Disaster strikes - my flash breaks within 10 minutes of arriving at Sarah's house. This is the last time I ever went to a wedding without a backup flash or two. Today's assistant was my cousin James, a late recruit - he only joined the plan the week of the wedding for various reasons but I knew he would do a great job, despite it being his first wedding photography job.

Richard & Sarah's wedding was a real turning point for me. Quite a complicated day with multiple locations, equipment mishaps and tricky light, I got home to a gallery I was still very happy with, and realised I could still do a top job with my hands tied behind my back - I can do wedding photography for real.

I look at the pictures now and see how much I have progressed just in the last year, and while I'm still happy with the job I did I can see so many ways I could've improved.

Two women chat over drinks at a bright cafe table, one smiling in a white satin robe with pinned curled hair, ready for a celebration.
A white satin wedding dress hangs beside gray beaded bridesmaid dresses on hangers, ready for a wedding day.
Close-up of a sparkling crystal embellished waistband on a soft gray gathered chiffon dress with elegant beaded detailing.
Bride with long curly hair sits while a hairstylist styles her hair on the morning of the wedding as a woman looks on.
Bridesmaid helps pin up the bride's auburn hair while she gets ready for the wedding in a bright room.
Bride and bridesmaids stand beside a row of sports cars on a seaside promenade before the wedding.
Bride and bridesmaids in grey dresses holding bouquets pose beside a sleek black sports car by the seaside.
A woman smiles from the driver's seat of a blue Jaguar convertible with white racing stripes parked beside a seaside promenade.
A classic dark red sports car with chrome wheels parked on a brick-paved road in bright sunshine.
A smiling woman sits at the wheel of a black sports car parked in a lot with other vehicles on a sunny day.
A bride with long auburn curls in a white dress stands beside an older man in glasses wearing a suit with a floral buttonhole.
A bride and groom stand at the front of a church during their wedding ceremony while guests and the officiant look on.
Wedding guests including bridesmaids in grey dresses and a young boy sit in church pews, smiling during the ceremony.
A groom in a navy checked suit laughs with his bride as they hold an order of service during a church wedding ceremony.
Bride and groom sit smiling together in a church pew during their wedding ceremony while guests look on behind them.
Bride and groom walk out of a stone church holding hands beneath an arch of oars raised by men in yellow sailing gear.
Smiling bride in a white gown and groom in a navy suit hold hands and walk through a churchyard with guests behind them.
Wedding guests cheer and raise their arms as the bride and groom leave a stone church, with bridesmaids and a flower girl behind.
A smiling man in a checked blazer stands with arms outstretched beneath crossed wooden poles as wedding guests gather in a churchyard.
Bridesmaids in long grey dresses holding bouquets smile on stone steps beside the bride and groom outside a historic stone church.
Bride in a white gown and groom in a navy suit laugh together on a pebble beach with rocks and the sea behind them.
Close-up of a bride and groom holding hands, showing their wedding rings and manicured nails against a white dress.
Handmade wooden bride and groom cake toppers sit on top of a cream wedding cake decorated with delicate lace detailing.
Groom in a navy suit kisses the bride in a white gown as they stand together on large rocks beneath a clear blue sky.
Groom runs releasing pink and blue smoke flares on a rocky beach while the bride, bridesmaids and a groomsman pose behind him.
Bride and groom embrace inside a boat cabin, with the bride holding a bouquet of white calla lilies and smiling at her husband.
Close-up of a groom's navy checked suit sleeve with silver cufflinks, a gold wristwatch, and a bracelet on his wrist.
A wedding guest in a navy three-piece suit with a floral buttonhole drinks a pint of beer while chatting at the reception.
A smiling man crouches beside a toddler in a frilly white dress seated in a wooden high chair at a wedding reception table.
A bearded wedding guest gives a thumbs up while seated at a long reception table with wine glasses, flowers, and other guests.
Bride in a white gown and veil laughs out loud with her head tilted forward as a man in a tweed vest looks on.
Three women in a close huddle at a wedding, one in a veil holding up a phone to take a group selfie.
Bride, groom and two female guests pose together laughing and holding champagne glasses at an evening wedding celebration.
Smiling bride in a white dress laughs joyfully while dancing with a man in a vest during a wedding reception.
Woman in a grey beaded dress dances joyfully at a wedding party beneath a decorative bunting banner.
Woman in a green dress takes a fun selfie with two smiling men at a wedding celebration.
A group of women in dresses sing and cheer excitedly together during a lively wedding reception celebration.
A woman in a white dress and an older man in glasses and a waistcoat laugh and sing together on a lively wedding dance floor.
Man in a tweed vest and white shirt dances with a bent-knee pose on a wooden floor at a wedding party.
A bride in a white gown and veil points and sings joyfully with a smiling woman in glasses at her wedding reception.
Smiling bride in a white wedding dress and veil embracing a bearded groom in a pink shirt and braces at a reception with guests.