YORK PLACE
PHOTO & FILM STUDIO

WINTER WEDDING
PHOTOGRAPHY

YORK PLACE STUDIOS

Low-light Wedding Specialists

Atmospheric Storytelling for Low-Light & Cosy Celebrations

Embracing the Dark: Why We Don't Use Flash

Lighting is Emotion.
Our approach to low-light weddings is rooted in a unique background. Before joining York Place, Matt was a professional Theatre Lighting Designer. He understands better than anyone that light isn't just about seeing; it's about feeling.

In theatre, you change the lighting to change the audience's emotional response. A warm, dim glow creates intimacy; a stark spotlight creates drama. If you blast a scene with flat, bright flash, you kill that emotion instantly.

That is why we choose to keep the memory pure. We don't bring in big lighting rigs to turn your wedding into a film set. Instead, we use our technical expertise to harness the available light—the candles, the fairy lights, the disco spots—to capture the scene exactly as you designed it, preserving the true atmosphere of the night.
low-light wedding photography - groom ties his bow tie in preparation for his wedding. (Monochrome Image)

How do we photograph weddings without flash?

When we first retired our flash-guns camera technology was nowhere close to where it is today in terms of low-light capability. Cameras now can capture images in environments so dark that the eye can barely see, yet despite those improved capabilities we use the same low-light techniques now that we did back on the 5D MkII. Our approach is not to push the camera beyond what the eye can see - to do so results, in our opinion, in an artificial feeling image. Instead we find the light that is already there and use it to our advantage. 

Often it is the restrictions that form the beauty of the image - we hold no preconceptions as to how much light is optimal, we simply work with what is available in front of us. Over the years we've become somewhat known in the industry for our flash-free images, with photographers contacting us from around the world to learn our techniques. In truth though our philosophy is simple - if the eye can see then so can the camera - it's up to us to see and capture the beauty of the atmosphere you create.
Watch the slideshow to see how we handled shooting a wedding photography conference in a windowless basement venue.

A Unified Vision: Photo & Film in Perfect Sync

See how we handle the toughest lighting conditions—from windowless basements to moonlit parties—without ever killing the vibe.
Liam & Dominique have spent over a decade perfecting the art of low-light photography. As a brother-and-sister team, they work with an instinctive understanding of one another, ensuring that every angle is captured with the same consistent, atmospheric aesthetic.

This philosophy extends seamlessly to our video team. Unlike many videographers who rely on bright LED panels that can kill the mood, Alex and Matt shoot using the exact same available-light techniques. This means no blinding lights on the dancefloor and a film that looks and feels exactly like your photographs—moody, cinematic, and completely real.

By working as one family unit with a shared vision, we ensure the atmosphere remains untouched and you can forget about the cameras entirely; living and loving every second of your night."

View some of our low-light wedding photography on the blog

Like what you see?
Whether you're planning a bright and colourful or delicate candlelit celebration, we'd love to chat with you and see if we might be the right fit to capture your wedding photographs or films.
GET IN TOUCH
Dom, Liam and Matt were incredibly professional and true masters of their craft. We are so happy with the results and not a day has gone by since our Celebration where we stopped looking at the photos that were taken. They mean it when they say they are Documentary Wedding Photographers.
We had a great time not worrying about the photography overwhelming the event, it felt like they were guests at the party and we hope they had a great time also! 
- REBECCA & SAVITH
LONDON GARDEN GAZEBO WEDDING

Frequently Asked Questions

Honestly? Very rarely. Our philosophy is simple: if your eyes can see it, our cameras can capture it.

We don’t need floodlights; we just need a glimmer. Whether it’s the light from a sparkler, a neon sign, or a single candle, we use our technical experience to find the exposure and make it look magical.
(That said, we are professionals. We do carry emergency lighting in our bags, just in case. It spends 99.9% of its life gathering dust, but it’s there to ensure we never miss a moment, no matter what happens.)

Then we stay dry and make art inside! We don’t need a green field to make a great photo. We find interesting compositions, reflections, and moments within your venue. (And if you do want to brave the rain, we have weather-sealed cameras and love a dramatic umbrella shot!)

We embrace grain as an aesthetic choice.

To us, a perfectly smooth, plastic-looking image often lacks soul. We love the ‘film-like’ texture that a little natural grain adds to a low-light photograph—it makes the atmosphere feel tangible.

However, we draw a strict line between ‘cinematic grain’ and ‘digital noise.’ We have developed a custom processing technique that carefully manages the files to bring out the detail in the shadows. This ensures your images look rich, sharp, and atmospheric, rather than muddy or messy.

Not necessarily. While we love a bit of daylight, we can also create stunning, creative portraits after dark using street lights or venue lighting. We take the pressure off the timeline—you don’t need to miss your drinks reception just to chase the last 10 minutes of sun.

Actually, it’s often better. The cozy, enclosed nature of winter weddings often means better audio (less wind!) and a more intimate visual vibe. Our videographers work with the same “available light” philosophy as our photographers, ensuring your film looks moody and cinematic.

Yes. If you’d like them and it’s dry and light enough, we can do them quickly outside. If it’s dark or wet, we are experts at finding a clean, well-lit spot inside your venue to take these records efficiently, so your family can get back to the warmth of the party.