Embracing Timelessness with a Modern Aesthetic

When it comes to planning a wedding, the essence of chic bridal style lies in the balance between timeless elegance and contemporary design. It's about creating a look that has a timeless, modern aesthetic that draws admiration, ensuring that the bridal style remains as captivating in photographs decades from now as it does today. Whether you're planning an intimate city hall wedding or envisioning a grand ceremony, the key to achieving a chic bridal look is in the details.

Pictures from Pinterest

Simplistic Elegance

Chic bridal style often embraces a simple design that is glamorous without being ostentatious. This approach to bridal fashion is perfect for the bride who seeks to marry tradition with modernity. A sleek, fitted gown with minimal embellishments or a beautifully tailored suit can exemplify how timelessness comes from classic silhouettes and high-quality fabrics. The beauty of such pieces is their ability to make a statement through their understated elegance, proving that sometimes, less truly is more.

Elevated Details

The chicness of a bridal style often resides in the thoughtful details that immediately elevate the style of the wedding. Accessories play a very special role in this, from delicate jewelry that adds just the right amount of sparkle to heirloom pieces that carry sentimental value. However, chicness extends beyond attire, influencing other aspects of the wedding design.

For instance, blind embossing on stationery - including wedding invitations, place cards, and menu cards - introduces an element of sophistication that guests will notice and appreciate. This subtle yet impactful technique can convey a sense of luxury and attention to detail that sets the tone for the event.

Moreover, opting for traditional letterpress stationery on luxurious paper stock in dreamy textures invites guests to intimately engage with every detail of your wedding theme. Such tactile experiences not only add a layer of richness to your wedding but also reflect a discerning taste that values craftsmanship and design.

Architectural Elegance

For the lover of modern minimalist architecture, selecting a venue becomes an extension of the wedding's chic style. A modern wedding inside an architectural gem, amongst the gardens of a manor, or on the grounds of a historic castle can serve as a breathtaking backdrop that complements the bridal aesthetic. These venues provide a unique setting that merges history with contemporary design, offering endless possibilities for stunning photographs and unforgettable moments.

Choosing such a venue speaks to a couple's appreciation for design and their desire to incorporate architectural beauty into their special day. It's about creating a cohesive experience where the location, decor, and bridal style are harmoniously intertwined, each element enhancing the other to create a truly chic wedding.

A fresh take on classic chic is not just about selecting the right dress or venue; it's about crafting an experience that exudes elegance and modernity in every detail. From the choice of stationery to the selection of a venue that resonates with modern minimalist architecture, each decision contributes to a timeless, modern aesthetic that will be admired for years to come. In the end, it is about celebrating love in the most beautiful and personalized way possible, creating memories that are as stylish as they are enduring.

Social media to inspire

You want your wedding day to be perfect: an exciting, romantic, beautiful event that you and your guests will remember for years to come. Your wedding is your day to shine, and you wouldn't want to look anything less than sensational. Which dress to choose, flowers, shoes, what kind of make up and hair style... Finding answers to these questions can be exciting but daunting at the same time. There are tons of fashion magazines, Instagram and Pinterest accounts. You will enjoy the fun of looking through the latest magazines, watching fashion channels, searching wedding and fashion blogs. You can be inspired by old Hollywood movies or celebrity weddings.

Here, I made a selection of my favourite social media things, some of which might be new and interesting for you.

I'll start with Instagram accounts (every name is clickable)

Instagram of my favourite blog

The Lane

My favourite photographers (they work with the best existing wedding stylists, designers and planners, and therefore great for finding inspiration not only because of their exceptional photography skills! I also want to attract your attention that both of them are film photographers)

Jose Villa

Elizabeth Messina

Two Spanish Instagram accounts that I discovered recently (I wish that all the guests that will be attending your wedding took their outfits inspiration here, totally "picture perfect" dress-code!)

https://www.instagram.com/whiteveils/

https://www.instagram.com/buganviliaevents/

Wedding designer

Joy Proctor

and the classics of wedding blogs

Style Me Pretty

Wedding style inspiration blogs 

https://www.oncewed.com

http://thelane.com

(they are both great, Oncewed is more about natural, quiet and organic beauty, The Lane is more edgy, raw and wilder elegance)

