Martin Hillary Photography

Martin Hillary Photography: wedding storytelling across West and North Yorkshire

Martin Hillary Photography is a wedding photography business based in Selby, North Yorkshire, offering coverage in Leeds, Wakefield, Castleford, Pontefract, York, Goole and the wider North and West Yorkshire area. The photographer describes his approach as sitting between traditional and documentary wedding photography, combining editorial-style images with candid, natural moments.

The site presents Martin Hillary as a full-time wedding photographer with more than 15 years in the photography business and over 600 weddings photographed. He also works as a mentor and trainer within the wedding photography field.

Qualifications and recognition

The business highlights several professional credentials: Martin Hillary is listed as ARPS, FBIPP and AMPA, and the site states he was named Classical Wedding Photographer of the Year for 2025 by the British Institute for Professional Photography. In 2024 he completed a Fellowship with that same institute, described on the site as the top qualification in wedding photography.

Shooting style and working method

According to the information provided, sessions mix editorial and candid or natural photography. The photographer states that he does not do "awkward posing" and that posed portraits take around 20 minutes. The stated aim is to capture emotional moments, from bridal preparations and reactions of family members to the ceremony and evening celebrations, alongside magazine-style and evening shots.

The site also indicates that he works with LGBTQIA+ couples and describes a personalised process in which he listens to the couple's preferences, learns their style and the planned events of the day, and adapts the coverage accordingly.

Portfolio and venues

Featured work on the site includes weddings at Wentbridge House Hotel in Pontefract, Callow Hall at Wild Hive in Ashbourne, York Barn at Villa Farm in York, and Wood Hall Hotel in Wetherby. The blog also covers a wedding at Rudding Park Hotel near Harrogate and Leeds, and a Wakefield wedding at Wentbridge House Hotel.

Services beyond the wedding day

Alongside wedding day coverage, the site mentions mentoring and training for other photographers, and lists wedding venues among its content sections. The offerings include digital images and wedding albums; one testimonial refers to an album created for the couple.

Client feedback shown on the site

The website reproduces comments from couples describing the photographer as professional, friendly and easy to work with, praising his attention to detail and his ability to capture moments the couple had not seen. One review highlights the personalised service and the album produced after the wedding.

Coverage area

The business is based in Selby and states that it covers the whole of Yorkshire and the UK. Named locations in the service area include Leeds, Wakefield, Castleford, Pontefract, York, Goole and the wider North and West Yorkshire region.