If you’re planning a wedding in Caithness and you want photography that feels relaxed, honest, and properly polished, you’re in the right place.

I’m Mike, the photographer behind Fitlike Photography. I was born and brought up in Thurso (and grew up on the family farm near Castletown), so Caithness isn’t just somewhere I travel to for work. I know the roads, the light, the weather, and the wee pockets that look unreal on camera when the timing’s right.

Whether you’re getting married in Thurso, Wick, Dunnet, Castletown, or somewhere a bit more tucked away, I’ll help you keep the day calm and enjoyable — and you’ll get photographs that feel like you.

My style is documentary for most of the day. That means I’m watching for real moments as they happen, rather than constantly staging things.

When it matters, I’ll step in. Family photos are kept quick and organised (nobody wants to spend ages hanging about), and for your couple portraits, I’ll guide you in a way that feels easy — good light, flattering angles, and no awkward posing.

If you love big skies, coastline drama, and that clean northern light, Caithness does so well, we’ll use it. And if the weather’s like it usually is, we’ll work with that, too.

One of the first choices is the season, because Caithness changes mood fast through the year.

Winter weddings can be cosy and cinematic, with short days, warm interiors, and twinkly lights. Spring will bring softer evenings and that fresh, early-season feel. Summer gives you long days, outdoor drinks, and the chance to wander for portraits without rushing. Autumn is all about texture, colour, and a calmer pace before the year turns again and the opportunity of sunset photos.

Once you’ve picked your time of year, the next big move is locking in your venue date. After that, everything else becomes easier to plan — celebrant, hair and make-up, dress, flowers, cake, and your photography (and video, if you’re having it).

If you want a proper, no-fluff guide to building your timeline and booking suppliers in the correct order, link here to your wedding planning blog.

Most couples start the same way: they want photos that feel real but also look good.

That’s exactly the balance I aim for. You’ll get the story of the day as it unfolds — the nerves, the laughs, the reactions, the small moments you didn’t even notice happening — with calm direction when it helps.

A simple rule of thumb: I let the day breathe, then guide you when the light and the moment are right.

Once you enquire about your date and venue, I’ll get back to you with availability and next steps.

We’ll then have a quick chat by phone or Zoom (or a coffee if it suits). To make sure we’re a good fit and to hear about your plans.

From there, everything is straightforward. Paperwork is simple (it’s all electronic), and you can message anytime if you have any questions about timing, lighting, or how the day will flow.

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I’ll usually arrive for prep around 9:30–10:00 am, depending on your day. I’ll capture the atmosphere and the build-up candidly without turning the morning into a photoshoot.

After the ceremony, I’ll give you a few minutes to catch your breath and say hello to everyone. Then we’ll quickly and efficiently smash through the group photos so your guests can get back to enjoying themselves.

Your couple portraits are your chance to slow the day down for a moment. I’ll guide you a bit more — not for the sake of it, but to create those “that’s going on the wall” images that still feel natural and unforced.

Then it’s back in for the speeches, the meal, and the evening. If the timing and weather play ball, I’ll often steal you for a couple of minutes later on for a twilight photo — nothing dramatic, just a wee moment that looks incredible.

When I get home, your images are backed up (multiple locations, plus cloud). Then the editing begins.

You’ll get a small set of sneak peeks so you can share a few favourites quickly, and your full gallery follows once I’ve edited everything in my signature look.

If your package includes an album, we’ll design it together so it feels like a finished story of the day — not just a folder of files.

The day moves fast. The flowers go, the food gets eaten, the wine gets poured, and the cake disappears.

What you keep is the story — the people, the atmosphere, and the moments you’ll want back when the day is a memory. Great photography doesn’t just show how it looked. It reminds you of how it felt.

You’re not just booking the hours on the day. You’re booking planning support, experience, professional kit, insurance, backups, editing, gallery delivery, and (often) album design.

It’s also the difference between “we got photos” and “we can relive it.” That’s what you’re investing in.

Caithness has some brilliant venues, and I’m a recommended supplier at several local places.

The Northern Sands Hotel in Dunnet is a cracking option if you want a coastal atmosphere and easy access to Dunnet Beach. It’s ideal for couples who wish to have their portraits taken outdoors, with a proper North Coast feel.

Stemster House is a beautiful Georgian venue with loads of scope to style your day your way. The house, gardens and grounds give you plenty of options for portraits, and it suits everything from a laid-back to a complete marquee celebration.

Forss House Hotel is perfect for intimate weddings, tucked into woodland with the River Forss running through, and it has that quiet, hidden-gem feel that photographs beautifully.

House of the Northern Gate is a seriously striking baronial house on the Dunnet Estate, with sweeping views and a sense of “we’ve got the place to ourselves.” If you love exclusive-use venues, it’s a strong shout.

