Posts https://elysiumtbilisi.com en Pre Wedding photoshoot in Tuscany https://elysiumtbilisi.com/tpost/adbj9buxh1-pre-wedding-photoshoot-in-tuscany https://elysiumtbilisi.com/tpost/adbj9buxh1-pre-wedding-photoshoot-in-tuscany?amp=true Thu, 21 Nov 2024 01:39:00 +0300 Written by Sara Paolucci Pre Wedding photoshoot 5 reasons to book a pre wedding photoshoot (and why doing it in Italy)

Pre Wedding photoshoot in Tuscany

5 reasons to book a pre wedding photoshoot (and why doing it in Italy)

Last may I took this 4 hours pre wedding photoshoot in a wonderful Tuscany location, Castello del Nero. It was a 4 hours photoshoot entirely dedicated to Agnes and Zhi, without the rush of the big event, a perfect time just for themselves (they recently got married in Singapore, and I loved how they displayed these photos during their event!).

I will leave you here 5 reasons why I think you should take a prewedding photoshoot:
1) PHOTO TIME FOR YOURSELVES: during your wedding you may want to enjoy your family & friends and enjoy the party, and sometimes taking the time for just the two of you can be difficult. But you still want beautiful photographs of you and your partner in your dresses: that’s reason n.1 on why booking a preceding photoshoot.
2) YOU CAN CHOOSE YOUR DREAM LOCATION (AND ITALY HAS PLENTY OF INCREDIBLE LOCATIONS, CITIES AND SPOT TO OFFER): Italy is your dream wedding destination but for some (or many) reasons, your wedding will take place in your country, close to your friends and families. With a pre wedding photoshoot, you can plan a few days in Italy, just the two of you, and we can organize your perfect photoshoot.
3) GAIN CONFIDENCE IN FRONT OF THE CAMERA: most of us (including myself) are not used to stay in front of the camera: a pre wedding photoshoot is the perfect occasion to start gaining confidence and relax when a photographer is taking your photos. Bonus points if I will photograph your wedding aswell: you’ll know how I work, you’ll know me and you’ll be way more relaxed.
4) CHOOSE TO WEAR A DIFFERENT WEDDING DRESS THAN THE ONE YOU’LL BE WEARING ON YOUR WEDDING DAY, maybe renting one directly in the city where your shoot will take place
5) TIME TO EXPERIMENT AND TRY SOMETHING DIFFERENT, AND MOST OF ALL, HAVE FUN! Maybe you want to try something different and be playful with your photos, maybe you have a specific idea in mind you’d love to try: pre wedding photoshoot are the perfect occasion to experiment and have fun with unusual spots and play with posing :)
Overall, there are way more reasons than just 5 to book you prewedding photoshoot: I love when my clients show me how they used their photos: a beautiful display during their wedding, a special invitation, a wedding website.
Are you thinking of booking a pre wedding photoshoot in Italy? Do you have any questions, or you need more info? Fill in the form here and let’s talk about it!
]]> Wedding proposal in Italy https://elysiumtbilisi.com/tpost/7b2dafoy51-wedding-proposal-in-italy https://elysiumtbilisi.com/tpost/7b2dafoy51-wedding-proposal-in-italy?amp=true Wed, 27 Nov 2024 21:43:00 +0300 Wedding proposal A special proposal in an enchanting location between Tuscany and Umbria

Wedding proposal in Italy

A special proposal in an enchanting location between Tuscany and Umbria

When I first got in touch with my client, he was undecided about which property/hotel to choose for his wedding proposal: he knew he wanted to stay in Tuscany, and Tuscany has some very incredible private places to choose from. Based on his preferences, and among all the properties he was thinking of, we decided that a private lake in Umbria would be the perfect set up for his proposal. Among all the places he was thinking of, the one he chose had a different mood and touch. The location is beautiful, and beautifully surrounded by art and pristine nature. The downside of this unforgettable place is that it has a very strict policy regarding photography (and not only to photographers, but any guest who chooses it), meaning that you are allowed to take photos only in a very few spots OUTSIDE the property.
Thankfully their private lake is one of these spots, and we thought it was just perfect for a wedding proposal, followed by a boat trip and a walk on a second spot, among olive trees with a view of the countryside.

