Jeff Ascough Lens & Light Honor

The Lens & Light Honor is awarded to twelve photographers each year who are true leaders in the world of wedding photography. We look for photographers who produce stunning, modern, artistic imagery at the frontier of the field and for photographers who have achieved a rare level of success and recognition among brides, fellow photographers, and others in the wedding industry. We are proud to recognize Jeff Ascough with the Lens & Light Honor.

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© Jeff Ascough

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“One of the world’s greatest wedding photographers”

~ Canon Professional

“One of the ten best wedding photographers in the world”

~ American Photo

“A master at shooting by available light”

~ The Washington Post

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Known the world over for his stunning documentary-style wedding photography and his work as a Canon Ambassador, Jeff Ascough works to elevate wedding photography to an art form. Inspired by Henri Cartier-Bresson and the work of James Nachtwey. Jeff’s unobtrusive approach yields honest, truthful and timeless images that serve as treasured memories for his brides.

For Jeff, a wedding is a sacred occasion – and the photographer’s role is to capture the unfolding events quietly, simply, without attracting attention. He challenges himself to create his award-winning wedding images by using available light almost exclusively. He shoots deliberately and carefully, crafting each image with incredible care. For Jeff, every picture should stand out. Every single photograph should be both aesthetically appealing and emotionally evocative.

With more than 20 years of wedding photography experience, Jeff has used this documentary storytelling approach to cover more than 1000 wedding assignments. His client roster boasts countless girls-next-door and plenty of celebrities including Kevin Pieterson and Jessica Taylor, Jill Halfpenny and Craig Conway and Radiohead guitarist Ed O’Brien.

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© Jeff Ascough

© Jeff Ascough

© Jeff Ascough

© Jeff Ascough

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How did you get into wedding photography?

I was invited to join my parents fledgling photography business back in 1989. I was actually thinking about doing a degree in Psychology prior to that, but I found that photography was really what I wanted to do in life.

How would you describe your style?

In short I shoot documentary/street style images on a wedding day. My style is unobtrusive but faithful and true to the people and the events that surround the wedding day.

© Jeff Ascough

© Jeff Ascough

© Jeff Ascough

What cameras do you shoot with, what’s your favorite lens, and what’s your favorite accessory other than your cameras/lenses?

I currently shoot with two Canon EOS 1DMKIV cameras. My favourite lens will always be the 50mm f1.2L but I find myself shooting mainly with the 16-35 f2.8LII these days.

How important is post processing in your final images?

It is paramount to my style. With good post processing I can create the image that was in my mind’s eye when I pressed the shutter. For me, capturing the actual image is only the start of making a great picture.

Who or what inspires you to create great imagery?

I have always been inspired by the great documentary/street photographers of the 21st Century, and I guess I always will be. Cartier-Bresson is the biggest influence on my style, his love of composition and the ‘decisive moment’ are ingrained in my photographic soul.

Sebastiao Salgado and his use of light, and the way he has his images printed to bring drama to his pictures are important to me. I also like the way he sees a collection of pictures as being important in telling the story.

I enjoy the work of Gary Winogrand, Eugene Richards and James Nachtwey for their use of space and wide-angle lenses—something which I have noticed in my work over the past couple of years. Then there are legends like Don McCullin who continues to inspire and challenge me when it comes to taking pictures, not just at a wedding. I rarely look at other wedding photography—it just doesn’t interest me at all.

What is the most challenging thing about photographing weddings?

For me it is all about trying to improve my work, season on season. I find actually shooting a wedding really easy and comfortable, as I’ve been doing it for so long now, but I always push and challenge myself to get better images. I still practice different shooting techniques away from the wedding, and I continue to train myself to become a better photographer.

What do you think are the most important trends in wedding photography today?

Honestly. I have no idea. I don’t tend to follow wedding photography.

If not a photographer, what would you want to be?

A criminal psychologist. Psychology is my other passion.

