Shooting Weddings with the Fuji X-Pro1
I’ve been using the Fuji X-Pro1 camera system now for over a year for my wedding photography assignments. This year, I was presenting a session at a trade show and wanted to demonstrate how I use the X-Pro1 during my wedding shoots.
I’ve had “a lot” of conversations with many photographers about this camera. I always say the same thing. The camera is amazing, the results are amazing, and perhaps, as importantly, this camera empowers us as photographers to think a little more about our images.
The X-Pro1 is certainly not a “spray and pray” camera. Each picture is considered, composed and timed. It has to be that way with this systems – and, in my opinion, that is a good thing.
I’ve said it many times, the X-Pro1 gives you an advantage as a documentary wedding photographer – it’s small, light, powerful and produces amazing imagery.
Below is my slideshow of images shot on the X-Pro1 over the last year. You may also be interested in my sixth month overview of the camera.
Turn the sound up, click full screen and enjoy the next three and a bit minutes. As always, I’d love your comments and questions and please feel free to share on social media if you so wish.
What did you think?
You can see all my posts about the Fuji X-Pro1 and see just how I try and use it. As a documentary wedding photographer it works amazingly well for me but I also know of other photographers who use it in a studio scenario, and use if very well too.
In short, I love this camera. It’s my go-to machine for family and street photography. I no longer need keep my DSLRs at home or take them away on holiday and the utopia for me is being able to use the X-Pro1′s on my wedding commissions.
Fuji have supported this camera, and the X100 amazingly well. The version 2.01 firmware update has made significant improvements to the handling and focusing (both manual and AF). Fuji must be commended for their proactive development of this system.
I wonder what the future will bring for us wedding photographers? I’m hoping that we’ll see a full frame version the mirror-less cameras from Fuji and a continuation of the development of the X-trans sensor.
Subscribe to email updates – stay up to date with every wedding that I post on my site.
Send to KindleAlso, take a look at:
Facebook Comments
Posted in: Fujifilm X-Pro1
Leave a Comment (41) →
Utterly gorgeous work Kevin and a testament to the quality of these cameras . I love using my X100 at weddings, the only fault in my eyes being the speed of autofocus which I believe they have fixed with the X100s – am looking forward to trying one!
Thanks Chris – the X100s looks pretty awesome.
Great article Kevin and lovely images.
I am now 100% Fuji for wedding work and think they are terrific, they suit me perfectly.
Lovely work Kevin. Thank you for sharing. I just added the XPro 1 to my setup this year and can’t tell you how much I am enjoying it! It has been quite an adjustment from my heavy D3′s but I am using it more an more. Seeing your work is definitely an inspiration. So timeless and beautiful.
David
Thanks David – very kind.
Hi Kevin,
Really enjoyed your slideshow, what a beautiful moments you captured and what a great look do your photos have. Partly because of the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 but you have a great eye and timing.
), how did you process the photos ? Are these jpeg with a B&W setting in camera (if yes, which ?) or do you process RAW ? I do both, and also use VSCO Film or Nik Silver Efex Pro 2 sometimes.
I also use the FUJIFILM X-Pro1 and do black and white sometimes (no weddings
Edwin
Hi Edwin – the ones in the slideshow were all shot in JPG with the B&W+R filter. For the slideshow I’ve auto-toned them so they actually loose a bit of their impact but it makes the slideshow a little better.
Thanks for the kind words.
Cheers
Kevin
Thanks for the response Kevin.
I recently did all the photography for the new CD of a dutch Jazz musician and used my Fuji FinePix X100 and FUJIFILM X-Pro1. All the X-Pro1 shot are also JPG with the B&W+R filter :
http://vannuil.com/albums/bliss_behind_the_scenes
http://vannuil.com/albums/bliss2
Good to see that even pro photographers use this
Regards,
Edwin
I’ve just taken a look – beautiful images Edwin. I’d love to do something like a behind the scenes documentary too so I’m quite envious of you there
Beautiful and inspirational work Kevin. The XPro is clearly perfect for your documentary style. Your work with its predecessor, the X100, inspired me to buy one, and although our styles of wedding photography differ, I love using mine, especially in low light and silent mode – perfect for recalcitrant Vicars who don’t allow any photography, and like you, my Fuji is camera of choice when I don’t want or need to carry a big DSLR.
Thanks for sharing as always.
Francis
There is a lot to be said for a camera that makes you slow down, it is something I haveto constantly remind myself to do on a wedding. The quality is certainly fantastic. I can very much see me moving to s smaller format at some point. It is starting to feel like the beginning of the end for SLRs.
Great Work Kevin, I recently obtained the X100 thinking it was a “just for me” camera for when we go out as a family and I don’t want to take a dslr. Then over Christmas I was covering a lovely wedding at Wyck Hill House (Very Dark) and the dslrs really felt as though they here getting in the way a little so I used the X100 for a bit. Images where fantastic and so discreet, guess whos waiting for the 14mm to come out to go with an Xpro for this years wedding season
Thanks again Kevin, take care.
Beautiful and evocative photography as always. I’ve just started shooting with the X-Pro 1 myself and I’m loving it. It not only produces lovely images but it a fun camera to use
C’est excellent …! Beaucoup d’émotions dans ces merveilleux moments. Toutes mes félicitations. …!
Beautiful work Kevin. I plan to take my xpro 1 to weddings this season. for a while its been there as a back up but I’ve not used it. My only concern is the battery life as mine seems pretty poor so I plan to stock up on them this week. Could I ask if you use Fuji’s own or other manufacturers & how many you take along to a wedding with you?
