What is it like to photograph the world’s most famous weddings? German Larkin tells all

Being online as much as most people, we have witnessed many celebrity weddings. A big party that somehow is not limited to the esteemed guests, but gives the rest of the world a glimpse of the fairytale – often a fairytale filled with luxury and splendor. However, the excitement of a celebrity wedding can only be captured through the medium of photography. And this is usually where German Larkin comes in.

Now a household name, the Milan-based society and fashion photographer is a household name. In addition to his Fashion Week engagements, he is known for photographing some of the most famous weddings of the zeitgeist – from Sofia Richie, Paris Hilton to the royals of Brunei and most recently the Ambani celebrations. Larkin, currently the most sought-after wedding photographer in Hollywood, speaks to Fashion Singapore talks about the beginnings of his career, the most memorable weddings he has photographed and how fashion has influenced his work.

How did your career as a photographer begin?
I have always loved photography. When I was 15, I asked my father to give me a Polaroid camera and from that moment on, I was always fascinated by photography. It became my hobby, an expression of my vision and a tool to connect with people and places and to explore and understand the world. I never learned photography formally; I am self-taught. I only started pursuing it professionally less than 10 years ago.

When I started out, I was already a blogger and journalist, writing about fashion and social events with my first Leica camera. I needed images to accompany my articles, so I asked a photographer friend for advice on the best equipment for photographing people.

He suggested, “Why not use this little Leica camera and shoot black and white portraits?” Following his advice marked the beginning of my journey, coinciding with the rise of social media around 2009-2010 when I started shooting portraits regularly. Soon after, photography became my main focus, which caused me to move away from writing. During this time, I had the opportunity to meet Alessia Glaviano, who was then the visual director of Fashion Italia and is now Head of Global PhotoVogue and Director of Photo Fashion Festival.

Was there ever a decisive moment for you, that led to your success?
A big breakthrough in my career? In any case, when I met Alessia, she noticed my rather unusual style and approach to photographing a scene. Alessia immediately suggested that I Fashion Italia, and so I started doing more parties and covering more shows. That was the moment I started working with fashion brands.

How would you describe your style as a photographer?
It’s definitely fashion photography. Fashion can be worn on models; it can be photographed in a studio, in a location, in real time. Even at parties, dinners or weddings, I would never say I’m doing reportage, it’s always fashion photography.

I approach every shot as if it were fashion photography and this style is what has made my images so desirable and viral. This is why my wedding images are so different from other photographers, my work has that “glam” feel that only fashion photography can provide. It is social fashion photography, the style is spontaneous, glamorous and meaningful.

What do you think is your Highlight in your repertoire? What makes you aPart?
People call me “the king of beautiful pictures”. When I met editors like Edward Enninful and Emanuele Farneti, you have pointed out that in my pictures people look perfect, the way they want to see themselves. This is my strength – the ability to capture the perfect look of a particular person, to capture the moment of maximum glamour and beauty – this is what I am good at.

You have photographed some of the biggest celebrity weddings in the world. In your personal In your opinion, which wedding would be destined for the history books?
I think every beautiful wedding I’ve ever photographed has been the result of a mix of fashion statement and stardom. One of the first was Kitty Spencer’s wedding where she wore a complete Dolce&Gabbana Alta Moda look. Four looks, actually! It was incredible; the wedding took place in Rome and was a mix of British traditions and Italian flair. This wedding was a spectacular example of what a modern wedding should look like.

How do you refuel on filming days?
The wedding day is definitely the hardest task for a photographer (and I think for the bride and groom too). We start preparing at three in the afternoon and finish the shoot at three in the morning. That’s literally 12 hours of walking, working, attention and focusing on many details and special moments. Considering how meticulously I look for (and find) the most beautiful and glamorous moments for the bride, I have to be alert all the time.

It is a very physically demanding day, yes. You have to be well prepared, feed yourself in advance, put together your own look and be careful not to wear anything too hot (I usually wear a tuxedo). It is quite a challenge, but what really fulfills me is the beauty of the bride. Once you see your model standing in front of you radiant, you forget about everything else, including eating and drinking. You can eat and drink the next day.

What is the secret to capturing these candid moments and raw emotions? nice at weddings?
The most important thing is to always stay alert and know exactly what you want to see and show. There is a lot going on, but I just choose a few and focus on them. That makes the difference in the vision of every photographer and artist. If you ask five people to photograph the same scene, you will get five different photos!

When I work with the bride, I keep my eyes wide open and imagine what a perfect image of that person would look like and find it in reality. You also have to stay alert the whole time because the most beautiful shots can be taken at the end of the ceremony or at the end of the night. You might find that moment that perfectly represents the whole evening and the whole event.

Do you have a favorite camera that you like to take photos with?
I love two cameras and I only use two cameras. In my work I use a Leica Q system camera which with its flash is a very sharp, versatile and powerful tool. Its small size makes it perfect for spontaneous shots. However, it is limited to portrait photography and is not ideal for longer distances.

For ceremonies where I need to stand in one part of the room while the subject is in another corner, I use my Canon R system, which I also love. It is very reliable with longer lenses and my personal favorite is the 85mm lens.

Advice for aspiring photographers who want to enter the industry Scene.
First, find your tools. Find your camera that you are comfortable with. Then find your subject that you love to photograph. It is important to take pictures of things that you love – it changes the game and the perspective. Once you have your camera and know who and what you want to photograph, don’t stop. Do it, protect your vision and push your vision forward.

When you start out and your vision is new and different, it might be rejected or criticized for its newness. That’s what happened to me when I started out; people would say, “Oh, your pictures look so different.” But now my approach has become mainstream and many people are trying to photograph in the same way. I’m very happy for all the people who are now successful by photographing people. But I think the hardest job in the world is to take a good portrait of someone.

So please just keep going, keep going and don’t stop – with love, lots of love.

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