Sydney-based wedding photographer Elliott Kramer is renowned for capturing authentic moments in a beautifully unscripted way.
With a passion for storytelling through the lens, Elliott has quickly made a name for himself in the wedding industry, blending creativity with a relaxed, approachable style. In this Q&A, we delve into Elliott’s journey, his signature photography style, and the tips he has for couples preparing for their big day. We also explore what’s next for this talented photographer as he continues to evolve his craft.
Tell us a bit about yourself and what you do. What is special/unique about you as a photographer?
I’m Elliott, a wedding photographer from Sydney. I live for experiences; travel, music, food. Experiences that make you feel something. Getting married to the person you love is one of life’s big experiences. Photographing couples through that lens gets me really excited and inspired.
I’ve got a really grounded and contemporary approach to photographing weddings. I don’t force moments, rather capture the mood and emotion of the day in a real, editorial way. Weddings to me aren’t about curating the perfect moment for Instagram, it’s about the experience of getting married to the person who you love, and sharing that surrounded by everyone you love. My job as a wedding photographer is to capture the feelings of you and everyone around you throughout that beautiful experience.
Can you tell us about your journey as a wedding photographer and how your style has evolved over time?
What I’ve loved about my journey as a wedding photographer is the never ending learning that comes with it. You get exposed to so many different cultures and circles through being a wedding photographer. So many different ways of life and ways of viewing the world – and you get to join those cultures with each couple and document one of the most important experiences in their life. My style is continually honing in on photographing each moment that happens in an unscripted but beautiful way. Celebrating what’s authentic to each couple – who they are and how they felt.
What do you think is most important for people to consider when looking for a wedding photographer and what would your number one tip be to help couples in their wedding planning journey?
Finding someone who understands your vision, your personality and energy. Choosing a photographer who aligns with that is in my eyes the most important thing when looking. When you have that alignment, you can trust in your photographer to do their thing and know that they will capture those moments in a beautiful way that will really mean something to you. My number one tip would be to trust your gut feeling when inquiring with wedding photographers – you know what’s right for you – go with that.
What inspires you and your photography?
I get really inspired by the emotions that are on display at a wedding from everyone involved. It’s a big day for you, it’s also a really big day for your family and loved ones! Whenever I’ve been a guest at a wedding, I always reflect on how happy I am for the couple getting married. It’s such a pleasure to see people who you’ve had a relationship with for a long time celebrate the love that they’ve found with their chosen life partner. I reflect on this and bring this to every wedding I photograph. Candid moments of guests, the pure love and emotion on the faces of parents and grandparents. Capturing those big and little moments that really mean something.
How do you establish a connection with your clients before the wedding? How does this relationship influence your work?
Taking the time to really communicate well with clients before the wedding about what they really want and hope for with their wedding photos is really important to me. It’s a huge influence in how I work. I make sure that I ask those important questions and help guide couples in order to achieve the photos they can really treasure. This can come in many different forms, from timeline and location recommendation through to a focus on particular guests on the day.
What are your favourite moments to capture during a wedding, and are there any specific emotions or scenes that you always look for?
I really get drawn to points in the day where couples are vulnerable with their emotions and have them out on display. Australian families in particular can be quite private with their personal emotions, and I love that on wedding days it is one of the moments where families will really lean into and show the love that’s there. Personal vows, speeches, and smaller moments like a dress reveal or teary hug from Mum and Dad. Those moments are so special and I really love capturing them.
Where do you see wedding trends heading in the future?
Wedding trends come and go, I think the most important thing for a couple to think about is really honing in on what’s important to them from their day and celebrating that. The best weddings I’ve been to as a photographer and guest are those where you can really feel the couple has done this; a dinner reception at their favourite restaurant or a ceremony location that holds a lot of personal value and meaning to the couple. I hope that weddings keep trending this way, a realisation that the best weddings are those which are authentic to the couple.
Any exciting plans for the future?
The most exciting thing that I’ve been working on at the moment is bringing my love of 35mm film photography to weddings. I’ve been an avid film photographer for years, and at the start of this year decided to include film in all my packages moving forward. It adds to the realness and can capture those raw moments in a completely different way to digital images. Combine the two and it’s a really perfect match in my eyes.
Learn more at elliottkramer.com.au and @elliottkramerphoto. Explore Elliott Kramer on the Together Journal Online Directory.
