Good light is good light. You can’t retouch good light.
Bob London
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Bob didn’t get into wedding photography because it was cool or profitable. In fact, the first wedding he really paid attention to, as a guest, left him appalled. The photographer treated the whole day like a photoshoot, pulling the couple away from their guests, staging artificial moments and in Bob’s words “ruining the wedding”. That experience stuck with him-not as a cautionary tale but as a creative spark.
What if instead of wedding photography being about creating moments, it could be about honoring the real story as it unfolded?
That seed of an idea combined with a deep respect for Henri Cartier-Bresson and a background in still life photography led Bob into a career that’s spanned decades, continents and nearly every kind of wedding imaginable. From quiet countryside beginnings to fast paced New York City, Bob’s journey has been one of constant adaptation, thoughtful restraint and a belief that the best wedding images don’t interrupt the moment-they preserve it.
In this episode Bob talks about the early days of his career, the pressures of commercial and consumer photography and why he thinks great photography is as much about what you choose not to shoot.
Here’s what we get into:
- Why he left still life for weddings and what kept him there
- The fine line between documentary and directive photography
- What it really means to “light for skin tone” and how that advice shaped his early gigs
- The wedding day philosophy that guides his every decision (hint: it’s not about the gear)
- How drone photography rekindled his creative curiosity in recent years
- The quiet power of professionalism, kindness and good vendor relationships
Whether you’re curious about storytelling, navigating tricky family dynamics or shooting 150 polished images instead of 2000 mediocre ones-Bob’s got stories and insights to spare. Enjoy the episode!
Q: What was it about New York City that re-inspired you?
Bob: Once you move to New York City and live here, you fall in love with it. It’s very different to live here than it is to visit. I moved here in 1987, and even though I started out as a still life guy, I got bored with that. Working with other photographers helped me grow into my personality and realize I didn’t want to be boxed into one specialty. New York exposed me to so much variety that it helped me evolve creatively and professionally.
Q: What are some effective strategies that you use to keep your head in the game?
Bob: I do have a system. Being in New York, I’ve worked with actors and Broadway singers who are great because they know what to do. But I’ve also written articles on things like setting up for posing and dealing with relatives. I’m more of a boutique photographer, not part of a factory. I even turned down a wedding once because I didn’t feel the right vibe. Chemistry with the client is critical to making the day go smoothly.
Q: What are some methods that you’ve personally found that are effective for standing out and building a client base in New York City as a wedding photographer?
Bob: Your co-vendors-florists, caterers, venues-are your best friends. I treat them well, and in turn, I’ve become the exclusive photographer for a couple of caterers because they know I’ll be professional, kind, and easy to work with. Word of mouth is invaluable. If you deliver quality images on time and keep good relationships, that does more for your business than any ad.
Connect with Bob London
🧭 What We Talked About
🎼 From Still Lifes to Storytelling: Bob’s Unexpected Path
- Grew up in the countryside and moved to New York City in 1987 for deeper learning beyond RIT (Rochester Institute of Technology).
- Started as a still-life photographer, but quickly outgrew it-wanted to engage more dynamically with people and stories.
- Transitioned into weddings after witnessing a wedding photographer “ruin” a friend’s day with overly posed, disconnected shots.
📖 Visual Philosophy: Balance Over Flash
- Describes his work as “artistic reportage“, influenced by Henri Cartier-Bresson.
- Aims to strike a balance between editorial honesty and crafted portraiture, avoiding overly posed or over-edited styles.
- Quote-worthy takeaway: “You should look at the photos and feel like you were at the wedding again.”
📷 Behind the Lens: Tools & Techniques
- Shoots RAW and personally develops every image-“not retouching every photo, but perfecting the exposure and color.”
- Former darkroom enthusiast; now fluent in Adobe Photoshop, but prefers to get it right in-camera.
- Uses the DJI Mavic 3 drone for commercial architecture-“waited for the bigger sensor.”
🔁 Sustainable Practice & Professional Integrity
- Emphasizes professionalism as his secret weapon-easygoing, reliable, and respectful to vendors.
- Built long-term relationships with caterers and venues-he’s the exclusive photographer for some.
- Offers instant delivery highlights via assistant-edited JPEGs-shared the next morning for social buzz.
- Delivers full-resolution images via gallery downloads.
💬 Creative Strategy & Wedding Wisdom
- Core advice for wedding shooters: “Know your technicals so well that you can be creative without thinking about the gear.“
- Trains assistants to avoid overshooting and “backs of heads.“
- Will turn down clients if there’s no personal rapport-chemistry matters when spending the entire day together.
- Shares strategies for handling difficult family dynamics, like intrusive guests or divorced relatives.
- Believes in quality over quantity-educates clients who expect thousands of mediocre images versus a curated selection.
- Recommends clear pre-wedding communication to streamline portrait sessions and avoid day-of confusion.
- Practices strategic humor and empathy to manage social tension and keep energy high.
🌍 Influences, Brands, and Places
- Henri Cartier-Bresson – major influence
- Photographed multicultural weddings-Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, and more-thanks to New York City’s diversity.
- Commercial drone clients include architects and developers looking for professional-grade results.
🔮 What’s Next for Bob
- Scaling back on wedding marketing but not retiring-choosing selective gigs and focusing more on drone-based commercial work.
- Interested in future collaborations and possibly leading workshops.
- Passionate about evolving with the times and curious how photography will intersect with AI and authenticity.
Nice how a bad experience led Bob London to choose capturing real moments instead of staging them. His photography feels simple and honest, and it really makes you feel like you were at the wedding.