Wedding Photographer
Elopement Photographer
NYC Wedding Photographer
Wedding Photographer
Elopement Photographer
Photographer
NYC Elopement Photographer
Wedding Photographer
Artistic Photographer
Wedding Photographer
Artistic Photographer
Elopement Photographer

NYC Wedding Photographer

Thank you so much for stopping by. I’m a NYC wedding photographer specializing in artistic, documentary-style wedding photography, and wedding videos. Based in the Northeast, I’ve been pursuing photography for over 20 years, with nearly a decade focused specifically on weddings. I currently shoot 35mm film and digital. I’m especially drawn to vibrant, colorful celebrations, unconventional souls, and couples who value honest, and creative imagery. I also have a small collective that works with me offering Super 8 and video, We serve couples in New York, Philadelphia, The Poconos, Eastern Pennsylvania, And NJ. Always willing to travel for connections that feel right.

Featured Wedding Galleries

Featured Elopement Galleries

Gianna Leo Falcon Photographer

Gianna Leo Falcon

Wedding Photographer

I can’t really remember a time when photography didn’t play a significant role in who I am. Even as a kid, I was enamored with it and loved those disposable underwater cameras. Remember those? I also got firsthand exposure from my grandfather, who was a photographer in World War II. Through him and his small archive, I was introduced to some of the most powerful images I’ve ever seen, which shaped my love of documentary photo work.

My passion deepened in my twenties, when photography became a serious art form for me. I spent that decade immersed in the NYC underground photo scene, cultivating my craft and honing my eye. Much of my time was devoted to self-portraits and intimate portraits of the artists and community I was surrounded by. In reflection, photography was more than just an art form; it was an entire lifestyle.

I came to weddings by chance in 2016, through a Craigslist ad of all places. I spent five years working for that NYC-based elopement company, helping them during their inception stages and becoming an integral part of their start-up. When the world came to a halt in 2020, it gave me space to pause and reflect. I decided that moving forward, I wanted to work only for myself, and I fully committed to this wild wedding world.

Over the last decade, my wedding photography has grown in powerful ways. I’m extremely proud to say the work I’m doing defies industry standards in fundamental and meaningful ways. I’m here to support couples on their wedding journey as a bystander, not the center. Photography isn’t the point of the wedding; the human connection is. My goal is to capture events as they are and to give people the freedom to experience their weddings without the pressure of performing for a photo, something that only means anything once it’s posted online. This is deeper than that. Wedding photos hold historical significance and deep sentimental value.

I also believe this concept of being present at one’s wedding is of the utmost importance. Life is meant to be lived in the present, and it’s something we’re losing in our current culture. I’m still working through this myself.

I offer both 35mm film and digital. I carry many point-and-shoot film cameras alongside my two digital bodies. I believe film is powerful in the way it captures reality, similar to how the mind remembers it: imperfect, fractaled, dreamlike. This is why we keep coming back to film time and time again. No matter how many updates emerge in the tech world, humans crave things that feel real and give them a sense of nostalgia.

In addition to photography, I hold a master’s degree in counseling from NYU and work part-time for Anwari Counseling in Bethlehem, PA. I live in the Poconos with my husband, Ralph, an arborist, and our two kids, Luchiana and Odin. We value family time, home-cooked meals, local farmers markets, supporting friends’ music and art, and trying to be outside as much as we can.

Email Gianna

NYC Wedding Photographer
Package*

FAQs

My photography is artistic and leans toward an honest, documentary-style approach. I love older work from the turn of the century, when photographs were created to capture something historical and meaningful. That work was less interested in perfection and more focused on the power of memorializing the present moment. I think this translates naturally to weddings. They are historically significant events and ceremonial acts that deserve thoughtful documentation, images you feel genuinely connected to. I am also a fine artist with a background of over 20 years in fine art portraiture. I love weaving in the play of light and shadow and finding creative ways to use the natural environment and back drops that surround us. 

Absolutely. While the goal is to be as authentic and true to real life as possible, most people need some level of guidance to create strong images. I invite couples to show me who they really are. How do you act as a couple when no one else is watching? There is performative aspect to photography, but a truly documentary approach means recreating real life and unique human behavior rather than pretending to be someone else for photos. I believe life is beautiful as it is. I intentionally keep things simple and straightforward to honor that, avoiding the clichés that are common in the industry. I use simple direction such as looking at each other, holding hands, walking toward or away from me, standing in sunlight for a classic portrait, or using reflected light moves across a wall. I’m inspired by street photography from the 80's and 90's and enjoy catching people while they talk and move.

