My name is Andrew Tallon and I’m an analog wedding photographer based in Copenhagen. I’ve been shooting weddings since 2009, and over my career I’ve felt a change in what I believe a wedding photographer should be.
When I first started shooting on my digital setup, I was the only one with the gear and memory-card space to capture high quality images throughout the entire day. Now that every guest has a smartphone in their pocket, that advantage of capability is gone, and wedding photographers must offer a service with a unique point of view. Something that elevates the memories of the day, rather than simply archiving them.
That's why in 2023 I made the decision to shoot weddings exclusively on analog film, and to prioritise physical experiences for my clients and for myself.
When shooting film, I prepare meticulously and only press the shutter when something is truly worth capturing. The format captures natural colours and small imperfections that feel like real memories. Most of all, they look incredible in print, and allow me to provide a unique physical experience for my clients – bespoke hand-crafted albums by Pistachio Studio (pistachiostudio.eu) containing real prints on professional photo paper.
So where does the Pentax 17 come in?
Like most film enthusiasts, I was extremely excited to hear about a brand new analog camera scheduled for release back in 2024. While initially concerned about the specs, I joined Shutterbug’s Pentax 17 photo walk and was blown away by the shooting experience and the quality and depth of the half-frame scans.
At first glance, this appears to be a consumer-targeted point and shoot. But as a professional, I could see that all the important decisions I make when shooting are there – bokeh, flash, focus distance, exposure compensation, and slow or fast shutter speed. Plus the lens is super sharp!
I realised that in the right hands, the Pentax 17 can capture incredible images, and came up with the idea of shooting an entire wedding on the camera to prove it.
I hope to grab the attention of those who have underestimated or dismissed the Pentax 17, or any other camera, based on specs or reviews. To show that a camera is more than its specs, and that a photographer is more than their gear.
Thank you to Shutterbug for supporting this project with cameras, film, development, scanning, album and printing.
You can view the gallery online here: https://www.andrewtallon.com/clara-flook
Or even better, come by and see the physical album displayed at the Shutterbug store in Vesterbro.