Groningen Wedding Photographer
We show what it felt like.
Showing what it looked like is one thing, but showing what it felt like – that's what we aim for. We, Fardo and Erik, photograph weddings together. On your big day, we're tuned in to the big and small moments.
If you're looking for a wedding photographer in Groningen, we'd love to be of service from our home base. We often photograph weddings in Friesland, Drenthe, and Groningen – the northern provinces are easy for us to travel. We've also captured weddings across the rest of the Netherlands and the world, including a château wedding in France and a magical Iceland elopement, Iceland after wedding shoot and a vow renewal in Iceland.
About us
Hi! We’re Fardo and Erik. We love each other – and photography. We enjoy travelling and photographing together, and we love socialising and dining (in or out) with friends. We also love being at home. We've lived in beautiful Groningen for over 20 years. At home is our cat Yoshi, who makes life even cosier.
In a former life, Fardo worked in education and Erik, in addition to being a photographer, works full-time for the Dutch Ministry of Defence. We each have our hobbies: Erik has his Xbox, and Fardo curls up beside him with a book or iPad – or spreads out her watercolour paints. Fardo also never goes anywhere without her bullet journal. You'll often find us at the dining table, gazing into each other’s eyes, in deep conversation, a craft beer for Erik, and a grazing board with some veg, cheese and charcuterie. When the weather is nice, we’re out on our rooftop terrace. Watching the crows fly in at dusk never gets old.
We’re in our fabulous forties, so we’re no longer out clubbing every weekend – but we still have a blast celebrating with our couples!
“Fardo and Erik are the best photographers for your wedding day! Professional, thoughtful, helpful, kind, and funny. We trusted them completely – from our first email to the introductory chat at their dining room table, from the wedding day to receiving our album. We’re over the moon with the beautiful photos and had such a positive experience!”
– Max & Sophie
Showing what your wedding day looked like is one thing – but showing what it felt like? That’s our goal. We’re suckers for love stories and we love creating photos that will mean even more thirty years down the road than they do today.
We believe that love is what remains when all else is lost. That’s the heart of why we’re wedding photographers. We enjoy getting to know our couples and understanding what makes their bond unique. We feel honoured to be part of one of the most important days of their lives – a day dedicated to celebrating love. We capture that day with a keen eye for people and emotion, something we’ve been doing with passion for over ten years.
“Nothing but praise for Erik and Fardo! They are super relaxed and fun, and from the very first moment they made us feel completely at ease.
Not only were we personally thrilled with their presence on the day, but many guests also complimented us on how lovely and friendly our photographers were.
And the results? We wanted authentic images – real moments, real colours – and that’s exactly what Erik and Fardo deliver. We can’t get enough of the treasure trove of beautiful photos they gave us.
Communication was smooth and quick, they’re super approachable, and you can ask them anything. All in all, we’re convinced we couldn’t have chosen better. We’re so, so happy!”
– Fenna & Marjolein
De love story van Fardo & Erik
The Love Story of Fardo & Erik
Our love story began in 2001 – before the Twin Towers fell. Fardo was just 17 and she thought Erik was a cheeky brat. Still, he snuck her number from his brother’s table.
On our first date – which lasted twelve hours (we played a game of pool, bought shoelaces, had Italian food, and turned off our phones) – we just clicked and we embraced feeling so at home with each other.
Thankfully, we could text on days we didn’t see each other. Every text cost 25 cents. We were quickly broke from writing all these tiny 140 character love letters – but we’ve never regretted anything about it.
We got married in Australia, and when we came home, we threw a big party to celebrate with all our loved ones. Our first dance was a perfectly rehearsed rumba. It was a beautiful two-part celebration, the best of both worlds!
FAQ
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For others, I’ve been photographing since 2015/2016. But I’ve actually been taking photos since I was a child – I always had my own camera on holidays and once brought home a 35mm film camera from a jumble sale. The little cassette that had the film in it, ascinated me. I started using a DSLR in 2013, and from the moment I picked it up, I was hooked. These days, I mostly shoot with a mirrorless camera set.
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I have four Canon mirrorless bodies and a good selection of lenses. We bring out our Profoto flashes when needed. I should say we – we share the gear equally, two cameras each!
Are you a gearhead? Fancy a deep dive into the specs? Come over for coffee or a craft beer with Erik – he’ll be delighted to entertain you all evening. -
We’re a team – in life and photography. I couldn’t wish for a better partner than Erik. It allows us to capture preparations on both sides – so you can see parts of the day you weren’t there for and share even more with each other when you see your wedding gallery.
Occasionally we bring along an extra assistant, always someone skilled whom we trust, and we’ll discuss that with you in advance.
We not only did ballroom dancing together, we now ‘dance’ around each other while shooting so you don’t end up with us in every photo. Usually, two photographers are the max due to space. -
Our product is built on our combined creativity, talent, and teamwork. You can’t book just one of us – it’s both or neither. Teamwork makes the dream work!
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Because we only take on a limited number of weddings per year, we choose to be present for the full day – typically 10 to 14 hours. Being with you and your loved ones for longer allows for a deeper connection and richer story in photos.
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As early as possible! We like to prepare thoroughly with our couples. Since we take on only a select number of weddings each year to ensure quality and joy in our work, dates fill up fast – especially in peak season. Most couples book about a year to a year and a half ahead. If you reach out four months before your wedding, there’s a good chance we’re already fully booked.
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Sadly, no. We can’t pencil in dates, as we have limited availability each season. We don’t want to turn down definite bookings because of a tentative ‘maybe’. First come, first served. We love working with couples we click with!
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You’ll receive 400+ photos, the actual number depending on how long we shoot and what your day entails. We don’t aim for a set number – we go with the flow.
All images are delivered digitally in high resolution for personal use, watermark-free and fully edited. -
Our packages start at €2275 for 10 hours, including a wedding album. Request our brochure for all the options and details.
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Can I get the RAW files?
Short answer: never.
I never deliver unedited RAW files. You’ll receive high-res JPEGs in your online gallery.Longer answer: Think of it like going to a restaurant. You pay for the whole experience – the ingredients, the recipe, the cook’s skill, the atmosphere. You don’t march into the kitchen to ask the chef for raw chicken. I don’t serve raw chicken. Ever.
If you want to learn photography, you’d better sign up for a course and go to the market for fresh ingredients – not the restaurant.
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I determine per photo which version works best. If you have preferences, we can discuss them beforehand – but I don’t deliver full galleries in both versions.
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Feel free to ask! Send us a message via the contact form – we’ll gladly answer with love.
Photographer Groningen – for the big day and all the other days
Besides documenting your wedding day, we also shoot documentary family sessions. We call this a Day In The Life – or DITL.
The days are long, but the years are short – and do you even have photos of your everyday life? Do your kids or partner have photos that include you in them? Those are the ones that will mean everything thirty years from now.
Fardo was mentored for six months by the women behind Made for Documentary, in a course called Turning Chaos Into Art. Capturing the chaos and love of your daily family life as art – that’s exactly what she does when she spends a half or full day with your family.
The photos are real, personal, beautiful and full of authenticity. Nothing needs to pretend to be something it’s not – and neither do you.
Do you or your kids have a soft spot for Erik, like Fardo does? And would you prefer him to photograph your DITL? Hop over to our contact form and ask him nicely.
You can read an interview with Fardo on the Made for Documentary blog.