YOUR STORY, UNSCRIPTED

A Day Like No Other

I’m not here to direct your day.
I’m here to witness it—quietly, honestly, and with heart.

I don’t believe in staged smiles or perfect poses. I believe in truth. In the way someone looks at you when no one else is watching. In the tears that come without warning. In the chaos, the calm, and everything in between. That’s where the real story lives.

As a documentary wedding photographer, I’m drawn to the raw, the honest, the beautifully unfiltered. My approach is rooted in presence—because only by being present can we truly see. From quiet glances to bursts of laughter, I follow the feeling. Not just how your day looked, but how it felt.

What I offer is more than coverage—it’s a deeply personal way of preserving what matters most.

You won’t remember every detail.
But you’ll remember how it felt. That’s what I hold onto.

A woman and a man are kissing at a dinner table while a young girl looks up at them, with glasses and tableware in front of them.

THE UNSEEN BEAUTY OF THE DAY

No poses. No repetition. No interference.

Your wedding day isn’t a performance.
It’s a story.

The most meaningful moments are rarely directed.
They unfold quietly.

A glance when no one is watching.
A deep breath before a vow.
Laughter that arrives without warning.

These are the moments that stay.

Not just how it looked.

How it felt.

I don’t stage the day.
I stay present and let it happen.

Two men hugging outdoors near a lake with mountains and trees in the background, one wearing a hat and glasses, the other in suspenders, in black and white.
A young girl wearing a flower crown taking a selfie with a camera.
From above view of a man in a suit walking down stairs with a veil beside him at a wedding ceremony.
Black and white photo of a woman smiling and looking at a man, in a social setting with other people in the background.
Black and white photo of multiple hands with rings forming a diamond shape, with a smiling woman in the background, wearing a white top, showing tattoos on her arm.
A black and white photo of a young woman with wavy hair looking at a man in a tuxedo, who is feeding her with a spoon at a formal event or celebration.
Black and white photo of an elderly man with glasses hugging a man with dark hair, seen from the back, in an indoor setting with blurred background.
A black and white photo of a woman in sunglasses and a white dress, smiling while sitting on a bed, with a man in sunglasses, a light-colored tuxedo, and a cigarette in his mouth lounging behind her.
A black and white photo of a young man lifting an older woman, both laughing joyfully, outdoors with mountains and a lake in the background.
Two men dressed in tuxedos smiling and looking down, in close proximity, on their wedding day.
Black and white photo of two women smiling and looking down at a phone, with people in the background. One woman has curly hair and is wearing an off-the-shoulder dress, the other has dark, wavy hair and is wearing a jacket.
An elderly woman with short hair, glasses, and a floral blouse is smiling and embracing a younger woman in a sleeveless dress, in a crowded indoor setting.
A man smiling as another person places a large white bow on his eyes, in black and white.

Some stories unfold in whispers.
Those are the ones I listen for.

A black and white photograph of a smiling bride holding a bouquet, and a smiling groom in a suit, embracing each other on a beach.

From quiet details to loud joy.

From the quiet of morning preparations
to the blur of dancing and midnight embraces—

I follow the rhythm of your day,
not a checklist.

No forced posing.
No interruption.

Just attention to what matters:
emotion, connection, atmosphere.

My work is primarily timeless black and white,
with carefully selected color images when they serve the moment.

The most meaningful moments
usually happen in between.

