Steph Wenker Photography

A Neuchâtel Photographer Who Talks You Out of Posing

Steph Wenker Photography is the business of Stéphanie (Steph) Wenker, a wedding photographer in Neuchâtel who works across the French-speaking part of Switzerland and, as her homepage puts it, elsewhere too "si vous me supportez" (if you can put up with me). Her site is written in French, in a chatty, joking voice, but the about page ends with a line that matters for this guide's readers: "in case you didn't know, I'm also fluent in English!" A second postscript, in German, says she can also speak German and Swiss German if that is important to the couple. Her homepage adds that she has some Spanish and Japanese as well.

Her offers page gives her experience in two numbers: 100 weddings and more than 450 photo sessions. The about page dates her decision to become a photographer to 2016. The story behind it is a school exchange at 16: three months near Toronto, where she took photos every day, after which her parents gave her a first camera.

How She Works

The homepage sets out the approach in her own casual register. She says she does not care much for magazine and fashion codes and looks for "le VRAI VOUS" (the REAL you): belly laughs and real emotions rather than standing stiffly for the camera. For people who dread being photographed, she jokes that she works fast and talks so much there is no time to feel awkward. At weddings, she writes, she blends in so well among the guests that people will ask how many years she has known the couple, and on the about page she claims a talent for disappearing at weddings altogether. During couple shoots, by contrast, she guides and gives a few pointers.

Her editing, she says, is simple, authentic and close to reality, with a warm touch that respects the setting: light through branches in a forest, a sunset on a mountain. She has no studio and prefers that couples take her to their own favorite spot, though she can suggest a few of hers. She also writes that she does not need a schedule planned to the second six weeks ahead, which reflects the loose, spontaneous style she sells.

Wedding Packages

The offers page lists two wedding prices, and the homepage spells out what they include.

Wedding day, from CHF 2,500. The ceremony, group photos, couple photos and the aperitif, with at least 4 hours of presence and a minimum of 300 spontaneous photos. It includes a private gallery, meetings before the wedding, advice on organizing the day, and travel within French-speaking Switzerland. Further packages covering the preparations, the evening or an album are available on request. The offers page describes the range of packages as running from the preparations to the dance floor.

Civil wedding, CHF 650. The ceremony, group photos and couple photos, over 1 hour 30 minutes, with 150 spontaneous photos. An extra hour of presence can be added.

For a couple from abroad, the key figure is the travel line: it covers French-speaking Switzerland only. A wedding elsewhere in Switzerland or abroad is something she invites (she calls herself always short of travel), but the cost is a question for the quote.

Other Sessions

The offers page prices her other work openly, which gives a feel for the rest of the practice. A couple session is CHF 350 for 1 hour with 50 digital photos. A family session is CHF 430 for 1 hour with 60 photos. A pregnancy session costs CHF 350 for two people or CHF 430 from three people, and a pregnancy plus newborn pack costs CHF 600 for a first child or CHF 730 from the second. A 25-minute mini-session with 30 photos costs CHF 250 and always takes place in the Val-de-Travers, except for themed shoots (autumn, snow, lake, sunflowers) she announces on social media. Baptisms are CHF 450 for 1 hour 30 minutes, with extra time at CHF 250 per hour. Companies and sports teams get a quote. The site also has a shop, gift vouchers and a client area.

The offers page adds a figure of its own: she says 95% of the people who contact her have never been in front of a professional camera, and that the other 5% are returning clients.

What Couples Say

The homepage quotes several couples. Carolane and Aurélien write: "Stéphanie est une photographe talentueuse. Elle arrive à capter l'émotion du moment. Grâce à son naturel drôle et rayonnant, elle arrive à mettre n'importe qui à l'aise." (Stéphanie is a talented photographer who records the emotion of the moment and, with her funny, radiant nature, puts anyone at ease.) Haley and Lauren wrote in English: "We didn't realise the day would mean so much to us until we were in it... so we are so happy to have these memories." Another couple, Sonia and Clément, say that looking through the photos they realized they never once noticed her during the day.

What the Site Leaves Open

The site does not publish a booking lead time, deposit, payment schedule or cancellation terms. It gives no delivery time for the images. The price of the extended packages with preparations, evening or album is on request, as is travel beyond French-speaking Switzerland. The site is otherwise in French only, so the English conversation starts with the inquiry itself.

Who She Suits

She suits couples marrying in French-speaking Switzerland who want relaxed, unposed coverage and a photographer who will joke them out of camera nerves. The stated English and German make her a practical choice for an international or mixed-language wedding. The civil package at CHF 650 is a clear, affordable option for a small registry-office wedding. Couples who want a formal, heavily directed style, or a full day from preparations to the last dance, should ask for the extended package quote first, since the base package starts with the ceremony and ends with the aperitif.

How to Book

The contact form on the homepage and offers page asks for the couple's names, email, date, the service they want, how they heard of her, and a free description of the project. She asks couples to check their spam folder for her reply.