Newhall Estate Wedding Photographer
Newhall Estate
Newhall Estate is one of those venues where you can get a bit of everything in one day. A beautiful setting, loads of space to explore, quiet corners for a breather and plenty of room for a proper party.
As a Newhall Estate wedding photographer, I’m there to photograph all of it. The people, the atmosphere, the little moments you didn’t notice happening and some portraits of the two of you that you’ll actually want on your wall.
Set in the countryside near Edinburgh, Newhall Estate has a brilliant mix of old buildings, gardens, open space and the Pentland Hills beyond.
It means your photographs don’t all have to look the same. You can have photographs around the house, head into the gardens, find somewhere a little quieter for portraits and then be back with your guests before you’ve missed half the drinks reception.
It’s a venue that works particularly well for the way I like to photograph weddings. Most of the day can simply unfold while I move around and look for what’s happening, with a little more direction when we make time for portraits.
A Newhall Estate wedding
This was one of those weddings where there was plenty going on without the day ever feeling overly structured.
J&D got ready in the house surrounded by their closest family and friends who had all stayed the night before.
The ceremony brought everyone together before the day opened up into the drinks reception. There was time to spend with friends and family, explore the grounds and make some portraits without disappearing from the party for ages.
J&D did the Ceremony their way with handfasting and pinky promises. Lots of laughs and a lot of tears.
The evening was a completely different atmosphere. Once everyone had eaten and the dancing started, the pace picked up and there was no shortage of things to photograph.
The party kicked off before the first dance even started. Guests where ready to dance from the moment they got there.
That’s what I want from a wedding gallery. Not just a collection of nice photographs, but something that takes you back to how the day actually felt.
Why I love photographing at Newhall Estate
The House
Newhall House has loads of character without needing to become the subject of every photograph.
I’ll use the architecture when it adds something, but I’m more interested in what happens inside it.
The good light coming through a window.
Someone walking through a doorway.
Your friends filling one of the rooms.
A quiet moment before everything starts.
Or a portrait where the setting happens to make the whole thing work.
The house gives us the backdrop.
We don’t need to force the photograph.
The Grounds
The grounds are where I like to slow things down a little.
Not for an hour.
Not for a massive production.
Just enough time to get away from everyone for a minute.
Newhall has plenty of space to wander, and that’s useful because portraits don’t need to feel like a formal interruption to the day.
We can walk.
Find some good light.
Stop somewhere because the background looks ridiculous.
I’ll give you a bit of direction if you need it.
Then we’ll make some photographs and head back to your guests.
That’s pretty much my approach to portraits everywhere.
I want them to feel like you, just photographed really fucking well.
The portraits
I think portraits matter.
I just don’t think they should take over your wedding.
If you want to spend an hour being photographed, there are photographers who will happily do that.
That’s not really my thing.
I’d rather have twenty minutes.
Enough time to get away from everyone.
Have a breather.
Maybe grab a drink.
Then make some photographs together.
I’ll direct you.
I’ll find the light.
I’ll tell you what to do when you need me to.
But I’m not going to turn your wedding into a fashion shoot.
The goal is to get photographs that feel elevated without making the experience feel overly produced.
90% candid. 10% badass portraits.
That’s basically it.
The moments in between
This is the part of a wedding day that I probably care about most.
The photographs that weren’t on the timeline.
Someone laughing during the speeches.
Your friends catching up over drinks.
A parent watching from across the room.
The five minutes before everyone sits down for dinner.
Someone sneaking outside.
The dance floor when everyone has completely forgotten about the photographer.
Those moments are impossible to plan.
Which is exactly why I like them.
I’m not looking for a wedding day full of perfect moments.
I’m looking for your moments.
The stuff that happened once.
The stuff you didn’t see.
The stuff you’ll probably be glad someone photographed.
From the ceremony to the dance floor
At some point, the elegant bit of the day disappears.
The ceremony is over.
The drinks have been flowing.
The speeches are done.
Someone has requested a questionable song.
And suddenly the dance floor is completely packed.
That’s when I want to be right in the middle of it.
I’m not interested in standing at the edge taking the same photograph of everyone dancing.
I’ll get involved.
I’ll use flash.
I’ll move around.
I’ll look for reactions rather than just faces.
Because the party photographs should feel like the party felt.
A little chaotic.
A little ridiculous.
And hopefully a lot of fun.
What I want your Newhall Estate wedding photographs to feel like
I don’t want you to look through your gallery and just think:
“These are nice photographs.”
I want you to remember things.
A particular person.
A particular song.
Something someone said.
How nervous you were before the ceremony.
How much your face hurt from laughing.
How your friend somehow ended up doing something ridiculous on the dance floor.
How good you felt when you walked back down the aisle.
That’s what photographs are for.
Not just proving that the flowers looked good.
Although I’ll photograph those too.
I want the gallery to feel like your wedding.
Beautiful where it deserves to be beautiful.
Messy where it was messy.
Funny where it was funny.
Quiet where it was quiet.
And full of the people who made the day what it was.
Getting Married at Newhall Estate
If you’re planning a wedding at Newhall Estate and want photographs that are relaxed, honest and a little more editorial when it matters, I’d love to hear from you.
You don’t need to spend your whole wedding being photographed.
You don’t need to know how to pose.
And you definitely don’t need to be good in front of a camera.
I’ll take care of that bit.
You just need to have a really good day.
I’ll photograph the rest.