Family portraits are set up with a specific goal, to bring people together and ensure all requested groupings are photographed with the best backdrop available. As a documentary-style portrait photographer, I approach this process in an intentional and thoughtful way that feels less stagnant than traditional family portraiture. Sometimes I come in close while people are sill talking and take photos of family members as the staged photo unravels, capturing the natural cadence of family interactions. 

For my purposes, I work best with a very minimal, skeletal shot list, and yes, I help create this. I also help with ideas for portrait sessions and selecting backdrops for all set-up and posed photographs. Timelines typically include my arrival time, ceremony, family portraits, couple portraits, reception, dinner, and dancing. If you choose to work with an extensive shot list, I strongly recommend hiring a wedding planner or designating a trusted friend to help coordinate. At this stage in my career, my focus is on creating truly thoughtful and creative imagery, and that requires a degree of freedom. Overly detailed lists and rigid timelines can sometimes be limiting and realistically are often not followed the day of. 

In the event that I am unable to perform due to illness or an unforeseen emergency, I will arrange for a qualified backup photographer. I am part of a large photography network in NYC and Northern Pennsylvania, which allows me access to trusted professionals when needed. I will remain involved in the process and handle the editing and delivery of your final gallery. If a suitable replacement cannot be secured, a full refund will be issued. For weddings with over 150 guests, I strongly encourage adding a second photographer to ensure fuller coverage and an additional layer of backup.

Standard in the industry is to plan a short intro call via Google Meet, Zoom, or phone. This is a chance for us to get to know each other and see if it feels like a good connection.

Couples often come into these calls wanting to start planning their wedding. While that is completely understandable, it is not always honoring the photographer you may or may not book. A lot of time and care goes into the booking process, and these intro calls are typically offered at no cost, often lasting up to an hour.

I personally prefer that this time is used for you to learn about me, my unique style and perspective, and how I came to this craft. We will talk about what makes me passionate about this work, why I chose this particular line of photography, and how my experience will support you on your wedding day.

If we decide to work together, we move forward with a standard contract that protects both of us legally. A 30%  non refundable booking fee is required to reserve your date. This fee secures your wedding day and covers the cost of turning away other work.

Zelle is my primary method of payment. I also accept CashApp and PayPal. Cash is accepted for final payments only.

Yes, I carry standard liability insurance and can provide a certificate of insurance to venues upon request.

Yes. Please inquire and I am happy to share full galleries.

I am currently offering super 8 and HD videos with Ignacio from the collective. You can see more video work of his here .

35mm film is the original photographic medium for both still and motion imagery. As digital photography became dominant, much of this format was left behind. Film offers a depth, texture, and quality that is difficult to replicate digitally. Each image has a distinct and tangible presence. It lives in a three dimensional world.

Much like our own minds and the way we remember our lives, imperfect and tangential, 35mm film is similar. It holds nuance and a quiet kind of magic. I believe it feels closer to the human imagination than digital, and within that, there is a familiarity we are naturally drawn to.

35mm film is also, quite literally, a different camera system. I carry a few with me at each wedding, including my 35mm manual camera, my Kodak half frame, and my Yashica T4. I also have a few other heavy hitters, including a Bronica medium format camera. I have fallen deeply in love with this form of photography. It does not compare to digital. They are almost different mediums, even though they are doing the same thing in effect.

Another main difference is cost. Film rolls are expensive to purchase and develop, and the process is far more time consuming. It requires a different skill level and a higher level of attention to detail from your photographer.

Yes. As a mother of two, I have a deep appreciation for maternity and family photography. These sessions are documentary in nature and shot on 35mm film and digital. Full galleries are available here.

New York City Intimate Wedding Photography & Elopement Photography Services

Testimonials

I cannot say enough good things about Gianna. Her documentary-style vibe was the perfect fit for our more laid-back elopement + party. We never wanted anything to feel forced or cheesy. She has genuinely mastered the art of taking authentic and real pictures that are still so beautiful.
Not only is her work amazing, but she made everything feel so comfortable and easy. We all genuinely had a blast running around all over NEPA taking photos. It was a truly magical day and Gianna played a huge role in that.

