Portsmouth Wedding Photographer
Fun, candid and flash-happy wedding photos from someone who knows this island city like the back of her hand.
Hello From The Island City!
Here’s a fun one for your table plan: Portsmouth is the only island city in the whole of the UK. I’m more than a little biased, but I reckon it’s one of the best places in the country to get married. It’s been home since 2010, so this is properly my patch.
I’m Emma, a fun and candid wedding photographer, ranked top ten in the world for flash. I photograph the REAL stuff. The belly laughs, the wobbly-lipped dads, the did-you-just-see-that moments and the dancefloor chaos, all without dragging you away from your people for hours of posing.
Why Portsmouth Is Brilliant For Wedding Photos
Honestly? We’ve got a bit of everything. Where else can you get the sea, cobbled streets, castles AND a funfair, all within a stone’s throw of each other?
- The sea, obviously. Southsea beach, the Solent and those big, glowing skies at golden hour.
- Cobbled streets and old city walls in Old Portsmouth, plus the Hot Walls, a total gem for portraits.
- Castles and forts. Southsea Castle, the Round Tower, the Square Tower and the forts up on Portsdown Hill.
- The Spinnaker Tower for that “yep, this is definitely Portsmouth” backdrop.
- A proper bit of green on Southsea Common and Ladies’ Mile.
- The funfair on the seafront for daft, colourful, fun photos (yes, really!).
- The brand new seafront walkway built along the sea defences, which is super photogenic.
I Know Every Nook And Cranny
I don’t just live here, I run here. I do the Great South Run every single year and soak it all in, and I’ve walked pretty much every street in this city, sober AND on many a pub crawl. So wherever you’re getting married in Portsmouth, chances are I’ve already walked (or run) past it, and I know exactly where the hidden gems are for your portraits.
My Favourite Portsmouth Venues
The Queens Hotel, Southsea
I love it for its location and those stunning interiors. It’s moments from Southsea Common, the beach and Ladies’ Mile, so we can pop out for loads of gorgeous portraits without you missing your own party.
See The Queens Hotel weddings →
The Square Tower, Old Portsmouth
The staff are SO warm, charming and welcoming, and I love the challenge of lighting weddings in there. It’s where my flash really gets to show off.
See The Square Tower weddings →
Southsea Castle
Cannons, a lighthouse and the sea as your backdrop. Need I say more? It’s also about the most local venue there is to me.
See Southsea Castle weddings →Portsmouth Wedding Venues I’ve Photographed At
Here are some of the gorgeous Portsmouth-area venues I’ve had the joy of working at, click through and see real weddings at each:
- Portsmouth Register Office, intimate, relaxed register office and micro weddings.
- Southsea Castle, Southsea, a striking historic seafront castle with sea views, and about the most local venue there is to me.
- The Square Tower, Old Portsmouth, a characterful historic waterside venue right on the seafront.
- John Pounds Church, Old Portsmouth, a warm, welcoming setting in the heart of Old Portsmouth.
- The Churchillian, Portsdown Hill, a reception venue on top of Portsdown Hill with extraordinary panoramic views across Portsmouth, the Solent and the Isle of Wight.
- The Queens Hotel, Southsea
- Whitney & John’s Queens Hotel wedding
- Whitney & John’s flash-lit night portraits at The Queens Hotel
- Vicki & Luke’s Square Tower wedding
- Molly & Kerry’s Southsea Castle wedding
- Michael & Cailey’s Portsmouth Registry Office and Churchillian wedding
Getting married just outside Portsmouth? I’ve also photographed weddings at Langstone Quays Resort, St Mary’s Church in Portchester, Newtown House Hotel and Tournerbury Woods on Hayling Island. Have a nosy at my Hampshire wedding photographer page for more.
Getting married somewhere not on the list? Don’t worry, I’m always happy to shoot at new venues across Portsmouth and beyond.
The Day We Crashed The Food Festival
One of my favourite Portsmouth memories! Molly and Kerry got married at Southsea Castle and partied at Ashbys, and it just so happened to be food festival weekend. So off we went, two brides and their whole gang walking back through the food stalls and the crowds in full wedding gear. It was SUCH good fun, and exactly why I love a Portsmouth wedding.
Portsmouth Suppliers I Love Working With
Planning a Portsmouth wedding? These lovely lot are my go-tos, and I can’t recommend them enough.
- Hair & make-up: Lucy Jean (@lucyjeanmakeupandhair): always super laid back and does an incredibly good job.
- Cakes: Trula Marie’s Little Cake Company (@trulamarieslittlecakecompany): her designs are epic, and they taste great too.
- Flowers: Karla at Blooms n Balloons, Fort Widley (@bloomsnballoons_fortwidley): as mad as a box of frogs and SO creative.
Planning a Hampshire wedding? Have a nosy at my guide to the best wedding venues in Hampshire, all ones I’ve actually photographed!
Kind Words From Real Couples
“Honestly, if you want a photographer that will be involved and get people laughing then this is your girl! She was an absolute highlight of our special day”
Kerry, Southsea Castle
“So many of our guests commented on how lovely Emma was on the day, felt more like a friend taking the photos rather than someone we had just met.”
Sam & Warren, Portsmouth Registry Office
Portsmouth Wedding Photography FAQs
How much does a Portsmouth wedding photographer cost?
Fair question, and I promise not to be cagey about it. My collections are built to suit different sized days, from an intimate elopement to a full dawn-till-last-dance affair. You can see what is included and current pricing over on my prices and packages page, and if nothing quite fits I am always happy to put something together just for you.
Which Portsmouth wedding venues have you photographed at?
Loads, and I add more every year. I have shot at The Square Tower in Old Portsmouth, the Queens Hotel in Southsea, Portsmouth Registry Office and plenty of spots in between, plus all the gorgeous coastal corners the city has to offer. If you are marrying somewhere I have not been yet, even better. I love a new venue to explore.
Do you travel outside Portsmouth for weddings?
Absolutely. Portsmouth is home, but I photograph weddings right across Hampshire, West Sussex, Surrey and Berkshire, and I am very happy to travel further afield for the right couple. Just ask.
How far in advance should I book my Portsmouth wedding photographer?
The honest answer is as soon as you know you want me, because I only take on a limited number of weddings each year and summer Saturdays go quickly. That said, if your date is next month, still get in touch. It never hurts to check.
Do you photograph the evening and low-light parts of the day?
This is my absolute favourite bit. I am ranked in the top ten in the world for flash by Flashmaster, so when the sun goes down and everyone else packs the camera away, I am only just getting started. Expect proper, creative, dancefloor-lighting-up photos rather than dark blurry phone snaps.
What happens if it rains on my Portsmouth wedding?
We make brilliant photos anyway, that is what. British weather is hardly a surprise, and some of my favourite images have happened under umbrellas or in a downpour with the flash going. Rain is atmosphere, not a disaster, and I will always have a plan B.
Let’s Chat About Your Portsmouth Wedding
If you’re planning a wedding anywhere in Portsmouth and you want someone who’ll capture the real, fun, emotional story of your day, I would absolutely love to hear from you. No pressure, no hard sell, just a friendly chat.
Get in touch here, take a look at my prices and packages and my portfolio.
Got questions? Have a read of my wedding photography FAQs.