNOBTRUSIVELY;

CAPTURING THOSE CANDID MOMENTS YOU NEVER KNEW HAPPENED.

A KENT WEDDING VENUE TO FALL IN LOVE WITH

Matt,
You were an absolute legend! Thank you so much, I had so many comments about how nice you were and that you fitted in perfectly to the day. I can’t recommend you highly enough.
— Mrs & Mrs Ellis

When Emma & Bradley first contacted me and asked me to be their wedding photographer, back in January 2021, I asked the same question as always; “where are you getting married?” Often the answer is one i’m familiar with or at a venue I have already worked at.

However, The Oak Barn, Frame Farm in Kent was not one of those venues. Actually I’d never heard of it, let alone worked there before. So the first thing I did was look at their website and it looked lovely. So I was very excited when they booked me as I knew it would be a special place for me to work.

I was not disappointed...

The wedding day itself went really well; lovely guests and great weather, which is always a bonus when it comes to the unpredictable English climate & even more lucky for the helicopter pilot!

I started the day as I normally do - candid photos of the the bride getting ready and then it was a quick 25 minute dash through the countryside to the church for their ceremony. I say a quick dash, it was more like a hair raising race through lots of twisty small country lanes trying to follow the brides wedding car…




After some light refreshments it was the Bride & Grooms time to go and catch the helicopter and meet us all back at the venue.







Play the music photo-film below and turn up the volume…


If you would like to book your Award Winning Wedding Photography contact me HERE for more information

Suppliers below:

Venue: @theoakbarnff - Website here

Hair & Make up: @makeupangelcouk

Ice Cream van: @indulgent_ice_creams

Dress Alterations: @bridalalterationsmaidstone

Sax Player: @davebraziersax

Photography - Me! @mattrockprophoto

Follow me on social media:

The Castle, Westenhanger, Wedding Photographer - Matt Rock

The wedding of Denise & Joe - Westenhanger Castle, Kent - August, 2019

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Hi Matt,

The photos are amazing! We love them all. We have been recommending you left right and centre to everyone who’s looking for a photographer too.

We are glad you had a good day and we have heard nothing but praise for your work from our guests since the wedding.

Thank you and we hope to work with you again in the future.

Joe & Denise
— Bride & Groom, Joe and Denise

You may know by now that I am a Kent Wedding Photographer and I love photographing castle weddings. So having been on there preferred supplier list for a few years and having my images featured on their website shows I know this Kent wedding venue well. This is one of my favourite wedding venues in Kent - and maybe the only Kent wedding venue to have a ship in it’s grounds...

The wedding of Denise & Joe was much anticipated and I was looking forward to it ever since they booked me - quite a long time in advance. We first met at an open day they attended at Westenhanger Castle and as the recommended wedding photographer I was there and able to speak with them. We ended up making some portraits that day and got on really well too which is always a good start. I think having a pre-shoot lets you gain a bit more experience being in front of the camera and these portraits can help many couples get used to their photographer too. A lot of us aren’t too keen on having portraits made of us, however couples have always given good feedback and said their pre-shoot helped reduce their nerves and anxiety on the day.

I am a documentary & candid wedding photographer throughout the wedding which is achieved by observing what happens; almost from another wedding guests point of view. I blend in with the wedding rather than controlling it. So this does not involve me telling anyone where to stand, what to do or anything else that interrupts the natural feel and pace of a wedding day. These photos will make up 85% - 90% of my work during the wedding but most couples are still keen to spend 15 minutes or so making some beautiful, natural looking portraits to compliment the candid style for their wedding album. Plus the fact that I am a portrait photographer means I’m a bit biased when it comes to shooting these, as I love to make portraits.

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The day started as many weddings at the Castle, Westenhanger do.

With Champagne!

The weather was perfect too and since the day before was very wet, I wasn’t expecting the sun to shine.

But not a spot of rain was seem.

Bride preparations always seem to start with something fizzy. At Westenhanger Castle the prep is held within the large room upstairs in the main building. I say large room but I really mean 3 large rooms. Denise and her girls had use of all 3 rooms so her and her bridesmaids could have their hair & make up done in one room, the food was laid out in another and the 3rd room can be used as the dressing room or you can relax on the large double bed whilst you wait for your turn.

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This all happens upstairs whilst downstairs is another of the great castle rooms which is often used for when the boys turn up. They can make themselves look as beautiful as the girls do - and never the two will meet - until it’s time to get married of course! Wedding photographs of the boys getting ready is often missed but when your wedding venue is set up like this one it means I can move from one room to the other quite easily to get those candid moments no-one else notices - but the ones we love to look back on. Oh and if you make sure you ask a barber to be one of your ushers you can pick up some good deals on the perfect hair do too.

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Now the bride is almost ready, it’s time for the father-of-the-bride to come and see his little girl in her wedding dress for the first time… This can be a great time for those candid photos with lots of emotion.

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Portrait - Bride with Flowers

Portrait - Bride with Flowers

After her Dad has had a moment with his daughter it’s time to walk her down the aisle and get married, so it’s off to the ceremony where all her guests are waiting. Westenhanger Castle has different options when it comes to ceremony rooms and an outside space too. Denise & Joe’s wedding ceremony was inside the main building. Which has a dark, atmospheric vibe with light pouring in through the windows to give us some beautiful photos.

