Rangefinder's Rising Star Stories - 10 Tales Behind the Award Winning Photos
Shot on a Canon 5D Mark IV and Sigma 50mm f/1.4
1/3200/s - f/2.0 - ISO 100
Working as a wedding photographer has offered me so many incredible opportunities, above all being able to create both art and an experience for couples. I find that art is most alluring when the philosophies of the creator permeate through the work, and for myself, many of those ideas are drawn from art history. In this post, I’ll be sharing how I reference this in my work, as well as some techniques I use on shoots, what inspired each shot, and the gear I used to create the work that I included in my award-winning Rangefinder Rising Stars of Wedding Photography portfolio.
The bride in this photo, Emily, planned an intimate surprise wedding for her closest friends and family. She and her partner needed a place away from the venue that they could take wedding photos in secret, as to not spoil the surprise, so I offered my home in Minneapolis as an option. We shot a first look, portraits, and some bridal party shots in the backyard. As we were finishing, I saw a small patch of direct light peeking out from over the roof. I had Emily walk over into the light and instructed her to do some subtle movements. A soft turn away from the camera resulted in this frame, which, to me, is almost sculptural in how the light wraps around the dress and subject. A classical center-framing provides an additional stillness that further enhances this feeling for me.
Shot on a Canon 5D Mark IV and Canon TS-E 24mm L II
1/160/s - f/3.5 - ISO 320
Using tilt-shift lenses is often something that's been considered a trend in the wedding photography world, but to me, it’s an amazing tool that references the history of photography, in particular, the look of large-format film cameras. I always prefer using a real tilt-shift lens as opposed to an effect in post-production, because when used correctly you can draw an amazing amount of detail, depth, and feeling that can’t be replicated in post.
For this shot, I was using the 24mm tilt-shift lens. Using such a wide lens can make it difficult to draw focus to a certain area, but with a subtle tilt, I was able to draw focus to the bride's face and the tear running from her eye as her bridesmaids began a prayer circle around her. The wider angle also helped me capture a better narrative image. I love being able to see the flower girl and some of the expressions of the bridesmaids in the background. I feel as though it helps place the viewer within the scene.
Shot on a Canon 5D Mark IV and Canon 35mm f1/4L II
1/2500/s - f/3.5 - ISO 100
This is one of my favorite images, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the trust and support of this amazing couple, Olivia and Stephen. The couple flew me out to New York to do their engagement photos, and then to San Francisco to document their wedding day. We were driving through the Marin Headlands for portraits when the sun started to come out for the first time on an otherwise overcast day. I had us pull over the car immediately, and positioned Olivia and Stephen on the side of the road with the hills in the background. The light only lasted a few seconds before retreating behind clouds again.
The framing and positioning in this shot were inspired by Dutch Golden-Age landscape painters. I love how the darker elements behind the couple stretch their shadow towards the right of the frame, and that the golden hour light and atmospheric haze lends the background its painterly quality. I used a smaller aperture to make sure that highlight detail was maintained, and so that the foreground elements would have an even focus.
Don't be afraid to use existing works as inspiration, as long as you make a progression within your own body of work, and remember to look outside the industry for inspiration that resonates with you.
Shot on a Canon 5D Mark IV and 35mm 1.4 L II
1/100/s - 1.4 - ISO 2500
To be quite honest, this image from Rachel & Brandon's wedding at Grand Cafe, could have been a very risky shot. Shooting behind the ceremony always feels like a risk, if not done correctly, you may become a distraction during one of the most intimate and important parts of the wedding day. However, for this wedding, I was lucky for a number of reasons. The first being the venue. Rachel & Brandon decided to get married at Grand Cafe, a small french restaurant in South Minneapolis. Their ceremony took place in front of the bar, which gave me a small space to hide in before taking this shot. Second, the large windows behind the couple risked making this shot washed out mess, but the guests in the background helped shape and control the lighting. Lastly, the cafe was actually quite dark, and this image was shot at f/1.4, regardless, the image is perfectly in focus.
I think what ultimately makes this image special, is the small details scattered across the image. Like Rachel's parents holding hands on the left side of the frame, or Brandon's hand placed on their 95-year-old grandma's back. This couple did an amazing job at making their wedding feel personal and exciting, and these images wouldn't have been possible if they didn't do things their own way.
Taken on a Canon 5D Mark IV and 35mm 1.4L II
1/320/s - f/2.5 - ISO 640
My best shots always have a heavy emphasis on framing. I always try to be as intentional as possible with composition, and will often seek out natural frames within a scene. In this shot, taken during Moses & Trish's wedding reception at Cafe Lurcat in Minneapolis, a guest had gotten up from their table, leaving an opening that I could use to frame and capture this scene.
Cafe Lurcat has a bit of an old-world feel to it, with its dark green walls, large oil paintings, and massive tropical plants. The photo itself mirrors this, the interactions between the guests feel as though they could have been pulled directly from a painting.
Taken with a Canon 5D Mark IV and Sigma 50mm 1.4 Art
1/160/s - f/2.0 - ISO 320.
Ah, David & Abigail, I could wax poetic about this wedding for the rest of my life. If any wedding helped propel me from second shooting to being a full time wedding photographer, it was this one. It was a first in so many ways as well, the first wedding I shot 120 film, and my first wedding to be featured, both in Junebug and Together Journal.
