Myakka, Florida - Photoshoot with Meghan

This session has been my big dream for a long time. Florida - lots of greenery and wild jungle! I put it off for a while. Finally it worked after the 5th time! This is only proof that what is put off does not get away, and some things simply have to wait for their right time. Meghan suggested Myakka River State Park, which we had already visited during one of our trips to Florida. Fortunately, there was no alligator attack :D

The richness of nature and the beautiful light that always inspires me there helped me create amazing shots. Meghan, as always, did a great job and took care of the appropriate outfit for the session. Girl! I love you for being open and always ready to act! Apparently we communicated very well, although I always blame myself for any language mistakes I make. I hope you like the session! Let me know what you think in the comments. I will be extremely grateful for every comment.

Fashion Photoshoot - Pulse Of The City

Many of you may not know this, but my photographic path is long and rich in various experiences. Before I started doing weddings and reportage in general, I mainly photographed women. These were various sessions - from regular portraits to artistic sessions, ending with fashion sessions that were published in many fashion magazines. This type of photography accompanied me for a very long time and I must admit that I still like to return to it. Fashion sessions give me a lot of joy, I can express myself artistically in them, because all means are basically allowed, even if I feel like the craziest frames, which are supposedly not in accordance with art (although in photography in general there is no such thing as rigid frames), I can do it and no one will blame me for "it's crooked" or "the head is cut off". There is a lot of good fun and fashion, which I have been interested in since middle school.

Where did the idea for such a session come from? It all started with one photo that I once saw on Pinterest. I have a folder that I called 'Inspirations for the session', and in it a whole bunch of photos. These are photos from fashion editorials or campaigns, photos of hairstyles, make-up, places, clothes, everything that in some way inspired me and drives me to act and create my own stories. The photo that captivated me is of an Asian woman in a bright red sweatshirt. It caught my attention and stayed in my private collection. It lay there for many years, until I suddenly remembered about it. And that's how the idea for the session slowly began to clarify in my head, from choosing the model, through the location, ending with the make-up and hairstyle, which we tried to reproduce quite faithfully. The weather and the season were perfect, creating a coherent story that I wanted to tell.

I present to you the moodboard for the session.

I called the session “Puls Miasta” (City Pulse), why? What is it supposed to be about? Of course, not only about clothes.

For us Poles, especially at this time of year, the world outside becomes really grey. We are surrounded by a depressing landscape, full of greyness and sad faces. However, the city hides many secrets. Its pulse is accelerated, rich in colours and energy. During this session, I wanted to combine the raw atmosphere of the city landscape with energetic and colourful stylisations. Warsaw is a city full of contrasts and I built my story on this contrast. I also refer to relics of the past, grey blocks of flats, grey, cracked pitches, where, if we were lucky enough to have them in our city, we spent most of the day. Shabby blocks, omnipresent greyness and SHE - knocking us out of rhythm with her colours.

I had to find the right places. Together with Marcin, we visited a large part of Grochów and it turned out that today it is very hard to find the greyness I was looking for. Finally, I succeeded and by accident! Then all I had to do was gather the right people and that's how this session came about. We had two more places planned, including the carpet beater in front of the block (another reference to the old days), but unfortunately we ran out of time. Despite that, I hope you like the session.

Let me know in the comments if I managed to take you into the world of Polishness after the political transformation, and at the same time the current times :)

At this point I would like to thank the entire wonderful team, thanks to whom I was able to realize another photographic dream. You are the best!

Model: Huong Aleksandra Pham Thu/IG
Stylist: Aleksandra Lewańska/IG
MUA/fryzura: Magda Soszyńska/IG
Help: As always, irreplaceable - Marcin Szpila <3

If you are curious about what the “behind the scenes” session looked like, please watch the backstage report - Click

Martyna and Michał's wedding in a glamour style

I will remember Martyna and Michał's wedding for a long time, among other things because it fell on my birthday :D It was a beautiful, mega sunny and hot day, just the way I like it the most. We started the photos with Martyna by immortalizing her make-up. The salon was literally a few steps from her family home. So we could dance back and forth without unnecessary rush. There was a real bustle in the house, but to be honest we love such commotion. Then you can feel that the house is alive, positive energy radiates from everyone, despite a little stress. Martyna's friends specially prepared in advance for the group photos. There was everything - from beautiful peonies, to a dressing gown for the bride, and ending with personalized cufflinks for the groom.

