Artist Feature – Franklin Balzan

Born in the picturesque island of Malta, Franklin’s journey began in the world of mechanical engineering. Though engineering and art may seem worlds apart, Franklin found their meeting point in an eye for balance, harmony, and purposeful creation. In 2013, he turned his focus to photography, dedicating himself to perfecting the craft of wedding storytelling – where fleeting emotion meets timeless artistry. Over the years, Franklin has photographed couples from across the globe – from China, Japan, and South Korea to Australia, England, Saudi Arabia, Italy, Russia, Germany, Latvia, India, and the USA – each wedding a unique tapestry of culture, connection, and emotion. Known for a style that is timeless, authentic, and soulful, Franklin blends documentary honesty with an artist’s eye for light and composition, often seeking to capture not just the visible, but the unseen and intangible. Whether in Malta’s golden light or far beyond its shores, he is driven by the same pursuit: to create heartfelt images that resonate for a lifetime and poetic portraits which are anything but wedding industry cliches.

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Please share a bit about your background and how you got started in photography. How long have you been a photographer?

Photography has always been about stories for me. Long before I called myself a photographer, I was the guy carrying a camera everywhere during travels, or even quiet afternoons in the city, trying to capture not just what I saw, but what I felt. Over time, I realised the moments that moved me most were human ones: a glance, a touch, laughter spilling out unexpectedly. Weddings became my natural home because they’re this beautiful mix of emotion, connection, and artistry. I’ve been photographing weddings professionally for over a decade now, blending my love for real, unscripted moments with creative portraits that feel timeless and true.

What is the best part about being a photographer? What is the most challenging part?

The best part is standing in the middle of a wedding day and witnessing how love looks in all its forms – from the memorable grand (and expected) moments to the tiniest, blink-and-you-miss-it gestures. I get to bottle up those moments so they can be opened again and again in the years to come.

The hardest part is that there are no retakes. Everything happens once, and it’s my job to anticipate it, adapt, and create something meaningful in real time. But honestly, that challenge is part of what keeps me sharp and inspired.

What do you think your keys to success are in this industry?

For me, it comes down to connection, trust, and consistency.

• Connection – because when couples feel understood, they relax and let their real selves shine.
• Trust – because they know I’m not just showing up with a camera, but with care and intention for their story.
• Consistency – in how I communicate, deliver, and create work that feels authentically them every single time.

Do you have a signature editing style that clients can expect from your work?

Yes – my style is warm, true-to-life, and timeless. Over time, it evolved as I first started with a more vintage feel, but as time passed, I realised that I wanted colours to feel more natural, skin tones to feel real, and light to carry the same atmosphere it had in that moment.

I avoid over-editing or chasing trends, because I want my couples to look back decades from now and feel the same emotions they felt on their wedding day, without the images feeling dated. Every client is unique.

How do you tailor your approach to reflect individuality?

It starts with listening – I give a lot of attention to the first client meetings which are a must to ensure that I learn about their story, what matters most to them, and how they see their day unfolding. I then venture on asking them about the most important people at their wedding, any special moments and their personality and values.

Some couples love gentle direction, others want me to be a silent observer. I adapt my approach to match their personalities, cultural traditions, and the kind of memories they value. The aim is always the same: that when they see their photos, they feel recognised and understood.

How do you manage the pressure of capturing once-in-a-lifetime moments?

For me, it’s about preparation and presence. I make sure that I know the spaces, the light, and the flow of the day – and I always have backups for my backups. But more than that, I try to stay fully present, tuned into the energy in the room. That way, I can anticipate moments before they happen. The couples’ trust allows me to work calmly, even under pressure, so I can focus on storytelling rather than stress.

How has Impossible Things (IT) AI Photo Editing benefited your business?

Impossible Things has taken a huge weight off my workflow. Instead of spending hours buried in editing, I can now channel that time into the parts of my work I love most – connecting with couples, planning creative ideas, and simply being present with family. It’s allowed me to deliver galleries faster without compromising quality, which couples truly appreciate.

At the same time, I still love to see all the photos I have taken and cull myself so Impossible Things, being so integrated in Lightroom, was easy for me to implement.

What is your current workflow with Impossible Things, and how has it improved?

After culling my images, I run them through Impossible Things using the Two Mann Studios Mannhattan profile (with some minor refinements). This gives me a beautifully consistent base edit, so I only need to make light refinements from an already almost deliverable image. This has transformed my delivery speed and kept my galleries cohesive from first image to last and allows me to then simply focus more on specific aspects such as masking and choosing whether the image is better in black and white or keeping it in colour.

What is your favorite Impossible Things feature and why?

The ability to apply a signature style seamlessly across hundreds of images in a matter of minutes is priceless. It keeps my storytelling consistent and gives me the freedom to focus on what I love most – capturing the story and refining the final frame, rather than getting lost in endless editing corrections, which can be automated!

Gallery

Enjoy this gallery of wedding imagery from Franklin Balzan. All of the images are edited with either the Two Mann Studios Mannhattan preset (in color) or the Two Mann Studios Ristretto preset (black and white).