Lake District wedding photographer Tiree Dawson

How did you first become involved with Wild Boar Estate/Low Wood Bay Resort & Spa?

I've photographed weddings and elopements at the Wild Boar for many years now. It's a fantastic, authentic Lake District venue and only 10 minutes' drive from home for me!

What is it about this wedding venue that inspires your photography?

I'm a sucker for a true Lakeland Inn and The Wild Boar certainly ticks that box. It is typically dark and cosy - a haven from the often wild weather. This type of light can be a challenge for photography. I love it though - the dark moodiness, with little pockets of lights by the windows and always a pop of warm glow from the fires and candles. This, alongside the open, light feeling of the Tarn, combine to give the best of both worlds.

What has been the best wedding you have done at Wild Boar Estate?

This is far too hard to answer and I'm not sure I'd want to as they have all been wonderful in their own way! One of the most memorable was certainly Hayley and Jamie's which was the weekend of Storm Desmond. I had two back to back weddings that weekend and the storm had severely impacted all forms of travel in and out of the Lakes. I had to sleep on the sofa in a meeting room at the venue I was shooting at the day before - and I then arrived at the Wild Boar on their wedding morning by tractor! A farmer friend kindly picked up both me and a donated wedding cake and drove us through from Windermere. It was an amazing team effort between wedding suppliers, venue staff and lots of others to make sure the couple had everything they needed - we even had an emergency vicar on standby ready to walk across the fields!

When did you decide to specialise as a wedding photographer and how did that happen?

I studied Art History at university but then went into a marketing role afterwards. I grew my photography business alongside this and went full time in 2015. I loved my marketing role but was keen to work for myself and was attracted to the creative variety of wedding photography.

Where did you learn photography?

I'm self taught, but my Art History degree definitely gave me a good background understanding of the rules of colour and composition and how and when they can be broken.

What was your first job as a freelance photographer?

I started photography when I was a new mum so a lot of the first jobs I did were family shoots for friends. I got paid in all sorts of ways, from babysitting to roast dinners and turf laying!

Have you photographed any famous people?

Helen Skelton and I have a mutual close friend - so it was lovely to meet and photograph her at his wedding in Barcelona many years ago!

Tell us a bit about your life outside of photographing weddings

I live in the Lakes with my husband, two teenage kids (one at uni, the other starting this year) and three tabby cats. I love travelling but also adore this amazing place we call home - running in the hills, constantly creating things one way or another and doing what I can to support all the wonderful creative businesses we have here.

What inspires you?

Photography wise I am probably more inspired by paintings and cinema than photography - although I do love analogue film photography and now include this as an optional extra using my mum's old camera as well as a range of other wonderfully ancient models!

Further information about Tiree Dawson

For further information about Tiree and to see more of her work, visit: https://www.tireedawson.co.uk.