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After they had their ceremony, the confetti was thrown high in the air and the congratulations, hugs and kisses had started, there was a little spare time for the couple and their guests to have a drink, a little catch up and for the best men to go over their speeches for the 10th time. Before the wedding breakfast couples often want to spend a short time making some portraits. This can give them a little time together and a little chill time - Portraits are only about 15 minutes or so and before they know it we are heading back in for the speeches.

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For me as soon as the couples portraits are done, I go back to candidly capturing the wedding again. It’s also the time of the day when everyone eats, drinks, gets entertained by the the speeches and the cake cutting.

There was also an impromptu game of Mr & Mrs! It’s funny what you find out about your clients…

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   P  A  R  T  Y    
T  I  M  E
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What a lovely Kent wedding, spent with friendly guests in a beautiful Kent wedding venue with perfect weather too.

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PHOTO-FILM

Hit the play button in the middle to watch Denise & Joe’s - Photo-Film below.

Photo-films below - To see another wedding at The Castle, Westenhanger press play on this images below and turn the music up.

Wedding below was in 2017

Another photo-film from 2018 below - press the play icon and turn the music up.

Hit the play button in the middle to watch another wedding from Westenhanger Castle - August 2018

View the wedding blog of Kayleigh & Jack - Westenhanger Castle - September 2017 BLOG

If you would like to book me to photograph your wedding with creatively candid, natural, photographs that document your big day and maybe some beautiful couple portraits too, please get in touch HERE. I am a Kent wedding photographer however I am available to work all over the UK and I’d love to work on my first European wedding in the near future too.

Are you looking to book your wedding?

VENUE: The Castle, Westenhanger a call - details HERE

CATERING: NOSH mobile catering - details HERE - I tried the SPICY LAMB BURGER which was very - very - tasty…

IF YOU RECOGNISE ANY SUPPLIERS INVOLVED THAT I HAVE NOT MENTIONED, PLEASE DO CONTACT ME SO I CAN INCLUDE THEIR LINK ABOVE. 

Kent Wedding Photographer - Matt Rock

The Manor Gatehouse - Dartford Registry Office

The wedding of Jon & Andrew - 31 March 2021

The wedding of Jon & Andrew - 31 March 2021



Like most weddings from last year Jon & Andrew had to re-book their wedding from the end of 2020 due to - YES you’ve guest it, more restrictions, lockdowns and all the other terms we have gotten used to in the last 15 months.

This meant it was going to be my first wedding of 2021 and what a lovely start to the year it was. Jon & Andrew are great. They have been together for over 27 years and in the UK gay marriage has been recognised since 2014. Which begs the question…. Why has it taken them this long? I guess life just gets in the way and then a little pandemic happened. But finally the 31st March 2021 was set. Their day was always going to be a small wedding; Mum, Sister, brother-in-law and of course me their wedding photographer.

I went to their house for a few candid photos of them first and then after a small detour to pick Mum up we met all at the Manor Gatehouse - the historic registry office in Dartford, Kent.

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The Manor Gatehouse

The Manor Gatehouse

Henry VIII chose the site to construct a Manor House between 1541 and 1544 for his personal use. Anne of Cleves was given the Manor House as part of her divorce settlement by Henry, and lived there between 1553 and 1557. Elizabeth I retained the use of the Manor House but only stayed there on two occasions. Today it is just the Gatehouse that remains, offering a choice of two rooms for ceremonies.
— Quote https://www.akentishceremony.com/register-offices/056a7474/
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After a short but lovely ceremony we headed outside for some photos before heading off home. I said it was a small ceremony but it was a very important one. We were meant to go to Eagle Heights afterwards for cream tea, however due to restrictions that was not allowed.

Although Jon & Andrew have asked me to photograph the event and we will be meeting again this afternoon - 19th May 2021 - the day I am writing this blog. So that’s something to look forward to later - We all love a bit of cake...

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Photo-film below - turn up the volume - 3 minutes long

To be continued….

BEAUTIFUL - CREATIVE -TIMELESS

Venue: The Manor Gatehouse, Dartford - Part of A Kentish Ceremony

Photography: Matt Rock Photography

Tudor Barn Wedding Photographer - Matt Rock

Wedding Photography at The Tudor Barn, Eltham, London.

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The Last remaining Tudor Barn in London
— https://www.tudorbarneltham.com

Getting Married In a Pandemic

2020 was a year of cancelations and postponements and I was booked in to shoot a few weddings at this wonderful venue in 2020. Becky & Paul booked me to photograph their wedding a month or so before as they were originally due to be married in another country.

This was one of those surprise late booking wedding assignments…. I was recommended by a couple of different clients who’s weddings I photographed in the past and it was great to catch up with some familiar faces. Getting recommendations is a great confidence boost to any photographer - it shows that clients do really appreciate what you do. What I didn’t know until I arrived at The Tudor Barn was that two of the groom’s brother-in-laws were old friends of mine from senior school, over 30 years ago… It got even more weird when one of those friends is married to my sons teacher!

There is a lot of pressure on me at a wedding day because you only have one chance to get it right.

Everyone who runs their own business knows that reputation is VERY important and it doesn’t matter about how good you were for the last wedding. You will only be judged by the wedding you are working on that day for that couple.

So, I was recommended, which adds to the pressure, then you know two old friends are there watching you work and then you realise that your sons teacher is there too (the sister of Paul, the groom) So to say I felt a bit more pressure at this one was an understatement. Add to that the fact it was only my third and last wedding of the year due to COVID-19 meant (and I don’t mind saying this) I was a bit out of practice too.