Choosing a specific place/destination for your wedding proposal (but also for your engagement) is very important: the chosen location will become a special place (maybe one day you’ll want to go back to remember and celebrate a special time of your life) and it will be the background of your photos: for this reason, my suggestion is to book your proposal photoshoot well in advance: this way I can coordinate with the location you have chosen or give you suggestions/create a special itinerary for you if Rome is your chosen destination.

For a wedding proposal photoshoot, having a private, beautiful spot just for you, without any chance of being interrupted, surrounded by an enchanting environment, is an absolute plus to have and to create beautiful memories.
For our first part of the photoshoot their song was played just after he proposed with a beautiful proposal ring - after that, our soundtrack was the gentle, summer sound of singing frogs and crickets.

This photoshoot took two hours, and here you can see a short selection of a way wider gallery.
PLEASE NOTE: this place photography policy is so restrictive I won’t be able to join anyone here to take photos anymore. Umbria and Tuscany are full of private, enchanting places where you will be free to bring back memories without any restriction ;).
]]> Getting married in Venice: the sweetest escape https://elysiumtbilisi.com/tpost/1eor3vzz71-getting-married-in-venice-the-sweetest-e https://elysiumtbilisi.com/tpost/1eor3vzz71-getting-married-in-venice-the-sweetest-e?amp=true Wed, 27 Nov 2024 21:55:00 +0300 Written by Sara Paolucci Elopement photoshoot Photoshoot of a winter elopement in one of the most romantic cities of Italy (and of the world!)

Getting married in Venice: the sweetest escape

Photoshoot of a winter elopement in one of the most romantic cities of Italy (and of the world!)

Since the very first minute I came back to Venice for this elopement, I realized how much this city can offer to all the couples who choose it as a wedding/elopement destination - no matter the season, the city has a strong charm and chameleonic personality and a mood that changes many times during the day. I truly enjoyed this foggy / cloudy morning which made the bright colors look brighter, and let me played with this enchanting soft light . Later on the day, when a ray of sun came out of the clouds, the laguna was shining with little dancing stars of light. Photographically speaking, this translates into countless opportunities for me of playing and creating something really unique with your wedding photos.
In case you are wondering, the photos have been taken at Cà di Dio hotel: this 5 stars hotel is conveniently located in a very quiet area (Arsenale), yet only 6 minutes walking to Piazza San Marco. It has a private water boat / taxi access, and one of the suites has a beautiful terrace with view which is a wonderful setting for an elopement.

Being one of the most enchanting and incredible cities in the world, Venice is very crowded, and choosing a location hidden from the crowd yet panoramic and at walking distance from the main Piazza can be the perfect choice if you are looking for some privacy.
This is just a short selection of a much wider gallery, just to give you an idea of what I can do for you as your destination wedding photographer: I am based in Rome (click here to watch a gallery of an elopement shot in Rome, or here for a couple session in Florence), but I happily travel all over Italy and other foreign destinations to become your visual storyteller.
Click here to request more info
]]> Florence, on a rainy day: embracing a different mood for your photos https://elysiumtbilisi.com/tpost/zxnjnaki41-florence-on-a-rainy-day-embracing-a-diff https://elysiumtbilisi.com/tpost/zxnjnaki41-florence-on-a-rainy-day-embracing-a-diff?amp=true Wed, 27 Nov 2024 22:20:00 +0300 Written by Sara Paolucci Engagement photoshoot What to expect from a ‘under the rain’ photoshoot

Florence, on a rainy day: embracing a different mood for your photos

What to expect from a ‘under the rain’ photoshoot

These photos have been taken on a rainy afternoon in Florence - in crowded cities like Florence it’s always recommended to organize photoshoots at dawn, when the city is still asleep, the light is soft and beautiful, there’s no one around and you can enjoy and see it on a different perspective.

