DOCUMENTARY – MODERN – EDITORIAL
| DIGITAL & FILM |
WEDDINGS & THE BEST PEOPLE
YOU HAVE MORE
FUTURE
THAN THE PAST
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about Miks
I specialise in wedding photography, yet I find immense joy in portraits and family photoshoots – a chance to encapsulate your unique story through my lens. I truly cherish travelling for my passion.
Nature, vintage cars, friendly souls, and animals hold a special place in my heart. My humble abode is nestled amid a forest, though the internet connection leaves much to be desired. My trusty companions on my photographic journey are Nikon cameras, and they always will be.
I’m all about exploring new experiences and embracing change.
My diet isn’t always the healthiest, except when my wife works her culinary magic. Apologies, but seafood is a no-go for me!
Arrogance isn’t my cup of tea; I tend to steer clear of it. True to life, people? Take care, and let’s enjoy this adventure called life.
Crafting an “about me” section feels like a challenge! But hey, I’m thrilled you’re here. Even more excited to hear about your plans! Drop me a line on the contact page, and let’s see how I can assist you.
Remember, when the festivities fade, the memories and photos and videos endure. Choosing wisely is key. Need advice on hiring the perfect wedding planner or securing an awesome evening host? I’ve got you covered. Check out my latest blog posts for a glimpse of my recent work.
“It’s not enough to just own a camera. Everyone owns a camera. To be a photographer, you must understand, appreciate, and harness the power you hold!”
– M.Denman
Some of you are creatives, and some of you are photographers as well, so let’s talk.
What’s in my camera bag?
Slight upgrade from D780 to Z6III. It’s not that the D780 (I still have one as a backup body) is a bad camera; I’ve taken pictures with this trustworthy gear since 2015 and still could do that. I’m definitely not the gear geek, but over the years, there have been some conclusions I’ve drawn.
Lenses. Why exactly do I use this gear? In general, as bright as possible, so mostly prime lenses. All lenses are Nikon for wedding photography work, so short specs here.
﹁ 50mm 1.8 S: This is the go-to lens for everything. I could shoot all day with this lens. Quality, sharpness, weight.
﹁ 24mm 1.8 S: This baby is my baby. Super sharp, super fast, super bright. Word.
﹁ 70-180mm 2.8 Di III G2: a good lens for ceremony. Quite fast for Tamron.
﹁ 20mm 1.8GD AF: perfect for the dance floor.
﹁ Flashes. Godox V100 & some experimentals with Nikon
﹁ Cards. Lexar PRO 1300 mb/s W and Nextorage B2 Pro 3600 mb/s W for extra hoot conditions
﹁ DJI Mavic Mini 4 Pro drone + filters
﹁ 35mm analogue film photography – just so I don’t forget the beginning of everything. Ricoh GR1s, Nikon FE2 and Nikon L35AF2.
EUROPE DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
Ever heard of Miks Sels, the documentary, modern, editorial (Digital & Film) Europe destination wedding photographer? Some say he’s a workaholic, while others think he’s just really friendly. The best way to know is to meet Miks. But before that, let me explain what being a Europe destination wedding photographer is all about.
Why Europe (Mostly Italy and Spain), you ask? Well, I adore the culture here, and things are pretty predictable. Plus, most flights within Europe are just two to three hours, which makes travelling easier.
Firstly, it’s an absolute blast! Getting to meet new folks from all corners of the globe and joining in the joy of weddings with amazing couples is incredibly special. I get to explore so many places across Europe and even beyond. It’s like a never-ending adventure that’ll make stories for my kids—they won’t believe how many cool spots I’ve been to! But let me tell you, it’s no walk in the park physically. Carrying around all the photography gear, bags, and clothes, navigating airports, rental cars, and hotels, and relying on quick junk food fixes—it’s a hustle. Typically, it involves about three days (two nights) of constant movement. Sometimes I end up switching between airports, other times I’m stuck waiting for eight hours, and then there are those mad dashes from gate to gate. All the while, I’ve got to keep a close eye on my gear and, most importantly, the precious wedding photos I captured just the night before.
IS IT WORTHWHILE? MAYBE LOCAL WEDDINGS ARE BETTER?
It’s a mix of fun and challenge. Coordinating destination weddings is more about the joy than the struggle. If you’re a photographer thinking of diving into this kind of work, I’d say go for it! But it’s not just about looking cool on Instagram. It’s a big responsibility towards your clients. Destination wedding photography can cost anywhere from 3k to 8k or more, and clients expect top-notch quality. They’re after the best work they’ve seen from you online, not bothered by how long your flight was or if you had a rough night’s sleep. Professionalism is key to shining at every wedding. Makes sense, doesn’t it? I’m on board with that.
Local weddings? Love ’em! No doubt about it. Being at ease shooting local weddings, mingling with people, and being back home before sunrise feels great. But here’s the thing: I’ve got this itch for exploration, for more, for improvement. They call me a workaholic, and that’s where it all starts for me. So, blending local weddings with destination weddings is the perfect match. It keeps me on my toes and in better form.
QUICK STEP-BY-STEP FROM START TO FINISH – EUROPE DESTINATION WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER – TWO YEARS.
Typically, clients reach out via email about a year before the big day. We discuss prices, exchange emails, and often have Zoom chats. When everyone’s happy, and we’ve signed an agreement and received the advance payment, I’m officially hired as the wedding photographer. Around five to six months before the wedding, it’s flight booking time. If the wedding’s outside the city (which it usually is), I arrange for a car rental and book a no-frills hotel room. Here’s a tip: I’ve found that car rentals are cheaper through Booking.com if you’ve got a Genius Level 2 or higher.
A month before the wedding, it’s Zoom time again or a series of emails to chat with the clients. We run through the schedule or any special moments they want to capture. If there’s a wedding planner involved, I usually direct all my queries to them. No need to bother the bride with the nitty-gritty details. Packing is crucial. I keep it light but make sure all the essential gear for shooting is in my bag. Boarding with batteries is a must, or else security might dig into my checked bag and start tossing things out. That’s a hassle. I prep my photography gear the day before, double-checking the list to ensure I’ve got everything. After all, professionalism is key, right?
Upon arrival, I grab my rental car and head out for location scouting. Sometimes, I take drone videos and photos of the venue for the couple, just in case there’s no time to fly the drone during the wedding, especially for those stunning sunset shots. On the big day, I tend to arrive early, even if the schedule says otherwise. A quick chat with guests and the venue staff to ensure everything’s running smoothly, followed by a few more drone shots. While I won’t delve into how to shoot a destination wedding, I do keep an eye out for any cultural differences in each country. Staying focused and sticking close to the bride is essential! Let’s skip talking about payments on the wedding day; it’s their time to celebrate. I prefer sorting out all the financials before the wedding if possible. Heading back home, the priority is securing the memory cards. I shoot in two slots, so I’ve got images stored in my pocket and bag when I leave the hotel—just to be safe. Once I’m home, it’s all about embracing my wife and children. Family first! When it comes to delivering the photos, it depends on the wedding package. Typically, I provide a sneak peek the week following the wedding and deliver the rest of the images within about 90 days. If there’s a wedding album involved, it takes some time to craft the layout, produce, and deliver it. Altogether, for a destination wedding photographer, the entire process from start to finish usually takes around two years!
