Interview: Kirsty Rockett Photography

Kirsty is a wedding photographer based in Nottingham, UK. She's super fun, and deeply passionate about capturing weddings that reflect each couple’s personality and joy. Specialising in colourful, personality-driven weddings, focusing on real moments and emotion rather than stiff, traditional posing - Kirsty is an alternative couples' dream for wedding photography that doesn't compromise on YOU and your wedding!

How’re things with you? Tell me what's happening in your world; perhaps a little review of the last year and what you're excited for in 2026!

The last year has been a proper whirlwind in the best way. I’ve spent it doing what I love most telling real, colourful, personality-filled wedding stories all over the UK. It’s been a year of joyful chaos (the good kind), brilliant people, and so many moments that reminded me why I do this job. I’ve grown a lot creatively too, leaning even further into honest, documentary-style photography that lets people feel like themselves in front of the camera, not like they’re performing for it.
I had so many new experiences I got to tick a wedding at a zoo off my photography bucket list on top of working with suppliers and venues I absolutely love all over the UK. 2025 is the year I feel like I really found my place and my people.
Looking ahead to 2026, I’m feeling really excited and very grateful. I’ve got some amazing celebrations in the diary, including a mix of familiar venues and new places I can’t wait to explore. I’m excited to keep pushing my work creatively, to keep meeting brilliant people, and to keep creating images that feel joyful, inclusive, and completely true to the people in them. Mostly, I’m excited for more connection more laughter, more teamwork, and more days spent documenting people having the absolute best time being unapologetically themselves.  

The industry has changed a lot in the 10+ years I’ve been in business. What do you lament, and what are you pleased has changed?

I’m really glad people are starting to realise that not only brides get married. The wedding world still isn’t perfect (far from it), but it does feel like there’s more care and thought going into inclusivity and using language that actually reflects the people getting married. Feeling seen, comfortable, and welcome from the very start makes such a huge difference it sets the tone for the whole experience.
I absolutely love that couples are feeling more confident about planning a day that feels like them, rather than following a rulebook that never really fit in the first place. Whether that’s a big, colourful, geeky celebration, a funfair-filled party, or something smaller and more relaxed, like sneaking off for portraits with their dogs. It’s so good to see people fully leaning into what brings them joy.
One of my favourite changes has been around ceremonies. There’s far less pressure now to do something just because it’s “traditional”, and I’m such a fan of celebrants and humanists who create ceremonies that feel personal, relaxed, and full of heart. When people feel at ease and free to be themselves, everything just flows better the energy, the atmosphere, and those lovely in-between moments that end up meaning the most.

Tell me about a wedding supplier that you love working with or that I need to know about (sing the praises of someone!)

Apart from you? Because we both know how incredible I think you are!. There are honestly so many amazing suppliers I could shout about, but on this occasion I have to give a huge mention to our mutual friend That Black and White Cat Weddings. I’ve been lucky enough to work with Linzi on two completely different (and absolutely epic) weddings, and not only is she an absolute powerhouse at what she does, she’s also just a genuinely lovely human to be around.
Coordinating over 30 suppliers across a three-day wedding is no small feat, but Linzi handled it all with total calm, confidence, and a sense of humour and absolutely smashed it. When someone like that is at the helm, the whole day just runs smoother, everyone feels supported, and it makes such a difference to the overall experience for everyone involved. I also have to give a special shout-out to Claire Lawrence Ceremonies. I’ve worked with Claire twice in the past year and both ceremonies have been incredible! So personal, full of warmth, and completely tailored to the people at the heart of the day. One even involved a dinosaur walking a couple down the aisle, which is very hard to beat. When ceremonies feel that relaxed, joyful, and unapologetically themselves, it really sets the tone for everything that follows.

What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve ever had about your work?