But let’s face it, sometimes it’s just not possible, and for different reasons: let’s say you have just an afternoon available before leaving for your next destination. And the weather forecast is not as expected: it will be a heavy rainy day.

Don’t worry: limits - if we should call them this way - can be turned into opportunities: I knew in advance we had to face a rainy day, and, instead of changing our plans, we ended up in embracing it the way it was - a fascinating winter day in Florence.

All we needed was a beautiful dress, a glass of wine in a nice location, an umbrella and a walk under the rain through one of the most enchanting cities in the world - in the end, it’s been a beautiful day.

Here’s the result:
]]> Romantic couple photoshoot in Rome: something different https://elysiumtbilisi.com/tpost/vdf2zctp71-romantic-couple-photoshoot-in-rome-somet https://elysiumtbilisi.com/tpost/vdf2zctp71-romantic-couple-photoshoot-in-rome-somet?amp=true Wed, 27 Nov 2024 22:29:00 +0300 Written by Sara Paolucci Wedding proposal If you’re looking for a special, intimate place for a couple photoshoot when traveling to Rome

Romantic couple photoshoot in Rome: something different

Romantic couple photoshoot in Rome: something different

If you’re looking for a special, intimate place for a couple photoshoot when traveling to Rome - maybe you are planning a wedding proposal or maybe you just want to go back home with beautiful memories of you and your partner - but the city landscape is not for you, heading to the beachside is always a good idea.

Winter and beginning of spring are the perfect seasons for a photoshoot near the sea: the beaches are quiet and there’s no one around, the light is soft and beautiful and a little bit of chill/windy weather is ideal and gives that cinematic look that will make your photos different.
If you are looking for not only an editorial style photoshoot, but a beautiful experience with your partner let’s plan a free zoom consultation call: getting to know each is the very first step to understand if I am the perfect photographer for you.
Packages can start from a simple but beautiful set up, meaning the perfect location, advices on how to dress, a make up artist and an hair dresser, to more sophisticated set ups, realized in cooperation with selected business partners with music, flowers, and everything you need to make your shooting an experience to remember.
Want to know more? hit the button below and let’s get in touch!
]]> London vacation photoshoot: what to expect from a family reportage https://elysiumtbilisi.com/tpost/t6lkrl4261-london-vacation-photoshoot-what-to-expec https://elysiumtbilisi.com/tpost/t6lkrl4261-london-vacation-photoshoot-what-to-expec?amp=true Sun, 01 Dec 2024 13:56:00 +0300 Written by Sara Paolucci Vacation photoshoot 7 things that will be included in your vacation photo session you will love to remember

London vacation photoshoot: what to expect from a family reportage

7 things that will be included in your vacation photo session you will love to remember

Ok, so you are finally ready to leave for your next adventure with your family - including your children - you have contacted me in advance telling me that posed portraits are not your jam: you want a 100% real life documentation photoshoot of your vacation - and that’s totally fine! You have already planned your day: an afternoon visiting the Natural History Museum. Our session will last 4 hours: arriving in London, enjoying the museum and relaxing on a coffee shop before leaving for your next destination. Here’s what to expect and what you will find in your final selection:

