Our Wedding Photographer

The question we received most as soon as we announced our engagement was: “So, who’s going to take the photos at your wedding.” Patrick’s No. 1 answer after a while was “… the selfie stick.” Of course, that was just a joke because we had a wonderful wedding photographer booked over a year in advance. But when said wedding photographer cancelled on us for private reasons 3 months before the wedding, for a short moment we thought the selfie stick would have to do.

Since we do know how much time in advance wedding photographers are usually booked, I must confess I had a little heart attack when we received this message three months prior our wedding date. Who of the photographers we’d love working with would still be free on a Saturday in September on such short notice!? But as life always has its way of working out somehow, we were beyond lucky when Melanie Nedelko reached out to us asking whether she could do a little shooting with us. We almost didn’t dare asking if there was the slightest chance of her being free on our wedding date, but as fate would have it – she was! One phone call and a few weeks later we met her in Vienna at beautiful Kahlenberg during sunset and did a little shooting with her in the midst of the fields.

Patrick and me never had a classic engagement shooting or anything the like, and we’re usually never in front of the camera together. So this shooting did feel super special to us and Melanie, positive and kind as she is, made us feel very comfortable in front of her lens right away. Patrick and me are both big fans of her work and when we received the photo gallery of our shooting yesterday, we sat there and couldn’t believe our eyes. It was a very exciting and at the same time weird feeling to see so many gorgeous photos of the two of us. Now we know how all the couples must feel when they receive their online galleries of photos we take of them (it’s the best feeling you guys, you have to experience it. Trust me.)

How do you know who’s the right wedding photographer for you?

My tip for all of you out there who are looking for a (wedding) photographer right now (or will be looking for one at some point): Besides looking at their work online on their websites or Instagram, simply book a test shooting with them! It’s one thing to like someone’s aesthetics and previous work, but especially for very intimate occasions such as a wedding, it’s most important that you get along with the person behind the camera and feel truly comfortable in front of their lens. The better the connection you have with the photographer, the better the photos will turn out because you’ll be able to be fully yourself. A test shooting usually takes around one hour in which you get to know the photographer (& vice versa) and you have the chance to get to know their way of working. Another benefit is that you as a couple then know what it’s like to be in front of the camera, and perhaps you already get a feeling about which poses work best and how you feel most comfortable. What you get is first of all a selection of beautiful photos of you and your loved one, and secondly you’ll know if you “clicked” with the photographer or not and if she / he is the right person to capture your wedding.

The beauty of the moment.

Since it’s impossible to only choose a few of the photos Melanie Nedelko took of us for Instagram, here are some of my favorites I want to share with you. What’s so special about them is that Melanie shoots on a Contax medium format analogue camera. This kind of photography was a totally new experience for Patrick and me, since it means she’s shooting on film. After this little shooting I’m even more excited about our wedding photos and by now I’m actually counting the days…

 The Reformation Rosey dress // Castaner shoes // Anna Inspiring Jewelry necklaces & earrings // Carier Love bracelet 

*photos by Melanie Nedelko