Our ethos when photographing your wedding or elopement is simple: we believe that love & community matters, and that representing them honestly is true luxury.
We also believe that a gentle sense of humour is as valuable as a sense for gentle. And this is the reason why when you look closely at our photographs, you’ll notice an equal emphasis on sublime, quiet moments & carefully caught romance, as on the gloriously absurd tapestry that is being human.
And those moments are observed, not interfered with.
The result for you is what we'd want for ourselves if hiring someone to make a record of an important moment with people we love: a treasure trove of diverse images that get more interesting every time you go through them - ones that stand up equally as memories that matter to you personally, and works of art to those who shouldn't care less.
You're not paying us to use a camera, you're paying us to pay attention, so if you'd like ours turned to you and yours then make an enquiry.
enquire@briarsatlas.com
+ 61 419 348 845
Melbourne, Australia
✈ Everywhere, (this) planet
Every photograph made on this site was by Oli Sansom, who over the last decade has become one of the most sought after luxury photographers worldwide, hired on every continent and sharing leadership at every major international creative conference along the way.
When you book a Briars Atlas wedding or elopement, Oli delivers the care in the lead-up, and Oli turns up to photograph your day.
Raised by llamas on a far-removed desert escarpment he spent his formative years eating cameras after reading about some dude on Wikipedia and now they've grown out of his arms or something. Occassionally he speaks internationally at creative conferences and hosts the odd workshop and retreat.
Peer inside his brain here or send an email and say g'day (or your greeting flavour of choice).
You're in good hands, believe it (scroll down).
Fun facts*: Oli has been commissioned in Antarctica, witnessed Bruce Springseen fronting the wedding band in a New Jersey backyard, and knocked out by a UFC heavyweight (can recommend the first two).
* Facts may or may not be fun
Head chef
Photo: Monika Frias
Nice things people said about us (that we didn't pay them to say)
"You Sir are a genius! Our world’s aligned for a reason.
You have us two captivated, as you captured every emotion and moment – obviously we’re blubbering messes at the moment! What a marvellous showcase.
The preview was exciting and the main event has blown us away.
You captured us and each and every moment of our Wedding day spectacularly. You are quite the story teller!".
- Sam & Paul / Featured on The Knot and more
"You did such an amazing job capturing our friends, the architecture, the property and nature, the moments and the feeling.
We particularly love our posed shots. The moody black and whites are amazing. Your colour grading is so beautiful. The way you frame. Just all of it!
It was one hell of a day for you starting at 6am till about midnight. I can’t thank you enough for everything you did for us.
You blew all of our expectations and still are".
- Sarah & Andrew / Featured on Together Journal
"I knew you were incredible, but that blew us away.
Many many tears.
They’re beyond beautiful and we couldn’t have pictured them anymore perfectly. You fucking maestro. And those film ones... I’m drooling.
These capture everything I love about photos, moments being encapsulated in time and feeling like you’re right there. They’re all beautiful."
- Zoe & Adam / featured on Vogue Australia
"M8. You're very good at this."
- Ella & Mack / Featured on Vogue Australia
"Our jaw dropped many times, at how beautifully the photos are composed, at how you have captured the light and ambiance.
I grew up binging movies by Hitchcock, Otto Preminger etc. and this velvety and eery aesthetic feels like home.
You have rendered it so well with portraits, contrasts and shadows, and by catching transitory moments of 'in-between', with a gentle nod to the complexity of emotions felt."
- Louise & David
Raise your prices, asshole.
- Jonas Peterson
How do we secure you?
A 25% retainer secures your date with us. Dates are held once this is paid, and are allocated on a first come, first deposit-placed basis. Enquire here.
What are your fees?
Fees vary based on your location, the length of coverage you want, and how much delicious film is desired. We're not the cheapest, but if you're here then you're not interested in the kind of work that'll make you throw up, and we don't cut corners (on the work, not the road to throwing up).
Southern hemisphere starts at around $6k, northern hemisphere starts at around $10k. Send us a sign, tell us the bits and bobs and where, and we can see what works.
What about the camera shy?
We understand introverts, extroverts, and we're experts in the delicate game that is seeing another human for who they are and making them comfortable. Ask us how.
Do you travel?
About half of our bookings are international, and half are in Australia. We have bespoke pricing structures for anywhere on the planet you're getting married, and have a decade of experience in the nuances of destination photography, and assisting with your own planning as needed.
How often can we access you?
You have unlimited access to Oli's decade of experience the entire time before your wedding or elopement, and you are given access to a meeting portal where you can schedule in an online or in-person meet with Oli whenever you need to.
Are we cool enough?
You wouldn't believe how often this concern actually lands in our inbox. Our chief skill is making everyone look just as fabulous as they are, and everyone is welcome. And if the galleries here don't drive that home, then you should check out our own Vanity Fair photo booth, BLANC.
Do you photograph large weddings or elopements?
Good photography doesn't distinguish between either of these, and there's no such thing as a specialist. We're equally comfortable traipsing mountains over a 5 day intimate elopement or an in-home ceremony of two, as we are an intense day with 300 guests.
Fortuitously Aided Quagmires (FAQ)
How long have you been in business?
Oli has spent over a decade as one of the most sought after wedding and elopement photographers both in Australia and internationally. More experience means more exposures to more challenges - at this point, we've just about seen it all: the fast-paced nuances & dynamism of planning a 3-day soiree in New York, the breathing room of an intimate quest around the Yarra Valley, the delicate dance of making extroverted A-list celebrities and introverted family members alike comfortable, and everything in between.
Say hello, and share a little about what your plans are and how you see us being involved. Do you want part-day coverage, full day, where are things happening and importantly, what's important to you?
Walk don't run, our bookings are unlimited (hopefully we're available tho).
See you soon?
📍 Melbourne Australia ✈ Worldwide
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