We recently connected with Grant Martel and have shared our conversation below.

Grant, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?

Some risks feel like free falling. Others feel like stepping onto solid ground you’ve never walked before, familiar, yet untested. That was the feeling when a couple asked me to photograph their wedding entirely on film.

I had been shooting both film and digital for years, incorporating film into my professional and personal work. But I had never relied solely on it for an entire wedding day and while I felt confident in my technical ability, knowing there would be no digital safety net was nerve wracking.

The couple’s trust in me was unwavering. They loved the softness, the organic imperfections, the way film captures not just an image but a feeling and they wanted their day photographed with honesty. I loved how it forced me to be fully present. With film, there are no previews, no immediate do-overs, all that you have is trust in your instincts and your craft. Committing to an all film wedding meant carefully selecting the right film stocks for the lighting conditions, being intentional with every frame, and ensuring I had multiple backup cameras.

Once I clicked the shutter on that first frame, my nerves faded. I fell into my rhythm, documenting not just how the day looked, but how it felt. I let my heart guide each photograph, leaning into the emotions and humanity that was unique to their day.

When the scans came back, I knew that the risk had been worth it. The honesty of the images made me realize that taking risks isn’t just about overcoming fear; it’s about pushing yourself to create something new and meaningful. That wedding gave me some of my favorite frames, images that don’t just look beautiful, but make me feel something every time I see them.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Gmartel Photography is built on the belief that wedding photography should focus on honest documentation with humanity at the forefront.

I’m Grant, the photographer behind Gmartel Photography. My journey into wedding photography began after a career in the military when my wife and I moved to Madison from North Carolina. At the time, we were expecting our first child, and once he was born I felt an undeniable pull to document moments, not just for my own family but for others as well. What started as capturing family connections naturally evolved into weddings and from the very first one, I knew I had found my new purpose.

Weddings can sometimes feel robotic. A day full of poses and redos will be remembered as such. That is why I photograph with a documentary mindset, focusing on moments that happen naturally. The quiet glances, the loud laughter, and the fleeting emotions make each wedding uniquely its own. I use both film and digital photography to create images that evoke emotion, with the ultimate goal of preserving the day for future generations. I want them to see who their grandmother was and understand how their parents’ wedding actually felt.

My work is about truth. It is about capturing weddings as they genuinely unfold with photographs full of feeling, free from anything that is not inherent to the couple and their story.

I am based in Wisconsin but frequently photograph in Chicago, the midwest and world wide for those who crave a documentary forward approach.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

While I don’t have the hugest following on social media, I believe that the majority of my followers are genuine and interested in my work. I think being a real human on SM helps a lot, I frequently share images and videos of my own life which humanizes me and my work. I also am intentional about engaging with other accounts, trying to build up those around me with genuine interaction.

I also do my best to share work that is a solid representation of who I am and how I photograph, my SM posts are almost an internal reflection of how it felt to document that moment or day which I think people appreciate. I post images that are unique and not cookie cutter which also helps my work standout and grab the attention of others.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding aspect of this career is twofold.

First, it gives me the privilege of spending more time with my family. Since I mostly work on weekends, I am home with my children during the week, which is time I recognize is fleeting.

Second, I have the honor of providing something truly unique and meaningful to my couples and families. I freeze a moment in history for them, whether it is a slow Sunday morning in the early months of their child’s life or a 12 hour wedding day where friends and family gather in the same space for the first and last time. I am given a frontrow seat to the most intimate and impactful moments of their lives and can create images that will only ripen with age.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://gmartelphotography.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gmartelphotography/