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VISIT WEBSITE: JEFF ASCOUGH

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© Jeff Ascough

© Jeff Ascough

© Jeff Ascough

© Jeff Ascough

© Jeff Ascough

Adrian Wood Photography - June 18, 2010 - 11:04 am

Jeffs work is an enormous inspiration to so many and I am huge fan. His eye for catching the perfect ,moment means he must be switched on all the time and no head in camera always up and at it. Great talent all round…. Thanks for posting these images…

Adrian

Adrian Wood Photography - June 18, 2010 - 11:06 am

Great post all round …. Love Jeffs work and its a great inspiration to us all in the documentary wedding photography field.

Adrian

http//:www.weddingphotographybyadrianwood.com

[…] Jeff Ascough Lens & Light Honor » Best of Wedding Photography […]

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damien - June 23, 2010 - 8:10 am

I love Mr. Ascough’s work, and have for a long time now. Truly inspiring.

Andreas Feusi - June 24, 2010 - 8:07 am

Absolut fantastic work. I like the photo the couple’s dancing. Amazing shot.
I also like the toning.
Great blog post.

Mauro - June 25, 2010 - 10:02 pm

Hello Jeff. Iam Mauro from Brasil.
Shots from the hert,worderful your work.

Mariquita - June 27, 2010 - 9:12 pm

I am feeling so inspired. These pictures are so artistic and so very beautiful and it is impressive to me that Mr. Ascough works to shoot almost exclusively by the natural light. I feel inspired to work harder at using natural light sources. Thank you for sharing this wonderful interview.

vito ancona - July 2, 2010 - 2:34 am

hi Jeffs, real amazing works….lovely!

nice to meet you!

vito ancona

WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER IN VENICE

Will Pursell - July 6, 2010 - 8:24 pm

amazing images! very smart guy…

Enrico - July 7, 2010 - 3:49 am

Really beautiful work, particularly the black and white pictures. I like the candid style and the spontaneity of the shots.

Nobuyuki - July 11, 2010 - 12:35 am

Hello Jeff, your documentary style work always inspired me.
Regards,
Wedding Photography

Mary Fabian - July 13, 2010 - 6:38 pm

Jeff — I just love your work. I have been following it for years and am so glad to have found you on Best of Wedding Photography. Look forward to seeing more – awesome!

Marilyn Forrest - July 13, 2010 - 7:04 pm

These images are so magnificent … and I agree … you are like a magician with the natural light.

mark kidd - July 15, 2010 - 1:12 pm

Jeff you are not one of the best wedding photographers you are the best!!!! THANK YOU FOR THE INSPIRATION !!!

John Lyons Weddings - July 16, 2010 - 12:35 pm

Congratulations Jeff. I absolutely love your work.
john

Maria José Ramos - July 19, 2010 - 10:22 am

Hi Jeff,

I would like to say that I love your work. I feel very inspired when I look at your shots. They’re amazing!

best regards from Italy

kowalski photography - July 20, 2010 - 7:41 am

What I like most about Jeff’s work is the impression of quiet and composure. I know how important it is to catch the right moment, and I know how it hurts to loose it. A beginning fotographer must always fight two things: pressure of time and feeling strain – both depending on each other. Jeff’s photos look like he has plenty of time to shoot them, like if it was not Jeff that catches and chases the moment, but the moment itself waiting for Jeff, who went somewhere for a long coffee break until he decides to catch it. I wish one day the time would obey me the same way. Brilliant!

allyson magda - July 20, 2010 - 4:10 pm

so inspiring!!! simply beautiful!

Haring Photography - July 21, 2010 - 9:43 pm

Thanks for sharing you approach to wedding for us!
Thanks,
Otto

Priscilla Haring - July 21, 2010 - 10:08 pm

I can’t get enough of the photograph with the gentleman in the church folding his hands in quiet contemplation. You are such an inspiration Jeff! Thanks! Priscilla

Lyndsay Crawford Photography - July 25, 2010 - 11:36 pm

You truly are an amazing photographer … forget the top 500 .. you are in the top five!