I honestly feel so lucky when it comes to my reviews. Every single one means the world to me, and I never take for granted that people have taken time out of their lives to leave such kind words about my small business, it really does mean everything. One piece of feedback that really stopped me in my tracks recently was someone saying I “managed to make myself completely invisible and completely present at the same time.” That one hit me right in the feels, because it perfectly sums up what I hope people experience when I’m there. I love chatting to guests, having a giggle, and helping everyone feel relaxed, but I never want any attention on me. My goal is always to blend into the day like I’m meant to be there, capturing all the big moments and the tiny in-between ones, without ever pulling focus away from what’s happening. Knowing that comes across means so much to me, because that balance is exactly what I strive for every single time.

Could you pick one thing people should AND/OR shouldn't have at their wedding?

I honestly don’t think this is for me to dictate, because I’m such a big advocate for doing things your way. If you want Disney table themes, do it. If you want a BBQ instead of a sit-down meal, make it happen. If you want a blow-up dinosaur to walk you down the aisle… I am fully on board. You don’t need to fit a mould, follow a checklist, or do things a certain way just because they’re expected. The best celebrations are always the ones that feel personal and unapologetically you.
If I had to pick one thing though, it would be this: make sure everything you’re planning and everyone you’re inviting genuinely brings you joy. When that’s the priority, the whole day feels lighter, more relaxed, and far more meaningful, and that’s when the magic really happens.

What advice would you give to someone planning a wedding?

My biggest piece of advice would be to keep coming back to why you’re doing all of this. It’s really easy to get swept up in opinions, expectations, and the endless scroll of inspiration, but your day doesn’t need to look like anyone else’s, it just needs to feel right for you. Try not to put too much pressure on yourselves to make everything “perfect”. The best celebrations are the ones where people are relaxed, present, and actually enjoying what’s happening around them. The tiny wobbles, the unexpected moments, and the bits that don’t go exactly to plan often end up being the stories you laugh about the most and hold closest.
Surround yourselves with suppliers you feel totally comfortable with people who get you, support you, and make you feel at ease. When that’s in place, you can let go, be yourselves, and properly soak it all in. And if you take nothing else from this, let it be this: pause for a second, look around, and take it all in. It goes so quickly, but it’s such a special, joy-filled day, exactly as you’ve made it.

Any embarrassing moments at/before a wedding?

Oh absolutely! I’m very much not immune to the occasional mortifying moment. One that still makes me cringe involved me accidentally smashing a glass with my bumbag right in the middle of the speeches. The timing could not have been worse. I’ve never wanted the floor to open up and swallow me whole more in my life. Thankfully it was met with laughter rather than horror, and we all carried on… but it definitely kept me humble and very aware of where my hips were for the rest of the day.

Anything wedding/business related that you wished you had done differently?

Looking back, I think the biggest thing I wish I’d done differently is taking the leap and backing myself sooner. I spent way too much time early on worrying about whether I was doing things the “right” way, comparing myself to others, and trying to squeeze into a mould that just… wasn’t me. If I could have a chat with past-me, I’d tell them to trust their gut, stop playing small, and lean fully into the things that make them them. The colour, the personality, the connection with people, the doing-things-a-bit-differently energy. Once I stopped trying to please everyone and really embraced my own way of working, everything clicked. I enjoyed it more, the work felt more aligned, and I attracted the right people.
That said, I know those wobbly, uncertain moments were all part of the journey. They taught me a lot and helped shape how I work now. I just wish I’d realised sooner that it was okay to take up space, trust myself, and go for it. Even if it felt scary. Turns out, that’s where all the good stuff lives.

What is your favourite makeup, skincare, or haircare product? (I ask this to everyone, whatever gender, so please put something that you think is awesome and why!)

As someone who travels a lot and only really wears make-up on special occasions, I’m going to go with Batiste Overnight Deep Cleanse Dry Shampoo. It is an absolute lifesaver on long travel days and in-between wash days, and honestly just makes everything feel fresher with minimal effort. I love that it works its magic while you sleep, so you wake up feeling a bit more human and ready to go, which is ideal when you’re living out of a bag, heading off to early starts, or bouncing between weddings. It’s one of those low-maintenance, high-impact products that quietly does its thing and makes life easier… and I’m very here for that.