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Photographing the bride, her friends and her family getting ready is a fun part of the day and is important to capture. It is a time where I try to blend in and just be one of them. Observing the conversations, nerves, excitement and the amazing multi tasking that goes on too. I do love the candid fly on the wall nature of the images it’s possible to make at this time.

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It was now time for me to leave Becky to finish getting ready and join the Groom for some photos of him and the other guests before the bride arrives for the ceremony.

I have found over the last 14 years or so that EVERY wedding is different but most of them follow a similar structure and timeline. So until this point the wedding day felt quite normal - as normal as it’s been up to 2020 at least. But the new 2020 COVID wedding format was going to appear again as soon as I arrived at The Tudor Barn for the ceremony and celebrations - A smaller than normal guest list and a bit less freedom to roam and of course Face masks…

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With the ceremony over it was time for the Bride and Groom to say hi to their guests and then go outside for some more photos. Some candid photos, groups, couple portraits and most couples like to have some confetti thrown over them too.

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Then it was onto the speeches - where I always find out some embarrassing info on the groom!

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I do love to photograph weddings and this one was great to be apart of too. I am looking forward to what 2021 brings and I hope we can get a little more normality back in the wedding industry soon. Seeing old friends and past clients was a bonus too!

Music Photo-Film below:

Thanks for reading and as we look to March / April and the summer of 2021, let us hope it will be a bit more ‘back to normal’ and weddings can once again be a regular occurrence in our diaries.

Suppliers:

Ceremony: The Tudor Barn, Eltham, London

Dress: Together Forever Brides Crayford, Kent

Suits: Reiss

Rings: RPS Jeweller Hatton Garden

Flowers: Highflying Balloons & Flowers Welling, Kent


Need help deciding on your wedding photographer? See my BLOG below for some more inspiration.

“pandemic noun
plural pandemics
Definition of pandemic
1 : an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area (such as multiple countries or continents) and typically affects a significant proportion of the population : a pandemic outbreak of a disease
a global pandemic
Influenza pandemics seem to strike every few decades and to kill by the million—at least 1m in 1968; perhaps 100m in the “Spanish” flu of 1918-19.
— The Economist”
— — https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pandemic
Source: https://www.mattrockphotography.com

Getting married in a pandemic - Kent Wedding Photographer - Matt Rock

Wedding Photography at The Manor Gatehouse, Dartford - 2020

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2020 was a bit of a curve ball for us all.

I was all set for my busiest year of shooting weddings since starting my business way back in 2006.

It was 2019, and I had a busy year after winning the Kent Wedding Photographer of the Year - 2019. I was all prepared for a busy year ahead; I had a minor operation booked in for the start January 2020 (which went well thanks to our amazing NHS) and my first wedding of the year was booked in for late March. So plenty of time to rest and recover before the hard work and fun started.

Then came COVID-19…

Fast forward a year to December 2020 and out of the 32 weddings I had booked in, only 3 of them were able to go ahead due to government restrictions.

To say it was a stressful year professionally is an understatement. However, I still count myself very lucky. Receiving the government grants, having some great clients who were still prepared to stick with me and some who paid their fees upfront. This meant I was able to keep my business going and look forward to a busier 2021.

We are still not out of the woods just yet, but with the vaccine being rolled out and an amazing NHS - it’s got to a positive move forward.

2020 will be a year to remember - or maybe forget.

2020 will be a year to remember - or maybe forget.

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Amy and John were great throughout all of this. They had originally booked me almost 2 years before, in 2018 and their original date was set for 10th April 2020. They even recommended me to John’s sister and I shot her wedding in 2019. But as soon as the lockdown was looking like a possibility their date was soon changed to later in the year and we postponed it to 14th November 2020. At this point we were all hopeful this virus would be under control by the summer of 2020.

As this new date approached however it was clear that things were getting worse - not better. So they made the difficult decision to move their wedding date for a second time and bring it forward to 30th September 2020. Which as it turned out was a great move on their part as another venue lockdown was just around the corner…

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Below are some of my favourite memories from their wedding day - 30th September 2020

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So that was the moment it all happened - all the years of planning a wedding, postponing it twice, a pandemic and the compulsory wearing of face masks.

It all came down to the fact that two people just wanted to get married!

That’s it!

There was not going to be any lavish after party with 150 guests, no big embarrassing speech from the best man, no DJ, no first dance and no honeymoon.

Just two young people who were desperate to get married and start a new life together as Mr & Mrs.

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Then it was all down to the local pub for burger & chips & few drinks.

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It was great to be part of Amy & John’s special day and although it was not as they would have chosen, I felt they still had the best day, spent with close friends and family. I mentioned before that i’d photographed John’s sisters wedding back in 2019, so for me it was good to catch up with the family again too.

I made a music photo-film from their wedding and you can see this below.

Thanks for reading and as we look to March / April and the summer of 2021, let us hope it will be a bit more ‘back to normal’ and weddings can once again be a regular occurrence in our diaries.

Suppliers:

Ceremony: Manor Gatehouse, Dartford Registry Office, Dartford, Kent - A Kentish Ceremony @kentishceremony

Pub: The Malt Shovel, Dartford, Kent @maltshoveldartf

If you know any suppliers that I have missed, please contact me me as I would love to include their details here.


