Elisabetta Redaelli (Lilly Red)

Elisabetta Redaelli’s upbringing in Italy figures heavily in her photographic style. “I feel like a fashion photographer inside the body of a wedding photographer,” she says, the result of growing up “flipping through” fashion magazines in a small town between Milan and Lake Como. She also gives a nod to the “magnificent scenes with bold color palettes” of the Renaissance.

Redaelli, who is back in Italy after working abroad for several years, says a major shift in her career came when she styled and paid for shoots that helped define her style and demonstrate her vision to her clients. She says she opens up to clients to help build a connection and trust, and she treats them as she would good friends. She also sees herself as a guide for her couples. “I’ve photographed hundreds of weddings and been through so many situations that my experience is a resource to rely on.”

Check out the official announcement of this year’s 30 Rising Stars of Wedding Photography, along with the editors’ observations on the list of 2020.