There was a lot of emotion in the church during the mass, from tears of joy to laughter when the priest went between the pews and asked about what love means to others, what it means to them. It was quite a surprise for me, because I rarely meet such committed and positive celebrants.

Then it was time for wishes and a hop into the hall. We were greeted by total glam, a beautifully decorated and lit hall and one of the most beautiful sweet tables I have ever photographed (and one of the most delicious, because of course I couldn't resist tasting it). The hall provided great opportunities for photography, because I could take pictures from above, from the mezzanine, from literally every side.

I was very impressed with the team that coordinated the party. Full professionalism, energy and an unconventional approach. I don't think I've ever taken so many great shots of the games, which were abundant at the party. There was something going on all the time. There was group building, a bit of Mexico, a bit of boxing and, along with the cake, sparklers, so it was a total blast.

WHAT I WILL REMEMBER FOREVER:

• The fact that I called Martyna's dad "on first name" because he looked so young that it didn't even occur to me that it was her dad :D, only later, when I realized who it was, I was a bit ashamed

• Mass, which thanks to the priest was different from all others

• Thank you to the parents and grandparents in the form of photo canvases featuring photos from our engagement session

• Mega positive team and operator thanks to whom I had a lot of laughter and pure pleasure at work without any stress

• The fact that the bridesmaid handed me the cake while I was sitting on the steps outside - Paulinka, you are so sweet!

• A wonderful atmosphere full of love, joy and closeness - your guests were TOTALLY GREAT!
  

Wedding: Parafia św. M.M. Kolbego w Płońsku
Reception: Dworek Marzenie - Strachowo/Płońsk
Movie: Kamil z Get Married
Band: Nexus Cover Band
Flowers: “Amelia” - dekoracje ślubne

And now I would like to cordially invite you to watch the reportage from the wedding of Martyna and Michał, whom I affectionately called our M&Ms :D After all, they are M squared!

Fashion photoshoot with Paula

Sometimes, when I say I'm a wedding photographer, I get labeled. Labeled by people who haven't seen any of my photos yet, but in their mind's eye they can already see a couple hiding behind a column and fake doves glued in the background. For many years, I had this idea about wedding photographers, too, so I kind of understand it. We've all seen wedding photos in display cases that were a bit kitschy. Flowers in plastic vases, fake backgrounds, motionless, lifeless figures that seem to have been glued in. Flying bride and groom on carpets and other such wonders. However, wedding photography has evolved over the years, becoming another branch of artistic photography. It's full of emotions, beautiful scenery, incredible play of light, fairytale locations, portraits straight from Vogue and true-to-life reportage.

Few people know that before I started doing weddings, my photography career touched many other areas, such as fashion, artistic and conceptual photography. I used to delude myself that my photography career would be based on fashion sessions. However, I quickly realized that this is an extremely hermetic environment, and many people only want to use you for free for their commercial purposes. However, this does not change the fact that this field has stopped being interesting to me. The fact that my portfolio does not abound in such sessions does not mean that I do not have experience in them, or that I cannot do them.

I love photography, among other things, because it is so multidimensional. And although I know that there are self-proclaimed sages who claim that you can't be good at several things at the same level, I dare to disagree. Because I can photograph so many different things, situations, it's hard to get bored or burn out. This drives me and gives me the power to act.

My photography has always focused on women. I honed my skills on my friends and cousins. Everything has always revolved around women. And in fact, they are still the main characters in my photos. I dream of more female portrait sessions. I regret that so few people invest in photography. Especially when we live in a time of images surrounding us from all sides. I can't quite understand it.

