Our Story
In 2008, the stars aligned when Justyna, who was working as a fashion stylist, hired Joel to photograph an editorial. What soon followed, were several years of artistic collaboration, friendship, exploration of arts, culture, travel, and appreciation for each other, culminating into a courtship, romance, a wedding, and a beautiful marriage.
Through an education in art history, a previous career in fashion modeling, a family profession in distinguished portrait photography, a mutual love of maximalism, sparkling light, old hardcover books, exotic travel, and heady perfumes, Joel & Justyna compress all of it into their careers as highly respected international wedding photographers.
"There will seldom be in life a time when so much love will fill a room and we know how important– and wonderful – it is to capture not just how these fleeting moments look, but how they also FEEL…We want to preserve for you these fondest memories; the ones you will carry forever. This is what we’re about - our raison-d’être."
~ J & J
Our Ethos
What is it that separates us from other wedding photographers?
It’s in our approach. We enter each wedding day the same way; with a soft footprint, and from the point of view of one of your close guests. We understand that there’s a fine balance between seeing and being seen. Through our years of experience photographing over 400 events, we walk this line nimbly and gracefully, dressing the dress code, and blending in seamlessly with your event.
The common thread uniting our amazing couples is kindness - an openness that grants trust. This isn’t about us or our portfolio, it’s about making sure our couples receive a collection of images that speak a truth; no pretending, no faking, just an elevated, beautiful realness.
We understand and honor the responsibility bestowed upon us as wedding photographers and give every celebration our full respect and attention. This is why we take a limited 25 bookings per year - to ensure that each of our couples receives our very best.
Select Awards & Accolades
Loverly, Best Destination Wedding Photographer in the World, 2024
Legacy Workshop, Speaker 2019
Rangefinder Magazine, Best Wedding Photograph of 2018, Grand Prize Winner
Vogue, August 2020
Over the Moon Features, 2019, 2022, 2023
Junebug Weddings, Best Wedding Photography in the World, 2020, 2021, 2022
Junebug Weddings, Best Engagement Photography in the World, 2017
Grain Film Festival, Speaker, 2023
The Lane, Handpicked Best Wedding Photographers in the World 2018-2020
Inside Weddings, Cover Story Winter 2019
OUR WORK and ART
01.
Joel comes from a family of portrait photographers. His father, Michael Bedford, was the official royal portrait photographer in Canada, before his retirement. Joel had the opportunity to assist on set and serve as post-production artist.
02.
The portrait of HRH Queen Elizabeth II
03.
When not photographing weddings, Justyna creates still life art, and is represented by Lorimer Gallery.
Follow Us on Instagram @joelandJustyna
