PortovenereA pre-wedding photoshoot by the sea,
in the Gulf of Poets, Italy
Pre-wedding photoshoot
Erica & Lam
in Portovenere
Before their wedding, Erica and Lam chose Portovenere for their pre-wedding photos: a tiny village of colourful houses on the Ligurian coast, at the edge of the Cinque Terre, with a castle above and a Gothic church standing on the rocks over the sea.
We spent the day walking it from top to bottom. The terraces of Castello Doria, the umbrella pines, the old stone steps, the loggia with its arches open on the sea, the church of San Pietro and the rocks below it, and finally the narrow streets and the harbour.
No stiff poses: just the two of them, the wind in the veil and the light changing on the water. A few months later they showed these photos to their guests on their wedding day.
Location
Portovenere, Liguria
Area
Gulf of La Spezia, near the Cinque Terre
Session
Pre-wedding photoshoot
Photography
Federico Valenzano
01
Castello Doria
The castle terraces
Stone towers, the cliffs and the whole gulf at their feet.
“Just the two of them, the wind in the veil and the sea all around.”
Federico
02
Under the pines
A quiet moment
Umbrella pines, soft light and the church of San Pietro in the distance.
03
Old stones
Steps and walls
Walking down from the castle, hand in hand, through the old village.
In their words
“Pure magic! He captured our inner emotions, our soul's unspoken connection and the most touching, intimate moments between us. Every single time we look back at those photos, a heartfelt smile naturally lights up our faces.”
Erica & Lam
Google review
04
Golden hour
Cliffs and arches
The cliffs, the loggia open on the sea and the warm light of the afternoon.
05
San Pietro
The church on the rocks
The striped church of San Pietro, standing on the edge of the promontory.
06
Below the church
On the rocks
The sea, the layered cliffs and the two of them on the rocks below San Pietro.
07
The village
Carruggi and harbour
The narrow streets, the arches and the colourful houses on the harbour.
Dreaming of the Italian coast?
A pre-wedding shoot
in Portovenere
What I have learned photographing couples in this corner of Liguria.
The light
Portovenere faces west: the late afternoon and the hour before sunset give the warmest light on the church and the cliffs.
The crowds
In summer the village fills up during the day. Early morning or late afternoon means quieter streets and more natural photos.
Comfortable shoes
Steps, rocks and old stone paths: bring comfortable shoes for walking and change only for the photos.
Planning a shoot in Italy?
Let's work together
Every year I take on a limited number of weddings. Tell me your dates and where you would like to go: I'll reply personally.
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