SDM Photography

SDM Photography: over two decades photographing people in the far north of Scotland

SDM Photography is a photography business based in Wick, Caithness, presented on its website as a trusted photographer serving the far north of Scotland and beyond for more than 23 years. The practice centres on people: weddings, family sessions, pets, commercial work and studio portraits. The photographer describes a natural, timeless and unforced style, aiming to let the story of each session come through rather than imposing poses.

The service area covers Caithness, Sutherland and the Scottish Highlands, with travel throughout the UK for destination weddings. The site frames the work around settings such as windswept cliffside vows and golden glen elopements, alongside cosy family sessions and milestone portraits.

Weddings and destination celebrations

Weddings form a central part of the offer, with a dedicated portfolio section. The business states that it travels across the UK for destination weddings and works with couples planning their day in Highland locations. The site presents the wedding coverage as one of the main reasons clients approach the studio, alongside family photography.

Studio, family and pet sessions

Studio sessions take place throughout the week between 10am and 3pm, or outside those times by arrangement. Booking is not essential but is recommended so that time can be set aside for the visit. A variety of backdrops is available, and clients can request a particular style of studio portrait, such as high-key or low-key, in advance. The session fee is £80, after which an online gallery is provided for viewing the images. Prints can be purchased directly from that gallery, digital images are priced at £35 each, and the full gallery can be bought for £250.

Pet portraits can be arranged in the studio, at the client's home or outdoors. The session fee is also £80, covering the photographer's time and an online gallery; prints and various products can then be purchased.

Mini, themed and Christmas sessions

Mini sessions condense the full session format into 30 minutes, whether studio, outdoor, lifestyle or newborn, and include a gallery of 30 images to download. Themed shoots can also be discussed with the photographer and follow the same 30-minute, 30-image format.

Christmas sessions were listed at £90, taking place throughout November at Freswick Hall with three backdrops available each weekend. Each slot lasts 30 minutes and includes three digital images. The published dates were Saturday 7 and Sunday 8 November, with half-hour slots from 10:00 to 15:00 on both days.

Boudoir packages

Boudoir photography is offered in three packages. The first, at £400, includes a one-hour shoot, two outfit changes and five digital images supplied as a download plus the same five images printed as 10×8 Fine Art prints; hair and make-up are not included and the client organises the location, which can be their own home. The second, at £700, includes a professional make-up artist with lashes and hairstyling, a two-hour shoot, up to three outfit changes and ten digital images, with the location varying according to availability. The third, at £1,200, uses a luxury location subject to availability and includes professional make-up with lashes and hairstyling, a three-hour shoot, up to six outfit changes, an 8x8 inch ten-page spread album with up to 25 images, and a digital download of the images contained in the album.

Commercial and property photography

The service list also includes branding and property photography, each listed at £500. These sit alongside the portrait and event work as part of the commercial offering.

Learning photography

Beyond commissioned sessions, the site mentions the joy of learning photography with clear, friendly guidance as part of what the photographer provides, framing tuition as one of the ways clients can work with the studio.

Booking and client area

Sessions can be booked through the website, which includes a booking form and a client area. The studio is at 25 Bridge Street, Wick, KW1 4AJ, and bookings can be made by calling 07725256441. The site also lists the email info@sdmphotography.co.uk for enquiries.