Documentary wedding photographer in the Loire Valley, France

Orléans, the Loire Valley and Brittany.
I tell the story of your day as it truly unfolds – no stiff poses, no staging.

You won't remember the poses. You'll remember the laughter.

I photograph weddings the way a photojournalist covers a story. I slip in among your guests, watch closely, fade into the background – and press the shutter when something real happens: a glance during the vows, a grandfather finally giving way to tears, a dance floor spilling over.

No shot list to tick off, no portrait session that steals you away from your drinks reception. Group photos and couple portraits are still on the table – they're just quick.

How I work, step by step

Weddings, not photo shoots

A few frames from recent weddings across the Loire Valley, Sologne and Brittany.

A wedding photographer for the Loire Valley, Brittany and beyond

I'm Henri Deroche, a documentary wedding photographer living in Baule, twenty minutes from Orléans in the Loire Valley. I photograph weddings in the Loiret, the Sologne and Loir-et-Cher, in Touraine, the Berry and Eure-et-Loir. I also have a second base in Brittany.

My craft is documentary wedding photography – what some call wedding photojournalism. In practice, I don't direct your day; I follow it, from the first coffee of the morning preparations to the last song on the dance floor, and I photograph what genuinely happens. The gestures, the glances, the moments in between. This work has been recognised by the WPJA (world Top 10), Fearless Photographers and the ISPWP.

I photograph every kind of ceremony: the civil ceremony at the town hall, religious or humanist celebrations, multicultural weddings. I speak fluent English, so planning together is effortless – and your guests from abroad will feel at ease on the day.

What that means for you: a planning meeting, coverage from the morning preparations to the end of the drinks reception or into the evening, 400 to 600 images edited one by one, and delivery within 21 working days in a private online gallery. Albums and a second photographer are available as options. Every detail is on the pricing page.

Getting married on the banks of the Loire, in a Sologne château or overlooking the Atlantic? I travel throughout France and abroad.

How it works

1. We meet

Over coffee or on a video call – ideal if you're planning from abroad. We talk about your day, your people and what matters most to you.

2. The big day

I'm with you from the preparations to the drinks reception, or well into the evening. Discreet, yet always in the right place.

3. 21 days later

Your 400 to 600 high-resolution images, in a private gallery to share with your guests.

400 to 600

images delivered

21 days

working-day turnaround

Top 10

worldwide, WPJA

FR / EN

fluent English

What does it cost?

Every wedding is different, so I'd rather talk it through with you. The collections, what they include and the available options are all set out on the pricing page.

Kind words from couples

He melts into the crowd and is completely forgotten, catching every one of the day's best moments. His photos are simply stunning.

No posed photos apart from the groups and the couple – just candid moments. Exactly what I wanted: completely natural, nothing forced.

We felt at ease straight away, thanks to real conversations in the run-up to the wedding. His documentary style won over every one of our guests.

Review from Google
Henri is an experienced photographer, discreet and attentive. He took care of us and made us feel comfortable to capture all the highlights and unique moments of our wedding. The feedback is unanimous: he delivers the goods!
Review from Google
Henri has a special trait: he doesn’t take (except for group and couple photos) posed photos, but only instant shots, exactly what I wanted!!! Only naturalness and no forced poses for us or our guests, so he knows how to be discreet and sneak around all day…
During my preparations, he guided me in timing and reassured me to relax… then I completely forgot about the ceremony at the dance party… lol the group and couple photos were very quick so that we wouldn’t waste too much time so that we could enjoy our guests to the fullest…
Henri is the dream photographer for your wedding; he helped to make this magical and beautiful moment and these photos are sublime…
Plus, she’s a great person that we loved from the first moment we met her.
Thank you Henri for sharing this unique moment with you, you were a true pillar and guide in the success of this wedding!!!🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Review from Google
We hired Henri for our wedding and we couldn't have dreamed of anything better. From our very first conversations, everything was simple, smooth, and reassuring—exactly what you need when preparing for such a big day.

On the big day, Henri was amazing: discreet and efficient, he seemed to be everywhere at once without ever being intrusive. Nothing escaped him, from the smallest, most candid moments to the highlights of the day.
The delivery was quick, with a pre-selection sent to us while we were waiting. A thoughtful touch we truly appreciated. And the final result lived up to our expectations: magnificent photos that tell the story of our day with authenticity and sensitivity.
We warmly recommend him to all future brides and grooms. Thank you, Henri! 🤍
Review from Google
We re a Belgian couple that got married in FR, Henri took pictures the whole weekend and the result is just incredible. He managed to put every emotion we felt in each picture thanks to his subtle presence in each situation.
Review from Google
Henri was amazing throughout our wedding! From the communication before the event, throughout the day of the wedding, he was just exactly what we wanted. Capturing the good moments and having a great time. On top of that, he was able to speak to all our guests thanks to his perfect English. Highly recommend him. Just awesome! Thank you
Review from Google
He is a photographer worthy of this name. Always discreet, he knows how to capture moments that others wouldn't have seen. For photos as beautiful and original as these, he is the one you need. We really recommend him, for our wedding we booked him and we are very happy with the result.

Where I photograph

Based in Baule, near Orléans in the heart of the Loire Valley, with a second base in Brittany. Available for destination weddings throughout France and abroad.

Frequently asked questions

It depends on the length of coverage and the options you choose. Let's talk it through – by phone, video call or over coffee.

Between 400 and 600 images depending on the length of coverage, delivered within 21 working days.

Yes: across the Loire Valley, Brittany (where I have a second base), and anywhere in France or abroad.

For a Saturday between May and September, 12 to 18 months ahead is ideal.

Documentary: I photograph your day without directing it. Group photos and couple portraits are still possible – they're just quick.

Absolutely. I speak fluent English and regularly photograph couples and guests from abroad.

Your date may still be available

Drop me a line – let's talk it over coffee or on a video call.