A black and white photo of a couple kissing on rocks by the water, possibly during a wedding or romantic occasion.
Black and white photo of a smiling woman in a wedding dress, looking up, taken from above.
A black and white photo of a bride and groom standing outdoors on a wooden stump with scenic mountains and fields in the background, smiling and looking at each other. The bride is holding a bouquet and wearing a long dress with high heels, while the
Black and white photo of a smiling bride and groom during a wedding ceremony; the bride is wiping tears with a tissue, and the groom looks on happily, both dressed in wedding attire.
Black and white photograph of a smiling bride holding a bouquet of roses standing next to a groom, outdoors with trees and a field in the background.
Black and white photo of a wedding ceremony with a smiling groom and bride looking at each other, surrounded by guests.
A bride and groom share a kiss in a wedding ceremony with clouds of fog surrounding them, decorated with flowers and ornate pillars.
Black and white photo of a woman in an ornate dress and headscarf dancing joyfully surrounded by onlookers, many of whom are women in headscarves, in a lively celebration or wedding.
A black and white photo of a smiling woman and man outdoors near a body of water, with trees in the background, dressed in wedding attire.
A smiling man in a tuxedo with a bow tie is looking at a woman whose face is not visible. The woman has her hand on the man's shoulder.
Close-up black-and-white photo of a woman with her eyes closed, smiling slightly, with a man close beside her, both appearing emotional.

The beauty of the day isn’t in the timeline.
It’s in the unexpected

Top-down black and white photo of a couple dancing together, viewed from above, with the woman in a sleeveless dress and the man in a light-colored shirt, holding each other closely.

STORYTELLING THAT STANDS STILL

Because connection is what lasts.

This isn’t about perfect images.
It’s about witnessing what’s real.

From the first quiet moments of the day
to the last dance, I stay present.

Not directing.
Not interrupting.

Just observing what unfolds.

A hand reaching for another.
A mother watching quietly.
Light falling across the room when no one notices.

These are the moments that remain.

A black-and-white photo of a woman hugging a man. The woman has her eyes closed with a gentle smile and visible freckles, while the man has his face turned away from the camera.

You live your day.
I stay present.

HOW I WORK

You deserve more than coverage.
You deserve presence.

Not someone who directs the day—
but someone who observes it.

From the quiet of the morning
to the last dance at night,
I stay close to the moment.

I don’t rush.
I don’t interrupt.

I simply follow the rhythm of your day.

Each image is edited with care,
with a timeless black-and-white focus
and selected color when it serves the moment.

Whether your wedding is in Vienna
or somewhere far away— what matters most
is that it feels true to you.

What they say:


Wir haben gelacht, geweint und einfach gelebt – und Sascha hat all das eingefangen, ohne dass wir es überhaupt bemerkt haben. So ehrlich, so schön. - Milena & Simon, Austria

Sascha hat so besondere, kreative Ideen – und trotzdem drängt er sich nie in den Vordergrund. Er hat die Stimmung unseres Tages so echt und unaufdringlich eingefangen. Einfach empfehlenswert! - Eva & Markus, Greece

Wir lieben die Fotos. Danke sie sind unvergesslich!!! Mit ihnen bleiben diese Momente für uns immer erhalten. - Ute & Georg, Austria

More from those who trusted me with their day—and what stayed with them after.

PRICING & BOOKING

If it feels right and my work resonates,
we begin with a conversation.

No pressure.
Just space to see if it feels right.

Full-day documentary coverage.
Black & white and color edits.

No forced posing.
No staged recreations.

I take on a limited number of weddings each year.

Custom proposals based on time, location, and scope.

contact@van-der-werf.com

Based in Vienna. Available wherever the journey calls.

German or English—write in the language that feels most like you.

