Whether the client chooses the location or not, photographers need to be able to adapt to capturing portraits and wedding images in different spaces. Yet, capturing a breathtaking location while still drawing the eye to the subjects in a couples portrait can be a challenge. This week, we asked five photographers how location inspired these stunning Photos of the Week. Learn from this week’s featured photographers Amanda Warda, Lisa Digilio, Nassim Pezeshzad, Dino Mihovilovic, and Kayla Bowie.

Amanda Warda, Earth Below Photo

Inspired by her clients and their Salt Flats elopement, Amanda Warda of Earth Below Photo captured this symmetrical portrait created by the reflection of the water. Warda explained that the couple’s day held a wide variety of weather, but the earlier rain settled into perfectly still puddles as the sun came out just before the couple’s vows. She captured the shot with this breathtaking location with a Canon 5D Mark IV and 16-35mm lens.

“I think it’s important to remember that every person has a different perspective when experiencing something, and the same goes for photography and the photographer,” Warda says. “A location can look wildly different amongst photographers photographing the same location. No matter what location I choose or that is chosen by my couples, I make sure to take my surroundings in and not hide behind my lens. How am I experiencing it? How is my subject experiencing it? I enjoy taking a step back and observing before snapping away. Even when scouting this location multiple days in advance, I could not have possibly expected the pristine sheen of water we were given only hours before. I expected a cloudy day, with random, murky pools of water throughout the Salt Flats. I was ready to capture that beauty, but when given a whole different beauty, I had to take a step back…and take it all in.”

Lisa Digiglio, Lisa Digiglio Photography

For this couples portrait, Lisa Digiglio of Lisa Digiglio Photography found inspiration in the rugged and breathtaking location. The color of the ice, she says, was particularly dramatic. The shape and color of the ice work to frame the couple in this elopement portrait. Digiiglio captured the shot with a Fujifilm X-H2 and XF 23mm f1.4 R LM WR lens.

“When selecting a venue, consider a place that resonates with your clients or holds significance for them,” she says. “For destination weddings, allow the lighting and scenery to spark your creativity.”

Nassim Pezeshkzad, Breezy Photography

When choosing a location for engagement portraits, Nassim Pezeshkzad of Breezy Photography recommends looking for a location that holds significance to the couple, such as a spot where they can do their favorite things together. This creates a sense of familiarity for the couple, she said, even if the location is new for her. She captured this shot with the Sony a7R III and Sony 35mm f1.8 lens.

“One of the most beautiful things about being a photographer is learning the art of paying attention,” she says. “For me, this entails slowing down, nurturing a child-like curiosity about people’s stories and our surroundings, and training my eyes to discover beauty around me. On this day, the couple and I found a hidden waterfall while exploring this pristine beach in Portugal. The stream led right into the ocean and it created something I had never seen before: a carved-out path between two bodies of water, perfectly meeting each other. It was almost symbolic of the relationship shared between this couple, who despite enduring a long-distance relationship are carving out and treading their own path to meet each other.”

Dino Mihovilovic

For this shot, Dino Mihovilovic (@dino__mihovilovic) was inspired by the city of his childhood, Korčula. The moment moved him to capture the couple on the sailboat with the breathtaking location city in the background. He captured the shot with the medium format Pentax 645n and an 80-160mm f4.5 lens on 120mm film.

“I would advise other photographers to visit this city,” he says. “The ancient city of Korčula is an incredibly local place on the planet, a city of great history, an incredibly clean sea, a city of hedonism and tradition. There are quite a few locations on the island that resemble movie sets.”

Kayla Bowie, Kayla Bowie Creative

As Kayla Bowie of Kayla Bowie Creative photographed this bridal party, she saw the geese coming and knew she had to get a shot with the birds overhead as well. The result is a dynamic photo showcasing the bridal party in a picturesque location. She captured the shot with the Canon 5D Mark II and EL 35mm f1.4 lens, working with her second shooter Loreena Jans of Loreena Jans Artistry.

“I love shooting near the water if that’s the lake, a pond, ocean or creek,” she said. “It always creates a beautiful backdrop and can produce a variety of images.”

Dig into our Photo of the Day archives for even more timeless photos, eye-catching wedding photos and portraits. Submit your wedding, editorial, documentary and other interesting imagery (up to 5 images at a time) to: hillary.grigonis@emeraldx.com.

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