John Branch IV

John Branch IV’s photography style is centered on a balanced blending of artistry and authenticity. “Artistry focuses on the overall beauty of the approach to a photo,” he explains, “making sure everything is looking as aesthetic as possible and that the scene that I’ve set my subject in is appealing to the eye or sets the stage for what’s happening in the photo. Authenticity is my approach to capturing the truest moments of my couples.”

Post-production also plays a role in Branch’s final images. “Being able to quickly edit thousands of photos but keep them looking consistent and beautiful is a huge part of it,” he explains. “I like a clean, almost ‘bright and airy’ look to my photos while keeping everything generally the same way you would see it in your eyes. My white balance always leans towards the cool side, and I absolutely love magenta. I also love the look of a film aesthetic and purposely add in grain to my photos to give it a little texture.”

Check out the official announcement of this year’s 30 Rising Stars of Wedding Photography, along with the editors’ observations on the list of 2021.