1) be prepared: we are going to shoot among a lot of people - something challenging for every photographer - but, hey, that’s part of my job! So let’s embrace the chaos of the big city - that’s part of your vacation too!
2) Traveling with children can (also) be fun: their curiosity and enthusiasm (or lack of it!), their emotions are definitely something I observe and capture on the fly every time they experience something new:
3) Children are children, no matter where you (or they) are: I always enjoy (and i’m always happy and ready to photograph) their typical kids behavior - see some examples below: photo 1 - a small gesture of affection between two brothers; photo 2 - trying to see the museum upside down (let’s talk about how inspiring children can be: I ALWAYS try to find a different perspective!); photo 3 - one kid licking his brother (scenes that parents have seen thousand times).
4) portraits: can a 100% documentary session with no posed portraits, include portraits? Of course. Some of them will reveal their personal traits (their shyness, the sense of nostalgia of the teenage years, but also the love and tenderness towards brothers and sisters), their sense of wonder. [Note on the side: the first photo has been selected and displayed at The Florida Museum of Photographic Arts].
5) tiredness, confusion, small breaks - photo 1 below - but also small love gestures - photo 2 -, big versus small - photo 3 - are many of the elements that will be included in your story: family vacation reportage goes much beyond the classical landmark portrait photoshoot sessions.
6) As parents, we always talk about how much we love our children. But there’s something we do not talk about a lot: how much our children love us, no matter what. Do you want to see their love or happy gaze when you can’t see them? Here’s something for you:
These are just some of the photos from the final selection, there are many more delivered to the family, and this post has the purpose to give you an idea of what we can achieve together. Here’s the family review:
“Sarah photographed my family in London, and it was a such a great experience. The plan we had made for the day changed into a bit of a chaotic mess, but she was great through the whole process and made everybody feel comfortable. My kids - all 5 of them - loved the whole thing and so did we as parents. We now have a series of honest, but beautiful photos of our crazy family in some of our favourite places ever. Thank you Sara!” — Raluca C.
Do you wanna try? Are you thinking of booking a vacation photoshoot when visiting your next destination? Let’s talk about it!
Contact me
]]> Nikon Z8 for wedding photography: fav settings (and why I love it) https://elysiumtbilisi.com/tpost/spnlzikax1-nikon-z8-for-wedding-photography-fav-set https://elysiumtbilisi.com/tpost/spnlzikax1-nikon-z8-for-wedding-photography-fav-set?amp=true Sun, 01 Dec 2024 14:17:00 +0300 Written by Sara Paolucci Nikon Z8 for wedding photography, Elopement photoshoot It’s been a month I got my new Nikon Z8 and since then i’ve tested it for a few shootings in the most challenging conditions - so far I am impressed - I am sharing my first thoughts here

Nikon Z8 for wedding photography: fav settings (and why I love it)

It’s been a month I got my new Nikon Z8 and since then i’ve tested it for a few shootings in the most challenging conditions - so far I am impressed - I am sharing my first thoughts here

It was pretty much time to upgrade my gear (I was shooting with an ‘old’ but still performing Nikon D850 + a small/everyday camera, my Nikon Z6 (for sale, in case you are interested) as a second body, and after a few months Nikon released the new Z8, and after reading all the exceptional reviews from my colleagues, I decided to go ahead and buy one for myself.

The new Nikon Z8 is not what I would define as an ‘everyday camera’ - meaning a camera you bring with you on a daily basis like its little Z6 sister, but it’s a professional tool (and an investment, since it doesn’t come at a low price) but an investment that is worth the cost, being a camera that can cover EVERY professional need. My very first photoshoot with Nikon Z8 was a Day in the Life (an entire day family reportage) I am going to share very soon, right now I will share some wedding photos recently taken.

I will leave here not only the photos taken, but the three main reasons why I love It so far:
1) AUTOFOCUS: The first thing I do when I unbox a camera, is setting the back button focus (here’s how to set a back button focus on your Nikon Z8/z9: go to custom setting menu/Focus/A6 AF and change it to AF ON only). With the Nikon Z8 I have set the AF-C with the 3D tracking mode: since i’ve tried it, i’ve been so impressed I just have left it set on my camera: once the AF is locked on the eye of my subject, it sticks on it and no matter if he/she moves around, if other people are in the same room, if my subject moves fast (believe me: i’ve tried it with running/jumping kids), there’s no chance to miss a focus.
2) QUIET SHUTTER BUTTON (please note: I wrote ‘quiet’ , not ‘silent’ - when I use the silent shutter I am always in doubt I have taken the photo!): imagine taking a lot of photos of the same scene (which will be edited later on to choose the frame with the best moment - this is the way I work). Imagine working with a couple, in an intimate environment. Imagine working to make they feel comfortable and at ease to photograph the best connections between the two of them. Now imagine all this with a loud shutter button: clack, clack, clack… Not only it’s disturbing and annoying for me, but it takes away all the romance/atmosphere I am looking for that moment.

