‘Behind the Portrait’
I was drawn to the way natural light carved through the arched window.. I didn’t move her into brighter light, I placed her exactly where the glow shaped her silhouette best and let the texture of the dress do the rest.

Setting the Scene

The wedding felt like a romantic, fashion-forward European fairytale. The creative direction drew from French storybook references, with an emphasis on the color palette, details, and the couple’s vintage looks, allowing their personal style to guide the day organically.

The location played a central role in the visual story. Lush gardens, layered greenery, stone pathways, and architectural details added natural depth and softness. The bride’s three outfit changes created an editorial rhythm, with each chapter feeling distinct yet cohesive, resulting in a cinematic and elegant aesthetic.

I focused on composition and how the couple could move through and exist in the space. I put together moodboards focusing on depth, negative space, and layering, thinking about how they could interact with the environment and the camera in a way that felt playful, intimate, whimsical, and dramatic.

For gear, I shot mostly on film, drawing inspiration from vintage fashion campaigns. I kept things soft and textured, capturing quiet moments that let the couple’s energy and connection really shine through.

Photographer: Nikki Strekowski

Quick Info

Gear I Used:
Canon R6
Pentax 645NII
Canon EOS 1V

Shooters: 2
Coverage: 8 hours

Getting Ready

The getting ready moments were quiet and relaxed; just her in the space. Nikki followed her as she moved through the room, using the light, shadows, and doorways to create layered, intimate compositions.

“I was drawn to the way natural light carved through the arched window, creating a soft halo around her silhouette while the tulle of her gown caught and diffused the glow.”

This is the classic light-first thinking that we’ve been talking about at Lensel.

Instead of filling shadows or moving her into brighter light, Nikki let the negative space breathe. That restraint is what gave it an editorial edge.

Ceremony

The ceremony took place in a garden at the back of the estate surrounded by layered greenery and soft florals, with the structure of the building subtly framing the space. The couple entered and exited down dramatic steps, revealing the lush floral arch and aisle-lined blooms.

I worked with a second shooter, and we aligned on visual priorities ahead of time so we could move fluidly throughout the ceremony. My focus remained on the couple and composition, while my second captured guest reactions and surrounding moments.

We approached the ceremony by reading the room and anticipating moments as they happened, allowing events to unfold without interruption or over-direction.

‘A Favorite Image’
The moment I saw those dramatic stone steps leading up to the ceremony, I envisioned this shot. It was a top priority. I wanted the natural cascade of her train spilling down the stairs while also capturing the guests’ reactions in the background. I briefed my second shooter on the exact framing and timing, and she nailed it. The composition balances movement and stillness, intimacy and scale. It’s cinematic without feeling staged, and it captures the moment.

Portraits

I loved how the light moved through the gardens and how architectural lines and natural details created dimension, texture, and visual interest. I tried to contrast the symmetry of the space by leaning into unconventional compositions, letting the couple exist in the frame rather than always centering them.

This portrait was all about her gaze; direct, commanding. I positioned her front and center with him softened in the background, creating depth and dimension. Her 90s couture wedding dress with it’s structured silhouette, vintage veil demanded this kind of bold, editorial composition. It’s fashion-forward and intentional. She owned the frame.

Reception

The reception carried the intimacy of a dinner party at a French château. Silk bows adorned the candelabras, pastel blooms softened the setting, and cascading vines framed the architecture beneath suspended chandeliers. Flickering candlelight cast a warm glow as the evening unfolded effortlessly.

The lighting was naturally romantic. I leaned into what was already there allowing the atmosphere to guide my approach.

❝

“Flash would have disrupted the mood, flattening the dimensional warmth that made the space feel alive.”

Nikki Strekowski