Katarzyna Brońska-Popiel and Jakub Popiel

For Canon Ambassadors Katarzyna Brońska-Popiel (Kasia) and Jakub Popiel (Kuba), a passion for telling stories and an ability to form relationships is central to their work. This, combined with a desire to share knowledge and build a community among wedding photographers, has made their company, Malachite Meadow, highly respected in its field.

Connection is important for Kasia, who was born in Kalisz, Poland, and moved around frequently as a child. She believes this experience, along with her second job – as a psychotherapist – has influenced her ability to connect. The human element is what links the two professions, she says. "My psychological background helps me recognise critical moments or emotional shifts during weddings, providing inner calm and, somewhat unconsciously, creating a support system for couples."

Kuba started his career working as a photojournalist on a local newspaper, while Kasia's first paid assignment was a friend's wedding. The pair then started working as reporters for the Moje Miasto Kraków portal. "We enjoyed it, because at that time our photography focused on different aspects, which resulted in a very cohesive and extensive reportage," says Kasia.

Her interest in wedding photography led them to take on a joint assignment, before setting up Malachite Meadow in 2010. The name was inspired by a poem by Polish poet Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński. "It resonated as a symbol of liberation in wedding photography, moving it into the natural world and the lightness that comes with photographing such events," explains Kasia.

"In 2010, wedding photography was quite different from today, unfortunately often associated with kitsch," Kuba says. "We wanted to approach it differently, with class and elegance, drawing on our previous background.

"A wedding is the perfect opportunity to utilise our favourite photography genres," he continues. "There's always an opportunity to capture beautiful portraits, take a fashionable look at the attire, and the reportage almost creates itself."

Today, the company is a huge success, and the pair photograph weddings on their own and as a duo in numerous locations – Italy is their favourite, particularly Lake Como. They also run workshops, through which they have trained more than 400 photographers. "We wanted to build a community that would support and inspire each other," says Kasia. "We started by training people in self-care and combating professional burnout, which often occurs in artistic professions that involve extensive interaction." With a background in philosophy, Kuba has found mindfulness and meditation "absolutely essential and enriching in both photography and interpersonal interactions".

They have since expanded their offering to include training in wedding photography and marketing, and organised a conference called 'Believe you can' in Warsaw, Poland, in October 2023. "It was a large, unifying event featuring leading Polish creatives from the wedding industry, combined with Canon equipment presentations," says Kuba. "This fills us with immense pride and further fuels our passion for what we do."

Connecting with people and telling stories is important in your photography. Are there any memorable shots that stand out?

"One photo that has stayed with me and always brings a smile to my face is the image of Loretta putting on her veil during the preparations [see second image]. I love it because of the authenticity of the emotions the bride was experiencing," says Kasia. "Elaborate hairstyles and accessories can look stunning, but the preparation can sometimes be painstaking and uncomfortable. Delivering such photos to our clients gives us a sense of artistic freedom, a willingness to showcase the day filtered through our sensitivity and sense of humour."

You travel for work and pleasure. Do these experiences inspire your photography?

"Two trips to the United States had the most significant influence," says Kasia. "We saw images that we were familiar with from street photography classics come to life. It was an incredible experience to view New York through the eyes of our favourite photographer, Saul Leiter, attempting to find similar frames, a similar atmosphere, in our photos. We also explored the small, sleepy towns of the Midwest and the Western United States, searching for inspiration from Robert Frank."

What is it that attracts you to street photography?

"Capturing light, multi-layered perspectives, shadows, reflections, people and the vibrant life of cities," says Kuba. "Street photography teaches humility, intuition, hones the eye, and helps us better understand and connect with people. We've already taken photos in places like New York, Bangkok, Sydney, as well as in Vietnam, the Dominican Republic and Singapore. Our next dream destination is Tokyo."

What other plans do you have for the future?

"We aspire to create a place, a photography house, where exhibitions, lectures, workshops and training sessions will take place," reveals Kuba. "It will be a space for collaborative creative initiatives, bringing together people from various industries and interests. Additionally, we want to dedicate ourselves more to studio, fashion and commercial photography. Film has fascinated us throughout our lives, and it will likely be another branch of our activities and work with imagery."

"The path to success and fulfilment in this profession is long, and one should be prepared for a marathon rather than a sprint. It's essential to wisely distribute your time, take care of your resources, and avoid burnout. Having a diversion, other hobbies, not letting your passion consume you entirely is important because only when you have other aspects of life developed can you truly think outside the box. Also, seize the opportunities that almost 'pull you by the sleeve'. Find the courage to say 'yes' and accept that even the most bitter failure is a building block for something bigger and lasting."

Instagram: @malachite_meadow_photography

Website: Malachite Meadow - Ponadczasowa Fotografia Ślubna