The wedding day is one. Its story remains.
There is no "stop" on the wedding day, no "wait again", no second take.
The preparation, the signature, the church, the photo shoot, the first dance, the last dance – everything goes by in the blink of an eye.
And somewhere in between all of this, there is one person who quietly watches, observes, and preserves your memories – the wedding photographer.
I am Simeon Salov – a wedding photographer in Sofia.
In this article I will tell you how it all started, how I view wedding photography, and why for me photography is first love and then business – and how this is seen in the shots.
How it all started – from the bicycles in front of the National Palace of Culture to the weddings
The story doesn't begin with a wedding, but with bicycles and a friend.
We were riding bikes with a close friend and decided to take a picture of ourselves in front of the National Palace of Culture.
He took out a small digital camera, snapped a picture of us... and when I saw the shot, something inside me just "snapped" back.
I started to get more interested – what this miracle is, how it works, why one photo looks “wow” and another – “nothing special”.
Soon after that I got my first camera – a Konica Minolta, 3.2 megapixels with 8x optical zoom.
3.2 megapixels doesn't sound impressive today, but with good optics, a lot of desire to learn, and a love for photography, miracles can be done.
And I started doing them – a little bit, every day.
The first thing I photographed seriously wasn't people, but:
landscapes,
nature,
flowers.
I stood, watching the light, the clouds, the seasons, the small details.
I changed the angle, the composition, the exposure, and learned how the camera "breathes".
entered the frames people – friends, family, small events.
That's when I realized that besides the beautiful picture, what moved me the most was the emotion inside it – the laughter, the worry, the hug, the tear in the eye.
Self-taught photographer – for the love of photography, not for the love of money
I didn't graduate from an academy in photography.
I didn't start out thinking, "Hey, there's money here, let me become a wedding photographer."
For me, the story is different:
first came the love of photography – of light, nature, people;
I started reading books about photography – about light, composition, color, the psychology of portraiture;
I tried, I made mistakes, I tried again – first with landscapes and nature, then more and more with people;
then I started learning side by side with professional photographers – I helped them, carried equipment, took photos with them, watched how they thought out the shot, how they led newlyweds, how they communicated with the guests;
literally "stealing craft" from different people and refracting it through my own eyes.
For a long time, I photographed because I loved to photograph, not because numbers and "packages" were spinning in my head.
After dozens of filmed events, people started telling me:
"We want you to photograph our wedding too. What you do has value."
So the love of photography naturally turned into a profession.
It wasn't "first the business plan, then the camera," but the opposite - first the passion, then the business.
What shows that for me photography is first love, then business?
This is most clearly evident in the portfolio.
If I were only interested in "fat" weddings:
my site would be almost entirely weddings and packages;
I wouldn't put my time and heart into "smaller" events.
Instead, you'll see me filming and showing:
weddings – yes, they are a serious part of my job;
A romantic moment between the newlyweds by the pool during their wedding celebration in Plovdiv. Artistic wedding photography by Simeon Salov.
baptisms – quiet, very personal rituals;
The whole family and all the friends gathered together to celebrate Boris's acceptance into the Christian faith. A baptism photoshoot that creates priceless memories.
baby cakes – my favorite theme as atmosphere and emotion;
The breaking of the bread is the most important and symbolic moment of every pogacha. As a photographer, it is key for me to capture this moment, filled with wishes for health and happiness, in the beautiful setting of the Paradise complex.
children's birthdays - noise, cake on the cheeks, genuine joy;
Krasi at 3 years old, photographed in close-up on his childhood birthday – a sincere smile and a curious look at the photographer.
family photo shoots – without a mandatory occasion, simply because this period of life will not return;
A modern and casual family moment - the birthday boy's father and his cousin take a souvenir selfie with little Svetozar against the backdrop of the holiday decorations.
plus other small but important moments.
Few wedding photographers maintain such a diverse portfolio – from landscapes and nature at the beginning, to weddings, baptisms, pogačs, birthdays and family shots.
The reason is simple - I love photographing people and their stories, whether it's 200 people in a large hall or 10 people in the living room for a pogacha, or just two people on a walk in the mountains.