And, by the way, I never shoot with a long lens (all these photos are taken with a 35 mm 1.8 S lens) staying away from the couple: I want to be close to them, and I want them to feel they can be themselves and relaxed even if I am there with them, I want to give them back beautiful photos they will love: well, I can tell you that a quiet shutter button definitely makes a difference.
3) THE WONDERFUL COMBO 45MP RESOLUTION + COMPRESSED, HIGH EFFICIENCY / QUALITY FILES: let’s be pragmatic: Nikon D850, weight of each RAW file at 45 MP around 60MB - Nikon Z8 around 32 MB each RAW file (approx the same size of the files of my Nikon Z6 which are slightly heavier). Honestly, this is impressive, and I love it for two main reasons:

a) my iMac and hard drives will not get stuck and explode, hooray!

b) I can reconsider and rethink an already taken photo - let’s say I want to focus on a detail, like a gaze, or a small gesture: I can heavily crop the original photo maintaining a very good quality of it.

And to give you an idea of what I am talking about, I will simply post a photo and a heavy cropped portion of it side by side, and leave you to your judgement:
These are the three main reasons why I love working with my Nikon Z8 - to sum everything up: it’s a reliable camera. Reliable in a way that I can allow myself the luxury of forgetting about all the technical part (being everything already set with my preferences on my camera) and I feel free to give all my attention to the people I photograph, their connection, and what I want to communicate with my photos - and this is priceless.
if you are interested to see more from this camera, I will share soon something about family reportage: I will post the link once it’s out on my instagram account, in the meantime you can follow me there, simply click on the social links:
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]]> Elope in Italy: 10 reasons to choose intimacy over a big event, and why Rome can be the perfect set for your love https://elysiumtbilisi.com/tpost/po8z2eb4c1-elope-in-italy-10-reasons-to-choose-inti https://elysiumtbilisi.com/tpost/po8z2eb4c1-elope-in-italy-10-reasons-to-choose-inti?amp=true Sun, 01 Dec 2024 14:30:00 +0300 Written by Sara Paolucci Elopement photoshoot Classic, elegant, timeless memories: your love as a foreground in one of the most fascinating cities in the world

Elope in Italy: 10 reasons to choose intimacy over a big event, and why Rome can be the perfect set for your love

Classic, elegant, timeless memories: your love as a foreground in one of the most fascinating cities in the world

In my journey as a photographer, I’ve come to cherish elopements and intimate weddings for their relaxed atmosphere, allowing me to focus entirely on the couple and capture more beautiful and meaningful moments that truly reflect all the love between the two of them.

Here you can find 10 reasons why choosing an elopement / intimate wedding over a big events, why doing it in Rome, and what can be achieved by hiring me as your personal, destination photographer in Italy:
1) EXCLUSIVE VENUES: in the last coupe of years, Rome has seen an increase of 5 stars hotels, with stunning rooms and terraces overlooking the city: these photos have been taken at ’Six Senses Hotel’, a 5 star luxury venue in the historical centre of Roma, which is conveniently located besides the San Marcello church, making it the perfect place to stay if you are into a religious ceremony and want to organize everything in one place/a few steps away. When choosing an intimate wedding / elopement over a big event, you have countless of options to choose from, without the capacity limit a big event implies.

