Hi, I’m Joe Topping, I’m a documentary wedding photographer based in Newtown, Wales and I’m available for hire throughout the UK. I have a BA (Hons) degree in Photography and that has been my professional focus for over 15 years, with the last decade dedicated to weddings.
How It All Started
My relationship with photography began unexpectedly at 16 whilst studying ART A-Level. I decided to ditch the pencil and pen and pick up my dad’s old Canon 350D. I’d always been intrigued by photography but thought I couldn’t possibly take a good photo without spending hours learning it through a formal course (this was pre-YouTube when people were encouraged to learn things formally).
Ever since I was a kid staying at my grandparents’ house, I’d been captivated by their family photo albums – simple snapshots of everyday life, my granddad on his motorcycle, moments from my childhood that I’d completely forgotten about. The images themselves weren’t technically impressive, but they held something powerful: genuine memories of people I knew, doing ordinary things that became extraordinary with time.
When I realised a camera was the tool that could freeze these fleeting moments, something clicked. I became obsessed with the idea that I could create these memory capsules for others.
That fascination led me to start experimenting with photography. I didn’t wait to be accepted into my art teacher’s photography class – I just started taking photos around the garden and out with my friends when we went skateboarding. Eventually I felt confident enough to enter a regional photography competition during high school, which I won, earning my first proper camera as a prize (a Sony Cybershot with a fixed lens). This early validation pushed me to study photography formally through college and university, eventually leading to my first wedding booking.
My Philosophy
I don’t take life too seriously, and I don’t think your wedding photos should feel overly formal or staged either. The day it stops being fun is the day I’ll stop doing this work – but after a decade of weddings, I still wake up feeling privileged to be part of such meaningful celebrations.
Quality over quantity is my guiding principle. I photograph a maximum of 20 weddings per year, which allows me to give each couple the time and attention they truly deserve. Your collection is never rushed or outsourced to someone else. I personally edit every single photograph with meticulous care, and I refuse to use AI in my editing process. Your memories deserve human thoughtfulness and authenticity.
Here is a link to my pricing page where you can see my various wedding packages
Photography is a collaborative process – You are the key to creating emotive, genuine photographs, whether you realise it or not. Although there will be moments of posing for the camera, I want my couples to simply be themselves. For this reason, I offer a free pre-wedding photo shoot for all of my couples. I find this helps relax my couples so they can focus on enjoying themselves on the big day.
My Approach on the Day
I focus on capturing real, candid moments as they naturally occur. My style is documentary at its core – I blend into the background and let your day unfold organically without constant direction or interruption.
I keep posed photographs to an absolute minimum. Over the years, I’ve discovered that when couples and their guests simply do their own thing, the resulting images are far more genuine and emotionally resonant. Your laughter, tears, embraces, and celebrations happen authentically, and that’s what I’m there to document.
My Editing Style
When it comes to post-production, I aim for images that feel punchy and modern without being over-stylised. Over the years I’ve experimented with different look, from moody orange-teal colour grading to the more common soft, light-and-airy film emulation. I feel like I’ve finally settled on a look that is trendy yet timeless (if those two can exist!). Basically, I prioritise skin-tones to make people look their best.
I want your photographs to feel just as relevant and beautiful in twenty years as they do today.
Take a look at my portfolio to get a better idea of my style
Why All Of This Matters
My passion for wedding photography stems from knowing that the images I create will be revisited for years – decades even. You’ll return to these photographs on anniversaries, share them with your growing family, and use them to remember the joy you felt surrounded by the people you love most.
I want to be the person who captures those irreplaceable moments for you. Knowing that I get to play that role in people’s lives is an incredible privilege, and it’s what motivates me to deliver work I’m genuinely proud of.
Being a documentary wedding photographer means I get to experience all the behind-the-scenes fun, the unscripted moments, the raw emotion that makes each celebration unique. That access, that trust – it’s something I’ll never take for granted.
Let’s Connect
If this approach resonates with you, I’d love to hear about your plans.
Get in touch, and let’s start a conversation about your day.