Aga and Filip's wedding

When I recall Aga and Filip's day, I come to the conclusion that nothing happens by accident in our lives. I remember how a few years ago, I dreamed of a stylized wedding photoshoot. I didn't have such a project in my portfolio and I didn't really know how to go about it. I wrote emails to strangers to present my vision for the session in the hope that someone would be interested in collaborating with me. That's how I met Patrycja - a florist who enchanted me with her work and created a stylized lavender wedding session with us, which later appeared in the Bride magazine, as well as on several wedding blogs.

A few years have passed since then, and we still keep in touch. In the meantime, Patrycja moved to the UK and it was thanks to her that Agnieszka and Filip, who flew straight from London to their wedding, contacted me. Their wedding took place in Warsaw (Agnieszka's hometown), and the reception took place in an absolutely magical place, the Palace in Jabłonna. I have photographed there many times during wedding sessions, and once I also did a fashion session there in the beautiful, palace interiors. However, I have never photographed a real wedding there. This dream came true thanks to these lovely twosome.

From our first online conversation I knew that Aga and Filip were totally my people. We even sent each other photos of our cats in emails (greetings to Kociuś!), from the very beginning we clicked completely and that didn't change throughout our cooperation. Their day was full of joy, energy, sun, a perfect mish-mash of classic and modern. Agnieszka and Filip's preparations took place in the beautiful interior of the Hotel Indigo overlooking Warsaw. I admit that it was one of the most spectacular places for preparations that I had the opportunity to photograph.

Later we moved to the beautiful Church of the Visitationists on Krakowskie Przedmieście, right next to my university, and finally we found ourselves in the Palace in Jabłonna. That day was full of emotions, great fun, beautiful decorations and love that could be felt at every step. The evening was topped off with a fireworks display, sparklers and the best group photos of men with cigars. Totally in the style of Peaky Blinders!

To sum up - during that day I created many photos that occupy a large place in the category of "photos of life". Travel with me to their beautiful day and let yourself be carried away by all the emotions <3

Agnieszka, Filip - thank you for everything!

What Can You Do to Get Even Better Wedding Photos? Part I

A professional photographer knows exactly what to do on your wedding day. However, great photos depend on many factors, including some that are within your control.

What can you do to ensure you have even better wedding photos? Keep reading for some tips! :)

What Can You Do to Get Better Photos During Your Wedding Preparations?

The main issue on this day is poor time management. Couples often don’t plan their day step by step and have no idea how much time to allocate for each task.

Another mistake is assuming that once the plan is made, everything will go according to the minute. Nothing could be further from the truth!

So, my first and most important piece of advice for you is to plan everything with a time buffer. That way, you won’t add extra stress if something doesn’t go as expected.

Plan everything so that you don’t feel like you're racing against time but can let the events unfold naturally at their own pace.

For the best photos, we need a positive atmosphere, free from arguments or rushing. Working under pressure is extremely difficult. I’m not saying it’s impossible—I've had plenty of opportunities to work under time constraints (not just at weddings).

However, when I’m not feeling rushed, there are more creative shots, and I’m more inspired because I’m not constantly thinking, “In 10 minutes, I have to head to the ceremony.”

Plan everything to avoid unexpected situations and delays. Minimize logistical problems as much as possible.

Preparations – Choosing the Location

The most convenient solution for the couple is to get ready at the same location. This could be your family home, apartment, or hotel. If you prefer not to see each other during this stage, you can prepare in separate rooms.

Arranging makeup and hairstyling at the preparation location is a huge convenience. This way, you have more peace and freedom. You’ll feel more relaxed because you won’t have to move from one place to another. If you don’t have this option, photographing these moments often becomes pointless. Why?

In many salons, the lighting isn’t ideal—it may have a strange color dominance and is often highly contrasting, making your faces not look their best. Also, keep in mind that, during the service, you’re likely not the only ones in the salon.

Often, other clients don’t want to be in the frame, so right from the start, I have limited opportunities for photographing, and I can’t work in 100% accordance with my preferences.

