The 100 Best Wedding Photographers in the World: 2015
Introduction
See the 2018 list on the School of Wedding Photography
This list of the 100 Best Wedding Photographers in the World 2015 honours and recognises artists who devote their creativity to other people's weddings.
The starting point in compiling this list was reaching out to a handful of wedding photographers I respect and asking them to anonymously nominate others . Then I spent a long, long time poring over those portfolios and a thousand others. I was looking for talent obviously but also something special, a signature. A sign of individuality.
Ideally the work identifies the photographer immediately.
Pictures were kindly supplied by the photographers. The Where tells you their studio location (though few don't travel) and the Why attempts to explain why I think they're artistically worthy of being on this list.
Obviously there are hundreds more excellent photographers than are just on this list. It could easily have been a 1000 Best.
And so, Nicholas Purcell Studio is happy to present, in alphabetical order...
The 100 Best Wedding Photographers in the World: 2015
Photo supplied by 2 Brides
2 Brides
Where: Sweden
Why: Elegance, style and masterful use of light. Doesn't just capture beautiful things, gets the emotions down too.
Where: California, USA
Why: There's storytelling aplenty but more than that there's a soulfulness to Aaron's images. They have a sense of time.
Photo supplied by Alberto Ballbe
Where: Barcelona, Spain
Why: Beautiful use of tone in his predominantly black and white images. Anticipates moments.
Photo supplied by Andrea Corsi
Where: Florence, Italy
Why: Brave. Steps into a scene to get something funny or raw.
Photo supplied by Branco Prata
Where: Porto, Portugal
Why: Light is treated so respectfully. Simplicity is too simple to describe his work, André intentionally puts beautiful space in his images.
Photo supplied by Angelica Glass
Where: New York, USA
Why: Seeks unusual compositions and trusts her instinct with out of the ordinary ideas.
Ben Chrisman from Chrisman Studios
Where: San Francisco, USA
Why: Happily pushes composition, colour, subject matter to the edge in pursuit of striking imagery.
Photo supplied by Benj Haisch
Where: Seattle, USA
Why: Storytelling in nature. A real gift for putting people in a landscape to get something beautiful out of both.
Photo supplied by Bill McCullough
Where: Austin, USA
Why: One of the more unique wedding photographers out there. Like Martin Parr his work is striking, penetrating, witty. Not for everyone but loved passionately by others.
Photo supplied by Brett Butterstein
Where: San Diego, USA
Why: Striking, saturated compositions. They're vibrant and as alive as the people he documents.
Brian Callaway from Callaway Gable Studios
Where: Los Angeles, USA
Why: Vibrant, non-traditional imagery that's still classic. A fine balance.
Photo supplied by Cam Neville
Where: Brisbane, Australia
Why: Sensitive. Grounded. Uses his lens to pause time. Seeks to tell a universal story, weddings as part of life.
Photo supplied by Caroline Ghetes
Where: Phoenix, USA
Why: Striking images that pare things back until it's just emotion.
Photo supplied by Christian Oth Studio
Shawn Connell from Christian Oth Studio
Where: New York, USA
Why: Casually captures beauty and not-to-be-repeated moments with an equal sense of style.
Photo supplied by Cinzia Bruschini
Where: London, England
Why: Evocative. A flash-back, old memory feel to her images.
Photo supplied by Citlalli Rico
Where: Cancun, Mexico
Why: Rich, gentle images that aren't afraid to tell a story through the absence of light.
Photo supplied by Claudia Rose Carter
Where: Essex, England
Why: Tells a story quietly, in a way that makes you feel you're a guest watching the event rather than looking at photos. That's hard to do.
Photo supplied by Danelle Bohane
Where: Auckland, New Zealand
Why: Thoughtful and soulful images with lots of calm reflection.
Photo supplied by Dan O'Day
Where: Canberra, Australia
Why: Tells a story with a painter's approach to colour and tones.
Photo supplied by Daniel Aguilar
Where: Rivera Maya, Mexico
Why: Daniel has a great sensitivity to the environment he is shooting in. There's a cinematic quality to his ideas.
Photo supplied by Davina + Daniel
Where: Montreal, Canada
Why: Striking images made by embracing colour, unusual composition and strong ideas.
Photo supplied by DuWayne
Where: Cape Town, South Africa
Why: These are stripped back compositions, the subject matter or the composition is always strong and clear. Modern but timeless.
Photo supplied by Ed Peers
Where: London, England
Why: There's a lovely peacefulness to Ed's images, he's not afraid to step back for a restful portrait or focus on a detail that adds a pause to the story.
Photo supplied by Elisabeth Millay
Where: California, USA.
Why: Softness and tenderness through subtlety of colour, light and emotion.
Photo supplied by Elizabeth Messina
Where: California, USA
Why: Impeccable taste, style and a romantic's sensibility.
Photo supplied by Eric Laurits
Where: Virginia, USA
Why: Photojournalism at its finest. Senses and records beautiful moments of art.
Photo supplied by Erich McVey
Where: California, USA
Why: Stylish, very high quality editorial approach. Softly lit, timeless beauty.
