Cinematic wedding photography with Gurvir Johal

Use light like an artist

Whether it’s natural light to highlight beauty, or artificial lighting to inject mood and mystery, light is fundamental to Gurvir’s style. “The difference between a good image and a great image often lies in the effective use of light,” says the Birmingham and London-based photographer, who became enthralled with photography after decades of toying with other artistic mediums. Now, he encourages enthusiasts to experiment with light, much as an artist would, to better understand how to master it in different situations. “I don't have a one-size-fits-all setting for my cinematic shots,” he says. “Instead, I adapt to the feeling and ambiance of each scene. This might involve soft, natural light or dramatic underexposed settings enhanced with artificial lighting, depending on what the moment calls for.”

Typically, in low-light scenarios Gurvir says he tends to rely on flash or continuous lighting, which, when done well, creates the soft, romantic hallmarks his imagery is famed for. “I achieve this with modifiers like softboxes or by bouncing the light off surfaces,” he explains. “When illuminating faces, I position the light source just above eye level to maintain natural-looking catchlights in the eyes. What’s really great is the advanced high ISO capabilities of Nikon mirrorless cameras like the Nikon Z8 and Zf, which allow me to capture clear images in low-light conditions without excessive noise.”

Discover the drama as you go

Something that often sets Gurvir apart from his peers is his preference for seeing the venue firsthand on the day of the wedding, rather than scouting it out beforehand. “This technique allows me to come up with fresh ideas and a game plan based on the actual conditions and ambiance at that moment,” he says. “For example, sunrise and sunset provide magical lighting conditions that are ideal for photography, although wedding schedules don’t always align with these times. But when it is possible, I take full advantage of their soft light to create stunning backlit or side-lit compositions.

“I don’t have a strict preference for indoor or outdoor shooting, either. It all depends on factors such as timing, weather and the specific locations. Each environment offers unique opportunities for creating compelling compositions, and I adapt my approach accordingly.”

Creative compositions

“Typical locations such as stairs, by trees, or near a good window often offer the best spots for strong compositions,” Gurvir suggests, when asked what he looks for in staging compelling, cinematic-style shots. “You should seek out clean backgrounds that complement the subject without distracting elements. For strong compositions, consider leading lines, framing and the rule of thirds to guide the viewer’s eye to the subject.”

Gurvir says the key to creating the most visually impactful imagery derives from the emotions and narrative of the day. “Wedding photography demands more than just technical skill,” he advises. “It requires a deep understanding of human emotion, an ability to anticipate moments and the capacity to weave a cohesive narrative through imagery. Unlike other genres, where you might have more control over the environment or subject matter, weddings are unpredictable, with fleeting moments that cannot be recreated.”

Know your gear

To be best prepared for catching these brief exchanges, Gurvir suggests really getting to know your camera and lenses, as familiarity brings pace and flexibility when adapting to quickly changing conditions.

As a go-to for group shots, Gurvir’s lens preference is the NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S. “This lens offers incredible versatility and sharpness across various focal lengths,” he says. “Nikon’s autofocus is also exceptional in tracking subjects, especially in dynamic wedding environments. The eye-detection AF feature is particularly useful for ensuring sharp focus on faces, even in candid shots and I use AF-S.” For bride and groom portraits, he favours the NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S: “It provides stunning bokeh and sharpness, which helps create that cinematic feel with its beautiful depth of field.”

Playing in post

Like most professionals, Gurvir shoots everything in RAW, as the format captures the maximum amount of information, which is essential for flexibility and quality in post-production, where Gurvir can really flex his artistic muscles. “In post, I always aim to enhance the natural beauty of the image,” he says. “I focus on colour grading to achieve a cinematic look, ensure proper exposure, and add subtle vignettes to draw attention to the subject. Consistency in editing style also helps to maintain a cohesive look across the wedding album.”

The choice between converting to black and white or keeping a frame in colour comes down to the mood or story he is hoping to convey, says Gurvir: “Black and white can add a timeless, emotional quality, while colour can highlight the vibrancy and detail of a scene. I usually decide during post-production rather than using in-camera monochrome features.”

Final thought

Gurvir maintains that a combination of strategic positioning, thoughtful lighting and post-production adjustments will result in a captivating cinematic style wedding photograph that stands out for its dramatic and romantic elements. “All you need is some careful planning, thoughtful adjustments and precise lighting to photograph weddings in a breathtakingly elegant and dramatic manner that makes the most of the beautiful location and creates a memorable image the bride and groom will treasure forever,” he concludes.

Deconstructing the shot

Gurvir breaks down the image above 

1. Embrace the elements 

“There wasn’t much scenery, but there was an overcast sky. Taking a low position enabled me to photograph as much of the sky as possible.”

2. Underexpose for drama

“I underexposed the scene to create a dramatic sky, with the couple being almost a silhouette in the frame.”

3. Add extra light

“My assistant held a Godox AD200  flash in a softbox to the right of the camera to ensure that the couple was illuminated with highlights and shadows, adding depth to the image. This positioning was also deliberate to achieve short lighting on the bride, which I find particularly flattering.”

4. Pose the couple

“For the pose, I opted for a soft, classic look. The groom leaned in towards his bride, and both displayed gentle, soft expressions. This pose added to the romantic feel of the image, contrasting beautifully with the dramatic sky.”

5. Post-production enhancements

“After the shoot, I performed a bit of colour grading to enhance the overall tone and mood of the image. Additionally, I used Photoshop to remove my assistant from the frame, ensuring a clean and focused final result.”

1. Scout the location

“Upon discovering the symmetrical pillars and the inherent mood lighting of the location, I knew it had the potential for a dramatic shot.”

2. Create a creative composition

“The leading lines naturally guide the eye towards the centre, making it a perfect setting for a focal point.”

3. Think camera position 

“To emphasise the symmetry and enhance the impact of the leading lines, I positioned my camera low to the ground. This perspective ensured that all lines converge towards the bride, drawing attention directly to her.”

4. Pose the bride

“I made a last-minute decision to lift the bride into the alcove itself. This elevation not only heightened the sense of grandeur but also made her the undeniable focal point of the composition. I opted for a soft and elegant pose, directing her to lean towards the edge of the alcove, creating a graceful pose that ensured her face and dress caught enough light for a striking effect.”

5. Lighting the scene

“To complement the existing mood lighting and to highlight the bride, I used a Godox AD200 flash in a softbox, strategically positioned behind the very last pillar on the left-hand side. This added a soft, flattering illumination of the bride, enhancing her features and dress.”

6. Post-production enhancements

“In post, I removed any distracting elements to maintain the clean and symmetrical composition. Additionally, I applied colour grading to unify the overall tone and mood of the image, ensuring it resonated with the dramatic and elegant feel I aimed to achieve.”

What’s in Gurvir Johal’s kitbag? 

Favourite kit

Nikon Z8 with NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.2 S and Nikon Zf with NIKKOR Z 40mm f/2

Cameras

Nikon Z8, Nikon Z6III and Nikon Zf

Lenses

NIKKOR Z 50mm f/1.8 S, NIKKOR Z 85mm f/1.8 S, NIKKOR Z 14-30mm f/4 S, NIKKOR Z 24-70mm f/2.8 S, NIKKOR Z 70-200mm f/2.8 S

Flashes

Nikon SB5000, Godox AD200, flash triggers

Continuous lighting

StellaPro CLX10, Reflex S

Camera bags

Manfrotto and Thinktank roller bags

Tripods

Small Manfrotto tripod

Post-production software

Adobe Lightroom, Adobe Photoshop, Aftershoot, Evoto AI