To a pictorial-biographer-wannabe like Dwie Haryo of Lights Journal, wedding photography was always that self-fulfilling job made to satisfy his love for storytelling. He believes that every individual has a vulnerable side etched with personal struggles that shaped him/her to be the human they are today – and that became his poetic approach to wedding photography. His works are often kept to the minimal: clean background, film-inspired lighting overlays, the usage of nature and a delicate portrayal of human intimacy. After all, what he chose to prioritise is simply to ‘create a timeless emotion till your hair turns grey.’

EOS 5D Mark IV, EF85mm f1.2L USM lens, f/1.8, 85mm, 1/2500 sec, ISO 200

In this feature, we spoke to Dwie Haryo of Lights Journal on becoming a wedding photographer and his tips for other budding photographers.

EOS 5D Mark IV, EF50mm f1.2L USM lens, f/2.8, 50mm, 1/8000 sec, ISO 50

How did you become a wedding photographer?

Dwie: For me, I was inspired by the idea of storytelling, and more so the thought of capturing a once-in-a-lifetime moment for a couple that’s deeply in love. I aim to frame every awkward laugh and silly smiles in my photos because I truly believe that those magical, unpredictable moments are what give the photo its purpose for existing. Wedding photography is more than just a beautiful picture.

How did you discover your style?

Dwie: At the start of my career, I used to reference multiple leading wedding magazines and photographers to churn out ideas, composition, and style. It was really fun to experiment with different aesthetics at first until I started to realise that I was losing the 'originality' of my style and my artistic direction. In the end, I decided to focus on a lesser-developed style of street and documentary photography in my work.

EOS 5D Mark IV, EF85mm f1.2L USM lens, f/1.2, 85mm, 1/640 sec, ISO 800

How do you scout for your locations?

Dwie: I do like to explore and walk around. So on the wedding day, I will usually arrive earlier to check out the venue and its perimeters to find a place/spot that is unique but not intrusive to the ceremony or place.

What is your definition of a successful wedding photographer?

Dwie: Well, it's hard to determine if someone is successful or not. I do feel that some people define ‘success’ as the sustainability and continuity of your clientele list. But to me, success can be as small as capturing the perfect photo on the wedding day – and most importantly, to fulfil the wants and needs of your client.

EOS 5D Mark lll, EF50mm f1.2L USM lens, f/1.2, 50mm, 1/500 sec, ISO 800

Top tip for wedding photography?

Dwie: Apart from the technical tips that everyone seems to always give, I think that investing in a good pair of shoes can make or break your career. Why? Because as photographers (trust me on this!), we are always moving around trying to find the perfect spot and sometimes, we might even stand on platforms that aren’t always dry or necessarily flat. Therefore, being comfortable with good quality shoes is essential!

What do you hope to achieve next?

Dwie: Wedding videography! I would love to learn more about videography. There are a lot of things to learn from a wedding video that can ultimately improve my photography perspective.

For more wedding inspiration, check out:

Wedding Photography Where Do I Start

Basic Knowledge For Pre-wedding Photography Startups

---

---