The quiet art of seeing things differently
For Hamburg-based photographer Simone Ziegner, beauty often lies in simplicity. With a visual language informed by architecture, fashion and an appreciation for analogue photography, her work brings a contemporary elegance to wedding imagery. Working across Germany and Europe, Simone moves between digital and film with a thoughtful, intuitive approach. The result is a collection of images that feels effortlessly composed, yet wonderfully human. We speak with Simone about her creative philosophy, the art of observation and the influences shaping her distinctive perspective.
What keeps weddings creatively interesting to you, even after photographing so many of them?
I love the mix of aesthetics and real human connection. There are all the considered elements like fashion, flowers, spaces and architecture, but at the same time so many small, unplanned moments happen in between. That combination keeps every wedding different for me.
What kind of visual quality do you want your photographs to have when you look back at them years later?
I want my images to feel calm, clear and alive. I am very drawn to simplicity, good proportions, light and spaces, which probably comes from my love of architecture. At the same time, I like photographs to keep a little imperfection and spontaneity.
What changes in the way you see when you pick up a film camera?
Film makes me slow down and look more carefully. Mindfulness is a very important value in my life, and I think film naturally supports that way of seeing. I also love that you can never control the result completely.
How do you know when a moment belongs on film and when you want to shoot it digitally?
It is mostly instinctive. Film often feels right for quieter moments, portraits, details or interesting light, while digital gives me more freedom when everything is moving quickly. I like having both options and not forcing one medium onto every situation.
What tends to catch your eye that other people might easily overlook?
Usually something small. A hand on someone’s shoulder, a shadow, light falling through a curtain or someone standing slightly outside the main moment. I think I naturally pay a lot of attention to details and to the people around me.
How do you make photographs feel considered without making the wedding itself feel staged?
I prefer to create a good situation rather than a fixed pose. I might adjust the light, the position or give a very small direction, and then step back again. I like photographs that feel effortless even when there has been a lot of thought behind them.
Which quiet or in-between moments tend to matter most to you?
I love the seconds just before something starts or directly after it ends. A parent watching, someone reaching for another person’s hand or a quiet exchange at the edge of the room. Those moments often say a lot without being obvious.
What could you photograph again and again without ever feeling like you are repeating yourself?
People in relation to one another. Even in the same place and the same light, every couple has a completely different energy and way of being together. That is what keeps it interesting.
What is influencing the way you see weddings at the moment, outside of wedding photography itself?
Architecture, fashion, analogue photography, old editorials and film stills. I am especially drawn to clean forms, materials, light and simplicity. I also try not to consume too much wedding photography because I want to keep my own way of seeing.
Beyond the portfolio, what do you think couples should pay attention to when choosing the right photographer for them?
Trust and personality matter just as much as the visual style. You spend a lot of time very close to your photographer on a wedding day, so it should feel easy and natural to have that person around. That comfort makes a big difference in the photographs.
Discover more by visiting simone-ziegner.de and @simone_ziegner_photography. Explore Simone Ziegner on the Together Journal Online Directory.