Fantastic pictures as always Kevin and its good to hear the Fuji is working well for you.
I recently switched from my Nikon set up to a full Fuji, with x2 Xpros and an XE-1.
Yes you need to change your approach with this system, but I think that’s actually a positive towards the end result.
These cameras have a soul and feel right.
Keep up the good work and if that Fuji full frame ever happens then I think we’ll something really special.
P
love the images… just wondering which lens you use the most? the 35mm? would you consider their new 18-55mm lens?
Hi Alfred,
I have all three of the primes and use the 35mm the most.
I have used the 18-55 recently whilst testing the X-E1 and that is also a sublime lens (though I prefer primes personally).
Timeless!
Documentary photography at its best!
Kevin
Really outstanding work. I love my X-Pro 1 too. I know that the usability of this camera encourages this type of photography, and the file quality is amazing.
But don’t downplay your own role. You have the eye and skills needed to capture the essence of the moment and the occasion.
That’s very kind Stephen – many thanks.
Great work Kevin, I’m considering a sideways move to the fuji from my cumbersome Canon 1dx and 5D3, great slideshow of images, some images though look a little soft and backed up blacks but presume this is the slideshow software rendering ?
Hi Kevin
Great work my friend!
I have just purchased the X pro1 after weighing it up against the newer XE1.
For me I prefer the size of the xpro.
Its a lovely weight and feels great with the grip.
All this humdrum about slow focus is annoying too!
Its a great camera if you know what your doing and the focus is fine!!!
by the way I got rid of my D300s 17-55 2.8 to buy this camera and am very happy with it
Keep up the good work mate!
Liam
http://www.facebook.com/LiamTaylorPhotography
“what did I think?” I think you must have some very happy clients! Your documentary / candid style photos add so much to the “remembering” of the day. I have had the XPro1 for about 6 months and really love it. For me personally it imparts a special “something” when I’m using it, it just feels right! Thanks for sharing your work.
Regards,
Alan.
Your slideshow is really moving! I notice sometimes on forums and elsewhere some people are snooty about wedding photography. How utterly mistaken, these are fantastic moments from one of the most important days in people’s lives. Joy and poignancy, vulnerability, lifetimes of friendship, gentle triumph. . Good job!!!
That is a beautiful slide show Kevin. It is brilliant that you able to capture these on the X Pro 1. One day I shall add this camera to my collection.
Fantastic pictures as always Kevin. I used my xpro1 at a wedding for the first time this weekend after having seen this slideshow & am now going to keep it permanently in the bag.
Hi Kevin – Looking forward to your talk on Wednesday. I have been using the XPro1 for weddings and am now also using the XE1 as well with the excellent 35mm lens on one body and the 18mm on the other. Even shot some video with the 18-55mm zoom as well.Now selling my two 5D Mk11s and mainly using the Fuji’s plus a 5D MK111 ( as I have too many good Canon lenses ). Love using the Fuji’s – so light and unobtrusive to use.
Steve
Beautiful work Kevin! I am inspired and I’ll be adding this camera to my arsenal! Thanks for posting!
Hi Kevin,
I’m about to take the plunge to a second X camera to sit alongside (or replace) my X-100. I’m torn between the X-E1 and the X1-Pro. Seeing as I can get 2 E1′s for the price of the Pro I wondered if you had any thoughts regarding any advantages the Pro gives?
Cheers!
Hi Graham,
For me, the image quality is identical. If anything, the build of the XE-1 is probably a little more suited as a second body because it’s even lighter and smaller.
However – I use the OVF a lot. If you can get past that barrier, and you are happy in the EVF world then it makes sense to take a long look at the XE-1.
Cheers,
Kev
Thanks for the insight Kev,
I found after a few weeks I was preferring the EVF on the X100 and now never use the OVF. What’s turned my head is Fuji’s lens roadmap, some seriously useful looking glass already and more to come. As I only shoot people (at weddings) and trees (errm seriously) I’m not sure I need all this Canon kit designed for shooting football and F1 : )
What out LCE Guildford, I’m going to take over your shop for the day again : )
very interesting hearing all the comments on here, i haven’t yet tried the fuji (this week though), i have tried the Sony a99 for past 2 weeks, sony have sent over for trial, its a great camera but find the EVF way over contrasty and although the wysiwyg and ability to change and see whats going on in the EVF is great the accuracy isnt that great, in lowlight the EVF is pretty dire, hope the Fuji is better, i wasn’t a fan of the Olympus either as you need tiny fingers to alter anything on the camera as buttons are so small
Beautiful shots . . .I am a recent X 100 convert and looking at maybe adding the X Pro 1 . . .
when you shoot weddings what lens are you using . . or do you change lenses . .
You have a great sence of capturing the magic in the moment . .
Steve
Great presentation of some beautifully considered photographs. I recently got a Fuji X-E1 and have thoroughly enjoyed using it at weddings. It takes me right back to when I started out, much slower, less inclined to try to catch everything just because I can, now just the best moments almost like the film days. I think these cameras are going to change photography in ways we can’t begin to imagine yet. I feel my work with the X-E1 has a far more reflective feel almost as if a 2 second old image has already been around for years. I can’t put my finger on it but there’s a palpable difference to what I shoot with my 5D MKII on the same assignments. Some grumble about AF and stuff but it merely requires us to engage our brains to figure out how to get the best out of the camera. I’m sure any photographer from before the 1980′s would find the X series quite extraordinary.
Couldn’t agree more with those sentiments Graham – I hate having to carry around the Mk111 now but there are still shots that I would miss without it. I use the Xpro1 and XE1 whenever I can and love the results.