Adam Trzcionka

"Photography seemed inspiring and easy," begins Poland's Adam Trzcionka, who dreamed of being a journalist before becoming a wedding photographer. "Instead of writing for hours, I could just press a button and have a finished picture. In the first part, I was correct. In the second part, I was terribly wrong."

Adam's journey into photography may have been unconventional – pivoting from writing about events to capturing them on camera – but while his newshound days are behind him, his ability to weave a compelling narrative is not. Blending a candid documentary style with rich poetic nuance, the Krakow-based photographer has cultivated a signature look that not only tells the viewer a story but also makes them feel it. "I feel deeply about everything I photograph, I put so much emotion into each shot, and there hasn't been a single day when I've felt burned out," he says.

After saving up enough money to buy his first camera, Adam became a man on a mission. "In the beginning, I photographed everything I found interesting," he reflects. "I still do that now; I just have better equipment and more skills." Today, Adam typically takes two camera setups to a wedding shoot: a Canon EOS R3 paired with a Canon RF 28-70mm F2L USM lens, and an EOS R6 Mark II mounted with either his Canon RF 50mm F1.2L USM or RF 85mm F1.2L USM lenses.

"I look back on the work I did during the early days of my career with a little embarrassment," he admits. "They were not very good photos. But I simply decided to be the best photographer I could be and worked hard. I continue to work hard to make that happen – even after 15 years in this business, there is always more to learn.

"For me, photographing weddings is an incredible source of adventure; it gives my life meaning, and each one is a blessing. It's a beautiful job, and when past clients tell me that my photos have become even more important to them, well that's the most rewarding feeling in the world."

What do you do to keep your photography skills sharp?

"I try to go to the city as often as possible to practise street photography to train my eye. To become a better photographer, you need to practise. You won't learn just by watching social media videos. I live and breathe photography. I read, obsessively browse websites such as Magnum Photos, and strive to find inspiration beyond the wedding photography sphere."

What are some of the obstacles you've faced in this genre?

"Once, due to a groom's health issues, I had to photograph an entire wedding without flash – and it was autumn in a very dimly lit venue. Another time, I photographed a wedding in the mountains and had to climb for three hours to reach the location with a backpack full of equipment. Often, aside from time pressure, the biggest challenge is the forest of guests with smartphones you must navigate through – a sign of the times. Sometimes, my clients are fellow photographers, which presents a different kind of challenge."

What makes a good wedding photo?

"One that doesn't bore. For me, it should exhibit four key elements: the moment, the frame, the composition and the aesthetic. People and the relationships between them are what's most important, and you must be able to convey that. It's not about exotic locations or spectacular backgrounds. I prefer to focus on intimacy, the meeting of two people, and the emotions between them."

How do you typically prepare for a wedding?

"Preparation is like a ritual for me: charging batteries, checking memory cards, cleaning lenses. Ensuring I haven't forgotten anything. When it comes to my mindset, I try not to prepare with set patterns or ideas. I prefer improvisation and interpretation. I don't have mood boards, cheat sheets, or ideas for shots and frames prepared. I worked that way in the beginning. Now, I trust myself and my intuition more. As a result, I create different photos each time, even though they share common elements. My clients come to me for that very reason."

"When I began, even a day before a wedding or photo session, I knew what kind of photos I would take. I created easily predictable, schematic photographs because I arranged, set up and controlled everything I could. Eventually, when I fell in love with the documentary style, I broke free from that. I also stopped believing that sharpness is the most important aspect and found that noise can add a touch of nobility. I know now that it's valuable to make all the mistakes I made. Above all, I learned that investing in my skills and knowledge is far more important than relying on tricks and trends; these come and go, but your instincts – both natural and honed – remain with you and in your photos."

Facebook: @Adam Trzcionka Fotografia

Instagram: @adamtrzcionka.fotografia

Website: www.adamtrzcionka.pl