Devon wedding and family photographer Helen Lisk sitting holding a camera and smiling
Photographer Helen Lisk creating portraits

HI, I’M HELEN

I’m really delighted to say hello!

I’m Helen Lisk, a wedding and family photographer in Exeter, Devon. What can I tell you about myself? Photography has always made my heart beat faster. Finding the beautiful light, choosing how to frame the images, deciding when to press the shutter.

It has been one of my favourite things to do for as long as I can remember, and I still get that fluttery feeling of excitement when I pick up the camera.

Over the past fifteen years, I have been lucky enough to photograph hundreds of families and weddings, creating thousands of images that will be treasured by generations. This honestly makes me so proud that I can’t properly describe it.

When people first get in touch with me (oh hey, that’s you!), I get that excitement all over again. I read through the details of your relaxed wedding, and the beautiful images that you are after, and I am already envisioning it all through the lens. Or perhaps you are looking for a natural photography session that really captures the essence of your family spending time together.

I always find it so special that you have chosen to contact me, that the images you see here are the sort of thing you would like. I love hearing from you and starting a new photography journey with you.

So please do tell me as much as you like about what you are looking for! I can’t wait to hear it.

GET IN TOUCH
Devon photographer Helen Lisk sitting at a cafe table, smiling with a coffee and a camera
A father emotionally embracing his daughter on her wedding day

HOW I WORK

I have a friendly and relaxed approach, and I am very comfortable blending in to your day. I want you to almost forget that the camera is there, so that I can photograph moments really naturally and you can just enjoy yourself! I’m also really happy to give you guidance where you need it, for portraits and group photos.

I really take the time to get to know you before I photograph you. I want to understand exactly what you want from your photography, and for you to feel comfortable with me ahead of our shoot. People have often described me as being like an extra guest at their wedding, or having a friend with a camera hanging out with them for the day.

Two parents lifting their joyful smiling son into the air at the beach

“We could not have asked for a better photographer.

I cannot believe how at ease we felt and what perfect pictures we’ve ended up with.

Thank you again for everything.”

LUCY & JOSH
A bride and groom smiling and walking down a country lane together in sunshine after their Devon wedding ceremony

AT YOUR WEDDING

On your wedding day, my photography uses a mainly reportage style to tell your story. I am taking photos unobtrusively through most of the day. I blend in comfortably and I capture those real moments that will mean so much to you.

This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to party with all your favourite people. You can enjoy celebrating while I take care of the photography. And yes, I will happily organise your family group photos too! But mostly, I just want you to have fun and enjoy your day, while I take care of the photography.

You will receive a set of images that tells your story in the most beautiful way. Photographs that you will have for the rest of your lives, that genuinely make you feel your wedding day again.

A relaxed group of wedding guests all laughing with drinks in evening sunlight at a Somerset wedding

“We were so impressed with your approach, which was so friendly and considerate whilst making us feel so comfortable and capturing all the best moments.”

A family walking hand in hand through the woodland together in Devon with autumn leaves on the ground

FOR YOUR FAMILY SESSION

My family photography is always really relaxed, but I completely understand that you will need some guidance about what to do. I want you to enjoy the experience so that the photographs hold all those lovely memories for you. And, most importantly, I want you to look at your images and feel that they look like you. That they capture the feelings of your family.

So I will suggest things for you all to do together, and photograph these authentic moments for you. When everyone is having fun, genuine laughs and lovely moments follow naturally. And that leads to beautiful photographs. 

I usually include some relaxed group shots of you all together, because these are the ones we always struggle to get ourselves!

I will create images that really capture the feelings. All the love, all the magic of your incredible family.

A family group cuddling together on a beach

RAVES

“ridiculously lucky to have had you as our photographer”

Two parents walking across grass with two young children in their arms during a family photography session in Exeter, Devon

MiALL FAMILY

“We finally had a chance to sit down last night and properly look through the photos and I just wanted to say how totally thrilled we are with them! There are so many gorgeous ones that it’s been hard to choose our favourites.

It’s been an absolute pleasure working with you from start to finish and you have created some wonderful images that truly capture the essence of our family – we will treasure them forever!”

A bride and groom walking on the Somerset hills together at Bruton and smiling at each other

TAMSIN & LUKAS

“We absolutely love your photos and feel ridiculously lucky to have had you as our photographer.

The photos are so special – they capture something so true and authentic about the day, our guests and us, and we know we will cherish them for the rest of our lives.

Not only that, they are so gorgeously composed and artistic that our families keep saying that they wouldn’t look out of place in a magazine or art gallery.”

STILL READING? HERE ARE

5 MORE THINGS ABOUT ME

I HATE BEING PHOTOGRAPHED

I am so unbelievably awkward in front of the camera and I will do pretty much anything to avoid this until it is absolutely necessary. If you are the same then I feel your pain so much! Every few years I put myself through the experience of having portraits created, so I really do understand what it feels like to be on this side of the camera. This is why I make things as relaxed as possible when I create your photographs.

MY FAMILY

I live in Exeter, Devon with my lovely family. I know from experience that photos of us all together are some of the most precious things I own. Much as I adore this photo, it is ten years out of date and counting. Those children are grown up and my hair definitely isn’t that colour any more! Did I mention how much I hate being in front of the camera..? I know I will regret not making images like this happen more often. In fact, I already do.

THE FOREST IS MY HAPPY PLACE

I know it’s a bit of a cliché but I really do love being outside. I’m lucky to live in beautiful Devon, and I love getting to the beach, especially with my paddle board. But I love the forest even more. It really is my happy place, and I often just escape for a woodland walk with the dogs when I need a bit of downtime and space.

PHOTOGRAPHY HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY FAVOURITE THING

On my 10th birthday I was given my first film camera. I loved photography from the start and spent years playing around with it. My 18th gift from my parents was my Dad’s old SLR camera (the fabulous OM10). My love of photography carried on and I explored it through both my art a level and film degree. The smell of darkroom chemicals still makes me immediately happy. I love nothing more than finding the best light, framing an image in the perfect way, creating something really beautiful through the lens.

ALL THE OTHER THINGS

Okay, it’s not just five things. Here are all the other random things that make me tick: morning coffee, evening sunlight and shadows, ferns, the sound of the rain, light shining through leaves, the joy of kissing a dog’s head, a negroni in a good glass, dancing with friends, the joy of the house to myself, sunlight on my face, swimming in the cold sea, hanging out with my family, singing to my favourite tunes, clean sheets and an early night, the smell of woodsmoke.
Devon photographer Helen Lisk in an orange cardigan, sitting on a step and laughing

READY TO

CONNECT?

If you like what you see here then I would absolutely love to talk about options for your photography!

Fill out a few details on my contact form and it will take you directly to my full online brochure for wedding or family photography. Or just give me a call if you prefer to chat.

I can’t wait to hear from you!

GET IN TOUCH