There’s a common belief that photos of the whole process—while having your hair or makeup done—are an absolute must-have. I think that’s nonsense. Ask yourselves—do you really need 20 photos of your hairstyle or makeup being done? So many amazing moments happen throughout the day that are worth showing! After all, we’re not making a tutorial for the makeup artist or hairstylist, right?

These moments can be limited to a few shots at the end, when you’re already looking stunning and showing off the results! I also always take portraits of you that highlight the artistry of the makeup artists and hairstylists, and these photos don’t need to be taken while they’re working.

If you’re getting ready at home, you’ll feel much more at ease because you're in your own space, and that shows in the photos. Often, your loved ones are with you, which allows me to capture interesting moments and interactions between you. If you also have pets, they should definitely be part of your wedding story. You can trust me, these shots will likely become some of your favorite wedding photos!

space for photos

If you’ve decided to hire both videographers and photographers, and there will be more than two people involved, try to organize your preparations in a spacious area. There's nothing worse than being cramped in a small room with no room to move around.

This also applies to the blessing. If you choose to have it on your wedding day, try to arrange it in the largest possible room. Invite only those closest to you—ideally just those from whom you want to receive a blessing. Too many people can negatively impact the shots that will be taken during this emotional moment.

Often, parents have the idea of bringing towels, cushions, or small rugs for you to kneel on during the blessing. Don’t do this! I know it’s out of concern for your comfort, but trust me, it never looks good. The exception is if there’s a rug already in the room as part of the décor.

ORDERLINESS – THE RECIPE FOR BETTER WEDDING PHOTOS

Sometimes, during preparations, your space can be a bit messy. Make sure there are no unnecessary items in the room. Often, in the background of photos, you’ll find a plastic water bottle or shoe boxes. If you’re thirsty, prepare something to drink in a cup or glass and leave the bottles in the kitchen. This advice applies to any room where photos will be taken.

Clean up any bags, clothes, boxes, or other items that could distract from the photos. Try to choose rooms that have at least one window.

Rooms that are bright, have many windows, and feature neutral-colored walls work best. If you have a choice between a room with a patterned wallpaper in bright colors and one with simple, light-colored walls, always go for the second option.

Think about what you’ll wear during the preparation photos. For brides, robes work wonderfully. It doesn’t have to be a "Bride" robe—solid-colored or floral print robes also look beautiful. You could also wear a tunic or dress, which will look much better than a tracksuit and a stretched-out T-shirt.

For grooms, it’s much easier—pretty much anything works, except for a tracksuit! ;) It may seem like these details are insignificant, but trust me—these small elements will really make your wedding photos even better!

If you choose to get ready at home, you can highlight items that hold sentimental value. Think about whether there are objects in your home that bring up warm memories, interesting stories, or are simply beautiful. If so, prepare them in advance for photos.

TAKE CARE OF THE ATMOSPHERE

I can imagine the immense stress that comes with your wedding day. So many preparations, huge expenses, and a million questions – will everything go as planned? I suggest that, in the final stretch, about a week before the wedding, you try to unwind even a little and take a brief break from wedding planning.

Spend this time doing something that brings you joy. Relax, and allow yourself some rest. Though it may seem hard, try to get a good night’s sleep before the big day. All the stress and exhaustion will be visible in your photos. Don’t allow any negative emotions or dark thoughts to take over. Keep your mindset positive and focus on the excitement of the day ahead.

BEAUTIFUL DETAILS

During your preparations, play your favorite music, try to relax, and create an atmosphere that feels as calming as possible. Enjoy your favorite coffee or tea in peace in the morning. These small elements will significantly impact how you feel.

For us, as well as many couples who choose our services, details play a crucial role in the wedding reportage. I absolutely love photographing all the accessories you've carefully chosen for your big day. Your clothes, shoes, jewelry, invitations, cufflinks, bouquet, and boutonniere – all of this is important to me.

