“I have a deep appreciation for the colors that define a moment,” says Aurora Ceriani of Yidaki Studio, one of Rangefinder’s 30 Rising Stars of 2024. When asked to share the image she feels most excited about right now, she shared this dreamy blue hour photo (below) from a Portofino, Italy elopement.  

For Aurora, “a cool, tranquil blue hue” can be “a poetic reflection of the moment’s essence. . . a visual reminder of the crispness in the air, the warmth of shared embraces, and the coziness of intimate connections against the cold. These blue tones become an integral part of the narrative, adding depth and emotion to the photograph.” 

The emotional depth the couple shows in this image is exactly the way Aurora wants all her couples to feel during their elopements. Most of all, it is this emotional expression that Aurora wishes to capture in her wedding photography so that her couples can look back on these images and remember how special the day was and just how amazing they felt. 

The Fleeting Blue 

Blue hour is a very brief window of time, lasting up to 20 minutes just before sunrise and after sunset. It is one of Aurora’s favorite qualities of light. “But there is only a short window of time to capture it,” she says. “The biggest challenge is not letting anxiety take over but achieving the best result without seeming rushed.” 

Before taking these images, Aurora and her husband, videographer Christian Bruno, quickly assessed the location and decided where to place their subjects. From there, it was simple. They played music that created a nice atmosphere and “asked the couple to have fun, to act as if no one was looking, and to play like children.” Aurora prefers giving directions like this to couples who are more free flowing. It allows them to “capture who they truly are without forcing it.” 

From there, it was just a matter of capturing the beautiful emotion and connection the eloping couple shared. 

Advice to Other Photographers 

When giving directions and guidance to clients, Aurora says the most crucial part is in being confident to instill confidence in the couple. Photographers must project that they are very sure of what they are doing to set their clients at ease. 

Aurora also advises photographers to remember that the most important thing in any moment you are taking photos is for your subject to have a positive experience.  She says, “It doesn’t take anything too elaborate to achieve meaningful images; what matters most is that the couple has a positive association with the moment they’ll see in the photograph.” 

Cinematic, Nostalgic, and Full of Love 

“In my photography, I see each frame as a portal to the past . . . It’s not just about capturing images. It’s about capturing emotions and stories that transport you to the very essence of the moment.” The images Aurora shares from this Portofino elopement perfectly reflect the full emotional experience she strives to deliver in all the images she takes for her clients. They convey “love, joy, and movement – all within a cinematic and soft frame.” 

Aurora says, “I want my couples to not only remember the sights but also relive the emotions, the atmosphere, and the joy that surrounded them.” For this couple having their wedding in a magical elopement in Portofino, it couldn’t have been a more perfect day filled with beautiful emotion, captured forever. 

Follow Aurora Ceriani and Yidaki Studio on Instagram and Facebook. View the full 30 Rising Star Winners Gallery for 2024.

[Read: Make Engagement Photography Magic at Lake Como]

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