Photo supplied by Erick Reyes
Where: Monterrey, Mexico
Why: Dreamlike images and striking portraits that don't scream wedding.
Photo supplied by Fer Juaristi
Where: Mexico.
Why: Fer says he's "the crazy guy" who treats every wedding as an "experiment". His photos are alive. His compositions and ideas go to the limits of his creativity. But he never forgets the couple is the heart of the photo. Love without the kisses.
Photo supplied by A Fist Full of Bolts
A Fist Full of Bolts
Where: Seattle, USA
Why: Particular, delicate image composition and storytelling.
Photo supplied by Fran Chelico
Where: Vancouver, Canada
Why: Gifted at capturing moments of quiet beauty.
Photo supplied by Franck Boutonnet
Where: Paris, France
Why: Strong colours, compositions, concepts and reflexes. A master of technique.
Photo supplied by Hardy Klahold
Where: Denver, USA
hy: Powerful, often dark, images. Sees things others would miss, Hardy's not afraid to shoot anything if it adds to the story.
Photo supplied by Ian Weldon
Where: Durham, England
Why: Absolutely fearless in capturing the reality of the day, with a twinkle in his lens.
Where: California, USA
Why: Unique ideas but their strength is how they capture so much of fun and joy in so many shots.
Photo supplied by InTandem
Where: Austin, USA
Why: Does everything: light, composition, fun, emotion, setups, moments.
Photo supplied by Ingrid Nelson
Ingrid Nelson from Myrtle & Marjoram
Where: California, USA
Why: Such a sensitive approach to people, to taking their picture, and to light. Intersperses a handful of detail shots amongst a huge number of beautiful, close-up portraits - I've not seen these anywhere else. It's non-formulaic, wonderfully alive, and makes for powerfully human wedding photography.
Photo supplied by Ira Lippke
Ira Lippke from Ira Lippke Studios
Where: New York, USA
Why: The refined, tasteful, elegant image maker.
Photo supplied by Jaime Bolt
Where: Devon, England
Why: Dynamic storyteller with a photojournalist's eye.
Photo supplied by Jake Holt
Where: Seattle, USA
Why: Dynamic and bold and full of colour and life.
Photo supplied by James Day
Where: Sydney, Australia
Why: There's a tenderness to James' work, he has a gift for befriending people, they let him in and it shows.
Photo supplied by Jana Williams
Where: California, USA
Why: Superb taste and editorial sensibility. Elegance but with a twist of Vogue.
Photo supplied by Jasmine Star
Where: Los Angeles, USA
Why: A classic editorial style but fresh and modern.
Photo supplied by Jean Pierre Uys
Where: New York, USA
Why: A strong fashion style that focuses on fun and beautiful light. The Testino of weddings.
Where: San Luis Obispo, CA
Why: Dynamic, creative and striking imagery. Not afraid to try new ideas.
Instagram feed of Nicholas Purcell Studio
"One of the world's best wedding photographers" - Complete Wedding Magazine 2016
Photo supplied by Jeremy Lawson
Where: Chicago, USA
Why: Photojournalism with a hint of humour. This image sums up his style perfectly.
Photo supplied by Jonas Peterson
Where: Byron Bay, Australia
Why: The ultimate storyteller. Takes a story and nails it to the wall. The Christian Grey of storytelling.
Photo supplied by Jonas Seaman
Where: Seattle, USA
Why: Gloriously baroque storytelling.
Photo supplied by Jonathan Canlas
Where: Hawaii, USA
Why: Fun, hugely personal images that show Jonathan's love of people.
Where: California, USA
Why: Stylish and elegant but with an eye for seeing quiet emotion.
Photo supplied by Jonathan Young
Photo supplied by Jonetsu
Where: Vancouver, Canada
Why: Honest captures with an elegant approach.
Photo supplied by Jose Villa
Where: California, USA
Why: The absolute master of style and taste. Superb editorial judgement.
Photo supplied by Laura Gordon
Where: Virginia, USA
Why: Quiet photos. There's a beautiful peace and stillness to Laura's work.
Where: San Francisco, USA
Why: A classic, fine art sensibility that doesn't shy away from showing moments of joy.
Photo supplied by Look Fotografía
Where: Zaragoza, Spain
Why: Brave photojournalism that pursues great ideas and moments with equal measure and technical skill.
Where: Florida, USA
Why: If Vogue and Polanski had a baby it would be Maloman.
Where: Paris, France
Why: Unusual compositions with a personal humility that shows in the photos.
Where:California, USA
Why: There's a lightness and freshness to Max's touch.
Photo supplied by Natural Touch
Natural Touch Photography
Where: Liverpool, UK
Why: Distinctive. Seeks out, and sees, humour and not afraid to do something out of the box. Sensitive too.
Photo supplied by Nirav Patel
Nirav Patel
Where: San Francisco, USA
Why: A master observer, sees small but significant details others would miss. I don't mean cufflinks, I mean amazing shots like one of light creeping through a church door.