Jacqui Jagt - August 8, 2010 - 7:55 pm

Beautiful and amazing, as usual. Love your work!

Annabelle Morris - August 12, 2010 - 4:21 am

Just a few words — magnificent and beautiful. Oh, and two more — spectacular and brilliant!

Michael J Dunham - September 21, 2010 - 3:28 pm

Great stuff, I love the use of natural light!

Samantha - October 2, 2010 - 12:57 am

Utterly inspiring photography, I love it all.

Eva Photo Studio - October 20, 2010 - 5:59 pm

OMG….I love the bride and groom barely visible with the spotlights shining down on them. All of these images are amazing and very inspiring!

Tim Hind - December 30, 2010 - 5:19 am

Jeffs work is truly inspirational, capturing unique and natural images with creative ease

Graham Wynne - July 30, 2011 - 6:34 pm

Inspiring stuff – I see he is just down the road from me too!

Larry Green - January 17, 2012 - 5:15 pm

Really enjoy the black and white!

Rares - January 22, 2012 - 3:32 am

Jeff = inspiration.

sergio - October 6, 2012 - 5:34 am

Jeff,
Voce é realmente um artista,cada click seu é uma obra de arte!
Obrigado !

Lafayette - January 30, 2013 - 3:50 am

Great photographer!

Fun School Bus Engagement Session – Concept Photography

The gardens at FIT are definately a beautiful place to take pictures… but when we decided to explore outside the perimeter and stumbled upon a empty school bus in a church parking lot – that is when the fun really started! Alexis and Brian were so much fun to shoot and up for anything! Here are a few of our absolute favorites.  You can see more from this shoot at Concept Photography.











Andreas Feusi - June 4, 2010 - 12:55 pm

Very cool photos. I like the vintage touch.
Keep up this work.

Andreas Feusi - June 4, 2010 - 12:56 pm

Very cool serie. I like the vintage touch.
Keep up this great work.

Administrator - June 9, 2010 - 6:41 pm

Wonderful story telling photojournalism. The photos are beautiful and I just love the playful shots on the school bus.

Charmaine Lowry - July 13, 2010 - 6:40 pm

I really enjoyed this blog posting — the bold and vivid colors! I love how you captured the romance and well as the playfulness — inspiring!

Marilyn Forrest - July 13, 2010 - 7:05 pm

I really am enjoying this blog posting. I can’t help but comment on the gorgeous bright colors — they take my breath away.

Martin Tavares - July 13, 2010 - 7:35 pm

Excellent and fun photos. What a novel idea … using the bus!

Martin Tavares - July 13, 2010 - 7:36 pm

What a novel idea! Using the old school bus for the engagement story is priceless.

Robert Speck Photography - July 20, 2010 - 9:36 am

Inspiring and fun!

Mary Fabian Photography - July 25, 2010 - 11:38 pm

Wonderful angles and lots of fun!

Richard Jablonski - August 3, 2010 - 5:29 pm

Certainly enjoyed this engagement shoot — romantic and fun.

Irene Jones - August 8, 2010 - 7:56 pm

Really loved the photo of the couple smooching amongst all the gorgeous bright and vivid flowers. Great angle!

Candice Springgay - August 12, 2010 - 4:23 am

What love birds … you really captured their emotions and true feelings and added an element of fun and silliness on the bus. The cool thing is that you displayed their wonderful and human emotions and put them right out there!

Belinda Mango - August 13, 2010 - 3:08 pm

The second last image was my favorite — very natural laughter and happiness. You caught them when they were not looking and managed to produce an image that they will treasure forever.

Yvonne Dunnington - August 23, 2010 - 7:48 am

This is by far my favorite engagement series — such natural photos.

