Business Details
13 Years
experience
Award-Winning Wedding Photography in Cheshire
Established in 2013, SMH Photography has built a reputation as an award-winning wedding photography service operating across Cheshire and the North West. With over 15 years of combined experience, Steve and Sandra Hargreaves bring a unique blend of technical expertise and emotional sensitivity to every wedding they document. Their approach prioritises natural, candid moments while ensuring technical excellence through advanced equipment and post-processing techniques. The team holds prestigious industry recognition, including the Associateship (ASWPP) from the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers and multiple Bridebook Excellence Awards. They offer comprehensive coverage from pre-wedding consultations to creative nighttime photography, working seamlessly with couples to create timeless visual narratives.Their portfolio demonstrates mastery across diverse venues and weather conditions, with a particular focus on capturing authentic emotions without intrusive posing. Client testimonials consistently highlight their professionalism, adaptability, and exceptional ability to make couples feel at ease throughout the process. The business maintains strict quality control through dual-photographer coverage and meticulous post-production standards. Their commitment to customer satisfaction is evidenced by a Platinum Certificate of Excellence from Bridebook and finalist positions in regional wedding awards. Steve and Sandra personally manage every aspect of their service, ensuring consistent quality and personal attention to detail across all bookings.
Services
Wedding Photography
Natural Moments Capture
Creative Nighttime Photography
Venue-Specific Photography
Pre-Wedding Shoots
Album Design
Portrait Photography
Event Documentation
Digital Archives
Print Services
Details
- Year established: 2013
Highlights and features
- We have over 15 years of combined experience photographing weddings in all conditions
- Our relaxed approach ensures genuine, unposed moments are captured naturally
- Dual photographers provide comprehensive coverage with different creative perspectives
- Extensive knowledge of Cheshire and North West wedding venues maximises photo opportunities
- Award-winning service with Bridebook Platinum Certificate of Excellence recognition
Associations and certifications
- Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers
- Bridebook
What people say
Stunning photographs
Professional yet friendly
Captured every moment
Amazing quality
Highly recommend
Services
Wedding Photography
Our comprehensive wedding photography service documents your special day with a blend of photojournalism and creative composition. We capture candid moments naturally while providing guidance for flattering portraits. With dual photographers working simultaneously, we ensure no important detail is missed across your venue. Our post-production process maintains authenticity while enhancing technical quality through careful colour grading and retouching.
Natural Moments Capture
Specialising in authentic emotion documentation, our approach minimises posed photography to preserve genuine interactions. We anticipate key moments through experience rather than direction, allowing couples and guests to remain fully present. This method produces timeless images that reflect true emotions and spontaneous interactions throughout your wedding day.
Creative Nighttime Photography
We create dramatic nighttime images using professional lighting techniques to transform low-light conditions into artistic opportunities. Our equipment captures vibrant colours in twilight settings while maintaining natural skin tones. This service includes pre-planned setups for sunset shots and creative illumination of reception details after dark, ensuring comprehensive day-to-night coverage.
Venue-Specific Photography
With extensive experience at venues like Peckforton Castle and Heaton House Farm, we maximise photographic potential through location knowledge. We identify optimal shooting positions and timings based on venue layouts and seasonal conditions. Our familiarity with venue schedules ensures efficient coordination with other suppliers while capturing architectural and landscape features effectively.
Pre-Wedding Shoots
These preparatory sessions help couples build confidence in front of the camera while creating lasting memories before the main event. We use this opportunity to understand client personalities and preferred photographic styles. The experience reduces wedding-day nerves while providing valuable reference material for portrait composition during the actual wedding coverage.
People
Steve Hargreaves
Photographer & Technical Director
With over 15 years of wedding photography experience, Steve specialises in technical execution and post-production. He holds the prestigious Associateship (ASWPP) from the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers. His technical expertise ensures optimal equipment performance in challenging conditions, while his dual-screen Mac setup enables efficient image processing.
Sandra Hargreaves
Photographer & Client Coordinator
Sandra brings emotional sensitivity and organisational expertise to every wedding. She manages client relationships from initial consultation through album design. Her background in assisting with wedding logistics helps reduce stress for couples, while her creative eye contributes to the business's distinctive visual style and award-winning album designs.
Questions
What areas do you cover for wedding photography?
We primarily cover Cheshire and the North West region, including popular venues like Peckforton Castle, Colshaw Hall, and Heaton House Farm.
How many photographers will attend our wedding?
Every booking includes both Steve and Sandra, providing dual photographers to capture multiple perspectives simultaneously while ensuring comprehensive coverage.
Do you offer pre-wedding photography sessions?
Yes, we recommend pre-wedding shoots to help couples feel comfortable in front of the camera and create additional memorable images before the main event.
What happens if it rains on our wedding day?
We have extensive experience photographing in all weather conditions. Our approach adapts to rain by focusing on indoor compositions and using creative techniques to incorporate weather elements positively.
How long does it take to receive our wedding photographs?
We prioritise timely delivery, typically providing a preview gallery within two weeks and full edited collections within four to six weeks after your wedding date.
Do you offer album design services?
Yes, Sandra personally designs all our wedding albums using premium materials, creating custom layouts that showcase your most important images in a cohesive narrative.
