PHOTOGRAPHER | Your Alternative Wedding

1 day ago
4 min read

Updated: 8 hours ago

Your Alternative Wedding was founded by Samuel Turrell to provide photography that focuses on a thoughtful, editorial style with film as its foundation. His goal is to produce images that are both timeless and unique, capturing genuine moments through an editorial lens. Your Alternative Wedding is based in the Cotswolds and travels throughout the UK and Europe for weddings.

Tell us about your business!

I create space for couples to feel like they’re stepping away from the expected, and into something more personal, expressive, and reflective of who they are whilst always being there to capture the unexpected and wonderful moments between the moments. While the industry has evolved, the idea of ‘alternative’ remains central to my work.

Weddings drew me in because of that contrast. They hold both structure and unpredictability, a kind of organised chaos. You have these beautifully styled environments and strong characters, but also something deeply human unfolding throughout the day. I wanted to approach weddings in a way that felt more intentional and refined, blending fashion influence with honesty, using film, flash, and alternative formats to elevate the story without losing its authenticity.

The aim is always to create imagery that feels both timeless and distinct grounded in real moments, but elevated through an editorial lens.

What would you like couples to know about you?

Well, I’d say I am very open and a very down to earth kind of person. I’m always willing to go that extra step and try my best to make you feel seen, comfortable and heard. I always remind couples its your day, not mine, I am just there to capture it to the absolute best of my ability, to give you something to look back on for years to come.

Where are you based?

I am currently based in the Cotswolds and travel around the UK and EU for work. Recently weddings have taken me as far as Sri Lanka for a wonderful wedding!

I am planning a re-location to California in the not so distant future, so I am open to discussing weddings from all over the world going into 2027.

Do you travel for weddings?

Absolutely and it is one the best parts of the job ! I am always prepared to travel, whether it is 15 minutes down the road or a 25 hour flight, train and taxi. I love to travel and experience new cultures and bring them to life alongside your celebration.

How would you describe your style?

My favorite style in photography, whether it's fashion, weddings or lifestyle, is the idea of capturing the moments between the moments, the laughter, the quiet exchanges. I find they are often the most powerful, especially when balanced with considered, editorial portraiture.

My primary style sits between editorial and documentary, whilst always trying to be a vibe and creating an element of fun.

My background is fashion, so there is always a big element of that in my mind. Alongside weddings, I am lucky enough to work with brands around the world as well as celebrities and talent.

I want to bring an element of that to your wedding photos. I always want them to be cool, timeless and capture the day and people around you. I’m less interested in how a moment is traditionally meant to look, and more in how it actually feels.

I shoot heavily on film and also often have some images hand printed in the darkroom to offer an elevated edit and artisan feel. I love film, I shoot in medium format or 120mm mostly. The texture, the feel, it really adds to the photos and narrative.

What is your most memorable career moment?

Two stick out, working with Premier League legend/icon Kevin De Bruyne last year was a great moment, shooting his family at their home in Manchester and then in Ibiza.

Another was recently in Sri Lanka, I shot on 5 different formats, digital, film, super 8, VHS and digital video. The results are breathtaking and I can’t wait to share.

But honestly working with good people brings me so much joy, Menorca, Ibiza, Sri Lanka, France, Sicily, the UK, all these wonderful places I’ve worked, I always feel grateful and humbled.

What inspires you?

Fashion mostly and good film photography. I often get inspired by editorials from the 90s/00s also.

Other photographers inspire me obviously, as well as film, TV and culture.

But then there is the day and celebration itself, every wedding and couple are different, so each venue, city, event and relationship inspires me to push myself and create something new that encapsulates the couple.

Do you shoot digitally, on film or both?

I shoot on both digital and film.

On film I shoot on medium format that really elevates your photos, alongside 35mm for more of that classic wedding feel. I often have these handprinted in the darkroom to offer a premium feel to each image.

I pride myself with my knowledge of digital cameras too, especially in post where I use a professional programme called Capture One, to colour grade every photo individually and stay well clear of any filters or presets!

What is a favourite product or service that you offer and why?

I love Super 8mm, it's something I’ve been doing forever and I just find it so classic, timeless and romantic. Each video feels like something from the 70s or a Lana Del Ray video.

Where would you love to travel to for work?

I would love to travel to somewhere like Tanzania or Zanzibar, Morocco or Thailand. More destinations with colour, culture that lends itself to more story telling and creating a whole narrative.

I wouldn’t say no to Fiji wedding either!

Who is your dream client?

Every client is a dream client honestly, they are the ones trusting me and helping me achieve my dreams, goals and the lifestyle I love.

That being said, I’d love to shoot Dua Lipa and Callum Turner's wedding or another cool young, celebrity couple!