Need help deciding? See my BLOG below for some more inspiration.

pandemic noun
plural pandemics
Definition of pandemic
1 : an outbreak of a disease that occurs over a wide geographic area (such as multiple countries or continents) and typically affects a significant proportion of the population : a pandemic outbreak of a disease
a global pandemic
Influenza pandemics seem to strike every few decades and to kill by the million—at least 1m in 1968; perhaps 100m in the “Spanish” flu of 1918-19.
— The Economist
— https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/pandemic



Source: https://www.mattrockphotography.com

Darenth Valley Wedding Photography - Emma & Luke 2020

The Darenth Wedding Photographer

Recommended Wedding Photographer

Emma & Luke booked me for their wedding back in March 2019 and were meant to be married in June 2020 at The Darenth, a lovely wedding venue in Shoreham, Sevenoaks, Kent. This venue has changed so much over the last 4 years and it should be a venue you look at too. One of the great features at The Darenth is that you have the option to get married inside or outside.

So with the date set it was all go go go and looking forward to the wedding… Then 2020 happened! Being the year it is, over 95% of weddings were postponed to later in the year or into 2021. Emma & Luke wanted to move the date back to August 2020 and of course I still wanted to be involved and lucky enough I had the date available too.

We managed to get the new date booked in a couple of months later for August and they had a lovely outside wedding planned. Lots of couples book a pre-shoot to get used to the camera before the big day but due to COVID-19 and lockdown, we didn’t have many dates free for theirs so we met just a couple of days before the wedding for some photos and then it was wedding time soon after.

Pre-shoot at The Darenth

Pre-shoot at The Darenth

Planning a wedding can be one of the most stressful times for some of us; making sure all the people you love are there, the dress is perfect, the venue knows what you want, the groom arrives sober and the best man doesn’t ruin the day with the worst speech in history! Alongside that there are all the other little details that need to be planned, booked and paid for. Then add a little virus into the mix - COVID-19 - and it can take on a whole new level of stress.

But Emma & Luke seemed to be so relaxed and calm about it and the day went perfectly. Ok, it wasn’t exactly how they planned it to be but they got their outdoor wedding they wanted and all their close family and friends were there to celebrate with them too.

As with most weddings I shoot, coverage starts with the Bride getting ready. I love to blend in & capture these images of the excitement and sometimes chaos.

Watch their Photo-film below - just hit the PLAY button

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As I said, I love starting the day shooting bride preparations. It’s a time that is full of expectations, nerves and excitement. I can really get the natural photos that I like to get which tell the story of the day. It also gives me the chance, if time allows, to get some beautiful portraits of the bride too.

As Emma came out of the house it started to rain very lightly - This was not a good start as she was all set for an outside ceremony at The Darenth and we were all a bit concerned about it getting worse...

However, by the time we’d arrived at The Darenth the rain had stopped and it was back to the original plan of having an outside ceremony - although it was very windy - terrible for my hair!

But I don’t think Luke the groom was too worried.

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After a few reception drinks & the cake was cut, we were off out for some portraits & group photos. Then onto the Kings Arms, Shoreham for some food and more drinks. We took the short walk, just down the road & over the beautiful bridge.

The Darenth is situated near to the lovely little village of Shoreham, Sevenoaks. About a 5 - 10 minutes walk away and a great place to go for some couple portraits after your ceremony.

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With all that has happened in 2020 with COVID, this wedding still went ahead and it was a great wedding day. Although it was a bit different to a wedding in a normal year, due to you know what but the wedding was a big success and from an outsiders point of view it went very very well and everyone seemed to love being there to celebrate it with Emma & Luke - I know I did! Yes it was different but every wedding I have ever photographed since 2006 has been different.

The one thing I try to do with every wedding is tell a story of the day and this wedding will be one of only a very small number of weddings that took place in 2020 (this was my first 2020 wedding & I’ve photographed just 3 up to this point - November 2020) and that will be the story these two lovely people will tell their grandchildren many years from now…

“What year did you get married Nan?”

“Let me tell you about COVID 2020…. “

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The Darenth - Contact the team:

Station Road, Shoreham, Sevenoaks, Kent, TN14 7SA

info@thedarenth.com - 01959 522944 - www.thedarenth.com

DARENTH VALLEY PHOTO-FILMS - BELOW - PRESS PLAY & TURN UP THE VOLUME

SUPPLIERS:

Venue: The Darenth

Pub: The Kings Arms, Church St, Shoreham, Sevenoaks TN14 7SJ

Flowers: Mr Flower Ltd - https://mrflower.co.uk

Dress: Wed2b - https://www.wed2b.co.uk/bridal-shops/london/kent/wed2b-bromley

Rings: Beverbrooks - http://beaverbrooks.co.uk

Photographer: Matt Rock Photography

Other supplier information will be added as soon as possible.

Source: https://www.mattrockphotography.com

Kent Wedding and Portrait Photographer Matt Rock - Black and White Photographs

If you are like me, you love seeing beautiful, creative & timeless black and white photography.

Wedding Photography - Candid photograph of a bride - Allington Castle - Kent - 2019

Wedding Photography - Candid photograph of a bride - Allington Castle - Kent - 2019

When I make an image during a wedding, portrait shoot or a big corporate event, I always like to make it look as natural as possible - so it doesn’t look stiff, posed or forced. Working in a documentary style means these will often be candid images, during corporate events or weddings and sometimes they will be a directed portrait where I am in complete control of how the image will look; with lighting and expression etc - often during a Wedding portrait shoot or a studio portrait session. These photographs can then be processed to black and white or kept in colour during the editing stage.