Pinterest

https://www.pinterest.com/oksanabernold/weddings/

https://www.pinterest.com/oksanabernold/allthingsbeautiful/

Huge collection of everything wedding  - wedding dresses, rings, food & drinks, veils & hairpieces, bridal jewelry, bouquets &  boutonnieres

https://www.pinterest.com/oncewed/

https://www.pinterest.com/the_lane

Pre-wedding pictures in Switzerland // Love story in Switzerland // anniversary portraits in Switzerland

The great thing about being a photographer is the possibility to meet people from the whole world and tell the story of their love. This year I had a pleasure to photograph couples and families with children from Asia, Australia, Middle East, Russia and the USA. If you are planning to have a destination wedding or an elopement in beautiful Switzerland wonderland, don't hesitate to write me! I love the idea of a romantic couple photo session -  pre-wedding pictures, portraits taken during your honeymoon or just a walk in the stunning Swiss Alps ... anything, I am at your disposal!

Minnie and William live in Hong Kong and love to travel, it was so nice to explore Switzerland together and visit these romantic locations - Château Gütsch, Meggenhorn Castle, Interlaken and around.

Anniversary photo shootings and pre-wedding photo sessions in Switzerland are getting more and more popular. Couples from Asia, USA, Australia come to Switzerland attracted by its stunning scenery. There are so many wonderful places, where your photo shoot can happen - Lucerne area, Interlaken, Thun, Grindelwald, the Lauterbrunnen Valley, Engadin to mention just a few. As your destination Switzerland based photographer, I will help you to plan your visit, will give recommendations regarding hotels, hair and make up artist, will arrange flowers and lovely details that will make our pre wedding or anniversary pictures more special and will even drive you, if several locations are planned for the photo shoot. 

Some thoughts on photography services available in Switzerland

You may spent months preparing for your wedding, but the day itself will pass in a heartbeat. You will be able to re-live the joy and romance of it by looking through your wedding album. So don't take chances with your wedding photographer. You need a professional, whose work you admire, who understands your vision and whose style reflects your own. 

·       Expertise & style

 You may be searching for a wedding photographer for your wedding that will take place in Switzerland or a professional in destination weddings that will come to the place of your choice, or if you are looking for a family in-home session or for a studio staged photo shoot – in any case, I would recommend to choose a photographer, who is experienced in the area and, what is even more important, whose style resonates with your personality. Photographer’s portfolio speaks better than all the words about the style and expertise, so spend some significant time looking through the pictures. Photographers are creative people and happy to experiment, but even trying something new we will stay true to our personal taste and style. 

·       Packages & hidden costs

Most photographers offer a selection of packages. Packages may vary in coverage, number of photos edited, number of images printed, quality of printed pictures and photo albums, etc. So, before making a decision, be sure to find out what is included in a package and which services are available at extra cost. Check for hidden costs, you may be surprised, but sometimes family and portrait photo packages don’t include digital images, the price of a photo session covers just time and talent of the photographer, while products, either digital files or prints, are purchased separately. It's important that right from the beginning you are absolutely clear on how you are being charged, ask your prospective photographer what their policy is. All my collections include full-resolution digital images with a release for personal use (sharing, printing and posting on social media). If you need the pictures for commercial use, please contact me first. Photographers often use password-protected online galleries that are very convenient for displaying  pictures from the wedding celebration/photo shoot. I would also recommend to check, if you or your guests will have to pay additionally to be able to download the pictures and how much. The nice thing about the online galleries is that you as a wedding couple or family on the portraits can regulate who may have the access to the pictures as well as which exactly pictures you want to have accessible.  

·       Duration of a photo session & coverage

The duration of time when the pictures are taken is certainly a very important factor. Don’t fall for longer coverage all other things being equal, except price, while choosing a family photographer – you don’t need 3 hours of a family photo shoot, since your children will be not willing to cooperate after certain time. At the same time, don't expect a variety of pictures, if you book a one hour photo shoot at one location. As my experience shows, 2 hours is the ideal time, we will be able to change the outfits as well as locations. Regarding wedding photography, you do need at least 6-hour coverage for a wedding session and even more, if you want to have the memories of the different stages of the day. We are all different, think what will have more value for you - portraits of you while getting ready, pictures of your dress, shoes, rings and flower bouquet or rather shots from the dancing floor? Formal portraits of the guests are regarded to be essential part of the wedding photo coverage, but are these pictures really so necessary? Why not to limit the formal group pictures to maximum 1-2 and better assign one hour to couple portraits? If you plan your photographer to be present at the Apero, ask her (or ok, him :) to make portraits of the guests (couples, separate small groups of friends), this will be a nicer memory from the artistic point of view! :)

You can’t get what you want until you know exactly what you are searching for, right? :) So be specific. Also, be prepared to ask right questions for getting comprehensive answers that will help you choose the best photographer for your needs.

