Katarzyna Brońska-Popiel and Jakub Popiel

A couple exchange vows at Warsaw’s Ujazdów Castle while many guests watch on. The large, extravagant room is filled from floor to ceiling with white flowers. Taken on a Canon EOS R6 by Malachite Meadow.

This photo from a wedding ceremony at Ujazdów Castle in Warsaw was captured just after the vows. It's an example of how rapidly the wedding industry in Poland is growing, with productions becoming increasingly elaborate and extravagant. "The cost of flowers and decorations at this wedding could have bought an apartment in Poland," says wedding photographer Jakub Popiel, who, together with his wife Katarzyna Brońska-Popiel, runs the company Malachite Meadow. Taken on a Canon EOS R6 with a Canon RF 28-70mm F2L USM lens at 35mm, 1/160 sec, f/3.5 and ISO 1250. © Malachite Meadow

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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."

Kasia first started photographing people aged 12, using a basic compact film camera. "I always wondered who they were, where they were going, what stories they carried with them," she says.

This interest in stories is reflected in Kuba's early passions growing up in Kraków, where the two are now based. "For as long as I can remember, I've been fascinated by cinema and stories," he says. "As a teenager, I consumed them almost addictively." During this time, Kuba had his first experience with traditional analogue photography, which he describes as "magical and profound".

Kuba went on to study at Krakówskie Szkoły Artystyczne (KSA), specialising in creative photography. "It was a time of intense work, seeking inspiration, but also training in reportage and portrait photography, as well as working on fashion photography," he remembers.

A headshot of Canon Ambassadors Katarzyna Brońska-Popiel and Jakub Popiel holding Canon cameras.
Location: Kraków, Poland

Specialist areas: Wedding photography, street photography

Favourite kit: Canon EOS R6
Canon RF 28-70mm F2L USM
Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM
A black and white image of a bride-to-be grimacing as her veil is adjusted by a bridesmaid while her mother watches on. Taken on a Canon EOS 5D Mark III by Malachite Meadow.

"We love capturing real emotion in photos, and we know that's why our clients choose us," says Kasia. Here, bride Lourette is running late, and her mother and bridesmaid try to get her ready as quickly as possible. Taken on a Canon EOS 5D Mark III (now succeeded by the Canon EOS 5D Mark IV) with a Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM lens (now succeeded by the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L II USM) at 1/125 sec, f/2.8 and ISO 1000. © Malachite Meadow

Taken from above and with a black vignette added, a seated bride and groom embrace lovingly at an elaborately decorated table. Taken on a Canon EOS R6 Mark II by Malachite Meadow.

Kasia and Kuba regularly conduct wedding workshops to share their knowledge and skills. "The opportunity to educate others makes the wedding photography industry better and more professional," says Kasia. "The profession is gaining status and becoming a prestigious occupation." Taken on a Canon EOS R6 Mark II with a Canon RF 28-70mm F2L USM at 28mm, 1/250 sec, f/2 and ISO 3200. © Malachite Meadow

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