Supplier Spotlight
Mel from Maxi Photography
Every wedding tells a story, and every story deserves a storyteller who’s passionate, attentive, and endlessly creative.
Today, we’re shining our supplier spotlight on Mel from Maxi Photography, a talented photographer who has been capturing unforgettable moments at Huntsham Court since 2013. Mel has an enduring love for our venue and a unique ability to translate the magic of each day into timeless images.
We’ve recently added her to our recommended suppliers page, and we think you’ll see exactly why.
Let’s get you acquainted — we’re sure you’ll love working with her as much as we do!
Let’s start by getting to know you a bit more!
Hi, I’m Mel, and I founded Maxi Photography in 2012. I photographed my first wedding at Huntsham Court in 2013 – one of two weddings that have later featured in WED Magazine – and it’s been a venue very close to my heart ever since.
I genuinely adore my job and never lose sight of the fact that I’m being trusted to document one of the most important days in a couple’s life. It’s a responsibility I take incredibly seriously.
When I’m not photographing weddings, I live by the sea with my husband and our beautiful Vizsla, Neo. You’ll usually find us walking the coast and moors, snorkelling in the sea year-round, skiing when we can, or attempting new skills (roller skating currently!).
I also have a reputation for being both the first, and the last person on the dancefloor!
How would you describe your photography style, and how does it work particularly well at Huntsham Court?
Creative, modern and timeless sums it up best. My approach is largely unobtrusive; I focus on capturing genuine moments as they naturally unfold, many of which couples later tell me they didn’t even realise were happening at the time. Most couples like to have some ‘composed’ shots together; if we have done a pre-wedding shoot I will have had chance to see what comes naturally and where I may need to guide a little.
I work extensively with natural light, which is particularly beautiful at Huntsham Court, both inside the house and throughout the grounds. That said, I’m very comfortable using flash when needed and love incorporating a more editorial feel when it suits the moment, especially as the evening celebrations unfold and the dancefloor comes alive.
Do you have any favourite moments from a wedding day at Huntsham Court?
There are so many. One standout has to be a Nicholas and Stephen delivering the most perfect dancefloor dip – a real movie moment. Another favourite was Norman the Retriever making his appearance in a bow tie and waistcoat, completely stealing the show.
There was also the moment when a sudden downpour sent a sea of umbrellas pouring out of the church – it created the most wonderful sense of joyful, slightly chaotic celebration that perfectly reflected the excitement of the day.
Or simply Hannah’s dress dramatically flowing out behind her as she headed outside through the impressive front door (and having this wedding published in WED Magazine made it even more special!)
Huntsham Court offers so many different backdrops in one place —
how do you approach making the most of the house and grounds without couples feeling pulled away from their day?
I always schedule a planning meeting ahead of the wedding, either in person or online, which I feel is essential. It allows us to talk through the flow of the day and ensures everyone feels relaxed and aligned.
I’m very conscious of not pulling couples away from their guests for long periods. Instead, I capture moments like couple portraits during natural transitions – for example, while guests are forming the confetti line or finding their seats for the wedding breakfast.
This allows us to make use of different areas of the house and grounds without interrupting the experience of the day, leaving couples free to enjoy as much time with their guests as possible.
Are there any parts of the day where you’d recommend couples slow things down slightly — photographically speaking?
Absolutely – and that time is during your couple portraits. A gentle wander away together gives you a moment to pause and take it all in.
I’ll often step back and give you space, allowing you time to laugh, talk, cuddle and simply enjoy being newly married. During this, I quietly capture those moments as they happen – naturally, without heavy direction or posing – resulting in images that feel relaxed, honest and deeply personal.
What advice would you give to couples planning their wedding?
It may sound like a cliché, but it really is your day, and it’s important to stay focused on what feels right for you as a couple. Try not to get too caught up in the idea of a ‘perfect’ wedding portrayed on social media or Pinterest — many of those images aren’t even real weddings, and with the rise of AI, some aren’t real at all.
Plan the day that reflects you and trust the right photographer, who you feel comfortable with, to document it beautifully. I always talk through both good-weather and not-so-good-weather plans with my couples – after all, this is the UK, and anything can happen! Whatever the conditions, my promise is to adapt and create the very best images possible.
Thankfully, Huntsham Court offers stunning photographic opportunities in every season and in all weather, which makes it a joy to work at time and time again.
Any final thoughts or updates?
I’m always incredibly happy to be working alongside Huntsham Court, and with a small number of 2026 dates still available at the venue, it feels like a lovely opportunity to offer something special to couples planning their day there.
For weddings taking place at Huntsham Court on remaining 2026 dates, I’m offering my full-day wedding photography coverage at a preferred rate of £1,400 (normally £1,895).
If you’d like to add even more to your experience, you can also include a pre-wedding shoot and a second photographer on the day. This option, usually priced at £2,545, is available for £1,995 — just £100 more than my usual rate for full-day coverage on its own.
After 14 years of photographing weddings, I know how important it is for couples to feel confident, relaxed and fully supported on the day. This feels like a natural extension of that approach for couples choosing such a beautiful venue — a thoughtful offering designed to enhance the experience, while availability allows.