Family Photo Shoot in Switzerland: How to Get Prepared?

What do you feel when looking through family photo albums? A blend of sweet nostalgia, gentle sadness and warmth of memories... Family photos seal the most important moments, significant events and small life pleasures in our memory. That’s why family photography is one of the most vibrant types of sessions though featuring some peculiarities. When being with close people, we experience the most sincere and warm emotions, which can turn the pictures to real magic – and a professional family photographer in Switzerland just has to create an appropriate atmosphere, add some entourage and capture right moments.

But how to achieve this in the real world? Any family photographer in Zurich will tell you that a successful photo shoot is a result of photographer and models’ joint work. The process begins long before a photo shoot, when you discuss and search for places, ideas, clothes and other details. But when the big day comes, try to follow these simple recommendations:

Have a good sleep, relax and eat well. These are the key factors for matching with "a sound mind in a sound body" rule, which is especially true for families with small children. Even if you plan to arrange a kind of picnic in the process of shooting, have a snack prior to the photo session.

If your family photographer in Zurich offers to choose morning or evening time for your photo session, consider his opinion - natural light is the most favorable during these hours for shooting outdoor. Besides, your younger kids will be full of energy after a night sleep or nap.

Manage your time. Often, mothers are so engaged in getting the whole family ready for a session, that they have no time left for their own hairstyle and makeup. Don’t try to put this away for later, as at the last moment some emergencies may happen preventing mother from brushing up. Make sure that you have enough time for yourself, since mother is usually the glue of the family.

Take some time to cheer up a daddy. As an experienced family photographer in Switzerland, I learnt that in most cases the initiative of arranging a family photo shoot belongs to a wife and mother, while men tend to take such ideas with suspicion. Do try to convince your spouse and father that for a successful family photo shoot you need more that just his presence, but his love, support and an ingenuous smile :)

Best Wedding Invitation Ideas

Best Wedding Invitation Ideas

A wedding is considered to be one of the most intense days during the whole life for a couple. It consists of many details. The wedding stationery sets the stage for a lot of components of the couple`s great day. First of all, these are style and the theme. In this context, it’s indispensable to ascertain that such elements are as remarkable as possible.

After nailing the impeccable invitation phrasing, it’s time to assure you have the appropriate design to fit. Beyond doubt, remember the theme you`d chosen, however, try to think outside the box and select a styling which expresses your inner world ideally. Eventually, there is only one chance to make the first impression. Surprise the guests with one of the marvellous wedding invitation ideas below.

1. Stay minimalistic

Both a trend and a comfortable way of arranging the wedding is elegant minimalism in everything. No need to overreach your wedding invitations with deliberate details. Keep it minimalistic and simple by concentrating on a monochrome design that provides you with charming typography.

2. Draw Your Love

One of the most delightful things for guests to receive is an individual illustration of you and your partner on your wedding invitations. This way the quests may feel cohesion with the couple. From plain vectors to hand-drawn sketches, pick an illustration design which portrays you as a future family.

3. Express it with flowers

It cannot be denied that flowers are an element of the wedding decoration which never goes out of style, regardless of the season you`re becoming a husband and a wife. Anytime a classy choice, adorn the invitation cards with sophisticated floral ornaments.

4. Share a feeling of tropical vibes

Impart your wedding stationery the tropic spirit of the rainforest. This way is perfect for those brides who strives a seaside or outdoor reception. Think of including different rather minimalistic greens and plants in the design to make it clear for the guests what your wedding theme is going to look like.

