Images by: ashleighhaasephotography and panenkovama

It’s LENSEL. Your weekly insight and idea machine keeping you ahead in the wedding photography world. Here’s what we have for you today:

Tension Pairs: making more interesting wedding photos
No more Vogue Logos
BTS at this film-forward estate wedding…

Time to dive in ⬇️

NEWS

Happening this Week

Vogue no more. The ban on photographers using the Vogue logo (in their insta feeds etc) has been brewing for a while. But even Jose Villa was told this week to remove his. Read his post about it here, with a very spicy and insightful comment section.
Daniel Kim released a very nice looking film course a few days ago.
Prime time. A 35mm refresh from Sigma this week with a updated version of it’s popular 35mm 1.4. Now smaller, lighter, and better it’s a primes prime.
A booking scam. $750k of bookings. 98 couples. And all a scam. This story broke this week detailing a wild wedding photographer booking scam.
Elevated Content from Jimmy Choo this week as they announced their latest bridal collection. Go check it out even for the content formats… so good.
70-200mm goodness this week as Nikon released a complete redesign of their 70-200 2.8 lens. See the details here.
Just an amazing wedding film. Plus Two Films are upping the game and released this killer wedding vid. See the film here.
‘The Creative Reboot’ Workshop with Si Moore is happening this Wednesday in Lensel PRO. Diving into the deep end of your philosophy on creativity in weddings. Details here for members. Join here if you aren’t one 👌🏼

THE BIG IDEA

🍐 Tension Pairs: making your photos more interesting

Images: sasha.lifelove

Oh please, tell us you saw the ‘pair’ emoji?

Today we dive into an age old concept in photography, spelled out in a new way.
We are calling it “Tension Pairing.”

What the heck is tension pairing you ask? Well, it's a new frame/twist for the classic concept of juxtaposition. (what a weird word anyway right?)

The idea is simple:
Take two things that don’t normally belong together and force them into the same frame. An opposite. A contrast. Think of it like creating a visual disagreement.

This kind of disagreement and tension in a photo creates interest. And interest is what we want right?

And yeah, for wedding photographers the good news is this: a wedding day is already full of natural tension and natural juxtapositions.

Some extreme examples of tension pairs and juxtaposition. Not sure you should pose your bride with a knight at every wedding.. but perhaps there’s a story there!

Big camera small human. Wide location, small couple.
Images: lauragordon and sarakoshagi

Why does this matter?
Most photographers chase pretty and perfect. But pretty and perfect is often SO forgettable.

Finding a ‘tension pair’ pushes an image and idea further. It can add depth, story or just something to make you look. It can reflect what a wedding actually feels like, or add surprise or show something that not everyone notices.

Ask yourself when shooting: IS THERE A TENSION HERE TO BE FOUND? WHAT KIND OF CONTRAST CAN I CREATE? (or notice…)

Juxtaposition isn’t new. But most wedding photographers aren’t looking for it deliberately.

So go on and clash things together on a wedding day in your photos:

A big location and a small couple.
Young and old.
A couture gown in a messy kitchen.
White florals and red wine stains.
Tears and laughter.
Anticipation and relief.
The bouquet held by the groom.
A brand new shoe on some dirty dishes.
The black suit and white dress.

Find pairs of things that have natural tension, or find some of your own and make your photos more interesting.

A bride on a bathtub. Shoes in the sink
Image left: springsummercollective

A stong pose on a street. A perfect tablescape all messed up.
Image left: radostina.photography

Image left: kellyvahosphoto

Image left: emotionsandmathweddings

PHOTOGRAPHERS POV

Film Layers: A Film-Forward Estate Wedding by Nikki Strekowski

THIS wedding is a masterclass into letting the vibe lead when you shoot: think fashion, vintage references, and European romance. A tad bit French storybook, a little 90s couture. Oh and all the film.. Here you will get the inside scoop.

This feature breaks down how Nikki Strekowski approached it all, from the film choices to delegation to how she maneuvered that tricky reception lighting we all love.

Read all the behind the scenes goodness on a real wedding day, from the photographers POV ⬇️

READ THE FEATURE HERE

INSPO THIS WEEK

⬇️ THIS KIND OF LIGHT - following on from last weeks newsletter - where are all the photographers who can see the light? This selection from Ali Beck is top notch.