With this rather long introduction, I invite you to watch the session with Paula Nagel. The session took place in a magical apartment in Warsaw, in Saska Kępa, full of monsters, mysterious objects and fairy-tale light, which surprised us for a short moment and added incredible magic to the frames.

MUA: Ania Wronka
Model: Paula Nagel
Styling: My own wardrobe combined with Paula's wardrobe ;)

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!

Ola and Michał's wedding session at the Palace

When you wonder where you can have an outdoor wedding, a few, if not a dozen, cool places come to mind. Some of them are more common, and others are absolutely unique and still shrouded in some mystery. They are not as well-known and popular, which makes them even more attractive.

The romantic neo-Gothic estate you will see today is the Patrykozy Palace. You praise other people's, you don't know your own - that's exactly what you can say about this place. When I first saw it on Instagram, I didn't think I would find so much wealth, amazing objects, rooms with fancy decorations like from a fairy tale and lots of magical nooks there.

The Patrykozy Palace is a piece of history, but also a huge force of human determination. The owner of the property put his whole heart into restoring this place and saving it from oblivion. His hard work has been appreciated. In 2017, the palace was awarded the Minister of Culture and National Heritage prize in the "Well-kept Monument" competition.

You will find there beautiful rooms with rich stucco, huge fireplaces, stylish furniture from the Biedermeier era and beautiful, winding staircases. In addition to the property itself, which takes your breath away at every step, you can also use the equally beautiful English-style park with an atmospheric gazebo. There is seriously a place to go wild with photography.

I went there for the first time for a session with Ola and Michał. My laughing, lovely buddies, whom I met while searching for models for a session with alpacas. I was glad that I finally had the opportunity to see this beautiful palace, but what we saw there exceeded our wildest expectations.

The autumn aura added an incredible atmosphere to everything. I will never forget the feeling when after the session we were walking through these interiors bathed in darkness. I felt like I was in a fairy tale from which I did not want to return to the normal world.

And take a look for yourself!

Family photoshoot in the magical forest

Just a few years ago, our apartment was full of stuff and stuff for family and children's sessions. Baskets, backdrops, blankets, teddy bears of all kinds, wraps and all that stuff. At the time, I thought that no one would want to have a family session at my place without it. Because how can you do it without gadgets? Everyone does it, so I have to too. Fortunately, I quickly realized that this is not really the style I am in. The gadgets are now lying around in the basements because no one wants to buy them, but at least I have my head free from the patterns that I was trying to fit into unnecessarily.

The most important thing for me during family sessions is the atmosphere. The bond that connects parents with their child. It's time for all of them. Time to play, fool around, cuddle, go for walks, everything that people do with their children every day. In this whole Instagram world full of beautiful accessories and gadgets, people forget to just cuddle. To be with yourself here and now, not to rush, not to get frustrated by a pose, a perfect dress, hairstyle or make-up. The point is not to pretend to be anyone. To stop for a moment and enjoy this time together, family time.

A family session like this in the forest has been my dream for a long time. A little fairytale-like, idyllic, without rushing and shouting "quick, quick!", scolding the kids every now and then, or complaining that there are mosquitoes in the forest (which are amazing, by the way). Because that's exactly what happened before.

We chose Kampinos National Park as the location for the session, which I don't think we'll ever get bored of. We took a ton of photos there, each time in a different corner, and there's no way something could go wrong there. By pure chance, this time I found a beautiful corner with a small clearing, flowers, magical trees with protruding roots, and I knew that these photos had to take place right there. The only problem was the weather, which, to put it simply, wasn't kind to us that day.

After arriving at the session location, it was raining and thundering, at times quite intensely. I was worried about what would happen next, but Ola, after earlier discussions, decided that transparent umbrellas would be enough in case of rain. I love people who don't panic and don't wring their hands when the weather isn't what we would like in a given situation, but simply adapt to it. Unfortunately, few people can do that.

