Corinna Keiser loves to capture creative and non-traditional weddings and creates emotional, timeless and beautiful images. Based in northern Germany, the film and digital photographer shoots weddings throughout Europe, as well as worldwide. Corinna Keiser loves the energy of urban spaces and would love to photograph a wedding in New York, L.A., Capetown, Lisbon, Rome, London and Marseille to name a few!
What would you like couples to know about you?
I started photography as a child with my Dad’s old film camera. When my friends got married I was the one documenting their day, even though that wasn’t a thing back then in Germany. It took me a while though to even consider the option to make a career out of it.
After school I went to University to study Adult Education and later, as a photographer, I combined both things. For more than 10 years I have been hosting workshops and retreats for other photographers throughout Germany and Europe.
Even though I have been documenting weddings for so long it still makes me tear up. I have been married myself for many years now and I know how these photographs become even more valuable over time and how it feels looking at them many years later.
Where are you based?
I am based in northern Germany and most of my clients are from Berlin. But I love to travel and have been shooting weddings throughout Europe for German, as well as international couples.
How would you describe your style?
Because of the value of my own wedding images my priorities are to firstly catch the emotional and interpersonal moments and then to create timeless images. I want my photographs to be modern and on trend but they still have to look and feel great 20 years later.
What is your most memorable career moment?
When I shot the first weddings that were different somehow and designed in a style that I really loved:
creative, artsy, real, fun, with an emphasis on people and celebration rather than traditions. I realized that this is where I can create my best work, have the most fun and feel really connected to my clients on a different level.
What motivates you to do what you do?
Family and friends are everything to me and I believe in celebrating love and life with the people that are most important to you. That’s what happens at the weddings that I shoot and I know how much the couples (and their guests) will cherish these images for many years to come.
I have photographed people for so long I had many situations where family members or other guests passed away and my images became the last photographs of them. That motivates me to always encourage the couples to do family pictures - and I also aim to get lots of candid images of the parents and grandparents.
How would you describe your working style?
I work best when I feel connected to my clients and their wedding community. I am not a fly on the wall but I love to mingle, have a chat here and there and I might end up on the dancefloor (with a camera in my hands).
During portraits and taking family photos, I do give directions where needed. I want to make it easy for everyone to relax and feel like they know what they have to do.
Do you shoot digitally, on film or both?
I shoot film and digital. Because all the images from my childhood and even from my own wedding are film, this look is very emotional and more than a trend for me. But I still love the safety and control of digital photography and It plays a huge part in my work.
Do you have custom packages according to individual needs?
Absolutely! I always have a video call or meeting with my couples before I send a personalized offer. I want to hear what is most important to them, how they are planning their day or weekend and together we can discuss what kind of packages make sense for them and where and how they need to be tweaked.
What is a favourite product or service that you offer and why?
I do love a shorter and relaxed local wedding, for example at a “Standesamt” (the Germany registry office) as much as a full weekend away with a group of family and friends. However, during high season I only take bookings from around 8 hours on the weekends.
Where would you love to travel to for work?
I love the energy of urban spaces and would love to shoot a wedding in New York, L.A., Capetown, Lisbon, Rome, London and Marseille to name a few!
Book me for a wedding in a Masseria in Puglia or at Hotel Corazon in the mountains of Mallorca and I will be over the moon as well!
Who is your dream client?
My dream clients get excited about fashion, design, travel, art and photography. Wedding traditions don’t mean much to them. They are madly in love and just want a beautiful party with all the important people in their lives.
What is your advice to couples getting married?
Before you start planning sit together and identify your priorities. What is most important to you, when it comes to your wedding? Who really needs to be there? What look and feel do you want? What are the services where you are not willing to compromise? This will help you establish where most of your money and time should go. Also - pick a great location because it will be the backdrop for everything that happens and for all your images.
And of course: Don’t compromise when it comes to your wedding photographer. You might be able to save a few dollars however, it’s not worth feeling uncomfortable with the person who you will probably spent the most time with on your wedding day - and you don't want to be disappointed with your images later. Once you’ve eaten the cake, you're over the hangover and your dress disappears in the attic – the images are what stay with you forever.
