The key to achieving the photojournalistic style of wedding photography by FUJIFILM X-Photographer Stefan Finger is framing the genuine atmosphere and emotion of a scene. To do this, he needs a powerful camera that he can rely on, but that allows him to go unnoticed. We spoke to him after he used the FUJIFILM X-Pro3 to do just that on a client’s special day. 

“I am a photojournalist and a wedding photographer,” says Stefan. “I don’t want to influence, or worse still, ruin situations with my presence and that’s where X-Pro3 excels. It is light, small, and noiseless. Therefore, it helps me to be as invisible as possible.”

However, it’s not just the unobtrusive design that makes this camera such a perfect tool for Stefan. “X-Pro3 has great image quality, dynamic range, and ISO performance, which are the most important functions I require in a camera,” he continues.

Aside from this, it is the outstanding fourth generation 26.1MP X-Trans CMOS 4 sensor that sits at the heart of X-Pro3, along with its unique 180° hidden LCD touchscreen, which Stefan feels are noteworthy additions.

“Before X-Pro3, I used X-T3 and X-Pro2 for weddings and photojournalism. I love how X-Pro2 looks – it’s fun and just feels good in my hands. Although X-Pro2 worked better for me, I also took X-T3 for the tilt screen and more powerful sensor,” he explains. “Now that X-Pro3 has the same sensor and a tilt screen, I am very happy.”

The reason why Stefan loves wedding photography so much is simple: it’s fun. As a photographer he has access to all of the most personal moments, good and bad, so being ready to react quickly is extremely important to him.

“I want to capture the situations with my camera as they really are, without intervening or changing anything through my presence,” he explains. “The improvements made to the EVF on the hybrid viewfinder help me a lot, because it allows me to see more clearly what my picture will look like before I release the shutter. This means I am able to concentrate on the scene at hand without needing to constantly check the screen to make sure everything is properly exposed and looking how I imagined it.”

Stefan tells us that as a result of this, he feels more engaged with his couples and can respond to them better because he does not have to worry about camera technology. “The fun I have when taking pictures is also transferred to the bride and groom. My bridal pair shootings should never be the necessary evil. Instead, the couple should look forward to it,” he tells us, going on to explain how X-Pro3's newly developed feather-touch shutter release and silent operation also helps.

 “I try not to offer too much direction, so they can be themselves and enjoy it. X-Pro3's silent trigger is an excellent feature for this, because the couple is then not disturbed by a click in the situation and instead act as they would if they were unobserved,” says Stefan.