PHOTOGRAPHER | Maudlin Co. - Kristen Syndram
Maudlin Co. is a film wedding photography studio located in the Midwest, focusing on authentic analogue and documentary-style wedding photography, and relaxed editorial portraiture. Founder Kristen Syndram's philosophy emphasises being present, allowing couples to fully experience their wedding day instead of feeling like they are at a photoshoot. Film is her preferred medium, but she also incorporates digital photography into the wedding day as required. Based in West Michigan, Maudlin Co. captures weddings throughout Michigan, Chicago, across the United States, and internationally for destination events.
Tell us about your business!
I document real weddings for real people on real film. Maudlin Co. is a Midwest-based film wedding photography studio specializing in true analog photography, documentary wedding photography, and effortless editorial portraiture. I’m based in West Michigan and photograph weddings throughout Michigan, Chicago, across the US, and internationally for destination celebrations. People are at the heart and soul of everything I create, and my work is based on the energy, love, and beauty of human connection.
What would you like couples to know about you?
I’m an old soul, a gentle observer, and a true hopeless romantic with a warm, calming energy. I love people and am the type to get into a deep conversation with a salesperson over the phone about their love life, offer to take a photo of a random couple who are on a date, or help a stranger pick out a card for their partner in the grocery store. My own partner knows when we go out that he’ll likely find me exchanging numbers with our waitress for a new friend date, sharing haircare advice with a woman in the DMV line after giving her a compliment, or come home to a lost puppy in our house until it can be reunited with its puppy parents. I love weddings because I love people. I love making them feel seen, heard, valued, and appreciated. I am deeply inspired by the ephemeral nature of human connection on a wedding day and turning those fleeting moments into lasting heirlooms.
Do you travel for weddings?
I’m a West Michigan wedding photographer based in Holland, Michigan, and I travel frequently throughout Michigan, across the US, and internationally for weddings and destination celebrations.
How would you describe your style?
My style is a blend of true analog documentary wedding photography and effortless editorial portraiture. The majority of my weddings are photographed entirely on film, focused on candid, real moments on a wedding day. I blend editorial portraits for a balanced mix of genuine interaction and artful imagery.
What inspires you?
People and art of any form. Most of my work is influenced through a mix of film noir, early 2000s rom-coms, Paris in the rain at night, Jazz standards, the way people look at someone holding a bouquet of flowers while walking out of a grocery store, 1970s fashion, vintage portraits found at estate sales, 1960s french pop, obscure old books, sunny days at the beach, indie films from the 1990s, and elderly married couples still sitting on the same side of the booth at a diner.
How would you describe your working style?
Presence over performance. I allow my couples to stay present on their wedding day, not feel pulled out of it. The last thing I want is for my couples to feel like their wedding weekend was one long photoshoot. I take a documentary approach and capture moments in real time as they’re happening. I’m a calm, grounded, unobtrusive presence on a wedding day. Think of me as a guest who happens to have a camera (or 6). Making my couples feel relaxed, comfortable, and free to enjoy their celebration with their loved ones is my priority.
Do you shoot digitally, on film or both?
The majority of my couples request a purely analog experience with 100% film coverage for their wedding days. I do offer digital for couples looking to have digital images thoughtfully woven throughout their wedding day. I work based on my couples’ taste and preferences, but film has my heart and it’s my preferred medium!
What is a favourite product or service that you offer and why?
I offer unlimited film coverage for all my wedding photography services. I don’t like to limit myself physically, emotionally, or creatively when it comes to capturing wedding days. Offering full film coverage allows me to completely immerse myself in the process of documenting memories without worrying about how many rolls you’ve added to your collection or frames I have left.
Who is your dream client?
Any couple who loves my work and trusts me to capture their vision.
Maudlin Co. - Kristen Syndram
Website: maudlinco.com
Instagram: @maudlinco
