Ruth first got in touch while her and James were their personal and intimate wedding ceremony at Derry’s Guildhall - they wanted a celebration was all about keeping things simple, relaxed, and genuinely “them." 

On their day things kicked off at the City Hotel Derry, where Natalie was adding the finishing touches while Ruth got ready. Then it was the short walk to the Guildhall, where Chloe Cairns took the lead a lovely, personal ceremony that had everyone smiling.

Afterwards, we took a stroll up the Derry Walls on the way to Bishops Gate Hotel for their wedding meal - with a quick stop at The Yellow Yard which Ruth described (correctly!) as “the place from Derry Girls.” for a few more unusual shots - I should add Ruth and James made a direct line for the heavy metal CDs, such was their want for authenticity in their photos. Truth be told they would have been happy to stay and browse for a bit longer & Ruth has since told me they went back the next day for a more leisurely look!

After delivering their gallery I asked Ruth and James to provide me a bit of feedback on their decision to ask me to photograph their day - and I'm delighted I did as they affirmed a lot of what I aim for...

'(Your) documentary style made us decide to book as I love having genuine moments captured...  

'My family thought I knew you - that we were friends... that must say something about how relaxed you made everyone feel... You blended in so well and took such a variety of shots.. I was just so at ease with you, I knew you'd get everything... my sister said they're the best professional photos she's seen...

There's one image of us all sitting around in the bar and I love it, it's all the important people in our life.' '

'(Our) photos are amazing Patrick, we couldn't be happier.'

 If you’re looking for natural wedding photography that reflects who you are, I’d love to chat.

If you like my approach and the idea of natural wedding photography on your own day that reflects who you are please get in touch...

In February I spent a couple of days in Dublin being the official photographer at Doc Day after event organisers - two amazing documentary wedding photographers , Kevin and Annie Kheffache put their faith in me to document their brilliant annual Documentary Wedding Photography Conference - which they run in partnership with This is Reportage, and Loxley Colour.

Unsurprisingly given the nature of the event my brief was to turn up & capture the goings-on as it happened - my favourite way of working!

Similarly to when I have photographer the Learning to Fly Wedding Photographers Retreat it's a slightly surreal experience to be the photographer in a room of amazingly talented contemporaries - happily they are supportive group to work among and photographing among my peers encouraged me to raise my own standards rather have any negative impact! Although the build up to sharing my work was slightly more nerve-wrecking - after some great feedback (some of which I've included below) I've a small idea of what it'd be like to have Paul Hollywood enjoy your baking...

The inspiring photographers seen giving the main talks are  Ronan Palliser, Marisa Martins, Linda Bouritius, Leonard Walpot Franco Carlisi and Jay Doherty - the others among the crowd are too numerous to mention...
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Here's a recap of the main day of the event, and a bit of the afterparty too...

​When Lori first made contact, she shared her and Mark's vision for wedding day photography that focused on candid, natural moments; they wanted their photographs to capture the joy and energy of the day as it unfolded — real smiles, real laughter, real love.

(Although with family travelling from Australia, America, and as Mark's dad mentioned in his speech even Greencastle they also knew the opportunity to fit in a few family portraits was too good to pass up...)

I'm sure there would have been some trepidation from their international guestlist (with Mexico & New Zealand also represented) around the January weather in Ireland, few would have predicted the blue skies and glorious sunshine that illuminated the Redcastle Hotel throughout their day...

As I often find with people attracted to my photography Lori & Mark planned a day to fit around them and their families other than ticking a list of must-include traditions, and from their one flower-girl bridal party, their ring warming ceremony,  via their heartfelt & partly free-styled vows to their sidestepping of a first dance to go straight to a bouncing dancefloor the day reflected who they are as a couple...

Here's a preview of their amazing day...