Our Story
About Me and My Journey with Documentary Photography
Hi, I'm Mod Schwalbe. I'm a British filmmaker and photographer, and most of my work centers around capturing life—whether through portraits, documentary and narrative film, music, or, in this case, weddings and family. I moved to New York nearly ten years ago and now live in Brooklyn with my wife and daughter.
Photos have always been frozen frames for me—slices of life captured in motion. My first experience with the power of photography was during my countless visits to my grandparents' home as a child, flipping through the images that documented the lives of their twelve children (yes, twelve!). What inspired me then, and continues to inspire me now, is the raw authenticity of those moments. These weren’t posed or perfected; they were unfiltered snapshots of life—full of the joy, chaos, and struggles of childhood and adolescence.
Those images still feel alive to me, bursting with the emotions and experiences of growing up. To me, this is the true essence of photography—capturing people as they are, in all their raw, authentic emotion, rather than the polished, filtered version of ourselves. It’s always been about the people—their real, unguarded moments and their journey through life.
What I love most about documentary photography is creating an environment where people feel at ease, where the camera doesn’t spark self-consciousness about body image or perfection, but instead invites them to fully live in the moment. This is how life deserves to be remembered—with soul, presence, and authenticity. These are the moments that will truly matter 100 years from now, and capturing them is my greatest joy.
Our Ethos
What is Documentary Style Photography
I think there are a few important questions we need to ask ourselves when we say we want a photographer to capture our wedding day. The first is, "What do I want to remember?" And the next is, "How do I want to remember it?"
Every person at your wedding will see the day from a different perspective, feel different emotions, and have their own connection to each moment. What was your connection? What was your emotion? How do you want those feelings to live on? Our minds are fickle with memories, and as the famous photographer Henri Cartier-Bresson said, only "the decisive moment" can truly be captured, not the moment before or the moment after. But how do we tell the story of our most important day in a way that feels authentic, how do we choose the moments that steer and decide the narrative?
In a world where wedding photography often feels scripted, with posed perfection at every turn, we risk losing the beauty of the day that naturally lies dormant. What if, instead of scripting and crafting moments, we simply lived them however they decided to be? Wouldn't it be best to experience the day with joy and presence, however that unfolds, and capture it in its entirety?
When we let go of perfection, something remarkable happens. You, fully engaged in your wedding day, surrounded by those you love, are able to be present. In return, I, as the photographer, join you in that moment—not to control or orchestrate, but to blend into the background and observe, capturing everything as it unfolds naturally.
This is the core of documentary-style wedding photography. It’s about a partnership, a two-way relationship between us. You live in the moment, and I document it with freedom, without the pressure to stage or script. This allows me to capture the unexpected—the genuine, unguarded moments that would otherwise be lost if we were chasing a picture-perfect image.
As you immerse yourself in the celebration, I focus on telling the story of your day with creativity and authenticity. Together, we create photographs that are more than just snapshots—they’re a reflection of the true emotions, interactions, and experiences that make your wedding unique. By letting go of expectations, we open the door to something even more beautiful: images that are, as photographer John Dolan once said, “perfectly imperfect,” just as your wedding day truly is.
The Art of Slow Photography:
Embracing Film and Manual Focus
A big part of my process involves the use of film, both black and white and color, which many might find strange or antiquated in an age of high-speed digital photography and 100-megapixel phone cameras. But I believe that’s precisely the point. In an era where modern cameras can shoot up to 20 images per second, the rapid-fire approach to capturing moments can sometimes undermine the depth and immersion of the experience. The quick succession of images might capture fleeting instances, but it often overlooks the essence of truly living in the moment.
Film photography, with its constraints and unique aesthetic, offers a different approach. When using film, whether it's black and white or color, you’re limited to 24-36 exposures per roll. This limitation forces a deliberate and thoughtful approach to each shot, making every frame count. This slower pace allows for a deeper engagement with the subject and the moment, resulting in images that are not only more considered but also more emotionally resonant.
The beauty of film extends beyond its limited exposures. The color and grain of film evoke a sense of nostalgia and tangible quality that digital formats often lack. To me, the colors and grain of film are like the "smell" of the moments—they capture the intangible essence of how the moments felt, in a way that digital images might struggle to convey. It’s not just about the visual representation but about preserving the emotional texture of the experience.
Incorporating film into my work aligns with my commitment to capturing life with authenticity and depth. It’s about more than just creating beautiful images; it’s about engaging with the process in a way that honors the true essence of the subjects and moments. The use of film reinforces my dedication to documenting life in a manner that is both meaningful and evocative, allowing each photograph to reflect the genuine emotions and experiences of the moment.
Black & White
The Power of Black and White Photography
Another significant aspect of my process is the use of black and white photography. While many view black and white as a relic of the past or a limitation of early photography, I believe it is a powerful tool in storytelling and capturing the essence of a moment. The perception of black and white as outdated or purely nostalgic overlooks its profound impact on narrative and emotional depth.
Black and white photography transcends the visual noise of color, focusing instead on the core elements of an image—expression, body posture, and the raw essence of the subject. Color, while powerful, can sometimes distract from the emotional core of a photograph. It introduces additional layers of interpretation, with different colors evoking various emotional responses—happy colors, sad colors, and so on. When color is stripped away, the subject is presented in its purest form, free from external influences.
In black and white photography, the absence of color allows for a more intense focus on the emotional depth and narrative of the image. It highlights contrasts, textures, and shapes, which can enhance the expression and mood conveyed. This approach digs deep into the soul of the photograph, allowing viewers to connect more profoundly with the subject's emotions and the story being told.
By removing the distraction of color, black and white photography places the human experience front and center. It strips away the visual clutter, drawing the viewer's attention directly to the subject's feelings and expressions. This purity allows the emotion to take center stage, making the photograph a more poignant and evocative representation of the moment.
In my work, black and white photography is not just a stylistic choice but a deliberate tool for capturing and conveying raw emotion and depth. It provides a timeless quality to images, allowing them to speak directly to the viewer's heart and soul without the interference of color.