Chris Denner: The Birmingham Wedding Photographer Who Believes Normal Is Boring
Angela Adams talks to Chris Denner
Angela Adams talks to Birmingham wedding photographer Chris Denner about creativity, finding your own style, attracting the right clients and why normal really is boring.
I first discovered Chris Denner’s work when he was one of the photographers covering the wedding of Jeremy Price, Managing Director of Graphi Studio UK, and Miranda Walton of Miranda Walton Photography in the summer of 2024.
The photographs immediately made me smile.
The compositions, colours, energy, fun and laughter were pure photography gold.
Visit Chris’s website and you’re immediately greeted with the words “normal is boring”. Scroll a little further and you’ll discover that he’s a Birmingham wedding photographer for couples who want to have some serious fun.
That pretty much sums up his approach.
Chris has built his photography business around colourful, creative and relaxed wedding photography for couples who don’t necessarily want their wedding photographs to look like everyone else’s.
In his own words, he’s:
“A crime-fighting vigilante and I know more Kung Fu than Bruce Lee.”
Although, as Chris admits, that isn’t strictly true — but it sounds considerably more interesting than simply saying he’s a wedding photographer.
We caught up with Chris to find out more about the person behind the camera.
What made you become a photographer?
I’m a creative and I love the energy surrounding the photography process.
What’s your morning mindset?
I start at 6am with a 5K run, followed by a 10-minute cold plunge.
Then it’s a dog walk before I start work.
I spend around 30 minutes answering emails before getting into editing and the actual photography.
It’s certainly one way to start the working day!
How long have you been running your photography business?
I’ve been in business for 16 years.
Do you work alone or employ staff?
I work solo.
How do you attract clients?
For Chris, the answer is closely connected to his photography style and personality.
“My personality and the type of work I create attract clients,” he explains.
His work is deliberately niche, appealing particularly to couples who love colour and creative imagery.
That’s an important lesson for photographers trying to build their own brand.
Rather than attempting to appeal to everyone, Chris has developed a recognisable visual style that attracts the people who genuinely connect with his work.
What makes your wedding photography different?
Look through Chris’s portfolio and the answer becomes obvious.
His wedding photography is colourful, energetic and playful, with a strong emphasis on personality and genuine moments.
Rather than creating a series of stiff, formal wedding photographs, he looks for opportunities to capture people having fun.
The result is wedding photography that feels energetic and authentic.
For couples who don’t see themselves in traditional wedding photography, that can be a powerful proposition.
Who manages your website, SEO, marketing, social media and PR?
Chris does everything himself.
For a solo photographer, that’s a significant workload, but it also means that the personality behind the photography remains consistent across the business.
What’s the one piece of kit, apart from your camera, that you wouldn’t be without?
Imagen AI.
“Wonderful people, great company. If you’re not using them, you’re missing out.”
For Chris, technology has become another way to make the business side of photography more efficient, giving him more time to concentrate on the creative work.
What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve received?
Be yourself and ask for help to evolve.
Chris doesn’t believe photographers should be afraid to ask for advice.
“Don’t be ashamed to ask for advice. Embarrassment is the cost of learning at times.”
It’s a refreshingly honest approach.
Photography can sometimes feel like an industry where everyone is expected to know everything, but asking questions and learning from others is one of the fastest ways to improve.
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened during a photography commission?
Chris has a memorable story from an assignment in Saint Lucia.
He found himself taking part in a carnival, dressed up, dancing, drinking rum and photographing throughout the day.
It’s difficult to imagine a better example of getting involved rather than simply standing on the sidelines with a camera.
What do you love most about being a photographer?
“The creative elements and the freedom.”
That freedom is clearly an important part of Chris’s approach.
Photography allows him to create work that reflects his personality rather than conforming to a prescribed idea of what wedding photography should look like.
What’s your proudest moment?
Seeing his style evolve and creating work that he loves.
It’s a simple answer, but an important one.
For photographers, developing a recognisable style is rarely something that happens overnight. It comes through experimentation, experience and being willing to move away from work that no longer represents you.
What’s the biggest obstacle you’ve overcome?
Chris’s answer is wonderfully self-aware:
“My ego. My ignorance. My lack of understanding. Basically, me!”
Recognising that you don’t know everything can be one of the biggest steps forward in a creative career.
Who has made the biggest difference to your life?
Chris’s first job was as a portrait photographer in a studio shooting family photographs.
That experience taught him a huge amount about selling and, perhaps even more importantly, customer satisfaction.
Those lessons have clearly stayed with him throughout his 16 years in business.
What do you love, hate and couldn’t live without?
Chris says he hates ignorance, racism and small-mindedness.
He loves seeing society become more progressive and inclusive.
And his advice is simple:
Let people be themselves.
It’s a philosophy that also seems to sit comfortably alongside his approach to wedding photography — creating space for couples to have a wedding that feels like them.
If you could relive one day, what would it be?
His answer?
His birth.
Why?
“Because I don’t remember it.”
It’s difficult to argue with that logic.
Any final words?
“Follow me on Instagram and stay away from Threads.”
We’ll leave that one with Chris!
Just for fun…
City or country?
New York — or anywhere in California.
Starter or pudding?
Starter.
Sunrise or sunset?
Sunrise. He’s an early bird.
Chocolate or cheese?
Chocolate.
Coffee or tea?
Coffee.
Books or films?
Books.
Finding your own style
There’s an important lesson behind Chris Denner’s approach to wedding photography.
The photographers who stand out aren’t necessarily the ones trying to imitate what everyone else is doing.
Chris has built his business around a clear personality, a distinctive visual style and a very specific type of client.
His photographs are colourful, creative, energetic and, most importantly, fun.
For couples who don’t want their wedding photographs to feel conventional, that’s exactly the point.
Normal is boring.
More about Chris Denner
Chris Denner is a Birmingham wedding photographer specialising in colourful, creative and relaxed wedding photography for couples who want their photographs to reflect their personalities.
Find out more about Chris and explore his latest work on his website and social media.
