Raïs De Weirdt

From the sun-baked deserts of Dubai to the breathtaking peaks of the Dolomite Mountains, photography has taken Raïs De Weirdt all over the world.

"Whether it's photographing a Mexican wedding when there was just this incredible energy on the dancefloor or capturing the love between a lesbian couple on a smouldering volcano in Iceland – whenever I shoot a wedding, I am beyond excited," enthuses Raïs, when asked what it is she enjoys most about shooting destination weddings. "It is the pure joy that you get to witness – being able to capture the beautiful grand moments and the small, precious things. I truly think it is one of the most beautiful jobs in the world. Even during the long, long hours in front of my computer, I still think, 'this is everything I ever wanted to do'."

From the shallows of the Red Sea to climbing a 3,500m high glacier, Raïs will stop at nothing to get the shot she wants – and it's that tenacity and enthusiasm that has propelled her to where she is today. After years of disciplined self-learning, Raïs obtained a degree in photography from the University of Amsterdam, and later a master's in advertising and digital creation from the University of Brussels. Her work has appeared on numerous media platforms, including Vogue, Times Radio, the Daily Mail, Brigitte, NRJ, De Tijd and VRT News.

Raïs was named Young Photographer of the Year in 2021 by the Federation of European Professional Photographers but she says the most memorable moments of her career have been those she's witnessed behind the lens: "I relive moments like when the bride gets surprised by her dad who she hasn't seen in five years, or when the bride announces at the end of the day that she's pregnant.

"The sad, yet powerful stories stay with me too," she adds. "Like when the groom revealed during his speech that he had cancer, and his wedding would most likely be the last big party he'd throw. Those are the moments that I remember."

You are known for your dramatic but dreamlike images – how do you go about fusing these two very different themes?

"I almost always shoot as wide open as possible – f/1.2 on my Canon EF 50mm f/1.2L USM and f/2.8 on my EF 24-70mm f/2.8L II USM. I prefer backlit sunlight; in fact, I almost always try to have natural lighting behind my subjects. If I can't have the light the way I like it, I set up lights to make it work – but usually, I make it work without. I have many accessories such as veils, coloured gels for flashes, glass shapes to hold in front of my lenses, smoke grenades, mirrors, even creams to put on my lenses for special effects – anything that I think might add creativity. My eyes are always open for creative opportunities."

Your subjects all look so blissful – how do you put them at ease?

"I'm so happy you picked up on this. This is something I'm very proud of. I'm an extremely enthusiastic and easy-going person. I always say, 'I can make everybody laugh!', and during the shoot, I make sure it's as much fun as it can be. I always tell the couple that it's a beautiful moment of quality time, just for the two of them; a moment during this incredibly busy day when they can escape."

How important is printing for you and your business?

"I absolutely love printing images at home. There is nothing like images on paper; nothing comes close. Being able to physically touch your photographs, and seeing them come alive, is truly the most incredible feeling.

"Also, for my couples! The printed images are in my 'thank you' box, always on fine art paper, and it always hits me when I see how the couples handle them so delicately when they take them out of the box, how they're so gentle when they touch them. Like I said, nothing comes close to it – both for the photographer and the client."

"At every single workshop, I would hear the same thing: moment – composition – light. But for me, it's the other way around. I will position myself based on the light. Only when the light is perfect will I look for composition and moment – I am obsessed with it. I won't even shoot an image that has bad lighting – except, of course, if it's a must-have shot, such as a kiss, or the big moment with the ring. Light is what crafts my imagery, the rest follows. A beautiful moment in that beautiful light? That's when the magic truly happens."

Facebook: @raisdeweirdtphotography

Instagram: @raisdeweirdtwedding

Website: raisdeweirdt.com