Kait and Jerry

We were so lucky to have our wedding shot by Gianna! She was super responsive from day 1, easy to collaborate with, and made us feel extremely comfortable and natural in front of the camera! And, of course, the film and digital shots came out beautifully. I’d definitely recommend her to anyone out there looking for natural, “documentary” style photographs 🙂 (also: she is super cool herself! Great person to hang with!)

Isabel and Daniel

Gianna is the perfect photographer for couples seeking a relaxed experience. You can truly be yourself, enjoy your day, and trust that she will capture the significant moments and all the little details that you may not even realize matter so much. She is a serious artist and a genuinely kind human. We felt incredibly fortunate to have her as part of our special day.

Karl and Karen

“WOW! We could not recommend Gianna enough as a wedding photographer. The day of Gianna was fun, professional, and helped us make the most of every shot. She seems to have an eye for finding the perfect shot wherever we went throughout Brooklyn and knew where to take us to find interesting street art and views. She brought a positive vibe and great energy throughout. If you are looking for fun and unique shots, look no further!”

Gabby & Tom

“Gianna is a master of her craft & an all around incredible person who we are *so* grateful to have gotten to work with. Planning to have a tiny wedding ceremony in 2020 was a rollercoaster, but the stars really aligned when we found Gianna. Her photojournalistic style is so special; she captured us, our day, and the neighborhood we love so beautifully. Our wedding was very intimate, and Gianna fit right in & made us all feel at ease. It was a privilege to work with such a passionate and talented artist whose unique vision we could trust implicitly. If you’re looking for a photographer who will capture your day in a way you will treasure forever – seriously look no further! Each image is such a gift. We can’t thank you enough, Gianna!”

Dylan & Jordan

“Gianna was such an amazing part of our wedding. She was so flexible, accommodating, and friendly. Everyone loved her work. She first shot an engagement shoot with us and after that we knew we wanted her for the wedding. Those photos were a hit and everyone wanted to know who shot us. She was attentive when taking shots guiding us to get the most flattering ones and patient when we needed breaks or weren’t feeling the shots. She’s super down to earth and intuitive. We have her bookmarked for any future events and gave her info out to guests as well.”

Mischa & Samir

“I cannot say enough good things about Gianna. Her documentary-style vibe was the perfect fit for our more laid-back elopement + party. We never wanted anything to feel forced or cheesy. She has genuinely mastered the art of taking authentic and real pictures that are still so beautiful.
Not only is her work amazing, but she made everything feel so comfortable and easy. We all genuinely had a blast running around all over NEPA taking photos. It was a truly magical day and Gianna played a huge role in that!”

Kait & Jerry

“Gianna was brilliant I’m so happy we chose her to photograph our wedding. She was very flexible with timings (even last minute changes on the morning of) and made us feel relaxed and ourselves. My favorite thing is that she shot on film and digital, so special to have both mediums. She’s truly a master of her craft and a wonderful human. Thanks Gianna for giving us the best memories to keep forever”

Olivia & David

“So when you elope from Tennessee to have your wedding in NYC you want the best of everything; the best location, the ceremony, and the best photographer, and that is what we had! Gianna made our wedding a true fairytale! Gianna brought the city to us! Our photos were so unique and creative. We had so much fun traveling around the city that she knows so well. She captured the brilliance and magic of her New York and shared it with us, making our day so very special. The photos bring back the feel of day to us each time we see them.”

Lucy & Gary

“Gianna was an absolute pleasure to work with. Her passion, charisma, and energy really shines in her elopement photography. Her attention to detail and professionalism really blew us away. We couldn’t have asked for a better photographer for our New York City wedding. Gianna has a strong knowledge of the city and knew all of the best places to take stunning photos. Our family and friends could not get over how well our photos turned out and thought they should be featured in magazines! We will always have such vivid memories from our special day whenever we look at Gianna’s photos. Thank you for everything Gianna!”

Chris & Gillian

“Sometimes thank you doesn’t seem enough. You amazed us. When we first booked our wedding we had our fingers crossed we’d get to have you as our photographer and we can’t tell you how happy we were when we got you! Your passion and love for what you do shines through. It’s so lovely to watch someone who has truly found their unique talent in this world. We know every photo you took could not have been taken by anyone else. Our photos are beautiful, you’ve captured our happiest moments and turned them into something so special for us and our family. Thank you for everything – you are one of a kind. “

Jemma & Matt
Copyright © 2026 Gianna Leo Falcon | All Rights Reserved

Contact Me

Package*