Below are some black & white images of my work during portrait sessions and inc. weddings, corporate events and portrait shoots.

Black and white images will give you that timeless look which feels unique to this style and look as good in the future as they do now.

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Corporate Events - Museum of London

Corporate Events - Museum of London

Studio Portrait

Studio Portrait

Corporate sports events - QPR - 2018

Candid Portrait

Candid Portrait

Natural / directed Portrait

Natural / directed Portrait

Family Portrait session - Kent

Family Portrait session - Kent

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It is my job as a portrait photographer to look for the best light or create it and then to get the best expression from the people in front of the camera - without directly asking them for it.

Black and white photos seem to be less complicated and more future-proof, without splashes of colour to distract you the viewer from the subject matter or overall scene.

As I said, I am always looking for the best quality of light for my photographs. Whether it’s available light from a window in a room, the sunlight and shade outside or the studio lights I have set up. Quality of light or interestingly the shadow is even more important with black & white as the tone can set the mood of an image and when you add to that, the moment and composition it can be very powerful.

Do they look nervous before the wedding? - Are they happy that the pressure is now off of them? - Or are they in love during a bit of quiet time together?

Wedding Portrait of Groom - window light

Wedding Portrait of Groom - window light

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Event Photography - Goodwood Revival - September 2019

Event Photography - Goodwood Revival - September 2019

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Corporate Events - London

Corporate Events - London

Corporate golf days are always interesting to photograph - The London Golf Club

Corporate golf days are always interesting to photograph - The London Golf Club

My love of black and white images does not mean I only shoot this way.

There are often different reasons for shooting in colour and or black & white - my clients wants and needs will affect this for the most part and often the client needs a colour image for what they are using the images for. But sometimes they let me make them how I want to as well.

Firstly, thank you for reading this far down, I hope you enjoyed what you have seen.

If you are looking to hire a multi skilled photographer to capture your corporate event, wedding, portrait or headshot, please get in touch.

Equipment used: Fujifilm XPRO 2 & XH1 with 16mm f1.4 - 23mm f2 - 50mm f2 - 90mm f2

Other useful links: Documentary event Photography - Headshot Photography - How to choose a wedding photographer

All Images and copyright belongs to Matt Rock Photography.

English Castle - Lympne Castle Wedding Photographer - Kent - UK

As a Kent wedding photographer I was lucky to be asked if I would be part of Lympne Castle as a recommended photographer. I’m proud to be part of this wonderful Kent wedding venue. From a photographers perspective there are so many opportunities to photograph a wedding here. Candidly capturing those otherwise unseen moments between you and your guests. It really is a pleasure to work here as a photographer. Aimee and the team will look after you from start to finish.

Are you part of our NHS or Emergency Services? Special Offer - see more information here

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Lympne Castle, Kent, UK

English Castle Weddings

Aimee - 01303 261666 / 01303 267571
aimee@lympnecastle.com

Lympne Castle has been providing hospitality to nobles since the 12th century and Situated in the beautiful village of Lympne, Kent.

This Medieval castle should be considered for your Kent wedding. It’s somewhere that I’m very comfortable working at. There are so many great photo opportunities and lots of space for you to explore. Plus if the weather is not on your side the light coming into the dark panelled rooms works so well for the candid, natural images I like to make.

  • Press PLAY below to see a short photo film to music - turn the sound up too.

From the first time you walk down the drive to the castle entrance you get the feel of being in another time in British history.

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If you prefer a Church service there is a beautiful one next door to Lympne Castle

If you prefer a Church service there is a beautiful one next door to Lympne Castle

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  • Another Beautiful Photo Film below - PLAY & turn the music up…

If the weather is on your side the courtyard and gardens are a great place to have a glass of fizz whilst chatting to your guests and enjoying the views that many wedding venues can only dream of. Aimee & the team will always be there to help.

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For the bride who wants to keep it all in one place; getting ready, wedding ceremony, champagne reception, wedding breakfast and the party, this could be perfect.

For your bridal preparations, do you use the cottages or the castle? The choice is yours…

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These rooms are perfect for those natural, candid photos that you will look back on whilst you show your children and grandchildren.

Lympne Castle has lots of space and could cater for those large weddings but just as easily for the smaller ones too.

  • You REALLY should consider this Medieval castle for your wedding

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Since lockdown started on 23rd March 2020 - COVID-19 - has been disrupting our industry and we may be seeing more & more smaller weddings in the future. I can imagine a more intimate wedding at Lympne Castle would be just as beautiful and really bring together the most important people in your life along with a cosy fire place and maybe a wedding singalong or two. I have photographed many weddings at Lympne Castle and I can’t wait to get back there once we have all settled down to some kind of normal again and the wedding industry is back on track.

I personally feel this beautiful, old English Castle in Kent, UK has so much character and will bring the wow factor to your wedding. I have so much fun working here and you will not regret adding this to your list of wedding venues. Contact Aimee to make your appointment.

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  • Hit the PLAY button to see this photo film below - turn the sound up too.

Like and share my Social Media pages below






Kent Wedding Photographer - The beauty & power of one image

Are you part of our NHS or Emergency Services? Special Offer - see more information here

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I made this wedding portrait a few years ago. 1st August 2015 to be precise.

It is a beautiful yet simple image of the Grooms Nan looking up at her grandson on his wedding day. It’s an image that can not easily be recreated or posed. It’s a powerful candid image that started out as a standard group photo.

