Erik

Wardekker

This image was taken in nature reserve De Blauwe Kamer, near Rhenen.
From above, the simplicity of the scene reveals itself; a narrow bridge cutting diagonally through the landscape. Using a drone allows for a different perspective, one that transforms a quiet moment into something more graphic and unexpected.
What I always enjoy most is that the couple has no idea how the image will look from this angle, and seeing their reaction afterwards is often just as rewarding as capturing the moment itself.

In the forests near Utrecht, we found a small fairground tucked between the trees.
Instead of following the usual path, we stepped into a swing ride — choosing something unexpected. No posing, no directions. Just holding hands, feet off the ground, that light tickling feeling in your stomach as they circled through the air.
Sometimes, it’s simply about letting go and enjoying the moment. Because in the end, that’s what it’s all about.

The moment before the ceremony

While the guests are entering the town hall and taking their seats, the bride and groom are waiting quietly in a separate room. Using a slower shutter speed allowed the movement of the guests to blur as they passed by the doorway, emphasizing the stillness of the bride in the center of the frame. In the midst of the motion and anticipation, her expression captures that subtle mix of excitement and nerves just moments before the ceremony begins.

A different perspective on the wedding car

Photographing the wedding car is a tradition, but I wanted to capture it from a different perspective. Using a drone, I photographed the couple from directly above while they were sitting together in the car. The warm, soft evening light and the surrounding textures of the landscape helped create a calm and intimate scene, offering a fresh and unexpected view of a familiar wedding moment.

This photo was taken just seconds after the ceremony. They are offered a glass of champagne and take a brief step away from the excitement to enjoy this intimate celebration together, a moment of pure release. They didn't notice I was capturing this intense moment. The photo, in black and white, feels even stronger than in color. The colors would have distracted from the raw emotion of the moment.

The bride stands in front of an open window, taking a serene moment to herself after finishing her preparations for the special day ahead. It's as if she is on a rollercoaster, perched at the top, ready for the exhilarating ride to begin. This quiet pause marks the calm before the excitement of the day unfolds.

Not all wedding photos have to be cozy, sweet, and cute. Instead of always doing the same thing, I asked this couple to trust me and have their photos taken in an industrial setting. The setting was an old factory site, now home to some shops, restaurants and startups. I would say a very inspiring environment. During the shoot, I noticed red stripes on the surface, and even better, there was a fairly tall building next to it. I could easily climb to a higher point, guide the couple to the desired location and position... and all that was left to do was capture the photo I already had in mind.