PHOTOGRAPHER | Gabby Riggieri

The Anti-Bride
20 hours ago
3 min read

Gabby Riggieri draws inspiration from creative couples who desire to be fully engaged in their celebrations, seeking intentional yet relaxed, candid-focused documentation of their events and guest experiences. With over a decade of experience in photographing weddings of all sizes, she skilfully combines various mediums, including 35mm, medium format, digital, Super8mm, and 16mm. Gabby Riggieri is based in the Northeast but frequently travels to capture weddings.

Tell us about your business!

I went to school for fine art photography back when we learned on film cameras and spent hours color correcting images in the darkroom. This foundation really helped shape my creative process and my passions as an artist today. I met my partner Justin in the photo program, and although he is a somewhat silent partner in this business he is the backbone to every wedding day. He can be found loading and organizing film, second shooting, or lead shooting 16mm on any given day!

What would you like couples to know about you?

I’m observant, empathetic, a little sarcastic, and love to laugh at myself (both on a wedding day and in life in general). A statement not often made but particularly relevant these days: I welcome all clients who feel drawn to my work, regardless of race, disability, gender identity, sexual identity, religion, etc. All variations of a wedding day are beautiful, personal, and worthy of being documented.

Where are you based?

I live in a small A-Frame on a pond in Maine.

Do you travel for weddings?

I feel incredibly lucky to continually travel throughout the East Coast, across the country, and internationally for this job. So, yes!

What inspires you?

Modern architecture, utilitarian furniture, every artist at my ceramics studio, my grandparent’s wedding album, roadside diners, a well-made sweater you don’t want to take off, practical effects in cinema.

How would you describe your working style?

I hope to move through wedding days with a kind heart and an unobtrusive presence. Often a fly on the wall, I spend much of time searching for authentic moments of connection between couples, their friends, and their family throughout a celebration. I also try to sprinkle a dash of editorial in there when the time is right!

Do you shoot digitally, on film or both?

My primary emphasis is film, always. But I do shoot both! Chances are if I shot something on both film and digital, I like the film 100x more. I don’t make the rules, that’s just how it is!

Do you have custom packages according to individual needs?

Everything is custom, no cookie cutter packages here. Every celebration has it’s own individual needs, and I create quotes based on the details I collect from a couple on an introductory call.

What is a favourite product or service that you offer and why?

I truly love being invited to document weddings on motion picture film for couples. Yes I love still photography, but I am always particularly envious of my team members who get to shoot Super8 and 16mm alongside me on a wedding day. Gosh, those cameras are just good, clean fun!

Who is your dream client?

Creatives who look outside of the box when selecting their venue or creating their guest experience, and who deeply honor their interests and their relationship throughout the planning process. Some recent favorites in no particular order: a couple who got married on the stage of a 1930’s silent movie theater, a reception at a vegan burger joint, “Goodfellas meets Saturday Night Fever” as a theme, everything about The Madonna Inn, and transforming a backyard tennis court into a reception space.

Aside from being deeply inspired by working in unique spaces, a dream client says the words “I trust you, do your thing” and really means it.