"Posing-wise, movement is key," says Rangefinder 30 Rising Star Rune Havn while describing his favorite image from the wedding of Fatima Mekdad and Eligijus Sukarevicius, which took place in July 2024 in Stavanger, Norway. Havn, a photographer who has rapidly gained recognition for his distinctive style, emphasizes a philosophy that blends documentary authenticity with a carefully curated cinematic aesthetic. While his work is predominantly in the documentary vein, accounting for approximately 90% of his output, he strategically employs gentle posing, particularly for portraits, to achieve this signature "cinematic feel." His aspiration is for his photographs to feel like stills from a scene, a scene that he has meticulously crafted and documented. The core of his technique for achieving these natural, relaxed wedding photography poses lies in the deliberate incorporation of subtle, organic movement.
The Art of Guiding Movement: A Closer Look at a Signature Shot
The featured image, a striking portrait from the Mekdad-Sukarevicius wedding, exemplifies Havn’s approach. He describes a specific moment where he instructed the bride, Fatima, to interact with her veil using her hand. This seemingly simple direction, he explains, is crucial for eliciting a natural and relaxed pose. Had he asked her to simply hold her hand in a static position, the focus would likely have been on the act of holding, leading to a more self-conscious and staged appearance. "She would have looked more focused and the photo more staged. Small things like her eye movement would have been different," Havn notes. However, by introducing movement, the focus shifts from the pose itself to the unfolding moment. This dynamic interaction transforms a posed shot into an authentic expression, allowing the couple’s genuine emotions and connection to shine through. The subtle play of the hand against the delicate fabric of the veil creates a sense of ethereal beauty and gentle engagement, a hallmark of Havn’s ability to infuse static portraits with life and narrative.
Cultivating Trust: The Pre-Wedding Foundation for Authentic Images
Havn’s philosophy extends beyond the wedding day itself, emphasizing the critical role of preparation and relationship-building. He believes that the groundwork for exceptional wedding photography is laid well in advance of the ceremony. "I want to be a friend they can trust at the same time as a professional photographer. The more work I do in my meeting pre-wedding, the more I am rewarded with amazing photos," he states. This commitment to fostering a deep connection with his clients is a cornerstone of his practice.
To achieve this level of rapport, Havn proactively communicates his working methods and information needs to clients early in their engagement. He dedicates significant time to understanding their individual personalities, interests, and relationship dynamics. This includes delving into their "interests, ideas, and stories" and, perhaps most importantly, their "love language." He seeks to understand what makes them feel loved and appreciated, whether they are particularly moved by heartfelt words or find overt displays of affection to be awkward. He also inquires about their emotional responses in various situations: "which love language they have." He wants to know if they "get emotional if someone speaks nice words to [them], or if [they] think it’s silly to dance in front of everyone." This comprehensive understanding allows him to anticipate their reactions and be in the right place at the right time to capture genuine, unscripted moments. This proactive approach ensures that he is not merely an observer but an empathetic participant, attuned to the nuances of their emotional landscape.
Nurturing Comfort on the Day: Creating a Safe and Relaxed Environment
On the wedding day, Havn prioritizes his clients’ well-being, believing that comfort and a sense of being cared for are paramount to capturing authentic emotions. He maintains a dialogue with his clients throughout the shooting process, frequently checking in: "I always ask my clients if they are feeling good when we are shooting." He also ensures their basic needs are met, offering breaks for water or snacks, reinforcing the feeling of being looked after. This consistent attention to their comfort creates an environment where they can truly relax and be themselves. "When people are relaxed and feeling safe, they open up easier, and they do things they didn’t think they could do," he observes. This psychological safety is instrumental in unlocking genuine expressions and interactions that might otherwise remain hidden.
