I’m Babs – photographer, quiet observer, calm presence.
I photograph elopements and small weddings for couples who don’t want a big production or a day built around expectations. You’re probably here because you’re drawn to something simpler. Something that feels more like you.
That’s the thread that runs through all of my work – helping couples shape a day that’s grounded, unhurried, and rooted in the emotion of what they’re choosing to do.
My approach is gentle and observant.
I don’t direct or stage much.
I don’t make your day feel like a photoshoot. And I’m not the loud, centre-of-attention type – you won’t find me orchestrating moments or pulling you away when you’re right in the middle of feeling something.
Instead, I move quietly. I watch for the small, honest things – a hand squeeze, a breath before the vows, the soft shift in light across a landscape. I care about how your day felt just as much as how it looked.
The photographs are natural, atmospheric and full of emotion – a true reflection of you rather than a performance for the camera.
Working with couples who value presence over performance
Most of the couples I work with describe themselves as slightly awkward in front of a camera; they are often deep feelers who don’t want all eyes on them. They love nature, slow mornings, warm connection, and the sense of peace that comes from being outdoors.
They come to me because they want their wedding day to feel calm. Grounded.
Not rushed, not over-planned, not full of pressure – just an honest moment in their story.
If that resonates, the way I work usually feels comfortable and familiar.
A little about me
I live near the Clwydian Range with my husband, Rich, and our three loveable (and slightly feral) collies. When we’re not working, we’re usually in the campervan he converted, taking the slow route through Eryri, wandering the Llŷn coastline or finding quiet beaches on Anglesey.
We try to live simply and tread lightly. That’s probably why elopements and small weddings make so much sense to me – slower days, thoughtful decisions and a life close to nature. The dogs help with that too… mostly by dragging me outside at every opportunity.
I’m drawn to slow living: unhurried mornings, a big cup of tea, soft light and stories that feel intimate rather than polished. I believe in noticing the small things, choosing what matters and being gentle with the world around us.
That’s the energy I bring to a wedding day – steady, warm, present, and grounded in a way of working that respects both people and place.
Why Wales
Wales has a way of holding people.
The mountains of Eryri, the wild edges of Anglesey, the quiet curves of the Llŷn Peninsula – these landscapes offer something deeply grounding.
I spent my childhood in Germany, but since meeting my Welsh husband, Rich, Wales has become my own kind of Heimat or hiraeth – a place that feels like belonging. What started as somewhere new has become home in the truest sense: familiar, steady, and deeply ingrained into my soul.
We spend so much time exploring together – the hills of the Clwydian Range, quiet stretches of coast, little pockets of stillness that feel almost sacred – and I think that’s why this landscape has settled so deeply into me.
Many couples tell me they choose Wales because it lets them breathe.
Because it feels meaningful.
Because it allows them to focus on what matters.
I feel the same.
What couples often say
They tell me they felt calm around me.
That nothing felt forced.
That they could simply be themselves, without needing to perform or pose.
And that the images feel like small windows into how the day truly felt – wholesome, natural, emotional.
That’s the greatest compliment I can receive.
Our wedding day was full of love, smiles, and laughter (the way it should be!) and Babs captured it perfectly. And so many friends and family have said that our photos are the best wedding photos that they have ever seen.
If you’re planning something small, simple and meaningful…
I’d love to hear what you’re imagining – whether it’s a quiet elopement in the mountains, a warm celebration with a handful of people, or a registry office ceremony followed by a wander somewhere beautiful.
Get in touch, or if you prefer something more relaxed, feel free to send a message on WhatsApp if you want your wedding experience to be photographed in a way that lets you be yourselves.
follow me on INSTAGRAM @babsboardwellphotography