oh hey!
I'M Mirlah
I'm Mirlah, pronounced Merla. I think it's French. I'm not, sorry to disappoint, but the way to my heart is croissants and Nice is very Nice.
I'm a thirty something mother of two gorgeous babes and wife to childhood sweetheart Nik. They're my everything. We recently moved to the glorious Peak District - Our Happy Place.
I'm a glass half full kinda gal. (a craft beer or red wine if you're buying) I can be found exploring with my camera and finding joy in the small things, whilst chasing after my little ones with a high chance of rice crispies stuck to my slippers.
Bless this Happy Mess!
Quite simply, I LOVE, LOVE in all its forms. I love capturing it, feeling it and reliving it through gorgeous imagery. You've found your person, you're with your fave people and I'm here to document it. How amazing that I get to call that work hey!
A Little About Me
Somewhere in between fly on the wall photographer, organised best mate and hype gal!
meet mirlah
derbyshire
photographer
in a nutshell
mother to two curly haired babes
celebrator of all love
i have the best job in the world
guilty pleasure - my crocs
You + your guests, the I dos and the infectious happiness. The love, the belly laughs, all the confetti and the teary eyes. Nanna on the dance floor, the raised glasses, the long awaited hugs, the ear to ear smiles, the teeny food on trays, the anticipation and the joy. My happy place is your wedding day!
and when I'm not shooting weddings? I'm...
PLANNING - a peak district adventure with the fam,
WEARING - a jumpsuit, something colourful, high chance of a sequin bumbag, can never decide on one nail colour, something black neutral beige
EATING - CARBS! Pizza, Pasta, Crusty Bread! or Noods!
DRINKING - A cuppa or something hazy by Northern Monk or Thornbridge (should drink more water!)
DREAMING - about owner a camper van and hitting the road
PINCHING - myself that I get to call this work and grateful everyday for all the small things.
WONDERING - if anyone reads this? Hello, how are you? What's your favourite biscuit?
WELCOME, COME ON IN AND MAKE YOURSELVES COMFY
My Happy Place
01
my faves & inspiration
02
Exploring the back streets of a new town, shop window displays and joyfully painted doorways. People watching, looking up, reflections from a cafe window. Inspiration finds me everywhere.
I'm a sucker for nostalgia, romance and street art. I heart the 90s, polaroid film and I loves me a retro cinematic aesthetic. I could go on but to put it simply... colour & connection will always have my heart.
Give me pops of colour, pockets of natural light, cool backdrops and raw emotion and I'll be doing my happy dance.
I adore candid, documentary photography as it really is about capturing what is right in front me. Observing, anticipating and really being present in the moment. The moments you might not see. Just me visually telling your story as the day unfolds. From the tears of joy, the looks of love and the nerves. The smiles that tell so many stories, the belly laughs, the hugs...
OH THE HUGS! Good grief I love a good squeeze, when I see a cuddle on a wedding day I'm there!
I love that no two weddings are the same and you, yes you two lovers starting this wild, wonderful adventure together - You'll be my biggest inspiration and that's all I could ever need.
a cocktail of nostaligia, romance + retro cinematic vibes
How I Work
03
I'll work my socks off making sure your day is captured creatively as it unfolds so you can relive it in years to come.
Here's some things that might make us a good fit.
- You're doing things your way and not afraid to throw tradition out of the window.
- You don't take life too seriously and up you're for a giggle.
- You want some gorgeous couple photos but time with your guests is important too.
- You're not a fan of posing..
- ... but you don't mind the odd cheeky snog in front of the camera. (I'll probably be lurking in a bush so just pretend I'm not there)
- You love a pop of colour, confetti and care about the candid moments
- Group family photos are important but you but also... let's get back to the mingling, canapes & drinks
- You also share a love for haribo, signapore fried noodles, Ru Paul's Drag race and secretly love crocs.
BIG HAIR, BIGGER HEART, CAPTURING ALL LIFE'S LOVES
My Creative Journey
04
Storytelling has always been my thing. Childhood holidays would see me clutching my kodak disposable and then patiently waiting for my prints so that I could artfully piece together my scrapbook.
At school, art + design and any subject where I could put my creative stamp on it were for me. Maths would fill me with dread and Pythagoras ain't that pretty.
Flash forward to my Uni days my disposable got an upgrade to a pretty pink powershot where uploading a 300 strong album to Facebook would be normal practice after a night out. I studied Creative Advertising and my love for communication and art direction grew to dizzy heights.
Then I became a mother. And my god it's true what they say, it all goes so fast. Wanting to cherish every moment, I snapped the good, bad + the ugly and truly fell in love with photography.
and now I'm here... Capturing people's biggest life moments. Telling your love stories, capturing the magical moments, the details + all the goodness in between. It really is what sets my heart on fire!
as pictured above: me circa 1995 - let's hear it for the retro outfits
not just a
photographer
Having been a wedding event manager and working in the wedding industry for 10 years before turning to photography, you bet I'm bringing all that experience to the table.
As well as throwing everything I've got into making your wedding imagery bloody fantastic. I'll be on hand before + during the day to give you all the advice or recommendations to make things run smoothly.
If you need a helping hand, I've got two of 'em! I'm not afraid to get stuck in and flapping just isn't in my nature.
The mini wedding planner, you didn't even know you needed.
mirl + photographer + planner + friend!
don't shoot what it looks like. shoot what it feels like
"Mirlah was more than just a wedding photographer for us, she kept our day moving along so calmly and is the kindest soul. She captured everything we didn't know we wanted and more and will be forever thankful for that! Could not recommend Mirlah more!"
Lucy & Matt - Amalfi White
"Beautiful Mirl, inside and out, you captured our micro wedding perfectly. We didn’t have many of the traditional elements of a wedding day, but we had the love and the laughter which shone through in Mirlah’s incredible art. Thank you, thank you thank you."
Jules & Ian - Micro Wedding
"Mirlah came along to our wedding in Leeds as a second photographer. We felt so lucky to have her as part of our day. She was absolutely fantastic and brought so much warmth, energy and fun with her. Her photos are beautiful, capturing all the big and small moments that made the day so special. We recommend her so highly. Thanks Mirlah!"
Kate & Richard - Left Bank Leeds
"I just wanted to say you’ve made me look and feel beautiful (which never happens ). The make up, the hair, flowers and my gorgeous dress made me feel a million dollars but you Mirlah, make me look beautiful. And I think it’s because I feel so at ease with you. Thank you thank you thank you! Forever fan girling over you and forever grateful!"
Sirah & Luke - Grangefields
BUT ENOUGH
ABOUT ME....
... OVER TO YOU!
IF WE SOUND LIKE A GOOD FIT AND I'M YOUR GAL
DROP ME A MESSAGE AND LET'S GET TO KNOW EACH OTHER SOME MORE.
