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About · Rick Dell · Photography for over 25 years

About · Rick Dell · Photography for over 25 years

Capturing weddings as they really happen, with care and love for over 25 years.

An award-winning Manchester and Cheshire wedding photographer with over 25 years behind the camera and over 1,900 weddings in the bag.

Hi, I'm Rick

After over 25 years, the part I look forward to most is the quiet moments between the moments.

The dad’s face as the bride walks the aisle. The best man’s pause before the punchline. The half-second after the first kiss, before everyone notices. These are what I’m here for.

I’m a North West wedding photographer based in Heald Green, South Manchester, and I’ve photographed over 1,900 weddings across Cheshire, Greater Manchester, Lancashire, Derbyshire, Staffordshire and beyond. My approach is documentary-natural — capturing real moments as they happen, with creative posing only where it adds something.

The photography is what you see. The part you don't see is how I make people feel comfortable enough to be themselves while I'm in the room — and that, after more than 25 years, is the part I've spent the longest getting right.

25+

OVER 25 YEARS
OF WEDDINGS

1,900+

WEDDINGS PHOTOGRAPHED
EVERY ONE PERSONALLY BY RICK

Top 20

UK WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
WEDDINGS & HONEYMOONS MAGAZINE

The Rick Dell Photography process

How I work, step by step

01 · Before the day

Pre-wedding shoot & planning

Every package includes a pre-wedding shoot — about an hour wherever you’d like to do it. It helps you get comfortable in front of the camera, and helps me learn how you naturally interact. Closer to the day we meet at my home studio in Heald Green to walk through the timetable and the shots that matter to you.

02 · On the day

Natural, documentary coverage

Coverage typically runs from bridal prep through past the first four or five evening dances. I work quietly, blending into the background to catch real moments. I’ll smile, chat, help with buttonholes, carry things — but the photography is documentary-led, with creative posing only where it adds something.

03 · After the day

Edited gallery in around 2 weeks

Typical turnaround is around two weeks for the full edited gallery — couples often comment on how quickly they receive their photographs back. Albums are designed individually; you choose from the widest range I can offer to make sure you find something uniquely yours.

Rick Dell wedding photography — Cheshire couple portrait

“Rick has a remarkable ability to put everyone at ease, ensuring natural and candid shots that truly reflect the essence of the occasion. The quality of the photographs exceeded our expectations.”

— Kasey, 5★ Google review

Awards & recognition

Trusted by venues and couples for over 25 years

  • Guild of Wedding Photographers — qualified member
  • Britain's Top 20 Wedding Photographer — voted by Weddings & Honeymoons magazine
  • Three Best Rated, Stockport — seven consecutive years for outstanding customer service
  • Mere Court Hotel, Knutsford — recommended wedding photographer for over 15 years
  • Mottram Hall, Macclesfield — over 100 weddings since 1997
  • The Village Hotel Cheadle — recommended for 15+ years (70+ weddings)
  • Hyde Bank Farm, Romiley — recommended photographer for over 8 years
  • Sandhole Oak Barn Farm, Congleton — photographing weddings here since 2006
  • Heaton House Farm · Cottons Hotel & Spa · Colshaw Hall · Hollin Hall Hotel · Merrydale Manor and many more — see the full venue list

Beyond weddings

Family, basketball, and Kobe

I’m married to my wonderful wife Anne, and we have two sons — Jonny and Phil — plus of course Kobe, the dog. The three pictures of me and Kobe were taken by my son Jonny (thank you, Jonny).

Outside of family time and long walks with Kobe, I’ve been a basketball referee for over 28 seasons. It keeps me fit, though I also enjoy pizza and eating out.

The reason any of this matters: weddings work best when the photographer is a person, not just a camera. The same warmth that makes for a calm wedding morning is the warmth that turns up in the photographs.

Rick Dell with his dog Kobe — Cheshire wedding photographer

Customer reviews

★★★★★
Five stars, everywhere

Verified 5-star reviews on every platform couples check before booking a wedding photographer.

Let's talk

If you've read this far, let's talk weddings.

If you’d like to meet at my home studio for a friendly chat about your wedding day — or just send me your date for an availability check — I’d love to hear from you. I truly love weddings. And talking about them.

Rick 😁

Rick Dell Photography · Heald Green · South Manchester · SK8