I have to admit that Ola, Damian and Klara looked simply amazing! They matched their styling to the location, and the girls' cute hats added even more charm to everything. Ola dreamed of a fairy-tale, family session, and I wanted to do everything in my power to make that dream come true.

Klara recently started taking her first steps, so the biggest entertainment for her during the session was walking. She didn't really want to be held by her parents, but a few managed to surprise her :D We also smelled flowers together, played with the hat and she flew a bit in dad's arms. That is everything that should be in such a session.

After sending the photos to my family, I got a message that the photos were beautiful, exactly as they had dreamed. After such messages, I feel a bit like I was floating above the ground. It's an amazing feeling that is hard to describe. When you get along so well with people, the session is pure fun and pleasure, and at the end you hear that thanks to you someone's dreams came true. In such moments I feel like the happiest person in the world and I can't imagine doing anything else.

I cordially invite you to watch the family session of Ola, Damian and Klara <3

Sunset Engagement Session

I always say that the key to a successful session (any session) is attitude. If you are open, you will have fun, instead of constantly stressing about whether your makeup is perfect, whether your dress fits well and whether you look good in the photos, everything will be much easier and the results of the session will definitely be much better. Just try to enjoy this moment and relax a little. A little sun won't hurt either ;)

I love taking photos at the golden hour, but to be honest, I don't always have the opportunity. When I arranged an engagement session with Dorota and Damian, I knew right away that this time we would hit the sunset perfectly. I took their photos in a large, green area, which is quite flat, so the rays of the setting sun played very beautifully there.

Despite the perfect weather, the biggest rays of joy were my couple. Just look at them! They literally had a lot of smiles on their faces! I had a great time with them, and the time at the session flew by in the blink of an eye (with people like that, you always feel a certain dissatisfaction, you want more and it's hard to say goodbye).

Not only are Dorota and Damian totally lovely people, but they also prepared for the session perfectly. Just look at their styling! Dorota even took care of the wreath for the photos. We talked a lot, laughed a lot and I couldn't wait for their wedding day. I knew it would be a wonderful collaboration and of course it was.

You wouldn't believe how much Damian was attacked by mosquitoes and how many bites he had on his face. He endured it very bravely. I know that the photos made up for all these hardships, and for me this is the greatest reward under the sun.

I invite you to watch Dorota and Damian's engagement session <3

An Autumn Wedding Full of Red at Szklarnia Grodzisk

Autumn is definitely one of the most magical seasons. I love it for its explosion of colors, the leaves falling from the trees, and the rain—best enjoyed from the couch with a cup of our favorite tea. As it happens, for the past few years, my wedding season has always come to a close in the fall. The last weddings of the season are always unforgettable and special. Last year was no different. I wrapped up my photography marathon with a beautiful wedding story for Paulina and Marcin. They chose the stunning Szklarnia Grodzisk as their wedding venue. Until then, I had only seen it on Instagram, and to be honest, the chance to photograph there had me beyond excited. I counted down the days to this wedding for many reasons.

I met Paulina during my photography studies. Although we didn’t study together, she was my guiding light, always offering invaluable advice. I’m convinced that without her, my journey at UW would have been much more challenging, and for that, I will always be grateful. So when she asked us about our availability for her wedding, I felt it was my duty to return the favor for everything she had done for me. And when I finally met her fiancé, I knew right away—they were meant for each other.

On their wedding day, everything just fell into place—the vibrant red of Paulina’s hair, the room with the most epic chandelier ever, where Marcin was getting ready. His deep burgundy suit made him look absolutely regal. The bookshelf in the living room, filled with fantasy novels, a Deadpool figurine, and a Witcher School medallion 😃—it all made me feel right at home from the very start.

But beyond the material things, there was something even more important—something that can sometimes be hard to notice, yet in their case, it was crystal clear. The way Marcin looked at Paulina. Their beloved dog, calmly watching the preparations unfold. The tender embraces and teary eyes of their loved ones during the blessing. The crisp autumn air, their pure joy when they saw each other in the garden for the first time. Their unfiltered happiness, surrounding us at every moment that day.

