Capturing Your Big Day: Q&A with Nottingham Wedding Photographer Adrianne Leafe-Hayes
Planning a wedding means pulling together lots of moving parts (and people!), which is why we love spotlighting suppliers who bring something special to the day.
So, meet wedding photographer Adrianne from Leafe-Hayes Photography. Adrianne has been capturing weddings across the East Midlands, including at The Walled Garden, for years, and her galleries always feel like opening a little box of treasures.
Scroll on for Adrianne’s tips on feeling natural in front of the camera, the secret moments that make the best photos, and why she loves photographing weddings here with us.
Tell us a bit about yourself, how you got into this industry and your beautiful photography style.
“Hi! I’m Adrianne from Leafe-Hayes Photography! I’ve been a wedding photographer for 5 years. My parents bought me my first DSLR as a birthday gift when I was a teen and I’ve had a camera in my hand ever since.
My love for photography started with travel and landscape, developing into weddings in 2020. I’ve been hooked on photographing weddings ever since my very first one. I love to tell the story of your day and am always looking for the small quiet moments as well as the big ones.
I’m a fly on the wall documenting all of those emotions as naturally as possible. When I’m not taking photos or editing, you’ll find me travelling the world with my husband or eating snacks with my sister!”
Leafe-Hayes Photography
What do you love most about photographing weddings?
“Every day of my job is the best day ever! Being surrounded by couples and their family and friends as they celebrate is the best feeling. What I love most is seeing the love you share, with each other, with your family and with your friends.
It’s not unheard of for me to quietly shed a tear behind the camera at weddings and this is usually at a sweet moment shared with those you love. Your family telling you how proud they are of you in their speech, your Nan holding your hand and congratulating you when you’ve just said ‘I do’, your partner wiping away tears when they see you walk down the aisle? These are the kind of moments I live for and I feel so blessed to witness them.”
Leafe-Hayes Photography
What advice would you give couples when choosing their wedding photographer?
“I think the most important thing is feeling comfortable with your photographer. If you feel relaxed with them, this will show in your photos. You’ll spend more time than you realise with your photographer on your wedding day. They are there in the fun moments and the emotional moments. Make sure your photographer is someone you can see cheering you on all day.”
Leafe-Hayes Photography
How can couples make sure they feel relaxed and natural in front of the camera?
“Like I’ve mentioned, feeling comfortable with your photographer will help you to feel comfortable in front of the camera. My couples often say taking their couples portraits felt more like hanging out with a friend who had a camera than a photoshoot. I’d also really recommend a pre-wedding shoot. This is a good way to get to know your photographer better and you can practise what kind of prompts they might suggest on the wedding day. I always notice couples who have had a pre-wedding shoot with me feel much more relaxed on their wedding day because they’ve done it before.”
Do you have a favourite moment to capture on a wedding day?
“Confetti! Always confetti! It’s a moment filled with so much joy, the laughter and the smiles are so genuine and you’re literally being showered with love from all your nearest and dearest! What could be better than that?”
Leafe-Hayes Photography
What should couples consider when planning photos into the timeline of the day, especially around light and location?
“Light is the most important thing in photography. Trust your photographer, if they recommend a certain location for photos or a change in the timeline to get the right light, listen! If you’re keen to get golden hour shots, this needs to be considered and planned into the timeline before the day. Check sunset times for your wedding day and try and make sure the hour around that is free in your timeline so your photographer can easily pull you for those epic golden hour shots. If you’re unsure how this would work, chat to your photographer and they can give you some advice!”
Do you have any favourite spots to shoot here at The Walled Garden?
“Can I say every single corner of the garden?! It’s honestly beautiful and different corners are my favourite in different seasons. The blossom tree at the front is beautiful and I’ve been lucky enough to capture it in full bloom. I also love the silver birch tress. I like to give you both the chance for a quiet moment together whilst I’m in the background getting some lovely shots - this is a perfect spot for that. Of course the infamous apple arch and the florals around there are an absolute staple at the Walled Garden. The colours here are always beautiful. The green house is also lovely. Oh and the door to the left of the loggia. Honestly, just everywhere!”
Leafe-Hayes Photography
What’s one unexpected or overlooked moment that always makes a great photo?
“Immediately after the ceremony and confetti! Your guests are always so excited to congratulate you, you’re both basking in that ‘just married’ feeling and this makes for some brilliant candid moments. Your friends running to hug you, your parents asking to see your rings, your Nan taking your hand and congratulating you, it’s a moment full of so much love and joy and one I never want to rush!”
What is your favourite photo you’ve taken at The Walled Garden? We’d love to know the story behind it.
“It’s so hard to pick just one, I have so many favourites from The Walled Garden, I probably have a new favourite every time I visit! Right now, it would have to be this photo from Jared and Nicole’s day in April 2025.
It’s a perfect example of trusting your photographer. We’d planned some time in their timeline for golden hour portraits but the sky was very grey and overcast. I was regularly checking the light, planning some shots and patiently waiting in case the sun broke through. I saw an opportunity, grabbed Jared and Nicole and we ran outside for some photos. As we turned back towards the marquee we were greeted with this beautiful soft golden light and suddenly all of the waiting, planning and hoping was so so worth it for this beautiful shot.”
Leafe-Hayes Photography
If someone wants to book with you, what’s the best way to get started? And what can couples expect in terms of pricing, process and what’s included?
“Head to my website where you can find details about my packages and prices, and then fill in my enquiry form. This gives me all of the information I need to check my availability for your date. I’ll then email you to let you know if I’m available and you can get booked in straight away by filling in my booking form. We can also have an enquiry call to get to know each other better first.
Then it’s a signed contract and booking fee to reserve your date! I’m always on hand to answer any questions or queries, feel free to pop me an email or DM. I’m happy to help where I can! I’m so excited to hear from you!”