Image by: latxina
It’s LENSEL. The best thing in your inbox that isn't a new enquiry. Here’s what we have on today:
You Can’t Fake This: How “luxury” is moving from aesthetics to experiences
Portra’s re-birth.
BTS with Jennifer Moher on this film inspired editorial
Jack Henry’s Workshop Announcement
Let’s go ⬇️
NEWS
Happening this Week
Fujifilm’s new “jet black” Polaroid wide 400 looks clean, grown up and pro enough to wield at a wedding. Check out the new look here.
Lake Como’s newest hotel by Edition is finally open.
Game Changing Instagram Update. Photographers can now re-order carousel posts, after you’ve posted them says Instagram. PS just hide those Vogue logos if you are worried - don’t delete them 😉
Couple’s requesting no AI use? This discussion dives into a request some are starting to see from their couples.
New film back up. This tiny new camera from Escura sits on your film camera’s hotshoe, taking digital photos as back up to your film. Kinda GENIUS.
Portra 400 is dead? Or just reborn? The BIG story this week is that Kodak Eastman has released a series of films named Ektacolor Pro. And the rumours are it’s Portra, reborn. Speculation is that it might make ‘Portra’ cheaper but that remains to be seen. See some unboxing and impressions here.
THE BIG IDEA
🍾 You Can't Fake This: Aesthetics vs Experiences
Images: emilia_rafal_fotografia
This week we noted a quiet shift in the luxury world.
It's a move away from a focus on the aesthetics of luxury, towards a focus on the experience of it.
The problem: styled shoots faked the luxury aesthetic so well that the look got copied to death. EVERYONE called themselves a luxury photographer. And now it all means nothing.
So luxury is moving on. It's not about the fake prosecco tower anymore, it’s about the real champagne party. You can see our reel about it here.
But there is some confusion. When people first hear that, the reaction is usually: isn't that just what photographers already do?? Capturing emotions and moments?
Yes… kinda… but not quite.
This isn't just about shooting more documentary photos rather than editorial. You're still playing the luxury game. The rules will still apply. It’s more about a new way of showing exclusivity. A new way of showing luxury, isn’t so easily faked.
Here’s why:
The wider luxury world has been shifting for a while. Bain & Company data shows spending on luxury goods is falling, while spending on luxury experiences like private travel, fine dining, exclusive access - is climbing sharply. The Economist framed it well, “You can resell a watch, but you can't resell a day at Wimbledon.” It’s that seat at the table no one else can get- THAT IS the new status symbol.
This is amazing news for the wedding industry. A wedding is inherently exclusive. It can't be replicated. No one else gets that exact weekend, that access, that group of people in that place. The experience IS the new flex. And wedding photographers are the ones who get to show that off.
SO, here is how it changes what you shoot and show ⬇️
*The rest of this article is for Lensel PRO members. We dive into:
how this changes how you shoot
what you put in your portfolio
how you show up on Instagram
and how to reposition yourself as a luxury photographers
*Plus get full access to every newsletter issue, every live workshop replay, and the inner circle of 300+ serious wedding photographers shaping the industry.
Our zoom small group call this week inside LENSEL PRO to discuss EXACTLY THIS.
PHOTOGRAPHERS POV
Ballet Antionette: Behind the Scenes of this 'Film Shoot Inspired' Editorial by Jennifer Moher
“A wedding parallels a movie production in so many ways. It's a large-scale situation, often with huge number of creators involved in the day and many moving parts. For years, I approached a wedding like I was more of a director, but this year I am taking on the approach of a Film set unit photographer.”
Get all the stories about the planning, concepting and execution of the NEXT LEVEL shoot by Jennifer Moher. This is the difference between just turning up and shooting something pretty and 'world-building.' FEEL the difference below, and take note of just how much went into this.
INSPO TO KEEP YOU FRESH
⬇️ Absolutely floored with these incredible landscape frames. Like the curation to put these first two frames together ?! If you check out one link from today’s newsletter, let it be this one.
⬇️ The prefect mix of concept and in the moment… Rachel and Noah released more images from this iconic wedding. And don’t get us started on the colours 😍
⬇️ Ramone doing Ramone things and breaking all the rules.
⬇️ A very special view into this intimate NYC wedding. In love the with movement, emotion and experience here - each and every shot you just can’t replicate.
UPCOMING LIVE WORKSHOPS
Jack Henry: “The Anti-Marketing Playbook” - MAY Workshop
Our MAY WORKSHOP in Lensel PRO is with Jack Henry.
“The Anti-Marketing Playbook”: How To Really Attract Luxury Clients.
Jack’s work is simply beautiful. But his rise in the industry has been anything but traditional. From small local jobs to a fully booked international calendar, A-list planners, and luxury clients… all without the NORMAL games of the standard wedding business advice.
There was a secret sauce to how Jack did it.
In this workshop, Jack will pull back to veil…
"The Anti-Marketing Playbook" Workshop - Wednesday 6th of May
5.30PM CET / 12.30AM ET
Till next week,