This one image has had more than a dozen people in tears in front of me when viewing it at wedding shows.

(I have a very large framed print of it)

It’s normally the mother of the ‘groom to be’. Not because they know the lady in the photograph but because they see their own mother in the image and wish that she could be at her sons wedding.

Images can be powerful for all sorts of reasons. Some beautiful and some not so beautiful. But when you can see & feel the emotion in a photograph it can be a magical thing.

When I made this image, there were others too of course that were very similar. I’d call them a series of images which led to this one standing out as ‘the one’ for me to use.

Here are some of the other images that lead to this beautiful moment…

Although I consider myself a candid, documentary wedding photographer, (which is why I believe I was able to see this happening and then record the image) and I do still shoot group photos. As the first image shows, they are an important part of the day and who knew that I would get the result I did if I hadn’t started with this image below.

So, it started off as a typical group photo of the bride & Groom with his Nan and just evolved from there. I had stopped talking long before i’d stop shooting.

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And this is the last in the series that I made.

I think that there is a kind of cheekiness to this lady and a look of pure delight and love on her face and I believe she approved of her grandson getting married that day!

Below are some other candid photographs that make me smile from this wedding back in August, 2015…

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Source: https://www.mattrockphotography.com/blog

Being a recommended Kent Wedding Photographer...

In this BLOG I take a closer look at two great wedding venues that I am lucky enough to be recommended by. I will showcase another two soon. Most of my wedding couples find me through their friends recommendations. Another way I get clients is being recommended by many Kent wedding venues, which is a real honour to be trusted by them. These venues are places I like to work at as they all have their own look and style. Here’s a look at the first two on the list - venues who recommend me: The Boathouse, Bexley and The Darenth, Sevenoaks. - Alphabetical order.

Are you part of our NHS or Emergency Services? Special Offer - see more information here

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“Have you worked at my venue before?”

Being recommended by a venue is great and if you are getting married in Kent, Essex and London, the chances are I have worked at your venue.

But there are so many I haven’t yet had the opportunity to see. Which is why I love wedding photography; because shooting at a new venue is very exciting too and as an experienced photographer, working somewhere new is a great opportunity to make photos that no one else has in their wedding album. So I am always looking to work with other venues in Kent, Essex, London too.

In fact I can work all over the UK! So get in touch and we can chat about your plans

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Danson House, &

The Boathouse - Bexley, Kent

They make the perfect combination…

The Boathouse is the closest wedding venue to me and I grew up only a couple of miles away, so I know it well. Set in the beautiful Danson Park in the Borough of Bexley, Kent gives you and your wedding guests lots of outside space with lake views & lots of photo opportunities. There is a terrace out the back of The Boathouse too, which offers a great space to relax after the wedding breakfast and the speeches are all over. You do have the option to hold your wedding ceremony at The Boathouse too. However, lots of wedding ceremonies are held at the nearby Danson House, which is a beautiful Grade 1 listed Palladian villa built in 1766 by Sir John Boyd and is a historic landmark in Bexley.

You can learn more about Danson House - here.

It’s just a short walk from The Boathouse too, which is why they make the perfect combination.

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** Look at this BLOG about my NHS & Emergency Services - SPECIAL OFFER **

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The Darenth, Shoreham, Kent

You can hold your ceremony inside or outside at The Darenth

Attention to detail… This venue has been constantly improving and changing over the last 4 years and is almost unrecognisable. Kerry & Jason have really made this Kent wedding venue one to see. This should, without doubt be one to consider for your wedding. Every time I go there, something else has been improved, changed or been tweaked. The Darenth is just a short country walk from Shoreham, so when the time is right, you can take a few moments away from the party. It’s a lovely walk down to Shoreham & so we can make those special couple portraits I love to make - the best bit is, I work fast and discreet, so you won’t be away from your guests for long.

So if you haven’t seen this Kent wedding venue for a while speak to Kerry on 01959 522944 and take a look around.

You can see my last BLOG here from a wedding at The Darenth last December - 2019.

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The Darenth Wedding Photographer - Kent Wedding Photographer

Lucy & Peters’ wedding of December 2019 was my last wedding of 2019 held at The Darenth in Shoreham, Sevenoaks, Kent, UK.

This is one of the venues I am recommended at - The Darenth - I love to work here and know it well.

** See my NHS & Emergency Services special offer here **

  • Watch Lucy & Peter’s photo film below - turn the volume up.

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Lucy & Peter arriving at The Darenth

This wedding feels like a long time ago now due to the lockdown we are currently experiencing.

Strange times!

Lucy’s wedding day started at Tabsfield B&B in Eynsford, Kent, where Lucy, all her bridesmaids and close family were getting ready for her big day. Tabsfield B&B is a great place to start your wedding celebrations. There are lots of rooms with lots of space and beautiful grounds to use and it was close to their Church in Otford and their reception venue - The Darenth.

Below are some of my favourite story telling photographs of them all getting ready.

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More candid photographs below from some of my favourite images during the Church service

Documentary, Candid Wedding Photography

All the photographs above were made in a candid, documentary style, telling the story of the wedding day without influencing what they did or when they did it, just watching & anticipating what I thought would happen.

I don’t interfere with how a wedding looks - I try to capture the natural flow and beauty of the day - Nobody likes a bossy photographer!

After the ceremony there is a bit of time for a few group photos of the couples nearest & dearest - which aren’t candid but I do feel they are very important images of people to document during a wedding and should be made in a friendly, happy way to really bring out the personalities of the people in them - some confetti too of course - if allowed - always check with the venue first.