Photo supplied by Noa Azoulay
Where: San Diego, USA
Why: There is a genuine nostalgia to Noa's imagery. Her personality is in her art.
Photo supplied by Nordica
Where: Stockholm, Sweden
Why: Talented at capturing and evoking a sense of place along with sensitive approach to the feeling of the day.
Photo supplied by Oli Sansam
Where: Melbourne, Australia
Why: Quiet, thoughtful photos that reflect the story rather than tell it.
Photo supplied by Otto Schulze
Where: New York, USA
Why: A beautiful blend of formal, modern, classic, and sensitive within a photojournalist's approach.
Photo supplied by Our Labor of Love
Where: LA, USA
Why: Colourful, playful images
Where: Miami, USA
Why: Stylish, natural light that favours quiet moments and reflection.
Photo supplied by Pablo Béglez
Where: Las Palmas, Spain
Why: Excellent at recording place. Tender storytelling through subtlety of light and emotion.
Photo supplied by Parker J Pfister
Where: North Carolina, USA
Why: Beautiful, softly spoken images. They whisper the story to the next generation.
Photo supplied by Pedro Cabrera
Where: Las Palmas, Spain
Why: Startlingly beautiful, a photographer who really sees what he is looking at.
Photo supplied by Pedro Etura
Where: Zarazoga, Spain
Why: There's something generous about Pedro's images, the space he gives people, the time he focuses on small details.
Where: Chicago, USA
Why: Strong ideas and rich but not vibrant colour palate to capture the day.
Photo supplied by Petar Jurica
Where: Dubrovnik, Croatia
Why: Thoughtful, quiet, unobtrusive image capture.
Photo supplied by Preston Utley
Where: Denver, USA
Why: Edgy images done with taste and style.
Where: San Antonio, USA
Why: Modern but timeless, photojournalistic but editorial.
Photo supplied by Roey Yohai
Where: New York, USA
Why: A relaxed, timeless, editorial approach that creates striking but personal images.
Photo supplied by Ron Antonelli
Where: New Jersey, USA
Why: An experienced newspaper shooter, Ron can tell multiple stories in a single image.
Where: Norfolk, England
Why: Strong, intuitive, beautiful ideas expertly made.
Where: New York, USA
Why: Assured image making that aims to reflect the individual wedding.
Where: Cape Town, South Africa
Why: Fashion editorial that's modern and classically beautiful.
Where: Texas, USA
Why: Quiet, gentle and still image making.
Photo supplied by Samo Rovan
Where: Ljubljana, Slovenia
Why: Quality, vibrant documentary photojournalism with a passion for capturing happiness.
Photo supplied by Samuel Docker
Where: Derby, England.
Why: Images with a great depth of feeling.
Photo supplied by Savo
Savo
Where: Ireland
Why: Unusual eye for moments. Consistent.
Photo supplied by Spencer Lum
Where: New York, USA
Why: There's genuine wistfulness and yearning for memory in these beautiful images by Spencer Lum.
Photo supplied by Steve Stanton
Where: Denver, USA
Why: Shifts easily between delicate observation and vibrant fun photojournalism.
Photo supplied by Susan Stripling
Where: New York, USA
Why: Uncomplicated, classical imagery that cuts to the spirit of the day.
Susana Barbera
Where: Cadiz, Spain
Why: Poetic, noir photojournalism with a fondness for humour.
S6 Photography
Where: Sheffield, England
Why:Technically assured reportage with a talent for being part of the day.
Photo supplied by Tanja Lippert
Tanja Lippert
Where: San Francisco, USA
Why: A gentle mix of fine art, art and editorial. Tender too.
Photo supplied by Tec Petaja
Tec Petaja
Where: Nashville, USA
Why: Exquisite, natural, organic, quiet and calm. Truly beautiful.
Photo supplied by tentwentyone
tentwentyone
Where: Belfast, Ireland
Why: Lovely casual reportage here that's sensitive to the moments and stills the spirit.
The Sparrow and the Crow
Where: Austin, Texas
Why: Warm, heartfelt photography that seems like he is friends with his clients.
Todd Hunter McGaw
Where: Brisbane, Australia
Why: Thoughtful image making that's sensitive, still and evocative.
Photo supplied by Trent Bailey
Trent Bailey
Where: New York, USA
Why: Intimate, personal image making.
Photo supplied by Twin Lens
Twin Lens Images
Where: Santa Fe, USA
Why: Soulful, documentary images made with consideration.
Two Mann
Where: Alberta, Canada
Why: Powerful, creative, vibrant ideas and technical skill.
Photo supplied by Virginia Gimeno
Virginia Gimeno
Where: Madrid, Spain
Why: Pure images. Perfectly composed.
We are the Parsons
Where: Midwest, USA
Why: A natural talent for really seeing.
Photo supplied by When He Found Her
When He Found Her
Where: Toronto, Canada
Why: Uses light in a dreamlike way.
Photo supplied by Yvonne Lishman
Yvonne Lishman
Where: Nottingham, England
Why: Fresh compositions, angles and ideas. This is bold photography.
