Getting up-close & personal. Real candid moments at weddings & parties.

Inspired by the Great Larry Fink.

— Many years ago I learned about the work of Larry Fink, an American photographer who was well known for his very intimate up close and personal photographs of celebrities at the legendary Vanity Fair parties and his gritty black and white images of American life and society.

When I saw his work it really resonated with me, because here was a photographer who in almost every way possible was an outsider from the fashion and celebrity world, yet he was given access to shoot in his very specific style that didn’t really feel like the usual celebrity and society pages photos we’re all used to seeing.

His work showed people in very real moments, often captured in a way that perhaps wasn’t really all together flattering or what publicists would approve, but they were real, and that’s what caught my attention, because weddings are all about pomp and presenting a “perfect” version of everything, so having images that sort of go against that traditional point of view is interesting to me.

As photographers, we find our voice, and inspiration from many different places - movies, books, other photographers, painters, artists, and so our own work becomes influenced in a way as well. Photography is always an evolution of our own voice, our own vision but our work also brings a little bit of other artists style and creative voice as well. It’s only natural, because we don’t live in a bubble.

When I photograph a party, when the opportunity is right, I adopt this up close and personal approach as well — small camera in one hand, fixed focus, wide lens, and a small flash in the other.

These are one frame images — not multiple shots. I get in, get close, turn away and walk to another scene unfolding.

Black-and-white candid photo of two women seated at a party table, with one holding a cocktail and guests in the background.
A joyful DJ with headphones performing at a night event, standing behind a Pioneer DJ mixer with screens and lighting in the background.
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A man holding a toddler boy at an outdoor gathering, high-fiving a woman. Several people are in the background, some sitting under umbrellas.
Group of five older adults, three women and two men, sitting and standing around a dinner table engaged with their smartphones at an elegant gathering.
People at a wedding dance floor, with some helping a person lying on the floor, dressed in floral attire, possibly falling or fainting.
A black and white photo of a group of people at a social gathering, with a prominent man pointing and talking, and two children standing near him, one smiling and the other looking at the camera.
Man dancing with arms outstretched in a dance club, surrounded by women dancing and smiling.
Black and white photo of a man wearing a wide-brimmed cowboy hat and a tuxedo, holding a drink. A woman behind him is making a duck face and holding a drink, with three men in suits in the background.
A man with glasses and a cross necklace gestures towards a woman with star-patterned top at an indoor event, with other guests in the background.
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Four people, including two men in suits and two women, engaged in conversation and smiling at an event, with a black curtain background.
Two women taking a selfie together at an event, with a backdrop featuring logos and text, one wearing a sparkly dress and the other in a backless metallic gown, with other guests in the background.
Black and white photo of four people smiling and posing together at a table, with a woman in the background covering her face.
Four men in suits holding drinks at a social event, with a modern indoor setting and large windows in the background.
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Group of people at a celebration or wedding under a decorated tent, some holding drinks, engaged in conversation, smiling, with chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.
A woman with light-colored hair in a glittery dress makes peace signs with both hands at a party, surrounded by several people in casual and patterned clothing.
Two men smiling and holding drinks at a social event, one wearing a suit and the other in a black shirt, in black and white photo.
A woman laughing with her eyes closed, sitting to the right of a person with blonde hair seen from behind, with a man in the background smiling.
Three women and one man clinking champagne glasses outdoors at a celebration. The woman on the right is smiling, holding flowers, and wearing glasses. The woman in the middle is squinting and the man on the left is seen from behind.
A black-and-white photo of a wedding celebration where the bride and groom are cutting a wedding cake, surrounded by friends and family, with some smiling and others reacting humorously.
A black and white photo of a man and a woman sitting side by side. The man is wearing glasses and a suit, holding a bag of chips. The woman is dressed in a patterned dress, smiling with her eyes closed. They are in a room with wood-paneled walls and
Two men in tuxedos at a social event, one pouring a drink and the other engaging in conversation, with bottles and glasses on the table in front of them.
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A man taking a photo of two women at a formal event, all three are dressed elegantly; the women are wearing earrings and the man is in a tuxedo. The woman on the left is holding a drink with lemon, and the woman on the right is smiling while the man
A man with a beard and dark hair wearing sunglasses and a suit, smiling while pointing a camera at the camera.
Couple kissing at party with friends in background, celebrating and smiling.
Two people, a woman smiling and pointing at the camera and a man with a beard, with his eyes closed, wearing a white shirt and tie, at a party or celebration.
People dancing and socializing at a party or celebration in a dimly lit venue.
Two musicians performing, one playing a saxophone and the other using a microphone, in a black and white setting.
Black and white photo of a woman and a man at a social gathering, both smiling and engaging in a friendly gesture.
A young woman with dark hair in a dress leaning toward an older woman with short gray hair wearing a lace top, engaged in a serious conversation at a social event.
A man in a suit speaking with two women seated at a table, with a group of people in the background.
Black and white photo of a wedding reception showing a group of people sitting around a table, with the bride leaning in to talk with older women and a man. Background has more guests standing and conversing near a large window.
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A woman playfully touches a man's face while smiling, in a social setting with other people in the background.
A woman and a man sharing a kiss at a social event, with other people in the background.
Six men in formal attire posing and enjoying drinks at a social gathering.
A smiling woman in a dark dress holding a bouquet of flowers, standing next to a smiling man in a suit, outside near bushy plants and trees with a sign indicating a private event.
Three people at a social gathering enjoying drinks, smiling and talking. Two men are wearing suits, and a woman is standing in the background holding a drink.
A woman in a strapless dress with long gloves and holding a tray at a formal event.
A man and woman posing at an event, with the man wearing a fur coat and the woman in a white blazer dress holding a book, both smiling.
A group of people in formal attire, including a young man in a tuxedo, smiling and shaking hands at an outdoor wedding ceremony.
A group of young adults dressed in party attire at a celebration, with two women and two men in the center sharing a kiss, in a lively indoor setting.
Four people smiling and sitting together at a table during a celebration, with drinks and flowers in the foreground.
Group of people socializing outdoors, woman holding a young child, and others holding drinks, in black and white.
Group of smiling people at a social gathering, sitting close together, in an indoor setting with a dark background and wine glasses.
People jumping into a swimming pool during a nighttime outdoor party with onlookers watching.
A woman in a strapless black gown holding a bouquet of flowers above her head and celebrating outside a building with steps, while a man stands in the doorway in the background.
Black-and-white wedding ceremony with a bride, groom, and officiant.
Black-and-white outdoor wedding ceremony with bride, groom, bridesmaids, and officiant under a tree
Man in a floral shirt carving a whole roasted pig on a spit at an outdoor event
Black-and-white photo of a bearded man in a suit dancing at a crowded formal party.
Black-and-white wedding scene with a groom wiping his eye, groomsmen behind him, and a bride in the foreground
Black-and-white photo of guests dancing and celebrating at a party, with a woman in a white dress holding a wine glass.
Black-and-white photo of a woman in a floral dress dancing with one arm raised while holding a glass, with another person in the foreground.