→ To inquire or book, please reach out directly.
An elderly woman with glasses and a floral blouse smiling as she embraces a younger woman during a social gathering.
Close-up of a bride and groom holding hands outdoors, black and white photograph.
A black and white photo of a wedding celebration with a groom being tossed into the air by guests in a decorated banquet hall.
A bride with a bouquet walking arm-in-arm with an older man outdoors at a rural wedding venue.
A young girl in a white dress picks up flower petals from the floor and places them into a basket during a wedding ceremony, with the bride, groom, and officiant in the background.
A young woman with long, dark hair and earrings is smiling and laughing while talking to an older woman with blond hair at a social gathering.
Black and white photo of a woman with dark hair, wearing a shirt with a flower corsage, looking to her right with a playful, unsure expression, while another woman in the background looks on.
A man dressed in a white vest, bow tie, and sunglasses is smiling and cutting a cake outdoors.
Black and white photo of a woman with short hair wearing a lace dress and a floral headband, with a smiling man with tousled hair standing behind her. Both are dressed in wedding attire.
A bride and groom exchanging vows outdoors in front of a mountain landscape during their wedding ceremony.
Black and white photo of three young girls sitting on a porch, smiling at the camera. They are dressed in light-colored dresses and sandals.
Black and white photo of a bride and groom on their wedding day, standing outdoors on a small hill behind a wooden fence, smiling and gazing into each other's eyes. The bride is holding a bouquet of flowers, wearing a lace wedding dress with long sle
Two men in suits laughing and smiling at an outdoor event, taken from a low angle in black and white.
A newly married couple celebrating at their wedding reception, with the groom raising his arm and the bride holding a bouquet, surrounded by smiling guests and soap bubbles.
A young girl with a flower crown smiling outdoors in black and white
Black and white photo of a wedding celebration with guests cheering and waving cloth napkins, a bride and groom dancing in the center, and a long table decorated with flowers and candles.
A young girl wearing a dress and a bracelet, holding an instant camera, taking a picture outdoors with trees and a building in the background.
Black and white photo of a bride and groom standing on a wooden dock near water, holding a bouquet, with a scenic landscape of hills in the background, and their reflection visible in the water.
A woman holding a young girl, who is holding a blank piece of paper, inside a wooden cabin. The girl looks at the camera, while the woman smiles and looks down.
Black and white photo of a man and woman celebrating, possibly at a wedding, with the man raising his arms and a joyful expression, and the woman in a wedding dress smiling.
A bride and groom on steps in front of bright blue doors with a stone wall background, the groom on the left in a dark suit and the bride on the right in a white wedding dress holding a bouquet.
Men in tuxedos and sunglasses walking through a doorway at a wedding or formal event, with some smiling and waving, black and white photo.
Black and white photo of smiling woman and man standing close together, celebrating, indoors with wooden wall background.
Black and white photo of a wedding ceremony with guests seated on either side, a woman officiating at the front, and floral decorations.
Black and white photo of two young children sitting on a wooden floor in a home; a girl on the left laughs and eats, wearing a dress and Crocs, and a boy on the right looks at her with a slight smile, wearing a T-shirt and overalls.
A young girl with pigtails and freckles resting her chin and arm on the back of a couch, looking directly at the camera with a neutral expression in a cozy indoor setting.
A black and white photo of a man and woman kissing, with the man wearing a white hat and the woman wearing a floral headband, possibly at a celebration or wedding.
Black and white photo of a woman laughing wearing sunglasses and a leopard print dress, with an older man with white hair sitting in the background outdoors under umbrellas.
Two people laughing and enjoying themselves at an outdoor event, with one man wearing a hat and holding a card, and a woman wearing hoop earrings.
A joyful bride and groom walking on a gravel path in front of a rustic wooden house, sharing an umbrella on a cloudy day.
A woman in a white wedding dress holding a bouquet of flowers stands in a room with wooden floors and ornate paneling, facing away from the camera towards an open doorway.
A black and white photo of a joyful couple embracing and smiling, holding a young girl with curly hair in a sleeveless dress.
A black and white photo of a couple in wedding attire sharing a kiss on a beach, holding glasses.
Black and white photo of a smiling woman with short, wavy hair, wearing a sleeveless dress and earrings, talking to a person in a suit at what looks like a social event.
Black and white photo of a couple holding wedding rings over a wooden floor, viewed from above.
Black and white photo of a wedding ceremony showing a bride and groom seated with an audience behind them. The bride is holding a bouquet and has her hand raised in an excited gesture. The groom is wearing glasses and a suit. The crowd is seated outd
