Tying the knot is arguably the ultimate declaration of love. You openly accept your partner in front of society and promise to love and care for them for the rest of your life. In some traditions, marriage is viewed as a union of two souls for several lifetimes, making the concept of a wedding even more romantic. To enhance your special day, a photographer is there to capture moments that you might miss. Given the importance of wedding photography and the trust required between the couple and the photographer, we’ve decided to compile a roundup of the best in the genre. Hope you enjoy this!
The lead image is by Nick Collingwood. All images are used with permission.
Table of Contents
Nick Collingwood
Unlike traditional wedding photographers, Nick heavily relies on analog and instant film to capture the magic of a wedding. From a Polaroid Land 250 to a Super 8 camera and several Kodak and Fujifilm film rolls, the photographer has several ways to make your wedding look vintage as well as distinct. The image above is an example of that, where the ‘burnt’ corners and the colors only add to the fairytale-like appearance of the entire scene. One can think of it as the happy ever after we have been taught about since our childhood, but Nick delivers it in a tangible form.
Speaking to us in an interview, Nick said:
I think instant film along with Super 8 films can definitely provide a cool alternative to the clean, typical wedding photography/cinematography that has saturated the market today. Plus, wedding goers have loved being able to see the Polaroids of the wedding couple the day of the wedding and it’s easy enough for them to snap a pic of a Polaroid and instagram that.
Arjen Zwart
Unlike a commercial wedding project, Zwart began his famous series, No One Dies At a Gypsy Wedding, in 2014, which documents the lives of Roma people in Istanbul. The photographs are lively and photojournalistic in nature, where the black and white add to the mood of the scene. The image above is an example of this, where the bride is seen sitting in the center of the group. The tradition is unusual, which renders the image slightly eerie but also alluring. After all, weddings are the best places to see a drama unfold, and the photographer is able to capture that.
In his interview, Arjen Zwart told us:
The problem, especially in the beginning, was that everybody is so excited when you come with a camera there, that as soon as I touched my camera, everybody jumped in front of the lens.
Darren Williams
Although he also has a photojournalistic approach to wedding photography, what sets Darren’s work apart is the use of strobe. His gear is simple and to the point, but his images draw you to the celebration of love. The photograph featured in our article only showcases his talent as a photographer. The image is timed well and depicts the couple as the king and queen of their own little realm. The fireworks and the slow shutter add to the picture’s complexity and beauty. The wide angle also adds to the drama; had this picture been just a portrait of the two, it wouldn’t leave the same impression as it does now.
In our interview, Darren told us:
In any one moment at a wedding I might be required to be a photojournalist, portrait photographer, a landscape photographer, or a product/still life photographer; I may be shooting in available light in all sorts of lighting scenarios, from near darkness to the brightest of days, over which I have very little control apart from the ability to control the exposure on my camera.
Martin Beddall
Martin is also a photojournalist who believes that his non-formulaic way of shooting has gradually begun to gain more popularity in the wedding photography genre. For instance, the image may appear like a double exposure created in post-processing. However, the picture was shot through the reflection of the car’s window. There is so much to adore about the image. The church where the wedding was held, the bride and her lovely smile, and the clear day that seemed to celebrate the glorious occasion. Had there been no layers, this image wouldn’t have been the same.
In his interview, Martin told us:
It’s about making sure the couple you are photographing understand that the traditional clichés of ‘cutting the cake’ or ‘standing in front of the car’ are artificial. The real thing is looking back on natural images of a relaxed day with unexpected (and often chaotic!) moments. This is even more special.
James Day
A wedding is not only about the couple’s big day but also the unseen moments that happen around. Thus, wedding photography has to go beyond traditional portraits and include candid pictures of what people have been up to. This image is an example of that. The child must have been tired of the adults and their conversations and chose to play alone. There is a sense of calmness to the entire scene, and it shows that a function like this can tax even those who are simply there to attend.
In his interview, James told us:
I know for a fact that my clients want images that they can put on their wall, and they’re not going to put a close up of themselves on their wall… but something that just reminds them of what it felt like to be in that moment. I don’t tend to shoot all that much telephoto…usually just 85… but I do love getting in there and showing the connection between people, so sometimes it helps when you can see the subtleties in the expressions.
Jocelyn Voo
Orthodox Jewish weddings are different than the usual Catholic weddings. For starters, they have different traditions, and there is also the segregation of gender. This did not deter Jocelyn; what she and her other photographer captured at that time were different traditions. The image above is of one such tradition; you can see how much joy and excitement the bride and those around her feel. The moment is candid as it is heartwarming. The flash is of the right intensity, and the slight title of the frame makes the exhilaration palpable.
In her interview with us, Jocelyn said:
I’m drawn to human emotion, and capturing those special, candid moments: the groom’s overwhelmed expression when he sees his bride for the first time, the sly looks the couple sneaks at each other during the ceremony, the whiskey-tinged bliss on guests’ faces when the band is absolutely slaying the dance floor…
Pat Brownewell
Yet another photographer who shoots film, Pat’s work is quite magical. The colors in his images are unlike anything digital cameras can produce; the soft blur in the background only adds to that beauty. The pink color of the trees here, for instance, is captivating, while the blur adds to its mystery. The couple, who are standing off-center, also leads one to let their eye travel across the frame. In this case, the rule of thirds actually worked really well in the photographer’s favor.
In his interview, Pat told us:
Shooting 4×5 is a deliberate action. You have to stop and think because you’re looking through an upside down image. It’s so slow to operate that it forces you and your subject to work together in order to make a great image. You can’t just bang away letting the subject move around with a smile just to choose the best shot out of a series. With 4×5, you have to get that perfect image the absolute first time.
Josh Newton
Josh got into wedding photography in 2006; since then, he hasn’t looked back. He has traveled widely and documented over 120 weddings so far. However, with every wedding, he has captured the magic in any way he can. The photograph above appears like a still from the film just because of how well it has been executed. The top angle, the chandelier, and the pattern on the floor make it appear as if flowers are falling from the sky. Everything in this moment is perfect. Despite the groom’s face not being visible, it’s one of those images that will continue to live on for years after their marriage.
In his interview, Josh told us:
There are also a lot of other ways that have really helped my business grow – having slideshows at every wedding of my favorite photos I took that day are huge – its always a big hit, I get a big crowd around my laptop every time and almost all my business cards are gone. I’ve even booked 2 weddings during one slideshow!