Documentary Film Wedding Photographer in Algarve, Portugal
Julia Jardim is an Algarve wedding photographer working exclusively on film and specialising in authentic, unique wedding celebrations of all shapes and sizes. She photographs weddings and elopements in a spontaneous, stress-free, authentic way in Algarve and the south of Portugal and uses a documentary, photojournalistic approach with a strong creative eye to create images that are honest, unique, and true to the story they're telling.
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Julia photographs weddings exclusively on 35mm and medium format film in Algarve and has been doing so for many years. Most of her couples are already familiar with film as a medium and want that timeless, nostalgic, authentic quality in their wedding images, but other couples first choose Julia for her spontaneous, effortless, candid photographic style.
Julia focuses on what makes each wedding and each person unique and uses that as guidance for all the images she creates. She believes empathy and a genuine interest in human connection are absolutely essential to make a good photograph. For that reason, no two of her wedding galleries look the same - each is an honest testament to how it felt to be there on the day, amongst that specific group of people, collectively shaping their own story.
If you want to get in touch, you can fill out this contact form. You can also follow Julia's work on instagram.
Where are you based?
I am based in Europe and photograph weddings primarily in Portugal, France and The Netherlands. Even though I spend most of the wedding season (from April to October) on the road, I have recently made the conscious choice to focus on locations I can get to by train as it is a much more sustainable mode of transportation. A single wedding season would easily see me boarding 40+ flights otherwise.
How many photos will we receive?
The total number of images will vary based on factors like number of guests and duration of the ceremony, but I deliver an average of 500 images for a full day wedding. With that said, I put a strong focus on quality over quantity, so I make sure each image I deliver is unique and can stand on its own while also making sure the collection of images from each wedding is cohesive and tells a strong story.
Do we receive black and white photos as well?
Yes, of course! By default, I shoot 30-40% of the wedding using BW film, but this is thoroughly discussed with couples during our pre-wedding talks so that the final proportion meets your expectations and personal preferences - I can either increase the BW photos or remove them altogether if it suits the couple.
Do you work with only one film stock?
I shoot about 90% of color images with Kodak Portra for its reliable and consistent results (Portra is a professional stock), but I also like playing with a few other stocks for the pop of life and colour they are able to create - I like predictability but I think we should also leave space for fun. Kodak Ultramax and Kodak Gold are film stocks I am particularly fond of, and I make sure to use at least a few rolls of each for each wedding - always at the right time, as these stocks are not so versatile but work really well in very specific light situations. For BW, I use Kodak Tri-x almost exclusively, with a few Ilford Deltas and T-Max thrown in the mix from time to time.
How will we receive our images? What does the film process look like?
After your wedding I'll personally take all film rolls to my trusted lab for developing and scanning. The final photos will be delivered as high-res jpg scans of the original negatives, all uploaded to an online gallery for viewing, downloading and sharing. I also offer handmade darkroom prints of your images as an add-on - as artisanal as it can possibly get.
What is your photographic style?
My photographic approach can be called documentary or photojournalistic, but I use the term loosely. What that means is that I try to work with as much creative freedom as I can, but the ground on which I stand is life itself. I don't believe there's such a thing as the "real" photographic representation of a moment - once a moment comes and goes, it opens itself to infinite possible interpretations or narratives, and many of these can be called true. So I think it matters to know that I'll bring my very own pair of eyes to any wedding day, along with a lot of empathy, energy, and a deep and ever-growing understanding of my craft, as well as a genuine willingness to dive into the story that is to unfold in front. With that said, I don't pose my couples and I don't try to manufacture moments or emotions that are not already there.
FAQ
Do we receive the negatives as well?
I don't deliver the negatives but you can opt to receive all contact sheets for the day.
Why do you shoot only film, and not a mix of film and digital?
The short answer to this question is that a digital camera would not do anything that a film camera can't do in a better way. I know a lot of photographers choose to shoot film only in certain lighting situations, but I have extensive experience working exclusively with film not only in weddings but also on commercial assignments, and my honest opinion is that it can be used in any situation if you have the necessary knowledge. Film is versatile, consistent, and beautiful under almost any condition. Given all that, a digital camera would just be an unnecessary distraction.
Do you work with second shooters?
I work by myself unless the wedding is organised in a way that requires me to be in two places at the same time, but I recommend a second shooter for weddings with a large number of guests. I view a second shooter as another photographer with their own unique creative language and set of eyes, and I will take that into careful consideration when choosing someone to work with one on your wedding.
Do you work multi-day weddings?
I do, as long as my schedule is free for the period and it won't interfere with any weddings scheduled just before or right after yours :)
Do you ever outsource a wedding to another photographer or member of the team after booking?
Absolutely, 100% not. My couples hire me as their wedding photographer and that's who they'll get. I may outsource admin work at some point so I can focus on the creative side of the business and I work with second shooters and assistants for larger weddings, but you can be sure I will be present on all moments of your wedding.
Can we meet in-person before our Algarve wedding?
Yes, of course! This is not always possible as most of my couples are planning a wedding away from the country they currently live in and because I spend most of the wedding season on the road, but if we happen to be on the same city at any point during the planning process, I'll do everything I can to have a coffee with you! Even if in-person meetings are not possible, we do several video calls throughout the planning process so we can hopefully feel like old friends when the day comes, and you're welcome to message me on WhatsApp at any point after booking. In other words, we'll be in touch a lot :)
How far in advance can we book you for our wedding in Algarve?
I am available for full wedding bookings 2 years in advance. For small celebrations and elopements, bookings opens twice a year, on the 1st of February and the 1st of August, for weddings within the next 6-month period. Engagement and family shoots can be booked 3 months in advance in the wedding season (from May to September) and year-round for the low-season (October to April).