5. ‘Tag’ your guests

Instead of sending out invites that will just end off getting kept in reserve or thrown away, attempt to create the invitation your family members and intimate friends will be able to reuse. These may be luggage tags or other exciting interpretation of typical invitations.

Fewer Efforts, More Elegance: Minimalist Wedding of Your Dream

Fewer Efforts, More Elegance: Minimalist Wedding of Your Dream

Every couple going through wedding preparation knows that planning is likely to be tense as there are so many details and decor elements. However, why not make it simple? Nowadays, minimalism is well-known as a major wedding trend. The secret of its fame: there is beauty in simplicity. In spite of every bride may think that for one of the most significant days of her life she needs overloaded centrepieces and lots of layers of linens for the appropriate table settings, one can find out so much to be mentioned about the minimal touch.

Undoubtedly, during the ceremony, a minimalist style draws the attention of the guests just where it should be — on the bride and groom. In reception, it provides a possibility for the natural beauty and amazing light of the venue to shine as never. Regrettably, the minimalistic style is frequently interpreted as removing all the details. Nevertheless, the major purpose makes it clear that they can seem intentional and ostentatious. Without the fuss, there is nothing to divert from the details that do stay, allowing them to stand out as central elements and making them more valuable. 

To make the wedding minimalistic but still diverse one should use:

Geometrical plate ware to enjoy the dishes not only because of the taste but due to the fact how the whole thing looks like;

A hexagon-shaped two-tiered cake with stylish contemporary marble print on it;

One type of flower. It`s eye-catching and fashionable.

It`s also worth mentioning that a minimalist wedding is usually being represented in several common styles. It`s advised by designers not to combine them without the recommendations of specialists. Firstly, there is organic minimalism, focusing attention on a lot of white with accents of juicy greenness, and there is also industrial minimalism, where urban design meets rural. Furthermore, designers pop out modern minimalism which is keen on playing up shapes and geometry. Romantic minimalism, with airy linen or refined calligraphy, befits genuine romantics. One should admit, the minimalist style tends toward a neutral palette for a mild and aerial look.

Hiring a photographer in Zurich for family photo session or wedding pictures

Prior to hiring a wedding photographer in Zurich, you will certainly meet him for discussing all details of the oncoming photo shoot. And it is very likely that you will ask him some sensitive questions about his services – and this requires a subtle approach. Sure, a professional wedding photographer is not a milk-and-water girl and you have a right to make things clear. But on the other hand, you need to remember that you turned to a professional and you chose him because you liked his work. That's why it will be smart of you to ask correct questions in a tactful form and then you will get informative answers without any negative emotions.

To begin with, many people tend to ask "why are your services so expensive?". But "expensive" is something relative, and if you think that services of your wedding photographer in Switzerland cost too much, there may be many other people who find the price to be acceptable or even low. Besides, different photographers have different pricing policy, so the correct question is "what services are included in the cost of a wedding photo shoot?". A higher price can be explained by more hours covered or more photos printed, by appropriate retouching or shorter terms of post-production. Find this out and only then make a conclusion whether you need a more affordable photographer in Zurich.

"Why should we have a photo shoot session in this studio (park, garden or another venue)?". This is another type of common questions to a photographer in Switzerland, as if he forces you to have your wedding session on a location you don’t like. But if you amicably ask "what are your reasons for choosing exactly this location?", the photographer will surely share his arguments with you. In fact, a professional wedding photographer in Zurich makes his choice regarding the photo shoot session location based on wedding style, number of participants, time, season and many other factors you may not even think about. It's easier for a professional to summarize all the information and then to choose a perfect scenery for a photo shoot.

These are only several examples of questions about wedding photography that can poison relations between you and your wedding photographer in Switzerland from the jump. To avoid this, get into the habit of asking your questions in a form of discussion or suggestion rather than demand. The latter is self-defeating: if you want a photographer just to execute your commands, than why to spend your money on hiring a professional?

Prior to hiring a wedding photographer in Zurich, you will certainly meet him for discussing all details of the oncoming photo shoot. And it is very likely that you will ask him some sensitive questions about his services – and this requires a subtle approach. Sure, a professional wedding photographer is not a milk-and-water girl and you have a right to make things clear. But on the other hand, you need to remember that you turned to a professional and you chose him because you liked his work. That's why it will be smart of you to ask correct questions in a tactful form and then you will get informative answers without any negative emotions.

