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Rachel Knowles Photography

Sheffield Based Event, Portrait & Retreat Photographer

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About Rachel Knowles Photography

I specialise in capturing people as they truly are, relaxed, expressive, and fully in the moment. With an eye for light, movement, and storytelling, I create cinematic images that elevate your event while keeping things authentic. My goal is simple: to create beautiful photographs that preserve the atmosphere, emotion, and energy of your event, so you have images you’ll cherish long after the day ends.

I’ve photographed two retreats, captured the raw, unfiltered energy of ecstatic dance events, and worked one-to-one in multiple in personal photoshoots. These experiences have shaped the way I shoot, intuitively moving through dynamic spaces, working confidently in changing light, and documenting real connection without interrupting it.

That’s exactly the approach I would bring to weddings. Although I haven’t photographed one yet, I see them as a natural extension of what I already do: capturing genuine emotion, movement, atmosphere, and the in-between moments that make a day unforgettable. If you’re planning your big day and want cinematic, heartfelt images that feel real rather than staged, I’d love to be part of your story!

Our Story

Hello! My name is Rachel, and I started my journey into the world of underwater photography, taking photos of coral species in Madagascar as a way to help me learn how to identify them. At the time, I was working in marine conservation, teaching people about coral reefs and how to survey them. I fell in love with capturing the unique patterns, shapes, and colours of coral, and trying to capture some of the magic I saw in the ocean on a day-to-day basis.

Fast forward some years - I realised that I had a passion for taking photos above the water too, especially as a way to connect with and empower people. I am also a freediving instructor, and a big part of my role is helping people feel safe and at ease in the water with me, a skill I’ve developed over time and now bring into my photography.

As someone who finds it hard to be in front of a camera, honestly, I get it. My main goal is to help you feel comfortable, confident, and yourself during a photo shoot. Above all else, I like to capture images that are not forced or overly posed, just someone standing in their authenticity. I never edit photos to change face or body shapes, I care much more about capturing real beauty, in every way it exists in the world. I believe it is a gift to allow ourselves to be truly seen by others, and also to be able to recognise beauty in ourselves, rather than endlessly criticising or judging our perceived flaws. Every session is a collaboration, I bring my technical skills and creative vision, while you bring your unique story. Together, we create images that are authentically yours.