Best UK Wedding Photographers 2015
The ARJ Photography 2015 Collection
Five hundred, twenty five thousand, six hundred minutes. How do you measure a year?
In daylights, in sunsets? In midnights, in cups of coffee? In inches, in miles, in laughter, in strife?
In five hundred twenty five thousand six hundred minutes.
How do you measure, a year in the life? How about love?
In case you don’t know, those are the lyrics from the song ‘Seasons of Love’ from the musical Rent. You should watch it if you haven’t already.
Twenty fifteen. Been and almost gone in the blink of an eye. How the heck did that happen so fast? It only seems like yesterday that we were all arguing over last year’s John Lewis advert and now here we are doing it again already. Crazy times. Of course, Monty the Penguin was way better, but that’s beside the point.
I used those lyrics above because I didn’t want this post to be about specifics of how many weddings I’ve photographed, miles I’ve travelled, pictures I’ve taken or hours I’ve spent glued to the computer screen. I feel too good about this year to get bogged down in the details. But I did win some nice awards, culminating in being named North West Wedding Photographer of the Year and making it through to the national final in January. I thought I should mention that!
In wedding world I watched some of the most amazing people I’ve ever met transform from bride and groom to husband and wife before my very eyes. I’ve been to all sorts of new places on these shores and abroad. I’ve eaten michelin starred food, been epically covered in mosquito bites, been stung through my trousers by superpower nettles, and had some of the best end-of-wedding hugs ever. And I’ve smiled and laughed. So much.
In February I co-taught two super fun workshops as I launched NineDots with three of my favourite UK photographers, who are now three of my best friends. And in November we organised the first NineDots Gathering with some of our favourite photographers from the UK and abroad providing inspiration and education to an audience of 125 wedding photographers. And then we threw a huge party for everyone! And we’re doing it all again next year!
In my personal life, I was finally able to free my wonderful wife from a job she hated so that she could spend way more time with our amazing boys, as well as helping me out with ARJ admin and stuff. And our little family is happier and stronger than ever as a result. Major win. 2015 has also been a year of amazing friendship – wedding photography is such an friendly, supportive community of people with massive hearts and I’m thankful for everyone who I’m lucky enough to call a friend, and for the internet making the world a smaller place. I just wish I lived closer to them all so that we could hang out in real life more often!
I think that’s enough waffling for another year. I’m always reluctant to call this collection a ‘best of’. It’s just a selection of 150 of images from this year which I love and I’m proud of for one reason or another. 2016 season begins for me on New Years eve for Jen and Dan’s wedding at Iscoyd Park which I can’t wait for (officially 2015 I know but just too close to the end to make this post!) and I’m already ridiculously excited for next year! Bring. It.
It’s time now, to sing out, though the story never ends… Let’s celebrate, remember a year in the life of friends. Measure your life in love.
said:
Brother…..! What a year you’ve had! Every single frame from start to finish are award winning! This collection is nothing short of incredible, can’t wait too see what you produce in 2016 and hang out with you more too!
said:
WOW – WOW – WOOWWWWOOOOWOWOWOWOWOO !!
Amazing work dude. Inspiring work and looking forward to see what 2016 bring.
said:
A veritable delicatessen of visual delights! So. Good. So many iconic images; so much creativity and emotion. I just love the way you see and capture the world, man.
said:
wow, what an incredible set of photos!
said:
Every shot makes you stop and really look at it. So much epic as always dude and oozing creativity! A massive year for you!
said:
Take a bow son, you ROCKED 2015 just expecting bigger and better things for 2016. You’re not just an amazing photographer you’re an amazing human being and I’m throughly enjoying our adventures together. You deserve every award going more love and power to you bro!!!
said:
Holy wow! Seriously OOTW!
said:
Just a little bit special these… Incredible work! Nothing short of inspirational.
said:
Awesome mate, just brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
said:
Crazy wedding image envy going on right here, every image is like the panini sticker I don’t have in my collection, WANT, WANT, WANT!!! Seriously mate, a crazily impressive year. I know it’s a Thursday, but I’ll allow you and the Mrs permission to open a bottle of Champagne tonight, each!!!!!!