To begin with, many people tend to ask "why are your services so expensive?". But "expensive" is something relative, and if you think that services of your wedding photographer in Switzerland cost too much, there may be many other people who find the price to be acceptable or even low. Besides, different photographers have different pricing policy, so the correct question is "what services are included in the cost of a wedding photo shoot?". A higher price can be explained by more hours covered or more photos printed, by appropriate retouching or shorter terms of post-production. Find this out and only then make a conclusion whether you need a more affordable photographer in Zurich.

"Why should we have a photo shoot session in this studio (park, garden or another venue)?". This is another type of common questions to a photographer in Switzerland, as if he forces you to have your wedding session on a location you don’t like. But if you amicably ask "what are your reasons for choosing exactly this location?", the photographer will surely share his arguments with you. In fact, a professional wedding photographer in Zurich makes his choice regarding the photo shoot session location based on wedding style, number of participants, time, season and many other factors you may not even think about. It's easier for a professional to summarize all the information and then to choose a perfect scenery for a photo shoot.

These are only several examples of questions about wedding photography that can poison relations between you and your wedding photographer in Switzerland from the jump. To avoid this, get into the habit of asking your questions in a form of discussion or suggestion rather than demand. The latter is self-defeating: if you want a photographer just to execute your commands, than why to spend your money on hiring a professional?

Lifestyle photography, theoretical point of view :)

What do you feel when looking through beautiful pictures taken by professional photographers? Some of them are attractive from a technical point of view, while others engage due to an interesting idea or unusual story. But there are pictures driven by emotions - joy, love, romance, admiration, sadness, tenderness or whatever. There may be no "wow effect" of landscape photography, but looking at those pictures you really feel your emotions are involved. If you are looking for a photographer in Switzerland, who is able to tell your story in a natural and spontaneous, yet stylish manner, think of hiring of a lifestyle photographer.

Lifestyle photography is a stunning mix of the best qualities of event and portrait photography. As a lifestyle photographer in Zurich, you need to be ready for "catching the moment", while on the other hand, you should have an experience in working with lighting and composition. As the result, you have to create emotional pictures telling stories about individuality and uniqueness of human relations. This involves taking pictures of people making usual things in usual environment and behaving in a matter-of-course way. During photo shoots, a lifestyle photographer in Switzerland catches those important little details, habits, moments and emotions that our everyday life consists of.

Lifestyle photography is getting more and more popular all around the world, since it shows real people and conveys their true emotions as opposed to staged photography. The important idea of such portraits is that people can look real and sincere, and at the same time - beautiful in their naturalness. People do not pose, but live in shot, and while their memories of events become less detailed in course of time, emotions associated with these events are sealed in lifestyle photos forever.

Lifestyle photographer will find a beautiful story for a photo shoot in every day routine, like family having breakfast on a Sunday morning at home or some cute Zurich brunch place or a walk in a park near the house or playing with kids and pets right in the living room. The lifestyle photographer expertise is to feel relationships highly charged with emotions and to find a balance between true life and stage elements. This is quite a difficult task, but if handled correctly, the result is rewarding – unique, emotional and beautiful pictures telling real stories.

Working as a wedding and family portrait photographer, gives you an opportunity to travel a lot both around Switzerland and the world, visiting large cities and paradise islands, crowded places and out-of-the-way areas. When travelling, you find beautiful locations, learn authentic traditions, meet quaint characters, watch real-life situations – and this experience fills you with emotions and serves as a plentiful source of inspiration.  Lifestyle photography is blending portraits of people and events, urban landscape and wild life, then spicing this with fashion and colours, intimate details and emotions and finally getting a fascinating gallery of unique images that tell inspiring stories about our life. If you are in a search for a destination film photographer in Switzerland, who is able to tell your story in a natural and spontaneous, yet stylish manner, then I will be glad to help you through my experience and ideas.

Strong Points of a lifestyle photographer

·       is really passionate about travel photography, love stories, family portraits, and has plenty of creative ideas to share with you.

·       gets along well with adults and kids and that’s why your photo shoot is sure to be casual, relaxed and fun.  

·       knows the balance between directing and allowing things to go in the natural way – and this is how lifestyle photos are created.