Henley Festival 2025 - Black Tie Luxury on the Thames

This summer I had the absolute pleasure of photographing the Henley Festival 2025, a week-long celebration of music, art, comedy and culture, all set on the banks of the River Thames. Joining me was good friend and university alumni Garry Jones, and together we were tasked with capturing the spirit and spectacle of one of the UK’s most glamorous outdoor events.

From an event photographer’s perspective, this one’s a standout. Luxury event photography demands more than just beautiful images, it requires sensitivity to the tone, the pace, and the people attending. Henley Festival is a black tie event, meaning blending in is essential. Unfortunately for us, this year’s heatwave brought 33°C temperatures, and while sipping champagne in the sunshine sounds idyllic, running around in a suit with two cameras strapped to you is… less so.

To manage the heat (and avoid heat stroke), Garry and I worked in 30-minute shifts, staying hydrated and taking regular breaks. This self-imposed rhythm actually worked in our favour, allowing us to stay sharp and focused, ensuring we were always ready to capture the kind of candid, stylish moments that make this event such a joy to shoot.

From intimate performances by comedian Ed Byrne to headline acts like Diana Ross, Rick Astley and Jamie Cullum, the festival delivered unforgettable scenes at every turn. But black tie photography isn’t just about the big moments. It’s about the smaller, more atmospheric ones too: golden hour light spilling across the lawn, the clink of champagne glasses, a crowd laughing mid-conversation, the glint of sequins on the water as the sun dipped behind the boats.

At events like this, quality always trumps quantity. That philosophy guided how we approached the entire week, taking the time to compose each frame thoughtfully and tell the story of Henley through a curated lens.

We also made sure the delivery of images matched the luxury experience. Our live, branded, password-protected gallery provided a sleek, mobile-friendly interface for the client to view and download images. With real-time stats and seamless sharing functionality, the gallery gave the festival team everything they needed to post on social and share with talent as the event unfolded.

While many large-scale events benefit from a dedicated on-site editor, the format we adopted, a steady trickle of polished selects delivered in near-real-time, suited the client perfectly. And as any professional event photographer will tell you, great imagery is just part of the job. The systems you put in place to deliver quickly, cleanly and professionally matter just as much.

In all, Henley Festival 2025 was a highlight of the summer, equal parts challenge and reward. And getting to do it alongside an old university mate? That made it even sweeter. These are the kinds of weeks that remind me why I love this job.