Try to gather these items in one place in advance. When possible, I enjoy taking your items into nature, searching for interesting backgrounds, textures, and stunning light.

Sometimes, I hang your clothes on branches or place them in seemingly unusual spots. It's all part of the fun and an attempt to find the most interesting space to showcase the details. All this is done to make your photos as beautiful and unique as possible.

I love it when you prepare additional items for photographing – old books, fancy mirrors, or beautiful ring boxes. These things add an incredible atmosphere to the photos and make them even more personalized.

The "First Look" – the magic of the first meeting

If possible, I always encourage organizing the first look outdoors, whether in your garden or somewhere nearby. There’s always a way to find a bit of greenery – even during your preparations in an apartment building.

I arrange it so that the groom arrives at the agreed spot first, and the bride walks towards him slowly, while I capture your reactions. These are incredibly intimate and emotional moments, so try to make sure you’re alone during this time, without extra eyes on you. If it’s not possible to have the first look outside, there’s no problem in having it inside your apartment. There are no restrictions on this, and the results are just as beautiful – see for yourself!

photos with loved ones

Once your preparations, blessing, and possibly the first look are done, I recommend setting aside about 10-15 minutes for photos with your loved ones. While posed photos can certainly be taken during the wedding, I believe this specific moment is a perfect opportunity for better photos.

Your loved ones are incredibly excited, and their emotions are written all over their faces. They’re dressed beautifully and haven’t yet worn themselves out from dancing the night away. During your blessing or preparations, you’re likely surrounded by the people closest to you, so it’s a great time to capture some group photos.

The preparation time at home offers a fantastic opportunity for emotional, intimate portraits, especially with parents, grandparents, and siblings. I encourage your loved ones to get involved in the preparations, whether they’re helping with the dress or jacket. Don’t let them hide away in the kitchen – let them be a part of your story!

Family, Friends – Helpers During Preparations

It’s very common that when I arrive at the preparation location, your loved ones are not yet ready to leave. They tend to hide away and don’t want to be photographed. This situation especially applies to brides – your mothers, grandmothers, sisters, or bridesmaids may not want to be photographed without their flawless makeup and stylish outfits they chose for this special occasion.

To avoid these situations, I advise that your loved ones get ready much earlier. Additionally, if you’ve chosen bridesmaids and groomsmen, the preparation time is the perfect opportunity for group photos – both candid ones where they help you get dressed and lighten the mood, as well as more posed ones.

If your wedding takes place during months with early sunsets, the preparation time is essentially the only chance to get beautiful posed photos with all your loved ones. Make sure to consider this!

Luxurious Wedding Car

If you've decided to rent your dream car for the wedding, it's worth setting aside an additional 10-15 minutes for a quick photo session on the way to the ceremony. There's always a spot along the route that's worth capturing, providing a beautiful backdrop for your photos. I often spot these places on my way to the ceremony.

Renting a car is an extra cost, so it's a good idea to plan everything so you can carve out a few minutes for those unique shots with your dream car. This quick action won't cause any delays.

Together, we’ll choose a location that won't require an extra hour of travel, and you’ll be able to enjoy amazing photos for years to come!

Better wedding photos in a nutshell

To summarize all the elements, the most important factor is good organization. You need to create something like a schedule for the day, keeping in mind that everything should be planned with some time buffer. This way, you’ll avoid unnecessary stress and the feeling that certain photos were missed.

Of course, the plan is always flexible and can change — that’s completely normal! The important thing is that you think about which photos are crucial for you and understand that to capture them, you need to prepare accordingly, but most importantly, allocate time for them.

You need to organize the stages of the day so that there’s time for everything. That’s the best way to ensure even better wedding photos.

The next stages will be discussed in the following post. I hope my advice has been helpful and will contribute to creating the most beautiful photographs.

Please let me know if my tips were useful to you, or if you’ve learned something you hadn’t considered before. I’d really appreciate your feedback. I’m preparing the second part of the guide covering the wedding, reception, and outdoor session, but without your support, there’s no point in creating new content. I’m waiting for your reactions!