The Pentland Hotel in Thurso is a brilliant choice for couples who want a classic Caithness wedding venue that keeps everything simple and central. Being right in the heart of town makes it easy for guests (especially if you’ve got folk travelling up), and it works just as well for smaller, relaxed days as it does for a whole wedding with dinner, speeches and a proper evening dancefloor. From a photography point of view, it’s ideal when you want the day to flow without loads of travelling between locations — and if the weather behaves, we can nip out for a few quick couple portraits nearby and be back before anyone’s even noticed you’ve disappeared.

Because I’m local, I know Caithness, I know how quickly the weather can change, and I know how to get great photos whether we’ve got sunshine, sideways rain, or a bit of both in the same hour.

Born in Thurso and brought up on the family farm near Castletown. I moved away to go to college when I was 18. My Mum still lives in Castletown, and I regularly visit.

More importantly, I’m calm on a wedding day. I’ll keep you right when you need it, I’ll keep things moving when it’s time, and I’ll disappear into the background when the moments matter most.

If you’d like, I can show you full wedding galleries (not just highlights) so you can see precisely how a whole day is captured from start to finish.

Scottish Highlands Elopement Wedding Photographer.

FAQ

Do you only photograph weddings in Caithness?
No. Caithness is home turf, but I also cover weddings across the Highlands, Inverness, Moray/Elgin, Aberdeen & Aberdeenshire and beyond. If you’re not sure whether I cover your venue, send your date and location, and I’ll tell you straight.

What’s your style — are we going to be posed all day?
Not at all. I shoot documentary for most of the day, letting things happen naturally. I’ll step in for family photos so they’re quick and organised, then guide you gently for couple portraits that feel easy and still look unreal.

We’re awkward in front of the camera — is that a problem?
Honestly, most couples say this. You don’t need to “know what to do.” I keep it relaxed with simple prompts, good light, and a bit of breathing space. No cringe routines, no forced posing.

How far in advance should we book our Caithness wedding photographer?
As soon as you’ve secured your venue and date. Summer weekends (and popular local venues) can book up quickly, and photography is one of those things you don’t want to leave to chance.

Do you know good photo spots in Caithness?
Aye — and that’s a big part of the benefit of booking local knowledge. Whether you want coastline drama, big skies, sheltered woodland, or something close to your venue for a quick breather, I’ll suggest options that fit your day and the weather.

What if the Caithness weather does its thing?
We work with it. If it’s wild, we’ll keep portraits short, use sheltered spots, and make the most of the mood. If we get a break in the cloud, we’ll grab it. Some of the most cinematic photos come from “imperfect” weather.

How long do couple portraits take on the day?
Typically 20–40 minutes, depending on travel and the timeline. It shouldn’t feel like you’ve vanished for ages — more like a wee reset in the middle of the day. If you want something bigger (like a coastal detour), we’ll plan it properly.

Do you help with timelines and planning?
Yes. I’ll help you build a timeline that gives you space to enjoy the day and still get great photos. I’m always happy to advise on light, travel time between locations, and what order things tend to work best in.

How do you handle family group photos?
Quickly and calmly. I’ll suggest a simple list, keep it moving, and get everyone back to enjoying themselves. Nobody wants to spend half their drinks reception lining up for photos.

Do you offer wedding albums?
Yes. If your package includes an album, we’ll design it together so it feels like a finished story of the day — not just a collection of images sitting on a hard drive.

When do we receive our photos? Will we get sneak peeks?
You’ll get a small set of sneak peeks first, then your full online gallery once everything is edited in my signature look. Turnaround varies by season, but I’ll give you a clear expectation when you book.

Do you photograph smaller weddings and elopements in Caithness?
Absolutely. Whether it’s a small family day at a local venue or something intimate out by the coast, the approach is the same: calm coverage, real moments, and portraits that still feel like you.

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Other suppliers for your day.

Wed in the Highlands

Inverness Wedding Photographer.
A Gorgeous Caithness Wedding at Stemster House.
Nicole and Gary's stunning Wedding at the MacDonald Drumossie Hotel.
Nick and Lindsey's Wedding at Orbost Beach, Isle of Skye.
How Much Is A Wedding Photographer In Scotland?
The Most Important Questions to Ask Your Wedding Photographer.
How to Plan a Scottish Highlands elopement that still feels like a wedding.
Achnagairn Castle Wedding Venue.
Getting Married in the Highlands: What Couples Always Underestimate (And How to Nail It).
The Craft Behind the Camera: Light, Intent, and Consistency

If you’re getting married in Caithness — Thurso, Wick, Dunnet, Castletown, or anywhere along the north coast — send me your date, venue, and a rough idea of what you’re planning.

I’ll get back to you with availability and the best next step.

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