It’s truly beautiful when two people love each other so deeply that their love becomes almost tangible. Suddenly, everything feels simpler. They are just there for each other—no pretense, no worrying about what’s appropriate, whether there’s time, space, or the right moment. They embrace life fully, in every second. And that’s the most beautiful thing a person can witness and capture in photographs—preserving it forever.

WHAT I’LL REMEMBER FOREVER:

• Smiles, smiles, and more smiles—throughout the entire day, every single moment.

• That I got to decorate the ring box myself, and everyone was happy with the result—even though I’m no florist or decorator 😆

• Their total chill vibe.

• The mini-session during the reception, which, thanks to their natural ease, turned out to be some of the best shots we’ve ever taken in such a short time.

• The badass squad-style photos of the girls with cigarettes.

• The Bin Laden dance organized by Kacper from Dobry Klimat Music Band.

• I might sound like a foodie, but I have to mention it—THE BEST FOOD EVER.

• That they wanted to take a few final shots by the lights of my car, with everything glistening from the rain.

• The bold red color that appeared throughout the day, sparking my imagination at every turn.

That’s just a little intro about this incredible couple—now, I invite you to dive into their story. Put on some music, soak in the vibe, and enjoy their absolutely unforgettable day!

Wedding: Parafia św. Kazimierza w Pruszkowie
Reception: Szklarnia Grodzisk
Dress: Mona Liza
Suit: Atelier Zabłotny
Band: Dobry Klimat Music Band
Flowers: Cudakwiatki

Greenery style wedding in the magical Oczyszczalnia

I met Paulina and Paweł for the first time in a restaurant to discuss all the details of their wedding and reception. It turned out that we have more in common than we expected, especially our love of board games :)

When Paweł wrote me the first email and I read that their wedding would take place in one of the most magical places on the map of Poland, I couldn't wait to meet them! Not only did I dream of photographing a ceremony in this place, but Paulina and Paweł's wedding was also supposed to feature a lot of greenery-style motifs, which I love.

I did stylized wedding session "Silver Dust", which was published in the polish wedding magazine. Paulina and Paweł looked through my portfolio and this session also did not escape their attention, maybe it even inspired them a little.

Such situations make me extremely happy, because I know that my hard work and long weeks of preparation for the session are not wasted. It's a great feeling when your own projects are remembered by others. I won't deny that it was an incredibly pleasant surprise for me.

The day started slowly, I could take pictures of Paulina and Paweł's preparations, their family and loved ones without stress. I really appreciate the atmosphere of peace, in which I can act without feeling pressured, rushed and have more time for some thoughts in terms of the frame or composition. There was also a moment for a few photos with my beloved dog.

The garden behind the house turned out to be the perfect scenery for their first look (I love this moment!). The wedding ceremony took place in a very bright chapel. I was deeply moved by the fact that their loved ones took such an active part in the Holy Mass. The whole ceremony took place in a very family, friendly atmosphere. At the end I managed to take a souvenir family photo, although it was not easy with so many people :)

The wedding is prevented in the Oczyszczalnia in Teresin. A place that is essential magic, which was previously noticed in photos on the Internet by other photographers. I secretly dreamed that maybe one day I would be able to photograph there originally. Since I appeared on the spot, my delight was endless.

The kitchen arrangement, the tableware, the omnipresent greenery, wonderful decorations, outside fresh, blue photobus, which were created by the amazing Kasia and Grześ. Everything that is unusual, like on the photos which I admired on Pinterest! There were switches, fantastic, blue cakes, cut in the use of a kitten walking next to it, wonderful garlands with lights, delicious food and the best music in the world.

