Why I Use a 35mm and 85mm Lens for Wedding Photography in Middlesbrough (By Mark Hartill)
Why I Use a 35mm and 85mm Lens for Wedding Photography
As a wedding photographer in Middlesbrough, couples often ask me what gear I use to capture their day. While I own multiple lenses and professional cameras, my go-to choices for weddings are almost always the 35mm and the 85mm prime lenses.
Why? Because these two lenses give me the perfect balance of storytelling and elegance — two qualities that define my style as a Middlesbrough wedding photographer.
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The 35mm Lens – Storytelling & Natural Atmosphere
The 35mm lens is one of the most versatile tools in my wedding kit. It allows me to capture candid, documentary-style shots while staying close to the action.
Perfect for:
Getting ready moments in smaller rooms
Candid shots of guests enjoying themselves
Wide but intimate ceremony captures
Natural, atmospheric photos without distortion
The 35mm lets me step into the story without intruding, which is why it’s perfect for documentary wedding photography in Middlesbrough.
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The 85mm Lens – Elegance & Portrait Perfection
If the 35mm is about storytelling, the 85mm lens is all about beauty and detail. It creates a shallow depth of field, meaning the subject is crisp while the background melts into a soft blur.
Perfect for:
Timeless bride and groom portraits
Emotional close-ups during the ceremony
Speeches and first dances from a distance
Editorial-style shots with cinematic depth
The 85mm helps me create those stunning, elegant portraits that couples often say feel “magazine-worthy.”
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Why I Use Both Together
Using both the 35mm and 85mm lenses allows me to capture a wedding day in full:
The 35mm documents the energy, laughter, and little in-between moments.
The 85mm focuses on the romance, elegance, and emotional highlights.
Together, they give me the flexibility to move seamlessly between documentary and editorial wedding photography — a style that many of my couples in Middlesbrough and Teesside love.
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Choosing the Right Wedding Photographer in Middlesbrough
Your wedding photography is about more than cameras and lenses — it’s about the way your day is seen and remembered. My choice of a 35mm and 85mm lens setup is intentional, allowing me to capture a complete story: from intimate real moments to breathtaking portraits.
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer in Middlesbrough who blends storytelling with timeless portraiture, I’d love to chat about your plans.
👉 Get in touch with Mark Hartill Wedding Photography today to secure your date.
