PHOTOGRAPHER | Sarah Joy Landon

Sarah Joy Landon is a destination wedding photographer based in the UK and is originally from Italy. She is a documentary wedding photographer and shoots primarily on 35mm and 120 film, which lends itself to a slower, more intentional approach to wedding photography. Sarah Joy Landon works mainly in the UK and around Europe however, recent bookings are taking her to other continents and she can’t wait to continue to travel the world doing what she loves.

What would you like couples to know about you?

I like to get to know my couples from the moment they enquire with me and a video call is a must if we live far away from one another. I cannot fathom showing up at your wedding and not having a clue about who you are and what you like! I have a workflow leading up to the wedding that allows me to engage in conversation with you more than once, I ask to see your favourite photos together and show me examples of how you imagine your wedding to be. I have a detailed questionnaire ahead of the wedding day that captures all the information I need. I don’t expect to become best friends with every couple I work with but in most cases we establish a friendly, trusting relationship that sometimes lasts well beyond the wedding day.

Do you travel for weddings?

I do! I live in Yorkshire but rarely work around here. Most of the weddings I capture are in London or the British countryside, Italy (my family is in Rome so it’s easy to base myself there in between weddings) and around Europe (France, Ireland, Spain, Montenegro and more). I’ve recently been booked for weddings overseas which is opening a whole new chapter of international travel for me and I’m very excited about it.

How would you describe your style?

I’m a documentary wedding photographer and I shoot primarily on 35mm and 120 film, which lends itself to a slower, more intentional approach to wedding photography. I work with couples from all backgrounds who value presence over posing, and who want just the right amount of portraiture and playful moments — without missing out on experiencing the day or wasting time on staged shots.

What inspires you?

I used to spend a lot of time looking for inspiration on social media until I realised that aside from the work of a few favourite photographers, I was not very inspired and I needed to look elsewhere. I started picking up more photography books, especially ones that showcase work from before the advent of digital. I wanted to reconnect to an era where analogue was the norm and get rid of the idea that the “quirky vintage-looking badly exposed grainy shot taken on a point and shoot” is just a fun addition to the fully digital gallery. People forget what used to be normal, they forget what their own childhood photos and their parents photos looked like. Film is a beautiful medium that for decades has provided imagery for all aspects of our lives, from personal memories to magazines and giant billboards.

Do you shoot digitally, on film or both?

I have been a hybrid photographer for the past 4 years but recently I have decided to follow my instincts and switch completely to analogue photography. I have given myself the time to master the art of film and figure out a shooting style and a workflow that delivers artistically and it’s manageable in practical terms. I’m open to offering a portion of photos on digital if my clients request it but these days everyone that enquiries with me really wants the film look for their wedding.

Do you have custom package according to individual needs?

Yes, I have a full day wedding coverage option which is priced on a all inclusive basis (travel costs, accommodation, film costs, everything is included!) and has three separate pricing tiers according to whether the wedding is in the UK, Europe or Overseas. That said, there are many add-ons available so that couples can personalise their chosen option, such as adding a second photographer, extra hours for a welcome dinner, pool party etc as well as photo books. If the wedding is a smaller affair such as a half day town hall celebration, couples can request a personalised quote based on how long they’d like me to be present for.

Where would you like to travel to for work?

I’m fortunate enough that my work is already taking me to some incredible destinations (Japan!) but there are definitely other places around the world where I’d love capture a wedding. Thailand, Mexico, The Maldives, Kenya, Morocco...

Who is your dream client?

My dream clients are relaxed couples from diverse backgrounds, who have traveled and moved countries or cities for love or work, who have a deeper appreciation for the arts and are not looking for just “any wedding photographer”. Perhaps they work in the creative industries or they just love to snap away with their film cameras on holiday. They want their wedding to be documented in its rawest form without having to stop and pretend to do something for the camera. They seek a photographer who can blend the rawness and spontaneity of documentary photography with an artistic eye, who can create something they can print in a photo book and hang on their walls.

What is your advice to couples getting married?

What I’m about to say is based on years of observation working with couples. You are putting a lot of effort into making your wedding day such a special celebration to share with your loved ones. Don’t let anyone put pressure on you and make you do things that don’t feel true to yourselves. Stop scrolling social media beyond what’s acceptable for inspiration and stop comparing your wedding to other people’s. Thank me later!

Sarah Joy Landon

Website: sarahjoylandon.com

Instagram: @sarahjoylandon