I love and hate to photograph weddings for friends or colleagues. I love it because it’s a beautiful thing to be part of, and all is positive and a huge celebration.

Weddings are a gift of photo opportunities and nobody dislikes you being around with a camera.

The risk of failing

I hate it because I am always afraid of failing. I bring two cameras, extra batteries and spare memory cards. Safe and secure on the technical side. But what if I fail to bring out the best in this important day? If I fail the expectations? I just hate that thought.

Even with more than 35 years as a professional photo- and video-journalist having to be there at the right time and freeze the important moments I still have this little nervous feeling until I get the first good images in the box.

Moments

Wedding photography is about capturing moments. Capturing the obvious, but also finding small stories that they didn’t see themself. Being that extra eye and storyteller bringing forward memories and sceneries to remember.

I am confident enough to know I will get something, but what if the receiver doesn’t see it as I do? What if they wanted something else? It’s always this way for me, and being a bit nervous is maybe what makes me sharp at the moment. Doing my best because I do not relax but have my focus on the job.

Friday I had such a job for a former colleague of mine. He is a skilled photographer himself but wanted my photos from the day to be a gift for his brother who was married. I am glad he told me it was their wedding present afterwards and not before. I only share a few photos here, because the rest is kept private.

Once again I relied on the 50mm lens for most pictures, and the 35mm for backup and situations where it was required. A full set of monochrome and colour photos was handed over to the happy couple.