It was a cold day just after the rain. We were contemplating whether the photo session would actually take place. Katia was very cold in her small BCBG dress and Mike was warming her up. That created a lot of mood and lovely natural interaction in the images.
My contact with Katia and Mike involved shooting their Engagement session in Venice, Italy. Mike is Italian and studying to be an architect, while Katia is of Russian origin and living in Canada. Katia loves to travel and has a lot of fashion sense. The delightful couple met on a cruise ship in the United States when they were both traveling with their parents. After a long distance relationship that lasted a long time, they decided to get married this summer in Italy.
What else could compare to having a gorgeous looking couple and the beautiful city of Venice as the backdrop to the photo session? Home to some of the most beautiful streets in the world, it was easy to find great spots for capturing intimate moments between the engaged couple. The photo session turned out to be so good that the image with flying pigeons won first place in both the National PWPC award and the International WPPI award.
Shooting an engagement session in Venice largely depends on good planning in advance, as well as understanding the unique environment, culture, logistics and legalities in this great city. Katia and Mike were perfect for this as they knew the city well and were really into making this photo shoot a success.
It was easy to photograph this attractive couple as Katia was a natural in front of the camera who turned out great in the un-posed lifestyle shots. Mike also seemed to enjoy being in the spotlight and was comfortable demonstrating his affection for Katia by cuddling, tickling and taking romantic walks while I took their images. The pair looked so at ease without any signs of being uncomfortable having their pictures taken. Their ability to relax enabled me to capture some great engagement shots.
I loved shooting at all the amazing locations around Venice. We especially enjoyed shooting around the canals of Venice, an amazing spot which has earned its place as one of the top destinations for pre-wedding photography. The absence of cars and presence of boats in Venice creates a picturesque background to shoot against. Wherever we looked, there were beautiful places for Katia and Mike to pose for some stunning engagement photos. It was great fun going that far to meet with this delightful couple for a mesmerizing shot in Venice. We enjoyed every minute of it. All their pictures tell a story: the wonderful love story of Katia and Mike that they can cherish for the rest of their lives.