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After the vows have been said and the confetti has been left for someone else to clean up we all traveled onto The Darenth for the reception drinks and evening party.

I don’t think the driver liked me or my joke.  :)

I don’t think the driver liked me or my joke. :)

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Before the meal we went outside to shoot some beautiful couple portraits of the Lucy & Peter.

Making candid, documentary photos really makes me happy. But as an experienced portrait photographer I love to make some portraits too - fusing these two styles together in a way that really compliments the candid images. Although these portraits are directed by me I still try to make them as natural as possible and they will blend in perfectly with your wedding album.

Of course there are many couples who do not want to have their portraits made in this way and the whole day can be candid; which for me as an award winning documentary photographer is great too.

To be honest, as long as i’m making portraits I don’t mind if they are candid or directed… I just love photographing weddings and people.


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Time for the wedding breakfast and time for me to stop making photos for a while… Well sometimes!

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Chef above & waitress below both hard at work during food service

Chef above & waitress below both hard at work during food service

Photographing the speeches can be tricky but enjoyable. You have spent all day with the Best Man and the Father of the Bride and one thing that is always on their mind are their speeches. They can’t think about anything else sometimes which is really interesting and funny to watch.

I get to know a bit more about the couple too with some great stories that are told; positive words of advice, funny stories & some sad ones too.

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P - A - R - T - Y…..

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If you got to the end of this wedding blog - thanks for reading!

As a thank you for getting to the bottom, if you like and follow me on social media (see links below) book me to photograph your wedding and pass my information on to a friend or relative that you know who may need a wedding photographer too. I will make your very own music slideshow of your wedding as a complimentary gift - like the one of Lucy & Peter’s at the top of this BLOG post - with the code: LUCY&PETERBLOG-MRP - you can see the cost & value of my wedding work using the link HERE.

Fill in the form below inc. the offer code and I’ll look forward to speaking to you about your wedding soon.

Source: https://www.mattrockphotography.com

How do you choose your wedding photographer?

Congratulations on your engagement

Finding the right wedding photographer can be hard and as soon as you start looking for venues you may be looking for your photographer too - there are lots of us out there...

Are you part of our NHS or Emergency Services? Special Offer - see more information here

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How & when do you choose your wedding photographer

Me on a roof - photo credit: Colin Lavery

A great place to start is by sending them an enquiry form like the one below

Give them a ring…

My mobile number: 07970 668592

Or you could start by looking at their portfolio of images.

Websites, music slideshows photo films & social media posts are a great way to get an idea of style, quality and consistency of their work. I am an experienced wedding photographer based in Kent & I photographed my first wedding, which was an Essex wedding back in 2006 as an un-paid assistant.

Yes, get the violins out…

Fast forward 14 years, 2 Photographer of the Year Wedding Awards, (2019 and 2020) and hundreds of weddings under my belt and here we are.

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Photographer of the Year - 2019

Kent, UK

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Natural Wedding Photographer 2019 / 2020

Most of my couples tend to book me around 9 to 18 months before the wedding day. Some prefer to book 2 years or more in advance and some just a few months before.

Personally, I would recommend securing your wedding photographer as soon as you have found the one who’s work you love, so as not to be disappointed.

This is usually done by paying a booking fee to secure the date - remember to get a receipt for any money you spend and check the photographer has adequate business insurance too.

 

Website & Social media

Website: https://www.mattrockphotography.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattrockprophoto/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MattRockPhotography/

A little side-note about this year...

2020 was going to be my busiest year for weddings since I started my photography business in 2006 - 14 years ago & the year 'Matt Rock Photography' was born.

Then the words COVID-19 started to infect our vocabulary, our ears and our country - Even the prime Minister, Bori Johnson caught it.

This is a very sad and scary time for many of us and a very busy time for others. Especially our NHS, Emergency Services & key workers. I have been lucky to stay safe with my family, which i'm thankful for; home schooling the kids, helping out other members of my family where I can and exercising in the garden too of course.

From a business point of view, it's been hard... The negative potential of this for my wife and I isn’t worth thinking about as we are both self employed. My wife’s business is in fitness & Yoga is an industry that has been affected really bad too. But we can't control it and the worst thing anyone can do is panic - so we carry on like everyone else and improve.

However, currently as of 30th April 2020, 50% of my couples this year have had their weddings moved to later in the year, re-booked to 2021 and of course there has been a couple of cancelations too. But I try to help out & find alternatives. The key to survival for me is that we all help each other out during this difficult time. We can all try to agree on a new wedding dates if needed and I will not be charging any fees to re-arrange wedding dates either. Working together will help everyone and we will get through it at some point in the future.

So, on that note, you must also make sure to look at wedding insurance and what it can offer you if the worst happens.


2020 is almost fully booked as there won’t be many dates left when we get back in to the swing of things.

2021 is looking busy too, so book early if you can. I think there will be more weddings coming over from many of the 2020 cancelations & postponements too.

When you have booked your photographer always get a receipt to prove what you have paid & get a signed contract too.

Wedding ceremony at the beautiful - St. Augustines, Westgate-on-sea, Kent

Wedding ceremony at the beautiful - St. Augustines, Westgate-on-sea, Kent

 

A couple of other ways that may help you choose your photographer are:

IS THERE CONSISTENCY IN THE PHOTOGRAPHERS WORK

Remember, your wedding will be completely different to any examples you see online - it’s your wedding after all. So when you look at a photographers portfolio you may not know the people in the photographs, but even someone else’s photographs can bring out that emotion that makes you want to ask what were they doing? How were they feeling? And why? So ask to look at galleries of whole weddings; start to finish. Are they consistent? Or do they look as if two or three photographers have done the job?

