After coming across Paul and Puyan’s wedding, we knew we had to chat with the photographer behind their beautiful photographs.

Documenting love stories both in France and abroad, Jérémy Boyer has only been in the wedding industry for around four years, and says he's been taking it seriously for the past two! But with his clear vision and creative outlook he's already well recognised for his work. We discussed all things weddings, from mixed cultures and traditions, to the clients you attract, and of course Puyan's one-of-a-kind dress, made by herself.

Paul and Puyan are awesome, says Jérémy... Paul is of French origins and Puyan Iranian-German. Both llive in Berlin now. Their wedding day celebrated both their cultures and traditions, which made for a unique and incredible day. 

“Photographing their wedding was like a dream. I knew almost nothing about them and their plans when I arrived. But Puyan and Paul are artists, so everything was perfect. I loved everything without hesitation – every decision they made, the events, the organisation, the decorations."

Puyan, being a wedding dress designer, decided she’d make her wedding dress herself. Hundreds of hours went into it. “I remember the moment when Puyan revealed her dress to me. I think my jaw dropped to the floor for a second. She was so worried about the result of those long hours spent, and if they’d pay off in the eyes of her future spouse! Of course he loved it.”

For Paul and Puyan their wedding day was about spending as much time as possible with friends and family. Because of this the couple requested very few formal group photographs. You can see from the photographs that this day was filled with love and laughter, and captured the couple perfectly.

The Iranian part of the ceremony was an interesting and unique experience for Jérémy. Parts of the ceremony were similar to ones in France, but others very different. There was a sheet held by two family members above Puyan and Paul, and guests would rub two pieces of sugar together to ensure they would have a sweet life together. A coal brazier was used to burn wild rue, to drive away negativity and evil, and at the end of the ceremony a well-dressed donkey accompanied Puyan and Paul for a little walk. “It’s always incredible to get involved in something that is so unknown to you." says Jérémy. "It brings on new challenges, and makes you think about how you can showcase these significant moments in a unique way.” 

Many years ago wedding photography was considered very "commercial" in terms of the aesthetic. But now photographers and couples are realising that it is possible to tell strong, personal stories, whilst photographers can still differentiate themselves through their particular style and artistic flare.

Jérémy says it's important to find couples that have a similar vision to yours. By photographing people with tastes similar to your own, you can push yourself creatively, and explore telling their stories while remaining true to your art. “If the couple don't have similar tastes to you, you won’t be able to serve your objective, and at the end of the day it's about making the couple happy.”

Weddings have a strong emotional impact on Jérémy. He thinks this is because he sees a wedding day as a concentrate of everything that is beautiful in life. Two people loving each other so much that they do everything to prove it. For Jérémy, it's a day filled with a maelstrom of emotions, that reminds him that true love exists. 

 “I realize every day that I’m lucky to do this as a career,” says Jérémy. “Of course there are down days and a lot of uncertainty. Sometimes there are doubts, and it’s easy to get caught up comparing your work to others. But these are all moments in which we can learn and motivate ourselves to better our craft.”

"Every year, I have many stand out moments, moments where I’ve had to hold back tears, because I’ve been so moved... moments where I'm welcomed in with arms wide open and treated like part of the family and all the new experiences and connections I’ve made. It makes the hard days not matter anymore. Being a wedding photographer is truly amazing. I wouldn’t change it for the world.”

To see more photographs from this wedding, and more of Jérémy's work, click here. 

Alexandria x