It was a wedding in the true spirit of SLOW. There was no tight schedule of events, no specific time frame for ticking off items from the list. The atmosphere of total ease, happiness and love. To be honest – these are the weddings I love the most. And… I dream of one myself! :)

Without further ado – I invite you to watch the reportage and comment <3

Trip to Florida part 2

We are incredibly grateful for all the comments on the blog under the previous post, as well as the numerous messages on our Facebook and Instagram regarding our impressions after the trip to Florida. We didn't expect such a large response from you. It’s very kind and motivating to continue working, writing, and fulfilling ourselves in blogging. Today, we will show you what we loved most about Florida. We hope that the vibrant greens and rich color palette will inspire you to the max and fill your hearts with a little joy and optimism. Let’s get started!

CLOSE TO NATURE

During most of our stay, we managed to visit quite a few parks, nature reserves, and botanical gardens in the area. It might seem that looking at trees and bushes could get boring quickly, but for us, each park and garden was unique and absolutely special. We completely fell in love with the wilderness, the palm trees, and the ever-present little lizards that kept the bugs at bay. In Emerson Point Preserve, we could admire mangroves and various types of plants. There were tons of people kayaking, some even with their dogs on board. We admired their courage because we were a little afraid that an alligator might pop out at any moment, but we never saw one.

In Florida, you can find signs everywhere warning about the possibility of alligators being in the area. Instead of signs prohibiting walking on the grass, you have to be careful everywhere to avoid running into these reptiles. I really wanted to see an alligator in the wild, but during both of our trips, we didn’t encounter any. We visited a lot of parks, including Rothenbach Park, Urfer Family Park, Robinson Preserve, Oscar Scherer State Park, Bayfront Park, Sunken Gardens, and Historic Spanish Point. Everywhere, we admired the power and beauty of the surrounding nature and soaked up the magic of these places like a sponge.

At Rothenbach Park, we had a chance to do a pre-wedding shoot with Nikki and Will. Just look at how beautiful it was there! There’s a funny story tied to their session, but we’ll definitely share the details when we publish the entire set. We were, of course, enchanted by the "hair" hanging from the trees, the wild oranges, or whatever they were, and the beautiful trees twisted in all sorts of directions. It was absolutely amazing!

On Florida, you can spot squirrels everywhere. They differ from ours because they are gray, which allows them to blend in perfectly with the background, making it sometimes hard to notice them.

We are absolutely in love with these strange "hairs" hanging from the trees. They’re called "spanish moss," or *Tillandsia usneoides*, which is a type of bromeliad. These unique plants live on trees and feed off the air and rain, as they have no roots. I remember, ever since I first saw the movie *Forrest Gump*, the iconic scene where Forrest is running away from the mean kids stayed in my memory. In that scene, you could see huge, beautiful trees covered with these "hairs." When I saw them for the first time in real life, I couldn’t believe I was finally seeing them with my own eyes. Another beautiful feature of the landscape there is the massive oak trees that stretch across entire streets, like the one by my parents’ house.

COLORS OF THE CITY

Besides exploring the bush and jungle, we also got a taste of the city vibe. What we love most about Florida is, without a doubt, the color! Something we crave so much in our own dull, gray everyday landscape. Houses, hotels, shops, restaurants, and even rental spots catch your eye from afar. You'll see a true explosion of colors, from vibrant turquoises to soft pastels. Every time we saw them, we couldn't help but smile from ear to ear. We tried to capture as many colorful houses and stunning, thriving plants as possible at every turn.

We explored Sarasota, both its downtown and its lesser-known streets. We visited the monument inspired by the iconic photograph of a sailor and a nurse by Alfred Eisenstaedt. According to history, the photo was taken in Times Square on August 14, 1945, at the exact moment they heard the news of Japan’s surrender and the end of World War II. Both the photo and the monument symbolize joy and hope, so of course, we couldn’t resist taking a picture there.

Practically every street had something interesting to discover. My outfit, completely by chance, turned out to be the perfect complement to the photos and the surroundings.

Sarasota has direct access to Sarasota Bay, which it shares with neighboring Bradenton, as well as Tampa Bay and the entire coastline. The entire coastal area, stretching miles inland, is crisscrossed by a dense network of canals and inlets. Almost everywhere here is accessible by boat, making it possible to live without a car—something unheard of in most other parts of the U.S.