This for me is the difference between:
a person who became a photographer for the money,
anda person who became a photographer because of his love for photography, and then turned it into a profession.
What sets me apart from many other wedding photographers?
Many colleagues go the classic route – schools, courses, diplomas.
Often the model there is: "Weddings are the most expensive → focus on packages, prices, turnover."
For me, the path was different:
First – love for photography and people.
Then – books, practice, working with professional photographers.
Finally – business, prices, packages.
Yes, photography is my craft and I make a living from it.
But I don't look at weddings as just another orderthat I have to "blow off" and move on.
For me it is much more important:
to feel the holiday,
to monitor what is happening between you and the guests,
to capture the real moments – laughter, tears, hugs, looks,
rather than arranging you in learned, catalog poses for a magazine – beautiful, but often artificial and empty.
One of the biggest compliments I've ever received was from a mother who chose me to be her child's cake.
I asked her, "Why did you choose me?" and she said,
"Because with other photographers, the photos are plastic – they have no life.
With you, there is life, emotion, smiles, real joy."
This is what I most want to see in every wedding story I photograph –
life, emotion, smiles, natural, casual moments, not just a "perfect" pose.
We can also take arranged shots when needed – of course.
But I'm not after sterile photos for a catalog, but lively shots for your family album.
How I view wedding photography
For me, wedding photography is:
history – yours, not mine;
organization – to arrange the day so that there is time for everything;
humanity – to calm you down, to make you laugh, to relieve tension;
and equipment – to be prepared, with backup equipment and a plan B.
I like natural, emotional shots, but I don't leave you alone in front of the lens:
I give you some light guidance – how to stand, where the best light falls from;
I help with posing when you're wondering what to do;
and I let you be yourself when the moment shouldn't be interrupted.
My editing is clean and moderate – no aggressive filters or weird colors that will look old-fashioned in years to come.
I want my photos to age well with you, not with social media trends.
How a wedding day goes with me
Every wedding day is different, but it usually goes through several major parts.
Preparation – the first real emotions
Calm, beauty and anticipation in one frame – the bride in the last minutes before her wedding. A classic portrait from wedding photography, capturing the magic of the moment at Ravno Pole Golf Club.
We start from where you get ready – at home or in a hotel.
I am shooting:
details – dress, shoes, rings, boutonniere, bouquets;
makeup and hairstyle;
dressing up – with mother, friends, bridesmaids;
for the groom – a watch, bullion, a tie, jokes with friends and best men.
happen the first real emotions – excitement, laughter, a little chaos, a little tension.
And this is where the ice is most often broken between us.
Civil ritual – ceremonial hall or external signature
The first kiss as a family! An emotional moment from the civil marriage in the Oborishte Hall. Photographer: Simeon Salov.
The signature can be:
in a classical ritual hall (Triaditsa, Krasno Selo, Oborishte, Studentska, etc.);
or as an outdoor ritual in a restaurant/garden.
I am always there early to:
caught your arrival;
I photograph the guests gathering and greeting each other;
I capture the moments before you enter – the looks, the worry, the smiles.
During the ritual, I take photos discreetly - without getting in the way, but close enough to capture the rings, signatures, and the big "I do.".
Church marriage – tradition and silence
A moment of sacred care, in which the priest guides the bride as she partakes of the common cup. A solemn wedding photograph that captures the essence of the spiritual sacrament.
If you have a church marriage, everything slows down and becomes deeper in feeling:
candles, icons, wedding crowns;
the blessing;
walking around the table;
your first steps as a family.
In church, I work quietly and respectfully – to the ritual, to you, and to the people.
I don't put on a "show" with the camera, but preserve the moment as it is.
Often, after the end, we take a big group photo in front of the temple – a shot that many parents cherish with special love.
Photoshoot – time just for the two of you
A romantic dance of newlyweds in front of the entrance to the Presidency in Sofia, with the ceremonial guard in the background. Photography by wedding photographer Simeon Salov.
This is the moment when the day slowly stops and it's just the three of us left - you two and me.
We choose a place according to your style and program:
park or city streets;
your favorite location;
Japanese garden, hotel, panoramic terrace;
or just a nice corner around the restaurant.
We are not making a “catalog of poses” here.
