AMSTERDAM DOCUMENTARY FILM WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER

Where are you based?

I am based in Europe and photograph weddings primarily in France, Portugal, The Netherlands, Spain and Italy, as well as a few weddings a year in the UK and Brazil. 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 mostly on locations I can get to by train for sustainability reasons. A single wedding season would easily see me boarding 40+ flights otherwise.

How many images 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. I also focus on quality instead of quantity, so I make sure each image I deliver is unique and can stand on its own.

Do we receive black and white photos as well?

Yes, of course! By default, I shoot 30-35% 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.

Should we worry about rain for our wedding in the Netherlands?

While rain is always a possibility in the Netherlands,. With that being said, it's always best to organise a Plan B with your venue - and make sure the Plan B is something you're happy with, just to avoid disappointment in case it does rain for a bit! I honestly believe that rain is not a big issue on a wedding day as long as the spirits are not affected.

How will we receive our images? What does the film process look like?

Once the wedding is done, I'll take all film rolls to my trusted lab for developing and scanning. The final photos will be delivered to you as high-res jpg scans of the original negatives uploaded to an online gallery for viewing, downloading and sharing. I also offer darkroom prints and contact sheet of your images as an optional 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.

Can we book you if we still don't have a venue for our wedding in Amsterdam?

While I understand that securing your favourite photographer can feel (and is!) super important, especially if you have a specific style in mind and are planning your wedding in a busy month, securing a date with your venue is the first step of the process unless you are planning an elopement. Even if you plan to use a private space, things can change very quickly during the planning process and all my bookings are based on specific dates. With that being said, June, July and September are always very busy months and I often get 6-7 enquiries for the same dates, which is unfortunate. If you'd like to get in touch to check which dates I still have available before closing the day with the venue, please feel free to do so.

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. For more info, click here!

Can we hire you for our multi-day wedding?

Absolutely! 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. I love multi-day weddings and I absolutely love a pool party because they show such a different side of your wedding guests :)

What cameras do you use as a film wedding photographer in Amsterdam?

I work with many different cameras at the same time - mainly because they offer different qualities to the final negative, but also because I like my workflow to be as fail-proof as possible and having different cameras capture the same moments can guarantee that. On a regular wedding day, you can expect to see me carrying at least a medium format Mamiya, a Contax G1 and a Konica Hexar at the same time.

We are looking for a film wedding photographer in Amsterdam and love your work. How can we book you?

If you like my work and my approach to photography and think it matches what you dream your wedding photos to be, please get in touch through my contact form.