Erik Wardekker

For me, wedding photography is not always about creating something spectacular. Sometimes it's about recognising a peaceful moment and allowing it to unfold naturally. This beautiful couple stood surrounded by endless ferns, embraced by the calmness of the forest. The rich green tones, the depth of the landscape, and the quiet connection they shared created exactly the atmosphere I was hoping to capture. Images like this remind me that simplicity, when combined with genuine emotion, can be incredibly powerful.

During a wedding session in a botanical garden in Rotterdam, I experimented with a rotating camera technique to create movement and energy around the couple. My goal was to guide the viewer's eye directly towards them, while using the surrounding greenery as part of the story. It took several attempts to find the right balance between motion and focus, but eventually everything fell into place. A reminder that creativity often starts with trying something that doesn't work the first time!

This image was taken in nature reserve De Blauwe Kamer, near Rhenen. From above, the simplicity of the scene reveals itself; a narrow bridge cutting diagonally through the landscape. Using a drone allows for a different perspective, one that transforms a quiet moment into something more graphic and unexpected. What I always enjoy most is that the couple has no idea how the image will look from this angle, and seeing their reaction afterwards is often just as rewarding as capturing the moment itself.

In the forests near Utrecht, we found a small fairground tucked between the trees. Instead of following the usual path, we stepped into a swing ride — choosing something unexpected. No posing, no directions. Just holding hands, feet off the ground, that light tickling feeling in your stomach as they circled through the air. Sometimes, it’s simply about letting go and enjoying the moment. Because in the end, that’s what it’s all about.

The moment before the ceremony While the guests are entering the town hall and taking their seats, the bride and groom are waiting quietly in a separate room. Using a slower shutter speed allowed the movement of the guests to blur as they passed by the doorway, emphasizing the stillness of the bride in the center of the frame. In the midst of the motion and anticipation, her expression captures that subtle mix of excitement and nerves just moments before the ceremony begins.

A different perspective on the wedding car Photographing the wedding car is a tradition, but I wanted to capture it from a different perspective. Using a drone, I photographed the couple from directly above while they were sitting together in the car. The warm, soft evening light and the surrounding textures of the landscape helped create a calm and intimate scene, offering a fresh and unexpected view of a familiar wedding moment.

This photo was taken just seconds after the ceremony. They are offered a glass of champagne and take a brief step away from the excitement to enjoy this intimate celebration together, a moment of pure release. They didn't notice I was capturing this intense moment. The photo, in black and white, feels even stronger than in color. The colors would have distracted from the raw emotion of the moment.