Nikolai Kolev: I have photographed over 200 weddings and there is always an element of surprise

Weddings always have an element of surprise. This is according to photographer Nikolay Kolev, who has shot over 200 weddings. For the past 10 years, during which they have been the focus of his work, whatever happens, there's always a wedding. And he hasn't just captured the most exciting moments; as he likes to say, he has "freed them for life afterward." He continues to do so for the most important moments in many families' lives after the wedding.

From Aquarist to Portraitist

Before photography became his profession, Nikolay photographed aquariums. He did it for about 2 years, drawn by his love for the underwater landscape behind the glass. He started liking the way it revealed itself to others through his own photos. And he decided he would buy a camera. 

"My camera arrived for Christmas 2009 – a Pentax DSLR. That was the first brand I started shooting with."

However, his life unfolded in such a way that his last aquarium photo was precisely in 2009. Nikolay started traveling, and due to lack of time, the thrill of being an aquarist gradually gave way to a new one – the thrill of portraits.

The more he photographed people, the more passionate he became. 

"I started reading more and more about both shooting and editing, and generally realizing that the kit lens wasn't suitable for my purpose. I began looking for and changing cameras and lenses."

In 2012, Nikolay held his first workshop in Pazardzhik as a portrait photographer. And in the next two years, he expanded his interests to commercial and wedding photography. Again, through reading and trial-and-error, until he gained not only experience but also the confidence that he was achieving the shots he wanted, with his unique style. 

Wedding Photography: Now in its 10th Year   

In 2024, Nikolay Kolev will complete his 10th year of wedding photography. He says that during this time, he has accumulated not only experiences but also communication skills.

"I wasn't very talkative before. Photography helped me break through. First when I started the workshops, and then with the weddings," he admits.

For example, now is the season for meetings with future newlyweds. The period until March is when the photographer gets to know the couples he will be shooting, talks to them, learns their story, and understands what kind of wedding they will have. And when the day comes:

"You help make the fairytale they imagine come true. When there's a beautiful location and good weather – something happens that you remember for a long time. And often, clients become your friends." 

Surprises at a Wedding 

Weddings have numerous moments, and almost every one is in different lighting conditions. To cope with the dynamic environment, Nikolay admits that he's used to carrying a whole trunk full of equipment. And even though he has gained so much experience, there's always a slight worry about what might happen and whether it will look perfect through his lens.

"There have been moments – the cake falls over. They are still my clients to this day. First, they were late, the priest came drunk, then the cake. It was in Apriltsi – it rained, then a rainbow appeared. There was a rock band. It was a great party," he recalls with a smile one of the mountain weddings. 

He adds that he has seen fainting brides and fainting grooms. But so far, he has never had an unfinished wedding.

Technique and Aesthetics 

Nikolay admits that he has always been serious about the equipment he uses. But he never stops trying new things. 

"As someone who photographs people, I am a fan of portrait lenses – old, new... I've tried almost all camera brands and lens models. To this day, I have favorite lenses that I adapt to my different cameras: I like the aesthetics they create."

Anyone who has seen his work knows that it has a softness and a slightly vintage feel. 

"Because that's who I am, and I think it's more timeless. In artistic styles, things change; there are trends. But I focus on what's timeless. First, it's gentler. And it's romantic."

And the romance in his shots is complemented by nature, albeit in the background. This year, Nikolay will continue to compose them in his shots again with the Panasonic Lumix S5 II, but says he will update the lenses.

"Overall, I'm happy with the color rendition. Initially, in their first series of full-frame cameras with a 35mm sensor, the focus wasn't at the level I needed. But with the second version of the camera, that was fixed. The ergonomics are great, the lenses are good, I'm completely satisfied with the system. For my work, it's perfectly sufficient."

Forward to Weddings and Photoshoots, and Back to the Aquarium

After millions of shots and thousands of galleries on his computer, Nikolay Kolev is planning his professional 2024, but doesn't forget to wish for more time for his family and son. He shares that he wants to pass on to him the love for nature, which he himself inherited from his father, who took him to art exhibitions as a child and bought him an aquarium to care for the fish.

"This year, I'll make an aquarium again. And I hope to have more time to teach my son to look closely, to see."

For himself, he wishes for the happiness of the people who have trusted his camera: both as wedding couples and in artistic or corporate photoshoots. 

In this article, the photos are by Nikolay Kolev and have been provided by him for publication. You can find more about his work on his professional website noportrait.