EP 128 - Weddings Aren’t Content Machines with Chris Denner
This week I’m talking with Chris Denner about staying true to yourself as a photographer and not getting pulled into industry trends. Chris shares why “weddings shouldn’t be content machines,” how trends are leading to everyone creating the same images, and why leaning into what makes you different is what actually sets you apart.
Meet Chris:
Nice to meet you, I’m Chris DennerI’m a crime-fighting vigilante and I know more Kung Fu than Bruce Lee.Okay….that’s not strictly true. But let’s be honest, it sounds way more exciting than saying that I`m a wedding photographer based in the UK. Basically I photograph for the loud & real couples who want big moments, creative images, and zero cringe, ok?
Staying True to Yourself
One of the biggest takeaways from my conversation with Chris is the importance of authenticity. As he puts it, “Just be yourself. Stop trying to be everybody else.” Chris talks a lot about the dangers of getting pulled into every trend in the wedding industry, and how every step away from your authentic self is a step away from what actually makes you valuable.
He notes, “When you are following trends and you are reacting to market forces, you are giving away everything that is unique about you.” And I think that really hits, especially for photographers trying to stand out in a space that can feel very saturated.
Finding Your USP
Chris also emphasizes the importance of identifying and understanding your USP. For him, it’s his genuine approach, his counterculture aesthetic, and his sense of humor. Those are the things that attract the right clients and allow him to carve out his own space in the industry.
“Everyone's got their own USP, and you have to tap into what that is,” Chris says.
He encourages photographers to explore what actually excites them about photography: “Find the things that work for you and don’t think, oh, I want to be a luxury Vogue photographer and I'm going to identify as a fine artist. I can't use off-camera flash. Of course, you can, and you should!”
Weddings Aren't Content Machines
Chris shares a really strong perspective on what he calls the shift of weddings becoming “content machines.” He believes weddings should be about the couple—not about creating content for social media.
He says, “People’s weddings are not your entertainment. They are not your content. It is two people getting married, and if you don’t like that…well, it’s not your day.”
It’s a perspective that challenges photographers to take a step back and refocus on what actually matters - the people in front of them, not the performance of it all.
Final Thoughts
Chris’s take on authenticity is such a good reminder for anyone in the wedding industry. His commitment to staying true to himself, even with all the noise and pressure around trends, is something I think a lot of us need to hear.
His story is a great example of what can happen when you prioritize joy, creativity, and honesty over trying to fit into a box.
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Website: chrisdenner.co.uk
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