'Absolutely electric': Meet the Leeds wedding photographer named among the UK’s best

Hamish Irvine, 30, secured a place at the national final after being crowned Yorkshire and North East England Wedding Photographer of the Year in November last year.

He went on to place in the top two across the UK, receiving a Highly Commended honour at a glittering ceremony in Liverpool in January.

Speaking about the recognition, Hamish said the achievement was “beyond all expectations”. He told the YEP: “It was absolutely electric when they called my name.

“I did a massive jump for joy down the aisle as I went to collect the award. The level of competition, the standard of the other photographers across the entire country, is unbelievably high.

“I still can't quite come to terms with how great this is. It's really massive for my career.”

Hamish, a first-class honours graduate from Leeds Arts University, has built a portfolio of photography that focuses on vibrant colour, fun, and emotional connection between couples.

“I'm looking for personality and emotion, and I'm always trying to connect with people so that they will fully open up with me,” he explained. “Every single wedding is different, and every single guest who comes, I want to capture the best in them.

“My work is so colourful that it attracts people who are looking for a wedding that celebrates life.

“Leeds is a very creative city, and I think Yorkshire as a whole is a very warm place. I really love that the city is so colourful. It suits my style.”

Although his business is now well established in Chapel Allerton, Hamish’s journey began at just 16, when he shot his very first wedding: “I phoned and phoned and phoned wedding photographers, and I was very lucky to be given an opportunity with a wedding photographer with whom I'm now really great friends.

“I was very lucky that I had a family friend who said, ‘Photograph my wedding,’ and I look back at those photographs now and go, they were actually okay.”

For Hamish, creating a relationship with the couples ahead of their big day is the most important aspect of good wedding photography.

He explained: “It's very weird having your photograph taken, and I want people to feel like it's not a challenge. That way people open up, and it's fun and emotional, and then suddenly the photography becomes a memorable, fun part of their wedding, rather than it being this cringy, boring slog.”

Now, following his national recognition, he says he feels grateful to be doing a job he truly loves.

“I have some incredible weddings lined up this year and in 2027, and I want to focus on continuing to push myself,” he said. “I want more colour, more photographs that allow me to express what I love.

“I'm always looking to try and do things differently. I never shoot a venue or location twice. I want to try and push myself to try and make things even more me.”