Michael Townsend is a Dukinfield-based wedding photographer specialising in relaxed, documentary-style coverage and creative engagement portraits. He captures authentic moments with a calm, unobtrusive approach.
I’m Michael Townsend — a Dukinfield wedding photographer who specialises in relaxed, documentary-style wedding photography across the North West. My work is about real moments: laughter, tears, stolen glances and the small details that together tell the story of your day. I photograph weddings in a calm, unobtrusive way so you and your guests can enjoy the day without feeling like you’re performing for the camera. My approach is natural and people-centred. Most of the day is shot candidly, letting emotions and interactions unfold so I can capture them honestly. When we do portraits, I keep posing to a minimum and create space for genuine connection — a short, creative session away from the crowd gives you relaxed portraits you’ll treasure. I balance natural light with discreet off-camera flash when needed to produce images that feel timeless and true to the moment. How I work with couples is simple and human. Before your wedding I’ll spend time learning about your plans, the venue and what matters most to you so I can be prepared and relaxed on the day. I often start coverage during prep to settle in and catch the morning’s quieter moments, stay through the ceremony and speeches, and hang around into the evening to document the party. I pride myself on being easy-going and approachable — if you’re camera shy I’ll help you feel at ease so your photos feel natural. Why choose me? I bring a calm, professional presence to busy wedding days and a creative eye for portraits and details. I’m committed to creating inclusive photography — everyone deserves beautiful wedding photos, however you identify — and I work hard to make couples and guests feel comfortable and supported. My priority is to document your day in a way that reflects who you are, not to dominate it. While my specialist focus is wedding photography, I do sometimes film weddings and collaborate with trusted videographers when couples want both photo and video coverage. If you’d like to discuss how I can capture your wedding day — whether in Dukinfield, Manchester or anywhere across the North West — get in touch for a relaxed chat about your plans and how I can help preserve the moments that matter.