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WHY I SHOOT LEICA

The art of honest wedding photography and the philosophy behind the gear.

WORDS BY PETER HAKEN • 4 MIN READ

I started my career like most wedding photographers: chasing specs. I shot on Sony systems (the A7III and A7IV), which are technically brilliant computers with lenses attached. They are fast, sharp, and clinical.

But wedding photography isn't about clinical perfection. It’s about soul.

The transition to Leica wasn't about status; it was about slowing down. Whether it’s the digital Leica SL2s or my analogue M6 & M3, these cameras force you to stop looking at screens and start looking at people.

"There is something about a Leica image that captures the soul of the subject. It strips away the tech and leaves only the story."

Peter Haken

THE "LEICA LOOK

Why should you care what camera I use? Because the tool dictates the aesthetic.

  • Discretion: A Leica M-System is tiny. It doesn't look like a "professional" camera, which means guests don't freeze up. I look like a guest, so I get treated like one. That is how I get the candid gold.

  • Color Science: Leica glass renders skin tones and contrast in a way that feels cinematic straight out of the camera. It’s rich, tactile, and timeless.

  • The Street Photography Roots: I learned my craft shooting street photography on a Leica M8. That discipline—waiting for the "decisive moment" rather than spraying 10 frames a second—is exactly how I approach a wedding day.

FILM & DARKROOM

My love for the brand extends beyond digital. I regularly shoot on the legendary Leica M6 and M3 35mm film cameras.

There is a distinct magic to loading a roll of Tri-X or Portra, composing a frame, and knowing you only have one shot. I even develop my own black-and-white film at home in the darkroom. This hands-on process connects me to the image in a way digital editing never can.

Love the grain?

If you are drawn to the timeless, imperfect, and tactile feel of analogue photography, explore my dedicated 35mm collections.

VIEW 35MM PORTFOLIO

I am currently saving for more native Leica glass, but shooting with Voigtländer lenses gives my work a classic, vintage character that modern lenses often lack.

It’s not about the gear. It’s about how the gear makes you feel. And Leica makes me feel present, observant, and ready to capture the unscripted narrative of your day.

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