2) MORE TIME FOR THE GETTING READY PART: having more time just for yourselves means dedicating more time to those editorial style portraits for each one of you, resulting in an intimate collection of moments before exchanging the vows (if you have enough time you can also make some changes in your make up/hair and try different looks).
3) AUTHENTIC MOMENTS, UNINTERRUPTED: no rush to reach your guests, taking all the time for yourself: elopements sessions provide an exclusive window for couples to relish intimate moments without the distraction of other people, and are way more relaxed than big events: the absence of interruptions during intimate moments allows for a more authentic and undisturbed capture of the couple’s genuine emotions, resulting in truly exceptional and uninterrupted photographs:
4) ROOM WITH VIEW: if you have the chance to book a room with view, I strongly recommend doing it (and well in advance): it will allow us taking photos in an intimate, protected environment without missing those city vibes
5) MORE TIME FOR YOUR PHOTOGRAPHY, MORE TIME TO BE CREATIVE: having more time to focus on just the two of you will allow me in be more creative and capture your photos in different ways: playing with movement, or play with film photography (please note: anything related to analog photography / film photography must be discussed and planned when signing the contract)
6) ARCHITECTURAL ELEGANCE: not only the variety of style of architecture you will find strolling around the city, but also the one inside the place you have chosen to stay, providing an elegant and sophisticated setting that elevates the aesthetic appeal of your photos:
7) ROME AS YOUR ELOPEMENT DESTINATION: GLORIOUS WEATHER ALL YEAR LONG: Rome is very well known for its weather all year long, but mostly for its ‘ottobrate romane’: October is one of the nicest month of the year, warm but not hot, with plenty sunny days. Winters are also quite warm and never too cold, even when it rains: can you believe that these photos have been take in December? Ps. Do not worry if your special day happens during a rainy day, I will turn it into an opportunity for some artistic ‘under the rain’ photos ;)
8) WIDE VARIETY OF LANDSCAPES: Rome is filled with green parks, roman ruins, contemporary and classic art, stunning architecture, hidden corners overlooking iconic spots, not too far from the sea if you are looking for a beach side location (have a look here to check a couple/ engagement session taken in Fregene, one of the closes beaches to Rome), has an international airport which makes it easily reachable from anywhere in the world.
9) ENJOYING LA DOLCE VITA: as your personal photographer (and a local), I will focus on creating an experience that mirrors the magic of cinema, ensuring every photograph tells a story of love, style, and timelessness. Your elopement in Rome isn’t just about capturing moments; it’s about crafting a narrative that mirrors the elegance and let you feel a movie star (be prepared: when strolling around the city you will see people photographing you and trying to approach you to take photos ;) )
Are you planning your elopement / intimate wedding in Italy and are you looking for a photographer? Let’s plan a zoom call and talk about it :) once booked, I will be more than happy to share the contacts of the best vendors I have worked with :)

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]]> Editorial: Michela in her wedding dress, Palazzo Ripetta, Rome https://elysiumtbilisi.com/tpost/6a759xxrr1-editorial-michela-in-her-wedding-dress-p https://elysiumtbilisi.com/tpost/6a759xxrr1-editorial-michela-in-her-wedding-dress-p?amp=true Sun, 01 Dec 2024 14:47:00 +0300 Written by Sara Paolucci Editorial wedding photoshoot 5 reasons why I love taking editorial style portraits in your hotel room

Editorial: Michela in her wedding dress, Palazzo Ripetta, Rome

5 reasons why I love taking editorial style portraits in your hotel room

If you have the chance to get ready for your wedding in your hotel room, we can take some time after your make up and hair are done to take a series of editorial style portraits.

I truly enjoy taking portraits inside your hotel room - I always suggest it as a first location for couple photoshoots before going out exploring the city - here’s why:
1) Privacy and sense of intimacy: being by yourself - or just with your partner - away from the crowd and the chaos, will allow us to take photos in a more intimate relaxed environment, a guarantee for stunning couple photos - or beautiful portraits. Starting a photoshoot in an intimate environment is also the perfect way to gain confidence and be more relaxed afterwards.
2) Hotel rooms provide a luxurious and stylish backdrop for your photos: contemporary or old forniture, art pieces, stunning view overlooking the city - they can be turned with no effort into the perfect set of your story - in the end, when you choose a specific hotel, it’s because it represents your taste
3) Excellent lighting: 5 stars hotel rooms have large windows that fill them with natural, soft light - this kind of light is perfect for beautiful portraits. Windows can also be creatively used for your photos.
4) comfort: no matter if outside it’s raining or windy, no need to travel far to reach a beautiful destination - do you want to change outfit? You can easily do it. Have you forgotten something at home? A call to the hotel concierge will quickly solve the issue. Everything you need is at hand.
5) Iconic view overlooking the city: if you book a room with view, you will have a unique perspective of the city : don’t miss the chance to have those photos professionally taken!
To request more info, fill in the form
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