Allie & Aaron: A Colorado Wedding

Wedding season sprung into full force on Sunday in Windsor, CO during Allie & Aaron’s wedding. Well-poised to received our military-discount, Aaron flew back from his Navy duty station in Japan just in time for their island wedding at Pelican Lakes. They both qualify for the long-distance engagement award, as they exuded awesome effort in planning a wedding together… separated only by the Pacific Ocean, a few time zones, and the honorable constraints of the military.

Paper cranes, hand-written vows, choreographed dance procession, and vintage-flair adorned their day.

Coordinator: Paul Nellis, Austin’s Homestead
Second-Shooting photojournalism: Gino Siller
Videography: Brian Martinez
Florals: Flowerama
Cake: Lulu’s Bake Shop
Entertainment: DJ Juan Mares & MC Johnny Cr

Laurie Smith - July 13, 2010 - 6:42 pm

I thoroughly enjoyed this blog posting — beautiful, beautiful photography! Thanks for sharing this with us.

Brenda Waters - July 13, 2010 - 7:07 pm

So elegant, romantic, and beautiful. I’m so glad I found this site. I will be visiting often and watching for more blogs from you. You truly are an inspiration!

Robert Speck Photography - July 20, 2010 - 9:37 am

Such dynamic and bold imagery! Love the lighting and how you captured not only the beauty but also the emotions. Kudos!

Richard Jablonski - August 3, 2010 - 5:30 pm

Gorgeous and amazing photos. Thanks for sharing.

Irene Jones - August 8, 2010 - 7:58 pm

All of your photos are gorgeous … my absolute favorite is the magic you created in your first photo. Lovely!

Candice Springgay - August 12, 2010 - 4:25 am

Nice … now tell me the truth … did he really wear his navy uniform for the whole weddding? Not a problem if he did — because the photos on the beach were magnificent!

Belinda Mango - August 13, 2010 - 3:12 pm

My very favorite photo is #6 of the bride and the groom on the beach. Firstly, the colors and background are magnificent. Secondly, you were able to capture a look of mischief and playfulness on the groom’s face … which made him very appealing (I’m sure for the bride).

Annabelle Morris - August 23, 2010 - 7:51 am

Beautiful wedding photographs. I love how you were able to contrast the color of the bridesmaids’ dresses and the color of the bouquests to the natural outdoor various shades of green.

next day shooting in Greece.

Joni Sinclair - July 13, 2010 - 6:43 pm

Your photos make me want to get married all over again. So beautiful and bold. I just discovered this website and love it, especially your work!

Fred Stuart - July 13, 2010 - 7:10 pm

Nik … these photos are so artistic and beautiful! I can’t get over the blueness of the sky that you portrayed so dynamically.

Nik Pekridis - July 14, 2010 - 12:01 am

thanks for your kidness…thanks a lot.

Brenda Bediako - July 20, 2010 - 9:42 am

I have just completed my studies as a photojournalist and came across your work. You are really an inspiration and I am going to try to model my techniques after you.

Nik Pekridis - July 20, 2010 - 9:58 am

thanks…you are so nice…

Mary Fabian Photography - July 25, 2010 - 11:41 pm

Amazing shots! You really are a true inspiration to the recent grads of photojournalism! Thanks.

Rene Watson - August 3, 2010 - 5:32 pm

Love the last image … you have managed to make the bride look like an angel. Brilliant!

Nik Pekridis - August 4, 2010 - 12:28 am

thanks Rene

Irene Jones - August 8, 2010 - 7:58 pm

Wow … I am mesmirized by your first photo. I could look at it for hours. Magnificent!

Nik Pekridis - August 9, 2010 - 12:21 am

thanks Irene

Candice Springgay - August 12, 2010 - 4:27 am

Superb … you have managed to portray the bride as an angel. What excellent angles and imagery!

Nik Pekridis - August 12, 2010 - 4:54 am

thanks a lot Candice

Deborah Edwards - August 13, 2010 - 3:13 pm

Photo 2 is the best — such spectacular colors!

