Camera & Lenses:
Cameras: Sony A7v and Sony A7iv
Lenses:Sony 35mm 1.4 GM
Sony 50mm 1.2 GM
Sony 24-70mm 2.8 GM
Sony 70-200mm 2.8 GM

Flash
Godox AD100 Pro
Godox AD200 Pro

Number of Shooters: 3
Coverage: 10 hours

Photographer: Rodolfo Santos

“Getting ready is when I begin to understand people's personalities, the relationships, and the energy of the day.

I usually start by observing rather than directing. I photograph details, gestures, conversations, and everything unfolding naturally. Later, when I sense there is room for it, I begin to intervene, but only slightly, mainly to find the best light and composition.

With Danielle, I wanted the photographs to blend intimacy and fashion. Some moments are purely documentary; in others, we used architecture, mirrors, windows, the dress, and the light itself to create images with a more editorial feel.

I love it when, looking at the final sequence, it’s hard to tell exactly where the documentary style ends and the directed photography begins.”

“The ceremony had an incredible atmosphere, and the natural light was an integral part of the entire experience. My main priority was to preserve that feeling in the photographs.

I work with a team, and this is fundamental to the way I photograph weddings. Before the ceremony, we establish positions and responsibilities to capture different perspectives without visually intruding on the moment. While I focus primarily on emotions, movement, and the story's protagonists, the team covers complementary angles, guests, reactions, and wider shots.”

“With portraits, my philosophy is to always look for the light first and then think about direction.

I like to scout the location and understand its possibilities, but I also leave room to discover things on the day itself. The light changes, people change, and even places that seemed uninteresting can transform completely at certain times.

With Danielle, we used a very light touch when it came to direction. Instead of creating rigid poses, I usually suggest small actions or movements and let the couple find their own way of being within that situation.

Some images that look meticulously planned actually happened in just a few seconds. That is the part of photography that fascinates me: technique and preparation are essential, but you also have to be open to what you can't plan for.”

“Regarding lighting, my intention was to preserve the space's authentic atmosphere. I didn't want the flash to simply wash out the lighting that had been carefully designed for the evening.

That’s why I frequently alternated techniques. At times, I work with ambient light to maintain depth and atmosphere; at others, I introduce flash intentionally.

I particularly appreciate flash when it moves beyond being merely a tool to correct low light and becomes part of the photograph's aesthetic language. Some images from the party capture exactly that feel: more direct and spontaneous, full of movement, and with a touch of fashion photography.”

“My photography exists between two worlds: documenting something that will never happen again and creating something that might never have come to be without the my vision. Photographing a wedding in France surrounded by such history, architecture, and beauty could easily lead one to rely solely on the setting. My challenge was to do the exact opposite: to use all of that as context while keeping the people as the protagonists.”

— Rodolfo