Instead:
I give you directions – a slight turn, a hug, a look;
I let you talk, laugh, be yourself;
I observe and capture the real moments between poses.
Pure fun at McDonald's! The bride, groom and groomsmen eat and laugh together. Wedding photography that captures the real party.
A shot that captures the quiet and deep love. **The newlyweds** in an intimate moment during their **wedding photo shoot** amidst the nature of the city park.
In the evening – restaurant, program and the big party
A highlight of the party, in which Tony Storaro sings with full energy, and the newlyweds Sanya and Radoslav and all the guests dance around him in the crowded hall.
The guests applaud their "queen" wildly as she dances in front of them in one of the most fun moments of the wedding party.
A creative and fun moment in which the bride Sanya and her friends pose for a photo with roses in their mouths, creating a cheerful memory from the wedding day.
No one is spared! The climax of the crazy wedding party – the groom himself, Rusi, falls into the pool! As their wedding photographer, I, Simeon Salov, captured this truly epic and unforgettable finale to the fun.
The big party begins in the restaurant:
I photograph the decoration – tables, candles, flowers, the cake, the small details;
your entry as newlyweds;
the first dance – with heavy smoke, sparks or just the two of you;
dances, games, speeches by best men and parents;
the throwing of the bouquet and garter;
joint photos with friends;
the last dances, when the shoes are already under the table and the smiles are the widest.
My task is to move among the guests, to capture emotions in the center and in the corners - without stopping the party.
Who am I a suitable wedding photographer for (and who am I not)?
We are best suited if:
you want a story, not just 20 shots for Instagram;
you value humanity and communication – talking, planning, laughing;
You like the idea of working with someone who came first for the love of photography, not just for the money.
probably not the right person for youif:
you're looking for the cheapest option "just to have someone take pictures";
you view the photographer as an expense that needs to be "crossed out";
you expect everything to be overly staged and look like a fashion shoot for a magazine.
Where I shoot – wedding photographer in Sofia and beyond
I mainly work as a wedding photographer in Sofia, but I often travel outside the city.
In Sofia, I have photographed weddings in:
various halls and hotels – Silhouette Hall (Marinella Hotel), Sofia Grand, Laura Hall – National Palace of Culture and many others;
ritual halls – “Triaditsa”, “Krasno Selo”, “Oborishte”, “Studentska”, etc.;
numerous churches – "St. Spirit", "St. John of Rila", "St. Nedelya", "St. Sophia" and more.
This helps me know:
where is the best light;
where to take the group photos;
how to plan the time of the rituals and the photo shoot so that it is peaceful for you and comfortable for shooting.
What you get when we work together
When you choose me as your wedding photographer, you get much more than just "someone with a camera":
preliminary conversation / meeting – we go over the program, locations, and your wishes;
help with planning timing – so that there is time for photos, but also for yourself;
full-day filming (according to our arrangement);
professional photo processing;
online gallery for sharing with guests;
wedding album (if you choose this option) – a neat story to flip through for years.
Here you can see all my wedding reports from halls, churches and restaurants - real days, real emotions, presented 'behind the scenes'
- Wedding Photographer at Silhouette Hall – Marinela Hotel – behind the scenes
- Wedding photographer at Laura Restaurant NDK – behind the scenes.
- Wedding photographer at Marinela Hotel – Sofia Grand Hall – behind the scenes.
- Wedding photographer in the Studentska ceremony hall – behind the scenes.
- Wedding photographer in Serdika ceremony hall – behind the scenes.
- Wedding photographer at the Sredets Ceremonial Hall – behind the scenes.
- Wedding photographer in the Oborishte ceremony hall – behind the scenes.
- Wedding photographer at Triaditsa Ritual Hall – behind the scenes.
- Wedding photographer at the Church of St. John of Rila – behind the scenes
- Wedding photographer at the Church of St. Paraskeva – behind the scenes.
- Wedding photographer at St. Sofia Golf Club and Spa - outdoor wedding.
And along with all these weddings, baptisms, pogachas and birthdays, unnoticed by some families, from a wedding photographer I also transformed - I tell you more about that here: 👉 Family photographer - Simeon Salov.