Annabelle Morris - August 23, 2010 - 7:52 am

Simply outstanding and spectacular!! Thanks for sharing this blog. I can’t get enough of it.

Stella Il - January 18, 2011 - 7:46 am

Amazing shoots…
Very good work.

Summer weddings in Scandinavia

Sweden is becoming the paradise for couples looking for the perfect destination wedding.

Besides the sun that never sets in the summer, making it a perfect scenery  for all night parties outdoors, the Swedes still haven’t adopted the Euro as their currency, which makes every fare related to wedding costs much MUCH cheaper than any location in Europe.

If the couple has a foot in the country, there is absolutely no reason for not having your international celebration with the fun vikings.

That’s what the Swedish Rebecca, and her love from Australia, Andrew, decided to do. Both living in England for many years, they couldn’t think of anywhere else to be rather than beautiful Stockholm.

Their wedding was celebrated last Saturday in Sweden’s most famous park, Skansen, and in Stockholm’s oldest tree church, the Seglora Church.

Sun, rain, wind, warmth and chilly winds. Everything we needed to a perfect wedding shoot!

For many more shoots, please check the complete post in our blog:

www.morethanwords.se/blog

And for many more destination weddings in Sweden and around the globe, just visit our homepage and send us a mail for a quote!




Kaate - June 1, 2010 - 11:31 am

I really love the classic nature of these shots. So elegant. Makes me wish I could re-do my wedding photos (from 8 years ago today!) … I absolutely love, love that gas pump picture! Fun and timeless at the same time!

Juliana Wiklund - June 1, 2010 - 12:27 pm

Hi Kaate! Thanks for your comment! Let me know if one day you decide to renew your vowels (I’ve done it myself after 10 years!) and then I’ll come!
😉
Hugs from Sunny Stockholm!
juliana

Catherine T - June 1, 2010 - 1:56 pm

Beautiful pictures. I love the gas pump picture and the one with the couple reflected in the glass on the old clock.

Laurie - June 1, 2010 - 2:57 pm

Such elegant images! After reading your blog and viewing your images, I’m sure destination weddings to Sweden will become very popular.

Joni - June 1, 2010 - 3:02 pm

Beautiful wedding story and images!

Jaco Fourie - June 4, 2010 - 2:05 pm

It looks like she had a lot of fun.

Joni Sinclair - July 13, 2010 - 6:45 pm

Wish I had discovered your blog a long time ago. Your photos are really addictive — so elegant, so beautiful, as well as capturing playfulness. Kudos to you!

Alexander Manning - July 13, 2010 - 7:13 pm

I really like your imagery – great, fresh angles, awesome use of motion and light. Congratulations!

Julis McIntyre Photos - July 25, 2010 - 11:43 pm

Sensational photos! Wow, you really know how to capture the moment and emotions … rather than taking ‘staged’ photos. Great and inspirational stuff.

Brenda Waters - August 3, 2010 - 5:33 pm

Gorgeous, romantic and fun! What a very happy bride … and so natural.

Linda Brownstone - August 8, 2010 - 8:00 pm

What a lovely bride … you can actually see her personality in the photos you took. Thanks!

Miranda Isber - August 12, 2010 - 4:31 am

Totally agree with you … Sweden is becoming the paradise for couples looking for the perfect destination wedding. What makes this so real (as others have mentioned) is your gorgeous bride with a personality that never quits. You really captured the essence of her wonderful personality.

Deborah Edwards - August 13, 2010 - 3:15 pm

Adore the last photo — stunning angles and light.

Fred Stuart - August 23, 2010 - 7:56 am

Very, very, nice images. If I had to pick my favorite, it is the last image with a clear shot of the bride surrounded by the dreamy and less focused faded pink bouquet.

Slubny Trojmiasto - January 21, 2011 - 2:39 pm

Unbelieveably beautiful couple and lovely photos!