Furthermore, Havn advocates for the power of positive reinforcement. He believes in showering his clients with encouraging feedback, offering simple yet impactful affirmations such as, "Love it," "You’re killing it," and "This is so nice." These compliments not only boost their confidence but also help them to feel more at ease in front of the camera. During posing sessions, his direction remains concise and unobtrusive, consisting of brief cues like, "Look that way," "Focus on each other," and "Move your hands." By maintaining a quiet and supportive presence, he allows the couple to "be themselves in front of me," fostering an atmosphere of authenticity and intimacy.
The Essence of Havn’s Vision: Real, Raw Feelings and Cinematic Grandeur
Rune Havn’s ultimate goal is to create an atmosphere that is "relaxed, safe, and cozy." He strives to make his couples feel so comfortable that they "forget that I’m there." This dedication to cultivating a sense of ease and intimacy is the bedrock upon which he builds his photographic narrative. By facilitating this deep sense of comfort, he paves the way for the authentic emotions that he cherishes to emerge. "I love real, raw feelings – tears, laughter, sorrow, and love," he articulates. These are the moments that truly define a wedding day, and Havn’s approach is designed to capture them in their purest form.
Beyond these profound emotional expressions, Havn’s work is characterized by several other distinctive elements. He meticulously pays attention to the interplay of light, ensuring that "the light hitting the correct places, making the subject pop." This technical precision, combined with his artistic vision, results in images that possess a striking visual impact and a palpable sense of depth. The ultimate outcome is an image that looks like a "true cinematic moment," evoking a sense of narrative and grandeur that transcends a typical wedding photograph.
Havn’s commitment to this unique aesthetic has quickly set him apart in the competitive field of wedding photography. In just two and a half years in the business, his distinctive style and remarkable talent have earned him a place among Rangefinder’s prestigious "30 Rising Stars" for 2024, a testament to his innovative approach and the compelling storytelling embedded within his work. His ability to seamlessly blend documentary integrity with a polished, cinematic presentation signifies a new wave of wedding photography, one that prioritizes authentic emotion while delivering visually stunning and enduring art.
Havn’s work can be explored further through his website and social media channels. His dedication to capturing the essence of love and commitment, framed within breathtaking visual narratives, promises to leave a lasting impression on the wedding photography landscape.
The wedding of Fatima Mekdad and Eligijus Sukarevicius, held in the picturesque setting of Stavanger, Norway, in July 2024, serves as a compelling case study of Havn’s methodology. The event, like many significant life milestones, provided a rich tapestry of emotions and interactions, from the solemnity of the ceremony to the joyous celebrations that followed. While the specific details of the wedding’s timeline are not provided, the context of a Norwegian summer wedding suggests a celebration likely characterized by long daylight hours and a potentially vibrant, nature-infused atmosphere, factors that Havn would undoubtedly leverage in his visual storytelling. The presence of family and friends, the exchange of vows, and the commencement of a new chapter for the couple all contribute to the emotional weight that Havn seeks to capture. His ability to translate these profound moments into visually arresting images, often described as "cinematic," speaks to a sophisticated understanding of light, composition, and human emotion.
The recognition as a Rangefinder 30 Rising Star is a significant achievement, particularly given Havn’s relatively short tenure in the professional photography world. This award typically highlights emerging talents who demonstrate exceptional skill, a unique artistic vision, and a strong potential for future impact within the industry. For Havn, this recognition validates his distinctive approach, which prioritizes genuine connection and emotional resonance, elevated by a polished, artistic sensibility. The inclusion of his work in such a prestigious list suggests that his innovative methods are resonating with industry leaders and peers alike, pointing towards a broader trend in wedding photography that values authenticity and artistic expression. This could indicate a growing demand from couples for photography that not only documents their day but also tells their unique story in a visually compelling and emotionally resonant manner. The implications for the wider wedding photography industry are that photographers who can master this balance between documentary honesty and artistic vision are likely to find increasing success and demand.
Follow Rune Havn’s work on Instagram and Facebook. View the full 30 Rising Star Winners Gallery for 2024 here.
