In Conversation With Wedding Photographer Mary Bell
US-based wedding photographer Mary Bell is drawn to the beautifully unpolished moments, capturing weddings with a style that’s down to earth, a little quirky, and effortlessly true to life. Her couples are creatives, art lovers, and modern romantics who value authenticity over tradition, trusting Mary to document their day with sincerity and a quiet, observational eye.
In a few words, how would you describe your photography style?
Down to earth, a little quirky, inclusive, and true to life.
What drew you to weddings, and what keeps you coming back?
I was initially drawn to weddings because of how it combines so many forms of photography. There’s photojournalism, portraiture, and moments to create fine art and get creative. While getting to do all that also keeps me coming back because at heart I am a creative person (incapable of holding down a 9-5), I think the real secret sauce that keeps me invested is the people. I’ve been so privileged to work with incredibly kind and welcoming people, and I love getting to help document them and their families.
Can you tell us a bit about the couples who are drawn to your work?
My couples are, frankly, cool as hell. They’re artists and fellow creatives. And when they aren’t artists, they still appreciate art and highly value photography. Most of them would describe themselves as pretty “non-traditional” when it comes to weddings, and there’s really no common thread connecting them in this other than what I can only describe as being deeply uncaring about traditions that don’t align with their values.
What does a wedding day feel like from your perspective behind the lens?
From my perspective, a wedding day feels like an opportunity. It’s an opportunity for me to witness, document, and create art. It’s also an opportunity for my couples and their friends and families to come together and be present with each other for what might be the only time in their lives. It feels like an incredible privilege.
Your images feel so natural and relaxed; how do you help couples feel that way in front of the camera?
A big part of my job is observing. I take a lot of effort to pay attention to my couples and learn how they naturally interact with each other so I can help them lean into that. When I do want something very specific in a pose, I always just physically demonstrate in tandem with verbal communication, that way my clients can mirror my movements. In general though, I just like to keep things simple and I don’t tend to gravitate towards complex poses, which helps keep things simple and natural feeling.
Do you have a favourite moment of the day to photograph?
It kind of varies from season to season (wedding to wedding even?), but right now I’ve really been loving a dance floor and general post-dinner reception activities. I love seeing everyone’s second wave of energy, having fun DJ lights to play with, late-night snacks, and a good outfit change or two.
What do you want couples to feel when they look back on their photos years from now?
I want my couples to feel joy and sort of dreamy lightheartedness. It’s important to me that their photos are an accurate representation of how things not only looked but also felt, and I want them to feel all the feelings they had on their actual day.
And lastly, what’s something about you that most people wouldn’t guess?
I don’t think people would guess that I’m a really big Formula 1 fan. YES, it did start because of the Netflix documentary, but now you can find me most Sundays after a wedding, dragging myself out of bed at 7am so I can watch the Grand Prix happening on the other side of the world live.
Visit marybellphotos.com
Instagram @marybell.photo
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