Sometimes nature acquiesces and delivers that perfect sunset right when you need it, and it made for a fantastic backdrop for Will & Sophie's wedding reception at Garth Farm on the top of the Garth mountain, just outside of Cardiff.

The sky had been overcast much of the day, and whilst that makes for lovely soft portraits it doesn't quite have the pizazz of a soft golden sunset. We'd already been there for a few hours before the sun broke out of the clouds and gifted us with a stunning view up the Rhondda valley and down towards the sea.

Where everyone had been spread out around the farm venue throughout the day, that beautiful sunset drew everyone out to the yard, including one of the very enthusiastic farm dogs:

One of the guests had turned up in a very swish early Land Rover, so of course I had to play around using its split screen in a photo. I never could drive Land Rovers easily myself, as somehow the wheel hits my knees in every position, but there's no denying they have a certain style that just fits into a rural venue like at Garth Farm.

Great light makes a photographer's life very easy, though modern cameras do struggle with bright highlights when compared to film. On my Nikon cameras I keep the light metering mode on an easily-accessed function button to make sure I can keep them under control, though when it comes to editing I often then bring them back up and aim for a more film-like dynamic range, letting the highlights go brighter and more natural. During the 2000s there was a trend for very flat photos with dull highlights and grey shadows, and it was something I never found myself enjoying much. I want my photos to look natural, so that in the future they'll evoke strong memories of that day.

As the sun finally set, a fire was lit and the party really got going. Whilst many danced the evening away inside the barn, others congregated around the fire as the last rays of light faded in the distance, and I found myself running back and forth between both.

Looking for candid, documentary-style wedding photography like this in Cardiff or South Wales? Check out my wedding photography service and get in touch.