An eye for design and a love of painting and sculpture paved the way for Ana Gregorič to unlock her passion for photography.
A mesmerising use of light, a scene with a dramatic backdrop, subtle storytelling which transports you directly to the image; wedding and fashion photographer Ana has a portfolio bursting with unique shots.
WEDDING
Ana Gregorič
Based in the city of Ljubljana in Slovenia, Ana has built a reputation as one of the best wedding photographers in her country. But her journey into that genre wasn't clear cut. "Weddings found me," she says. "My friends from high school started to get married and asked me to photograph them, and at first, I refused because I was scared. It's complex and you need a lot of techniques to be sure of what you're doing. Eventually, I said yes, and I soon noticed my galleries were better than the local wedding photographers. That gave me the courage to continue."
Specialist areas: Wedding, portrait, fashion
Favourite kit:Canon EOS R5
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4 II USM
Today, Ana works on between 40-50 weddings a year in Slovenia and abroad, and she is also regularly commissioned to shoot portrait and fashion images, which have appeared on the cover of magazines including Elle and Grazia. "I have all the publications at home," she says. "When you see your photo in print, or your wedding images in a photobook, I still look at them with amazement. It's really a dream come true; the magic of print will never fade for me."
Growing up, the Canon Ambassador was always drawn to photography. "But it was the 1990s, so it was really expensive, and my mum didn't like me to use the camera too much," says Ana. "So I started drawing instead." It was while studying at the Academy of Fine Arts and Design in Ljubljana that the spark was really ignited. "I realised that photography suits me very well. I can interweave reality with imagination, I can explore light, gestures, emotions. I think my academic education helped me a lot because that's where I learned to see light and shape. My knowledge of illustration, painting and sculpture helps me to always find the right light for every face."
After graduating and working as a graphic designer, Ana made photography her primary focus in 2010. "It was a slow transition, but I love it," she says. "With graphic design, you're behind the computer all the time, but with photography, you travel, you meet new people, you make new friends."
The award-winning photographer now works alongside her partner and fellow photographer, Luka Brataševec. "We have been together for 24 years," she explains. "We don't even need to talk at a wedding. We know each other without communication."
As for the secret to successful wedding photography? Stay curious, and never lose the passion for your work. "The secret is to be interested," says Ana. "You must think on your feet and be fast and decisive. The rest comes with technique and experience. I have seen photographers losing their passion, and my goal at this moment is to stay focused and keep doing what I love."
How would you describe your photographic style?
"My style is photojournalistic but with a dash of portrait and fashion because I love those genres. What I like about photography is that I can mix my imagination with reality. With drawing, you're putting your imagination onto paper, but with photography, it's a mix. When I think that a photo has something more to tell, I try to put it in black and white. Black and white makes you focus on the story and the subject, whereas colours change your emotions."
What's the most challenging element of wedding photography?
"The most problematic element for photographers is the post-production, which is enormous. The way we shoot now, after a wedding we have 8,000-10,000 photos and you have to go through all of them and pick the right ones, and edit them, and this is the part that we all would like to shorten. If you have the will to go out and take the photos, you may not have the will to sit behind the computer and do all the editing. Also, when you're at a wedding, you're there for 10-12 hours, and you're thinking all the time, you're dealing with emotions, the weather – there is so much going on, and then you come home, and you're in the dark behind your computer. So, it's really these ups and downs that are hard to take."
What's been the most valuable lesson you've learnt during your career?
"I never really cared too much about what's going on around me. I always tend to do what I like, no matter what's in fashion now. I have always been this way. I try to go on social media less, because I don't want to see what other people are doing. I try to stay as close and confined as I can to what I really like, and luckily people find me and book me for what I do. My clients trust me all the way."
What's been the proudest moment of your career so far?
"My first magazine cover, the first interview, this Canon opportunity – I am so proud of all these achievements. It's always really nice when these opportunities come your way. You have to cherish them."
One thing I know
Ana Gregorič
"You must stay true to yourself. I change my style every five years, because I change as a person – it's normal. You have to make these changes because you feel them in you, not because Instagram is telling you to do it. If I look at my pictures from 10 years ago, I am still proud of them because they are true to me. You can lose yourself, and as an artist, that is the worst thing that can happen to you."
Instagram: @anagregoricphoto
Website: anagregoric-weddings.com
Ana Gregorič's kitbag
The key kit that the pros use to take their photographs
Cameras
Canon EOS R5
With 45MP resolution and an in-camera Image Stabilizer, the EOS R5 produces superior images that are richly detailed. "The IBIS and the autofocus is the best that you can get," says Ana. "When I shoot weddings, I do a lot of night shots and longer exposures, and now I don't need my tripod, which is amazing."
Canon EOS R6
Able to recognise and track eyes and faces thanks to the Dual Pixel CMOS AF II, the EOS R6 is a great choice for all kinds of events, including weddings. "This is an excellent second camera for us," says Ana.
Lenses
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM
A professional grade wide-angle lens with a natural perspective, an f/1.4 aperture and low-light capabilities. Ana says: "This is my go-to lens for dynamic portraits. I can create nice portraits, and it's wide enough to catch more scenery. It's also impeccable for low-light conditions."
Canon EF 85mm f/1.4L IS USM
Highly versatile with a large, bright aperture, this lens will deliver everything from super-sharp portraits to fast-moving lifestyle shots. "You can create dreamy portraits with this, and I really like how you can play with the light," says Ana.
Canon EF 135mm f/2L USM
A fast, lightweight, high-quality telephoto lens that produces exceptional results even in low-light conditions. Ana says: "I use this for portraits in the studio. It's amazing, I love it."
Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
A premium quality ultra-wide angle zoom lens, with a constant f/2.8 maximum aperture. "This lens is so important for key photos at weddings, such as wide-angle location photos and party photos, which are crucial to capture," says Ana.
Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS II USM
This workhorse telephoto zoom lens has a powerful Image Stabilizer, which is especially handy when it's not possible to use a tripod.
Accessories
Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R
Designed for use with the Canon EOS R system, this adapter allows EF and EF-S lenses to be used with EOS R System cameras.
Canon Speedlite 600EX-RT
With a built-in radio trigger providing reliable off-camera flash at distances of up to 30m, this Speedlite is a useful addition to any professional's kitbag. "I use this for party photos and night shots," says Ana. "I love using it off camera, especially behind the couple – it opens up a whole new world of possibilities."
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