PHOTOGRAPHER | Yolanta Birkhane

The Anti-Bride
Jun 4
3 min read

Based in Sweden, wedding photographer Yolanta Birkhane is available worldwide. Her style combines editorial and documentary elements, resulting in images that blend elegance with a cutting-edge style. Yolanta Birkhane is inspired by people being unapologetically themselves and enjoys collaborating with couples who possess an avant-garde spirit and grace, along with a keen eye for unique details.

Tell us about your business!

I’m an editorial wedding photographer blending structured elegance with real, messy, beautiful moments. My background is kind of unusual — I spent 19 years as a circus artist, which shaped how I see movement, light, and emotion. I started photographing backstage and never really stopped. Now, I document weddings in a way that feels both cinematic and raw. My style lives between sculpted direction and pure spontaneity.

What would you like couples to know about you?

It’s never just about the photos for me — it’s about what they make you feel. Your gallery shouldn’t just be a bunch of pretty images. It should take you back. It should move you. I’ll be the person who helps you feel calm and seen, and the one who disappears into the background when the moment gets big. I’ll guide when needed ofc, but I also love capturing what unfolds naturally.

Where are you based?

Based in Sweden, always ready to travel. Whether it's an Italian villa, or a London rooftop, I’m in.

How would you describe your style?

Elevated with grit left in. I love a bold flash, a dramatic shadow, a bit of grain—but also those small, quiet, emotional moments. It’s the mix I’m drawn to. Elegant, but never too polished. Raw in the best way.

What inspires you?

Honestly, people being unapologetically themselves—there’s nothing more magnetic than that. But more than anything, I find inspiration in how everything evolves. In form, in time, in growth. I follow that wave — letting creativity lead, letting each wedding become its own living piece. I’m drawn to contrast: light and shadow, chaos and stillness, structure and flow. Fashion that makes a statement. Music that cracks something open in you.

How would you describe your working style?

Energetic, present, creative, and tuned in. I also come well-prepared—with a detailed questionnaire from the couple and a custom mood board for those editorial shots.

Do you shoot digitally, on film or both?

Mostly digital, but I often mimic the look of film in my edits. I do bring out the real film camera for certain weddings—especially when it fits the vibe, and the couple requests.

Do you have custom packages according to individual needs?

Yes, always. Every couple is different, and I like building packages that reflect specific days and what matters the most.

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

Definitely my photo books. They're designed more like editorial art books than traditional albums. They’re tactile and intentional—something you’ll actually want to leave out on the table, not just stash away in a box. Statement piece sonto speak.

Where would you love to travel to for work?

Tokyo for sure, Mexico, Marrakech, Paris once or twice a year, Amalfi coast.. honestly, anywhere with texture, soul, and good light.

Who is your dream client?

Someone with an avant-garde spirit and grace — balanced by a sharp sense of humor and good eye for those unique details.

What is your advice to couples getting married?

Let go of the idea that everything needs to be perfect. And trust your gut.