David is also a photographer, and a dear friend. I still remember the night he asked me if I would shoot his wedding. He had invited me out for a night of cocktails and Japanese whisky at my neighborhood bar, and told me he thought I would be a good fit to capture Abigail & his weekend wedding celebration at Gooseberry Falls State Park. To be quite frank, I was shocked he was asking me. Being asked to shoot another photographers wedding feels like a high honor, and David, being a fashion photographer, has incredible taste, so why would he pick me? I was still getting my footing as a wedding photographer, and mostly just second shooting, sometimes even for David himself. I hadn’t found much confidence in my own work back then, but I was prepared for the challenge, and honored by the trust being given to me.
I showed up to the wedding weekend with a sleeping bag, too many cameras, and a pile of magazines I could look at in my tent for inspiration at night. The planning was casual and almost everyone knew each other, so we all chipped in with helping setting up decor and the campsite. The loose schedule and trusting atmosphere meant that I would have plenty of time to experiment with different techniques and films, and that I could help direct when photos were going to happen.
This shot was taken right next to the falls, it was right after the ceremony, when emotions are always at their peak. It wasn’t really posed, I had asked David & Abigail to turn into each other after I had set them up for a different shot. There’s something magical about the intimacy of this moment that’s hard for me to put into words. Everything just falls perfectly into place.
Taken on a 5D Mark III with a 24-35mm Sigma Art
1/20/s - f/4.5 - ISO 50
Witnessing love and celebrations in its countless forms has gifted me the opportunity to open so many doors; to indulge social and cultural anthropology. As someone who academically studied Documentary Photography, this is incredibly fulfilling. These experiences have helped broaden my outlook on the world, & as such, I deeply respect the individuals, cultures, and traditions I encounter.
For Sosena & Henok’s wedding, I had the amazing opportunity to witness a wedding that incorporated both Western and Ethiopian traditions over the course of two days. I learned so much, and had so many incredible opportunities to create timeless work for them. This photograph was taken the second day, during the Melse, which is a post-wedding celebration that incorporates traditional dress, a naming ceremony, dinner, and non-stop dancing.
Sosena & Henok are in the middle of the frame, surrounded by their friends and family as they danced to music. There is so much joy in this image, and the energy extends throughout the entire frame. Even in the far background, you can see the faces of others enjoying the dancing.
Also did you notice the flying $100 bill in this photo? During dances at Ethiopian weddings, it’s a tradition to take money and attempt to stick it to the bride or tuck it into her gold veil. The money had been tucked into Sosena’s veil a few moments before, and the money had flung out as the rhythm and tempo picked up.
Shot on a Canon 6D and 35mm 1.4L II
1/20/s - f/8 - ISO 1250
“Mystery is a beautiful friend.”
This phrase floats around my head fairly often, it was something Photo-Sage Whitney Chamberlin said to me back in 2018, at a dance party in Detroit. I’ve taken it on as somewhat of a personal motto and modus operandi since then, a way to approach a world that is at times difficult to interpret, and as a way to recognize my own enigmatic nature. The unknown doesn’t have to be frightening, it can be beautiful, and perhaps even kind.
This photo was the last shot in my Rising Star portfolio, including it, felt like a risky move. I really wasn’t sure how the judges would interpret the photo without context. I had decided to structure my portfolio in a way that mirrored how a wedding day occurs, starting with my most quiet photos, and ending with some of the most energetic. The chaotic nature of this photograph felt like a crescendo and reflects that feeling at the end of a party.
I love the mystery in this photo, that it can be difficult to grasp what is going on. An ocean wave, three men in boxers, a woman in a dress, a bright flash, an overcast sky. Presented without context, how will the viewer interpret these signifiers?
I don’t think I’ll be sharing the full story of this shot, I’d much rather maintain the mystery.
Shot on a Canon 5D Mark IV and 50mm 1.4 Sigma Art
1/320/s - f/2.2 - ISO 320
As a wedding photographer, I’ve been blessed to see creativity come alive in so many different forms. Yes, weddings are a tradition, and they can follow a similar format. Regardless, the uniqueness and individuality of each one shines bright. To me, each wedding feels like a collaboration, an opportunity to capture an event, but also the creativity of two people who’ve spent countless hours together, developing their own stories, values, and tastes.
William is a composer, and Cynthia is a photographer. Both are extremely creative, and were highly involved in the photo planning process. We picked out spots together, shared ideas for photos, and thrived on each others creative energies. Cynthia had the amazing idea of renting a block of time at a local photo studio, where we shot this photo using natural light. It was a very hot and busy midsummer day, so the quiet and cool studio gave us a much needed reprieve on the wedding day. Being the only ones at the studio, we found a quietness that let us create some very emotional photos, and the right space to set intentions and build excitement before heading on to the wedding venue.
Canon 5D Mark III and Sigma 24-35mm f/2 Art
1/320/s - f/2.0 - ISO 640
While I have wrote primarily about myself and my own philosophies throughout this, there has been an underlying theme to each post shared in this article. It’s the people who made the photos possible, none of this work would be possible without the clients who have trusted me to capture their day authentically, and the couples who lent their own creative energies and ideas.
I also have my own wedding photographer community to thank, as a few of the images in my portfolio were created while shooting alongside them, including this one. St.Paul based Photographer Beth Cath took me along to shoot JT & Lexi’s wedding in at Abule. In this shot, JT is waiting to walk down the aisle. I’ve always loved the anticipation in this shot, and that JT’s expression is highlighted by the light spilling in from the door. The guests wearing black on both sides of the photo help frame JT’s white suit, giving this image the perfect contrast for black and white toning.
Thank for reading! If you enjoyed the work, or you have questions, either leave a comment down below or reach out to me on my Instagram @Jolsonweddings.
- j.