Sam Docker is a Derby wedding photographer specialising in documentary-meets-editorial, fine art wedding photography. He captures authentic atmosphere and creative, professional wedding photos.
If you want wedding photography that feels like it was made for you, Sam Docker is the Derby-based specialist to call. Describing his work as _documentary_ meets _editorial_, Sam brings a background in fashion and art & design to every wedding he shoots, turning real moments and atmosphere into fine art images that last. Why choose Sam? Because he treats weddings as stories, not checklists. A self-confessed full-time people watcher, Sam’s eye is trained to notice the small, unscripted moments that make a day unique — the stolen glances, the laughter spilling across a table, the hush before vows. His experience photographing weddings across the UK, Europe and internationally since 2013 means he knows how to adapt: natural light in a barn, dramatic backdrops at a manor house, or the bright heat of a beach ceremony. What makes his approach special is the mix: unobtrusive reportage combined with considered, editorial compositions. Sam prefers to be part of the day without getting in the way — creating relaxed portraits when they matter and fading into the background when moments are unfolding. The result is a wedding gallery that conveys atmosphere and emotion, so viewers feel as if they were there. How he works with couples is straightforward and personal. Based at Brickwork Studio in Derby, Sam enjoys getting to know clients before the big day — a conversation or a pre-wedding shoot helps calm nerves and build trust. On the day he’s collaborative and pragmatic: supportive of your plans, quick to read a room, and focused on delivering professional wedding photos that reflect your personalities. While weddings are Sam’s core focus, he also shoots engagement sessions occasionally and shares his experience through mentoring and workshops for emerging photographers. His voice extends beyond the lens too — he runs the Another Idea podcast and YouTube channel, bringing creative thinking into the conversation. If you’re planning a wedding in Derby, elsewhere in the UK or abroad and want creative, atmospheric, and authentic wedding photography from an experienced specialist, Sam Docker offers a grounded, creative approach that prioritises your story above all else.