“Nothing says ‘love’ more than a newlyweds’ kiss,” says photographer Mariana Barbosa, one of Rangefinder’s 30 Rising Stars of 2024. In this shot, one of her favorite candid wedding photos, Mariana had climbed onto the band stage in anticipation of this special kiss, which she knew would come near the end of the Hora – the traditional Jewish wedding dance.  

A Visual Story in Loving Detail 

Mariana, who is based in Guanajuato, Mexico, describes her style as “a mix of romantic, delicate, and documentary with an editorial touch.” For her, photographing weddings is about creating a visual story, which is a reflection of the trust and friendship she builds with her clients and her attention to the details of the day. 

Those details come from the care a couple puts into their wedding, and Mariana doesn’t want to miss any of them. From the type of paper they choose for their invitations to the perfume the bride wears, Mariana wants to capture it all. She says, “I like to think that when the couple gets old and has grandchildren, they can go to the wedding archive and then run to the store and look for the same scent that grandmother wore when she said, ‘I do.’” 

For Mariana, this attention to detail also extends to the emotional experience of a wedding, She says, “I like to capture the little things during a photo shoot – those sweet touches, meaningful looks, and special moments that happen in an instant. . . It’s these little details that make my photos come to life.” 

Three Tips for Capturing Candid Wedding Photos

For other photographers looking to capture a similar shot as this newlyweds’ kiss, Mariana offers three key tips. 

1. Anticipate Key Moments: Pay attention to the rhythm and flow of the event. Position yourself strategically for the best shot. 

2. Change Your Perspective: Don’t hesitate to find a higher vantage point. It can help you capture the full atmosphere of the event. 

3. Use Continuous Shooting Mode: Moments like these are fleeting, so shoot rapidly to increase your chances of capturing the perfect shot. 

The greatest challenge for Mariana in capturing this shot was anticipating when there would be a kiss and getting on stage in time for it. She says that being able to capture it “was all about anticipating and continuously shooting – waiting for the perfect shot.”

Hopelessly Romantic 

Mariana is “passionate about creating timeless images that tell love stories.”  This timeless quality extends from documenting “decorations, flowers, the bridesmaids’ dresses and countless elements” and into her postproduction style, which “highlights the colors of life.” Mariana has spent hours studying color theory to develop her own film emulation look.  

Her comprehensive approach to wedding photography begins with genuinely befriending the couples she photographs and goes all the way through to the care she takes into those finishing touches in editing. Mariana attentiveness reveals the truth of the matter – that she is at heart a hopeless romantic. Mariana says, “What drives me to take photos is love and documenting everything it encompasses.” 

Follow Mariana Barbosa’s work on Instagram. View the full 30 Rising Star Winners Gallery for 2024 here.