Thousands of people on both Florida coasts live permanently on boats or yachts. With just over 53,000 residents, Sarasota is a small city by Florida standards, especially for a coastal town. Still, it’s the second most important cultural hub on this side of the peninsula, right after Tampa. There’s no shortage of restaurants, shops, boutiques, and various attractions.

We especially loved the cozy outdoor cafés, where live music often added to the atmosphere. For us, Sarasota didn’t feel like a small town at all—but of course, American standards are a whole different story! :)

The white lines you see are the local crosswalks—it took us a while to get used to them.

BEYOND SARASOTA

One day, we took a trip to St. Petersburg, or simply Saint Pete. It’s a place where you can experience art in many forms. The city is home to the famous Salvador Dalí Museum, and its streets, stretching for miles, are adorned with countless murals.

We managed to photograph only a few of them since we arrived a bit too late. I was especially disappointed that we couldn’t find one particular mural of Tesla, which I had really hoped to see.

During our trip to St. Pete, we also stopped by another botanical garden—Sunken Gardens—where we got to admire flamingos up close and even had a little chat with some parrots. The signs listed their favorite words, and they actually responded to them!

A stunning rainbow eucalyptus—as you can see, even the trees here are colorful!

On our way to St. Pete, we made a stop near the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, which truly gives the impression that you’re driving straight into the sky. The most breathtaking view is from the very top, where you’re surrounded by endless blue—water on both sides and the sky stretching above you.

It’s the longest cable-stayed concrete bridge, with around 20,000 cars crossing it daily. We photographed it from a nearby fishing pier, which offered a perfect vantage point. Florida is a true paradise for anglers! Pelicans strolled lazily along the pier, happily accepting food from passersby.

We also took a trip to the town of Naples, which is said to be one of the wealthiest cities in the U.S. We definitely felt like Hollywood stars—though we didn’t spot any celebrities!

We were in awe of the stunning mansions, architecture, lush greenery, and the almost unreal cleanliness of the streets. There were also pistachio ice creams and a quick photoshoot under neon lights. A charming elderly gentleman struck up a conversation, saying the pictures would turn out beautiful. I’m not entirely sure if they’re the best photos of my life, but it was a great time! 😄

Naples is also home to the famous Naples Pier, which we absolutely had to see. What we didn’t expect were SUCH HUGE CROWDS! We also ran into an incredible number of fellow Poles there! 😄

Our new hobby unexpectedly became mini-golf, and we spent a lot of time on it. It turned out that I’m the worst player in history, but despite that, I had an amazing time.

In addition to sightseeing and exploring, it was mainly family time. Like everyone, we were caught up in the holiday frenzy—cleaning, cooking, and wrapping gifts. We spent many days simply at the house, with our only outing being a visit to Walmart. The neighborhood where my parents live has a gym, a pool, and a grilling area, so we didn’t complain about boredom. Every day felt precious to us. When you're separated by thousands of miles from loved ones, the time spent together is always incredible. You truly start to appreciate so many things.

We openly admit that we completely succumbed to consumerism there. As a result, my parents had to give us their two largest suitcases for the trip back. Even then, we were still unsure if we’d be able to pack everything. We barely managed... The stores and sales there are something else! After our first trip, we knew that bringing tons of clothes was totally pointless. You can shop like royalty for really low prices, even when converted to Polish zloty.

TO SUM UP - HOW DID WE LIKE THE USA?

What are our impressions after visiting the USA? WE’RE IN LOVE! You can say that America is overrated, that its golden days are long gone. Many people get annoyed that everyone is so nice and smiling, claiming it’s just a façade. Honestly, we wish we had such a façade back home in Poland, where we walk into a store, say "good morning," and are met with complete silence. During both of our stays, we didn’t encounter a single, even slightly unpleasant situation with strangers. On the contrary, everyone was incredibly helpful and genuinely interested in where we were from. We really liked the overall laid-back vibe. Sarasota isn’t New York, so there’s no rush—something that’s an essential part of life in a big city. Everything moves at its own pace, people are relaxed, friendly, and open. Add to that the sunshine, palm trees, lush greenery, views that take your breath away, and bay waters that are 21°C in December. You can say whatever you want, but we totally fell for it, and we’ve become even more convinced of all our beliefs and decisions. 😄

We hope we've given you enough evidence to support our observations and conclusions that Florida isn’t blue—it’s definitely GREEN!