Black and white photo of a smiling bride in a white wedding dress holding a bouquet above her head, standing on grass with a group of women in dresses and a child in the background at an outdoor wedding celebration.
Four men sit outdoors, one blowing bubbles, all wearing light shirts and sunglasses. The photo is in black and white.
Black and white photo of a woman in wedding attire smiling, sitting between two men in formal suits at a social event.
Black and white photo of a woman in a wedding dress with a man in a tuxedo in the background, indoors with curtains and a window.
Three people in formal attire sitting on a white bench by water, talking and taking photos, black and white photo.
A young girl blows bubbles at an outdoor gathering while several people stand and sit in the background.
Black and white photo of a smiling bride sitting in the back of a car, wearing a wedding dress and veil, holding a bouquet of white roses.
Two men embrace and laugh together outdoors under a canopy, sharing a joyful hug.
A woman with short hair smiling and embracing a man with short hair, viewed from behind, in a black and white photograph.
A woman and a man riding in a vehicle, smiling as she looks at her phone. The woman appears excited with her mouth open, and the man, wearing sunglasses, is smiling at her.
Group of friends raising glasses in a toast at an outdoor celebration, seen from below against a clear sky.
Black and white photo of women dancing and laughing at a party, holding drinks, in a lively atmosphere.
Two beige wedding ceremony programs with handwritten text, one larger and one smaller, placed on a white surface with a small glass container filled with white rice, and a black box nearby.
A bride and groom at an outdoor wedding, with the bride smiling and covering her mouth, and the groom smiling with his eyes closed, dressed in a black tuxedo with a bow tie and boutonniere, surrounded by guests and umbrellas.
White bridal gown draped over staircase with black metal railing, inside a room.
Black and white photo of two young girls in dresses, standing on grass, with one looking surprised and the other looking to the side, amid a crowd of adults and children at an outdoor event.
A woman in a wedding dress standing in a doorway with her arms outstretched, smiling at the camera.
Black and white photo of an elderly woman with short dark hair, wearing a patterned top and a necklace, sitting outdoors at a table with others, under a large tree with dappled sunlight.
A couple sitting on a park bench in a mountain landscape, sharing an intimate moment, with lush trees and rolling green hills in the background.
A group of seven people sitting on a wooden railing outdoors, with mountains and dense trees in the background, smiling and raising their hands in a cheerful pose; black and white photo.
A woman with long hair is smiling and laughing as she leans out of a car window on a sunny day, with houses and trees in the background.
A woman in a wedding dress standing outdoors with mountains and trees in the background, appearing surprised or excited.
Three people at a festive event wearing sunglasses and holding signs, including one speech bubble with German text. The photo is in black and white.
A bride and groom smile and cut a wedding cake together in a joyful moment at their wedding reception, with guests visible in the background.
A black and white photo of a bride and groom standing close to each other, about to kiss, on a balcony with a cityscape background.
A bride and groom stand together on a white aisle outdoors during a wedding ceremony, with white chairs and glass vases with flowers on either side, and green trees and blue sky in the background.
Black and white photo of a bride and groom standing close together, smiling and looking into each other's eyes, in front of a white wall with rectangular and arched windows.
Black and white photo of three men in suits laughing and smiling at each other during a formal celebration or event, with other guests in the background.
Black and white photo of women smiling and laughing, with one woman in a wedding dress holding a pen.
Man in a suit taking a selfie with a camera in a wooden interior.
Black and white photo of a bride dancing with her wedding dress swirling. Guests are watching in the background at an indoor celebration.
A woman smiling and raising her arm joyfully in a lively indoor setting, with another woman in the background holding a camera.
A woman looks at her reflection in an ornate mirror, with her face partially visible in the foreground and her expression showing contemplation.
A black and white photo of two elderly people, one man with gray hair wearing dark sunglasses, smiling and facing another person with white hair, whose face is partially visible and out of focus.
A person holding a round balloon with a heart and arrow design that reads 'Alles Gute' in German, meaning 'All the best' or 'Happy wishes'.
Black and white photo of a man in a tuxedo with a bow tie and boutonniere, and a woman in a wedding dress, smiling with her head bowed down, outdoors near a building with a balcony.
Black and white photo of a person playing a saxophone at a party, with bubbles floating in the air and reflections on their geometric-patterned jacket and sunglasses.