About Rachel Cooke – Belfast Wedding Photographer & Film Restorer
Hi, I’m Rachel — a full-time wedding photographer and part-time film and photo restorer based in Belfast, Northern Ireland (where I was born and raised!). I capture natural, emotional moments for couples across Northern Ireland, the UK, and beyond — and I absolutely love what I do.
Weddings are packed with emotion: joy, nerves, belly laughs, quiet moments, and all the in-between bits that make the day uniquely yours. That’s what I focus on — the real moments. I’ll give you beautiful portraits, yes — but what I truly love is capturing images that feel like you.
A Creative Journey Rooted in Family and Art
Photography has been a part of my life since childhood. My dad’s an artist, and my grandfather loved taking photographs — both sparked my passion for storytelling through images. I studied at the University of Ulster, where I earned a Foundation Degree in Art & Design followed by a BA (Hons) in Photography.
I’ve been working with both digital and film photography for over 14 years. My career started out in nightclub and event photography (if you remember El Divino — yes, that was me!), before I made the move to weddings — and I’ve never looked back.
Now, I shoot 40+ weddings a year across Northern Ireland, the Republic of Ireland, the UK, and further afield.
My Approach to Wedding Photography
Think of me as your calm, friendly photographer/personal assistant hybrid. I know not everyone’s used to being in front of the camera or planning a wedding — so I’ll help guide the day in a relaxed, stress-free way. Whether that’s pinning a boutonnière, calming nerves, or blending into the background during emotional speeches, I’m there for it all.
I’m all about:
* Candid moments and unscripted joy
* Beautiful, timeless portraits
* Helping you feel totally comfortable and present
I’m also not too shabby on the dance floor, if I say so myself.
Preserving Memories Through Film and Photo Restoration
When I’m not photographing weddings, I work on restoring old photos, negatives, and tapes — helping people bring forgotten family memories back to life. I’ve restored everything from faded black-and-white prints to 8mm home movies.
I was recently featured in the Ballymena Guardian for restoring a series of 1950s medium format images taken by my grandfather — a full circle moment for me.
Got a box of old photos or film reels? I’d love to help you preserve them.
Recognitions and Features
* Named one of the Top 20 UK Wedding Photographers by Weddings & Honeymoons Magazine
* Finalist for Wedding Photographer of the Year at the Northern Ireland Wedding Awards (2019 & 2020)
* Regular features in The Ulster Tatler’s wedding section
* Film restoration work featured in the Ballymena Guardian
Let's Connect and Create Together
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer in Belfast or Northern Ireland who’ll capture your day honestly, creatively, and without awkward posing — I’d love to hear from you.
No pressure, no hard sell. Just drop me a message through the contact form and I’ll send over my pricing guide. If you’d like, we can hop on a Zoom call or meet for a coffee to chat through your plans.
Let’s make some magic — and memories — together.
