2024 was an incredible year where I worked on some wonderful weddings in all kinds of weather!

This article is my chance to share with you some of my favourite images from those celebrations.

I haven’t necessarily gone with the most technical shots from each album. Instead, I’ve chosen images that mean a lot to me and really capture the magic of Islay as a location. They also speak volumes about how I work as a photographer, and what that means for my couples.

Without further ado, let's get started.

Elopements and Rainbows

Imogen and Andrew’s elopement was a wonderful Islay day filled with showers, sunshine, rainbows, and whisky. It was bucketing down when I picked them up for the shoot, but the rain stopped as we were walking to Port an Eas. My sixth sense told me we might get a rainbow and lo and behold, one appeared! Photography is all about seizing the moment, so (much to the couples’ amusement) I flung myself into some soggy ferns and bracken and lay down flat to get the right angle. We were able to make the most of the rainbow and the moment, and my antics got a lovely smile out of the two of them! See more of their special day HERE.

Whisky and Wedding Fun

Being photographed can take you out of your comfort zone, and Helen and David had a few nerves about the process. But as you can see once they got married (and after a little bit of whisky) they both relaxed and thoroughly enjoyed being on camera. So much so that Helen was swinging around the pillars! One of my top priorities as a wedding photographer is making it fun for YOU. No matter how you feel about being photographed, we can make sure that the pictures are fun, interesting, and that the photography itself becomes an enjoyable, memorable part of your special day.

Dramatic Locations and Unique Angles

Sarah and Tosh were my first Islay wedding of 2024, and this black and white image taken at Port Ellen Lighthouse is hands down one of my favourites. I love working at this dramatic location, and it suited the couple down to the ground. Quite a few of my shoots take place at Carraig Fhada and Port Ellen, so whenever I go, I use different angles and techniques to ensure that every image and every couple looks unique. This was a stunning Islay day, the two of them looked fantastic, and it was the perfect start to the 2024 wedding season!

Tamara and Bray renewed their vows at Ardberg Distillery

Fun Distillery Vow Renewal

Tamara and Bray came over to Islay from the US to renew their vows at Ardberg Distillery. As an added treat they’d hired Billy from Islay Classic Tours to take them on a fantastic trip around the area before exchanging their vows back at the distillery. They were lots of fun to work with, and for me this photo really captures the mood of the day. The distillery is the perfect backdrop and it's just the two of them having an amazing time together as they start their married life.

Sophie, Stuart and guests celebrating their day together

Late Night Laughs and Wedding Celebrations

This photo is exactly why I LOVE staying until the end of a wedding! Local couple Sophie and Stuart added some evening images to their package and right at the end of the night we got the perfect picture. Everybody was on the dancefloor having a whale of a time, and for me this energy is what a wedding picture should be all about.

Sam and Martin had a great time on a boat trip with Islay Sea Adventures

Boat Trip Adventures and Lots of Laughs

Sam and Martin were clearly having a lot of fun here! We were mid-way through a wonderful boat trip with Islay Sea Adventures. The trip started from the pier at Ardberg Distillery after they exchanged their vows. The outward journey was bathed in beautiful sunshine, but the weather began to close in on the return journey and the water got quite choppy! Everyone was having an absolute blast as the boat bounced along, and we all had a good laugh as I fell over whilst trying to capture one extra picture! The couple were so much fun to work with and this shot sums up the day: filled with joy, love, laughter, and genuine good times. More photos from Sam and Martin’s family wedding can be seen HERE.

Callen and Farren enjoyed an intimate wedding ceremony on the beach

Intimate Beach Wedding

Hailing from Washington State on the Western US coast, Callen and Farren weren’t fazed one bit by the chilly Islay temperatures! This was an intimate, laid-back ceremony with just the two of them. We started with a few shots at their favourite Kilchoman distillery, then headed down for the ceremony on the beach. There was magic in the air as a flock of geese soared overhead while the couple exchanged their vows. This atmospheric shot really symbolises the moment and this couple starting their new lives together. We captured more beautiful shots of Callen and Farren which can be seen HERE.

Fuko and Hayato braved the freezing wind so we could capture this spectacular shot at Bowmore Distillery

Spectacular Sunrise Images

Now this shoot was, in some ways, one of the most challenging from 2024. Fuko and Hayato wanted some sunrise images in front of the Bowmore distillery. But on that particular day there was a freezing northerly wind, and it was bitingly cold. I had four layers on and could still feel the chill, but the couple gamely got into their wedding gear, and we shot for a few minutes at a time so they could put their jackets back on between poses to warm up. We took some lovely pictures inside the Bowmore warehouse too, but this image is a testament to our determination to capture some truly spectacular shots.

Jo and Rob travelled from Australia to get married on Islay - this stunning shot captures the spectacular light as they walked to their ceremony

Stunning Lighting and Impromptu Shots

Jo and Rob love Islay (and Islay whisky) and travelled all the way from Australia to get married at Ardberg Distillery! The ceremony hadn’t even started when they agreed to take this impromptu shot. In fact, we were walking down to the pier when I saw this reflection (which is from the side of a lorry) that caught the sunlight in a really special way. The couple were really up for making the most of the spectacular light, and I chose this image for my 2024 collection because it shows exactly who I am as a photographer: I’m always on the lookout for ways to do things a little bit differently so that you get a really unique set of images. More of Jo and Robs elopement can been seen HERE.

Sally and Greg enjoying their Islay beach wedding

Islay Family Wedding

The reason I've chosen this image from Sally and Greg’s wedding is that, for me, it absolutely typifies Islay. There are stunning beaches, and you can get glorious weather, but whatever you do, Islay is always dramatic. In some images you are the star, and in some images, Islay is the star - but in the best pictures it's a potent mix of both. View more of the stunning beach setting and Sally and Rob’s special day HERE.

I can't wait to see what 2025 holds and what interesting and creative images we can capture on this fantastic island!

If you’ve enjoyed seeing this selection of 2024 highlights and would like to discuss photography for your Islay Wedding, contact me and lets chat about your plans and how I can capture your special day.

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