YOUR BUDGET

This is important too of course and only you know the answer to this question.

I have set fees which can also be tailored to your specific day and will cover most weddings which you can see here. You can book a full day - coverage only, or if you want to included a photo-book or an album, you can. There is also the option to have a midweek wedding coverage.

I work with a great wedding album lab that produces the very highest quality books and albums for which I design. The perfect way to show the kids and grandkids how great you looked ‘back then.’

RECOMMENDATIONS 

Did the photographer come recommended: by a friend, relative or venue?

I get recommended from previous clients who’s weddings I have shot and this year I am booked in to shoot my 7th wedding all from the same family from back in 2015. As well as that, being on the recommended list at seven wonderful Kent wedding venues is great too. I have been recommended by the staff at a venue called Southend Barns in Chichester (near Bognor Regis) after shooting there for the first time in 2016 - Beautiful venue and really friendly staff - see some photos below from 2018.

Southend Barns, Chichester - https://southendbarns.co.uk/weddings/ - 01243 641247

Finding your photographer from the suppliers list of a wedding venue is a great way to start. Even if the wedding is in another part of the country.

Matt Rock Photography can easily travel throughout the UK and Europe.  

CHAT TO YOUR PHOTOGRAPHER  

I often discuss the details of my clients wedding with them over a coffee or on the phone before they book. However when my name has come from a recommendation they will often secure the date after just a couple of emails which is great too.

Then I send out the contract, day plan and a list of other information I need.  

PROFESSIONAL INSURANCE

Make sure your photographer has enough professional insurance as most venues will need a certain level of cover to allow someone to work at the venue.

You can request to see my insurance details at any time - I’ll be happy to forward the information to you or send it direct to your venue.



The socials…

Kent wedding Photographer of the year 2019

LTG Natural Photographer of the Year 2019 / 2020    

Good luck searching for your photographer

t: 07970 668592 - e: matt@mattrockphotography.com - w: www.mattrockphotography.com

To see my first ever BLOG dedicated to the NHS & Emergency Services click here.

Wedding Photographer - Special offer - NHS or Emergency Services?

Are you part of our NHS or Emergency Services?

MULTI AWARD WINNING WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

** Offer extended until 2025 **

Portrait Photography - Retired Firefighter

Portrait Photography - Retired Firefighter

Matt is an amazing photographer, from the moment I saw his work I wanted him to photograph our wedding and he didn’t disappoint! Everybody commented how polite, funny and professional he is!
I normally hate having my photos taken but with Matt I couldn’t feel more comfortable! Thank you so much Matt, I’ll say it again you are a legend ❤️. Love Mr & Mrs Freeman xx Ps: Izabella our daughter (6 years) says The Photos are sooo pretty ❤️ Xx
— Chloe Freeman - 2021 Bride

** SPECIAL OFFER **

As a thank you from me to all our NHS & Emergency Services staff; including both the frontline staff & back office workers, I am offering as part of my Multi Award Winning Wedding Photography Service, some great complimentary products that will help make your wedding even more memorable.

If you are getting married in 2021, 2022 & 2023, now extended to 2024 & 2025 weddings - I am offering you some great complimentary goodies that will go perfectly with your wedding photographs & album.

  • I AM NOW EXTENDING THIS OFFER UNTIL 2025!!

Matt Rock 307.jpg

Documentary Wedding Photography

Leave your details below and we can chat more about your wedding plans.

Be sure to ask me about the special offer - EXTRA’S PACK.

Many members of my family and all of my immediate family have worked for the NHS and Emergency Services. My dad is a retired firefighter and my mum (now retired) worked for the NHS. So I do understand and know first hand what it is like to have family on the frontline.

  • Irregular working hours

  • Night shifts

  • Interrupted sleep patterns

  • Emergency overtime when you have booked a table at your favourite restaurant.

None of these things make it into the news & not many people think twice about it.

Until now…

It is apparent now - more than ever in my life time, due to the COVID-19 virus how much we all rely on these services and the people that are working in them. Without whom we would be in a worse situation right now.

Wedding Portrait - 2019

Wedding Portrait - 2019

It is because of our NHS, Emergency Services and lots of other key workers that are keeping this country going that I am able to try and keep my own business ticking along during these hards times.

Pre-shoot

Pre-shoot at Allington Castle, Kent 2019

So with that in mind I want to do my little bit and say THANK YOU to our NHS & EMERGENCY SERVICES.

I am offering all our NHS & Emergency Services staff; including both the frontline staff & back office workers, a complimentary EXTRAS PACK with every full day wedding coverage;

This includes:

  • A beautiful music photo-film

  • A wedding Pre-shoot,

  • A discounted print box

total value =

£590.00

If you are getting married in the near future and you qualify for this fantastic offer, or you have a colleague that is getting married, please get in touch and you will be able to get Award Winning Wedding Photography with even more value included. Proof of your employment will be needed at booking.

Spectacular view from Guys Hospital, London Bridge, looking over London from the 25th floor - 2019

Spectacular view from Guys Hospital, London Bridge, looking over London from the 25th floor - 2019

Source: https://www.mattrockphotography.com