said:
Insane, just insane! This is a lifetime’s work in just 12 months. Big hugs mate!
said:
….the ‘John Lewis’ of blog posts Adam – couldn’t wait to see this after last years post (and all the bits in-between) and it certainly didn’t disappoint!! Big props!
said:
Wow what a great set. So much fun caught. Have seen a few of these over the months as you’ve blogged them but a few still make me look and say “how’d he do that”? Epic work.
said:
Cerebellum fused! Stunning work ARJ.
said:
Congrats on an amazing year Adam and thanks for all the knowledge and inspiration you and the guys have shared with the rest of us!
said:
Sexy times buddy, cracking 2015, have an amazing 2016!
said:
This is so immense. Hoping 2016 is an even better year!
said:
A perfect mix of epic portraits and really awesome moments, executed ever so perfectly! Seriously, amazing! xx
said:
This is incredible Adam, what a year you have had! You just keep on getting better and better! You are one of the most dedicated and hard working people I know and this really shows in the world class imagery you keep churning out. I’m proud to call you one of my best friends in the industry … love you man!
said:
It’s so easy to just chuck loads of ‘AWESOME, BEAUTIFUL, AMAZING’ out there and not really engage with the images and the emotion and empathy that’s gone into creating them, so I’m just gonna say that you have talented eyes and a very brilliant brain. Well done buddy.
said:
Just wow. This is seriously impressive stuff Adam! Can’t wait to see what 2016 has in store.
said:
Wow. This is an incredible collection, I almost can’t believe this was just 2015. Brilliant work.
said:
Perfection! Stunning work! Have a great 2016!
said:
Superb. Simply top notch.
Not entirely sure how you managed to do all that in 2015 – is it magic or something?
said:
Absolutely fantastic! Every time I look at the photos of Nick and Sheridan’s wedding (and I do often..) I’m instantly transported back to that wonderful day. You deserve all the accolades and plaudits Adam x
said:
Adam, what can I say dude! Epic moment after epic moment and such amazing couples too! Massive congrats on bringing Sophie into the business and the possibilities that this gives your Kids too! All your previous years have rocked but this year, this year should be a year to be incredibly proud of all you’ve achieved!! Bring on 2016!
said:
Awesome stuff there Adam. There are so many amazing moments. HIGH FIVE you very talented dude! xx
said:
Such a powerful collection of images buddy! EPIC stuff mixed with subtle and beautiful moments. And that Free Runner shot…TOOO good!
said:
Just perfect Adam! Love looking at your work 🙂
said:
Damn dude, this is incredible work buddy, the way you see light, compose and find and nail all the little moments a wedding day can give you is masterful my friend!!
Top of your game AJ and I salute you!!!
said:
Seriously Adam!!!!!! What an incredible collection of insane shots this year! absolute epic work!
said:
Every frame is a hero image, that is an incredible feat to achieve and you should be so proud my friend of this collection. It has been a pleasure getting to know you better this year and can’t wait to see what 2016 brings for you! 🙂 x
said:
Hi Adam, All these clicks are really awesome and making the wedding event even more special and gorgeous especially girls in eastern dress. Very fantastic collection you shared which really make my day.
said:
Stunning collection mate – so much diversity, and different skills being used throughout – majorly impressed man. Wishing you an equally awesome 2016 dude!
said:
Gold! GOLD! There was no doubting that 2015 would be your year but you’ve smashed it.
said:
I love every single picture, and very inspiring…
said:
Wow!!! Amazing!
said:
Best photos Man ;->
said:
Solid mate…….damn solid
said:
How did I miss this the first time around! Insane images here dude, raising the bar for the rest of us. Lovely meeting you this year and for inspiring both Hannah & I to be better.
said:
Another level, smashed out of the park. So, so good man.
said:
As ever, an amazing inspiration to us all. Incredible stuff Adam.
said:
Some truly inspirational, varied and breathtaking work! One word – incredible.