Yasmin May on Film Wedding Photography

Culture, Connection and Motion in Photography

Episode overview

In this episode I talk with Yasmin May, a wedding photographer whose work is grounded in human connection, cultural traditions, and a distinctly film-forward approach. We unpack how Yasmin moved from a decade in finance into photography and how motherhood, COVID, and a camera that had been sitting unused became the catalyst.

A big thread running through the conversation is feeling over settings. Yasmin describes working intuitively: knowing when to step in with gentle direction and when to step back and let moments unfold, with an emphasis on presence, observation, and people being able to “speak” through images.

We also go deep on culture and family. Yasmin specialises in cultural weddings across different backgrounds and religions, and talks about why the joining of families — and the atmosphere created by children, elders, and multi-generational dynamics — is where the real story often lives.

On the technical side, we cover Yasmin’s hybrid workflow, why film is the default (not a trend), and how specific tools support specific emotional contexts: the Canon 1V for chaotic documentary energy, a 645 system for slower portrait moments, and the Rolleiflex for tenderness and connection. We talk film stocks (Portra 400 as the workhorse, HP5 for gritty, contrasty black and white), labs, and why she always looks at scans before touching the digital files.

Finally, we explore creative bravery: making pictures in hard conditions, trusting instincts under pressure, and the long-term goal of feeling calmer and more content in both the making and the edit.

Topics covered

Career pivot: finance → photography, and what actually enabled the leap
Motherhood, purpose, and building a schedule that supports real life
Culture + family as the centre of wedding storytelling (not just the couple)
Intuition-led shooting: when to guide, when to disappear
Motion blur + stillness: how to stay rooted while the scene moves
Film as medium (not nostalgia): why it’s “irreplaceable” for Yasmin
Stocks + labs: Portra 400 / 800 / 160, HP5, London processing workflows
Hybrid camera strategy + lens choices (especially living on 28mm)
Working under pressure and making strong work in imperfect conditions
Mentorship, learning, and the desire to support newer photographers

Key takeaways

The best wedding work is often about families joining, not just couples posing.
Film can be a decision-making tool: limitations create clarity.
You can photograph motion without chaos by staying physically and emotionally grounded.
Style isn’t a preset — it’s a set of choices shaped by feeling, light, and intention.
Creative bravery is choosing the hard option that feels true.