MEET
marli koen
I’m drawn to QUIET, unguarded moments that don’t call attention but tend to stay with you.
I photograph weddings through a documentary approach, working with what is already there rather than directing a version of the day for the camera. For me, paying attention is about more than noticing moments. It’s about recognizing the connections between gestures, glances, spaces, rhythms and small details that, together, reveal something about the people and the day. I don’t manufacture moments for the camera. The wedding happens once, in its own particular way. My work is to discover what is there, then shape what I find into a visual narrative.
I’m interested in seeing the whole picture; how a quiet frame can change the meaning of the one beside it, how individual moments become part of a larger story, and how the photographs together can bring you back to the feeling of the day. 35mm film forms part of the way I photograph weddings. The final gallery is not simply a record of what happened, but my considered interpretation of what made your wedding yours.
Outside of weddings, I’m drawn to analogue film, architecture, art and the quiet beauty of everyday spaces. Those influences shape how I see light, composition, and the subtle details that often become the photographs people return to most.
I’ve been photographing weddings full-time since 2013 and take on a limited number each year, allowing me to work slowly and attentively from the first conversation through to the final edit.
I’m based in Cape Town and photograph weddings throughout the Cape Winelands, Tulbagh Valley and Western Cape.
Kind Words
“These photos are like art, they could live anywhere, they have their own story.”
— Amber & Michael
“She really takes the utmost care in making sure that the photos tell every individual story.”
— Kristin & Joachim
“She is truly gifted in her ability to encapsulate emotion within her work.”
— Chloe & Maurice
“Her use of colour and light is unparalleled.”
— Kathryn & Sam