About Me

I’m Gavin Chapman, a documentary wedding photographer originally from London now based in Bordeaux, France, capturing raw, emotional, and unscripted moments for couples across Southwest France and beyond.

Weddings aren’t just events—they’re alive. The rush of emotion before walking down the aisle, the quiet joy of seeing your partner at the end of it, the laughter, the chaos, the love. I don’t just photograph weddings—I document what they feel like.

My style is documentary-driven—raw, emotional, and unfiltered. No forced poses, no awkward staging. Just real moments, captured as they happen. Weddings move fast, but photography allows you to relive it all, over and over again. That’s why I do this.

Gavin Chapman with his wife Julie and their twin sons, Sullivan and Lucas—an English wedding photographer based in Bordeaux, France.

What Sets My Work Apart?

There are plenty of wedding photographers in Bordeaux, but what sets me apart is how I blend into the day—capturing the moments you don’t even realize are happening, the ones that truly tell your story.

Documentary-Driven – I don’t interfere, over-direct, or make your wedding feel like a photoshoot. I let things happen naturally and capture the magic as it unfolds.

An Eye for the Unscripted – A background in street photography gives me the instinct to anticipate moments before they happen. The real connections, the unexpected laughter, the beautiful imperfections.

Warm & Relaxed Approach – I know being in front of a camera can feel awkward, but I bring a calm, friendly presence that helps couples feel at ease. Nothing forced, nothing unnatural—just you, as you are.

A Love for Film & Timeless Aesthetics – Whether I’m shooting digital or film, my goal is to create images that feel classic—the kind of photos that won’t just look good now, but will still hold their power decades down the line.

A Life in Photography & Travel

Photography has been part of my life for as long as I can remember. It started with travel—not just seeing new places, but documenting them, trying to capture the feeling of being there.

I’ve been lucky enough to explore India, Vietnam, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Singapore, parts of Africa, and all over Europe. Each place has left its mark on me—India for its incredible energy and colors, Vietnam for its street life, Africa for its vast, humbling landscapes.

I approach weddings much like I do travel photography—blending into the moment, observing, waiting for the story to unfold naturally. It’s about capturing people as they are, in their element, experiencing something real.

I also spent some time photographing weddings in the UK, focusing on a natural, relaxed documentary style. While life took me in another direction for a while, my passion for wedding photography never faded. Now, after moving to Bordeaux with my wife, Julie, and our twin boys, I’m fully immersed in it once again—documenting weddings across Southwest France.

And while I shoot digital, I’ve never let go of my love for film photography—35mm, 120, anything that forces me to slow down and be intentional with every frame. I love the imperfection, the texture, the timelessness of film, and I bring that same mindset to my digital work. I’m not just capturing images—I’m preserving memories in their most authentic form.

Is This You?

If you’re looking for a photographer who will blend into your day rather than orchestrate it—someone who captures the messy, joyful, intimate, and unexpected moments—then we’re probably a perfect match.

If you love candid, emotional, and timeless photography over staged perfection, and if you want images that feel like a true reflection of your wedding day, I’d love to be part of your story.

Let’s Make Some Memories Together.

If this sounds like the kind of photography you want for your wedding, I’d love to hear more about your plans. Let’s chat and see if we’re the right fit!

Candid black and white street photography in Bordeaux, France, capturing light, shadow, and real-life moments—reflecting a documentary wedding photography approach
Authentic wedding and street photography in France—storytelling through raw, emotional, and unscripted moments
Black and white photo of a person standing in a tiled area with shadows from the pillars, near a road with 'LOOK RIGHT' text painted.