Outdoor wedding with a travel theme

When I heard about this wedding, I knew it would be an incredible adventure and a wonderful experience for me. An outdoor wedding right by the forest, a fabulous place, the theme of travel present at every step. Yes, I have to admit that Paulina and Filip charmed me with their fairy tale in the blink of an eye.

This couple is a real volcano of energy, warmth and openness. They fit together perfectly! You may not believe me, but there are probably no two such funny people on this planet!

Nothing makes me happier than people who truly love each other, are happy and celebrate every moment spent together. Who can be silly, laugh until they burst and simply have a good time, regardless of the rest of the world. That's exactly what happened on their wedding day and at the outdoor session. In such moments, you are overcome by a broad sense of fulfillment and happiness.

Paulina and Filip share a passion for travel. Thanks to it, they have traveled a lot of the world and are richer for many adventures. As if that wasn't enough, the story of their engagement is also amazing. Filip asked for Paulina's hand in marriage during a balloon flight! Have you ever heard of a similar story? I haven't :D

This wedding was different from all the others, it broke the usual patterns and accepted conventions. Paulina and Filip did everything in their power to make this day look exactly as they had dreamed. There was no first dance, no thank you to the parents, no capping ceremony.

The party went at its own pace. Guests were slowly sipping good beers, tasting delicious food (I still remember those amazing flavors!), chilling on the sun loungers and generally having a great time together. No stress, no rigid schedule, just like that.

There was a huge jenga, pick-up sticks, badminton, playing football, running barefoot on the grass and enjoying the beautiful, purple sunset in perfect weather. Music without a moment for disco polo and everyone, but I mean everyone, regardless of age, had a great time.

As a photographer, I accompanied them until 10 p.m. Everyone had an absolutely fantastic time and there was no way boredom would creep in. The shots were full of wonderful moments, emotions and I absolutely did not feel that anything was missing.

Check it out for yourself!

P.S. The report from Paulina and Filip's wedding was published in Magazine Wesele. Their story and unconventional approach to their own wedding charmed the editorial team.

Location: Klub Sosnowy

Dress: Gostynin Wedding Dresses

Make-up and hair: Malwina Szablewska Make-up Artist

Cake: Zakład Cukierniczy Vanilia - Anna Jasińska

Rustic Wedding Reception

Rustic weddings, wedding receptions in a barn, lights illuminating the outdoor dance floor. This is definitely a theme I adore. Aldona and Maciek took me on a journey to an absolutely magical place, which is Gościniec Wiecha. I still can’t figure out how it’s possible that this amazing location is nowhere to be found in the top ranks of wedding locations. Almost no one knows the place exists and it’s only 30 kms from Warsaw!

The area is huge, over 20 ha! There you’ll find a mill, an old forge, farmhouse and lots of other elements that will surely charm you. 

What do I remember from this wedding? First of all Aldona and Maciek, we liked each other from the very first meeting! Those are our people! They love board games, cats (hi there Czarcik!), they know some cool places in Warsaw with good beer and so on. Apart from the gorgeous couple we loved the intimacy of nature, a random cat walking here and there and slam dancing while fighting to get the bowtie! Add the glamourous entrance of the young couple with the britzka, plus a barbecue, one the best djs ever, a dad who just had to have photos with a cigar a’la James Bond and you know that these are 100% YOUR PEOPLE <3 As if all that wasn’t enough, they made all the  wedding stationery with their own hands, and it just astonished us all. I think that they should considering doing that for living?:D

Take a look at the photos from that magical, rustic wedding of Aldona and Maciek.

Location : Gościniec Wiecha

Church : Parafia św. Bartłomieja Ap. w Rybiu

Aldona’s dress : Justyna Kodym

Make-up: Joanna Rydzyńska Make Up

Hair: Emilia Smyk

Flowers: Amarant

Maciek’s suit : Bytom

Bowtie: LAVARD

Party hosts: Patryk i Łukasz z Art Solutions