Dan Higginson

ELEGANCE & AUTHENTICITY

 
 
Man with a beard holding a camera indoors, wearing a burgundy sweater and jeans, in a dimly lit room.

How’s it goin’?

I’m Dan, old punk, meditator, cocktail connoisseur. I’m also a confident full-time photographer based in Kent. I’m not a camera nerd; what I love is people. I’m all about making that wedding you booked look cinematic as fuck without taking myself too seriously.

Read on to see if I can tread the delicate line between selling myself and sounding like a try-hard.

Photo of me, by Matt Lawrence

Cartoon character sitting on a bed, eating snacks, and watching TV with a remote.
Solid black image
Candid Wedding Photographer
Candid Wedding Photographer
A newly wed couple walks back to their party after some portraits with their photographer

Experience

I stopped counting the weddings I shot when I hit a hundred a couple of years back. Since then, between lead and second shooting, I’ve consistently shot over fifty weddings a year.

I’ve documented non-religious, Christian (British and Greek), Jewish, Hindu, Turkish and Islamic weddings. I’ve worked in huge, fancy wedding venues, cramped, dark castles, churches with pulsing LEDs, high-profile places that require copies of your ID for security, and tipis in family gardens. At this point, nothing fazes me.

I’ve enjoyed associating with and second-shooting for Matthew Lawrence, Lauren Mitchell, Bhavesh Chauhan, S2-images, Danny Jack, Charlie Bluck, Jade Greenbrooke, and many (many) more. I’m sure someone on that list will sing my praises if you reach out.

A bride shows off her wedding ring on her wedding day
Close-up black and white photo of a couple embracing, showcasing the woman's face and bouquet.

A safe pair of hands

Photographers I’ve worked for tell me I’m a laugh to have around on as a second, I can SMASH candids, and I always get lovely feedback when the main photographer speaks with their couple after the wedding.

I started photography twenty-something years ago (yep, I’m officially almost forty), and I’ve carried a camera compulsively for nearly fifteen years and shot A LOT of frames!

Writing this feels a little gross, but I’m not sure how else to prove my experience; I’m a strong documentary photographer (not my own words!) I’ve had my (non-wedding) documentary photography exhibited in the Copland Gallery, The Art House (London), The Guardian, The Big Issue, and others.

Check out my personal work or my podcast, The Idle Hands Society, if you’d like to see what I get up to when I’m not shooting weddings.

Black and white photo of a smiling couple at a wedding ceremony, surrounded by guests.

How I work

I lead shoot my own weddings, so I know what you need from a second. I love to get amongst the action and work close on prime lenses. I’m not the shy ‘fly on the wall’ type.

I love to get a few lovely portraits on my side of prep in the morning and a great group photo. I’m also not shy about shooting grip and grin’s when people want them.

Interior of a decorated church during a wedding ceremony, featuring a bride and groom at the altar with a congregation seated in pews, surrounded by ornate architecture and religious artwork.

Gear

and the Other boring stuff

Okay, I know this is a boring topic, so I’ll sum it all up as quickly as I can.

I use primes on Canon mirrorless cameras. I'll use an on- or off-camera light when ambient light is too flat. I always shoot RAW to two cards. My minimum shutter is always 1/250 (unless I’m trying something artsy after I get the ‘safe’ shots). And I’m happy to shoot as liberally or conservatively as you like. Oh, and if you need me to shoot hybrid stills and video, I can do that too.

If analogue film is your vibe, I’m comfortable with anything from 35mm to large format. Give me a pay bump of £50, and I’ll shoot a roll or two of analogue film for you and hand it over at the end of the night. I can suggest a couple of labs if you like. Your couple will love it!

Questions answered.

  • Three locations? No drama. I drive.

  • I can shoot on your SD cards, or use my own and babysit your laptop as they copy before I leave.

  • Yep, I can shoot hybrid. Just let me know what frame rate, resolution, and profile you use so I can match.

  • Grabbing you a coffee, a light stand, or Auntie Ethel is all part of the job. I don’t make a fuss.

  • I always bring food, so your couple will have more cash to buy prints!

  • I’ll get some amazing photos of you working for your social media or website whenever possible.

  • I expect you to pay my invoice via bank transfer within seven days of the wedding. Most people like to settle up before that.

  • When I hire a second, I let them use the photos however they want so long as they wait until I’ve delivered the gallery to my couple and don’t tag people on social media. That way, I know they’ll give me their best work. You get extra kudos if you work the same way.

  • I can send you a full gallery or highlight video on request.

Want to work with me?

Send the details over in a WhatsApp message, and I’ll let you know if I’m available.