Is it worth doing an engagement photoshoot?

This question comes back like a boomerang on loads of wedding forums. My future brides ask me all the time if it’s worth doing an engagement photoshoot? This is, of course, very individual, you yourself must decide whether you want to devote the time and money and if it’s something valuable to you and your loved ones.

Nowadays taking photos has never been easier – everyone has a camera phone, you pose, take a selfie and it’s done. But does it really show your feelings and emotions? Do those photos tell a story? It’s a simple record of a moment, that will lead to a memory, but without one important thing – emotions that can be captured by a photographer. 

You can take my word for that – you can’t do that alone. I have a photoshoot of myself in a beautiful abandoned glasshouse, that I wanted to see and perhaps use it in my future work. I knew it will be great so I prepared myself and took some photos. I took some clothes, a tripod and I was ready to go. 

While the pics are nice, I think I look good, and the place is impressive - you can easily see that I was only able to do wide cadres, mostly from far away and I had to stand in the middle to keep the focus. There is no way to catch some details, spontaneous gestures or smiles, every moment that builds up the tension, tells a story like a good movie and shows what’s special about you. This is why it's important to have a professional engagement photoshoot if you want to capture real emotions and to click pause on that moment that will pass all too quickly. 

These photos can be used by you in many ways even for a wedding. You can hang them on the walls for the wedding reception, you can do albums or paintings and give them to your parents/grandparents or other relatives. Also they can be used as a presentation or as a wedding invitation. There are many ideas! You just need to use your imagination!

benefits of engagement photoshoot

Two important pros are that you get a chance to get used to being in front of the camera and also are able to become familiar with the wedding photographer. Is it comfortable for you? Do you like the way the photographer works? Do you feel laidback when he or she is around? Sometimes the person that takes the prettiest photos in the world will not be suitable for you because you just don’t like their way of working. This will verify whether you want to work with them or not. 

On your wedding day, you won’t have time to check on your photographer or camera operator – their behavior or temperament or the way they work won’t be noticed by you. Stress and tempo of the day will make you forget they’re even there. On that day, everything happens spontaneously and, as well as you, the photographer/operator will just go with the flow. The day ends very quickly and you don’t even notice when their work is done. 

Things look a little bit different when it comes to outdoor weddings photoshoots. A lot of couples decide to do it that way because “everyone does and so can we” but it turns out that it’s not that easy for you and you can’t completely be yourselves. Sometimes fights breakout during the sessions and the fights affect us all. A photoshoot can become tiring and maybe you won’t like the effects. Why? Because to get beautiful photos you need not only a great background but also your attitude, behavior and photographer’s experience are put to the test. 

Having an earlier photoshoot together will show you whether or not to go with the exterior photoshoot. Is it necessary? Will it be a nice experience for both of you? Is it important for you? Can you put in the effort to make it great? Or maybe the opposite? Remember, don’t do anything that is against your will or imagination!

when is the best time to do the photoshoot?

As you already noticed, this is the engagement photoshoot. If it’s going to be used for wedding purposes it’s best to do it a bit earlier than the wedding. When? That depends on many things such as what time of the year will you pick to do the photoshoot? Do you want to do it far from your city and your photographer’s? And how long will you wait for the photos from the photographer?

I had the chance to do the shoots a month or two before the wedding as well as over a year before the wedding. There is no rule. Apart from that, I did some shoots for couples a long time after the wedding. Engagement photos are very popular and their job is to show your love. So even those who have been married for some time can still get them done. It’s only an engagement photoshoot by name but its effects are multidimensional :)

what time of the year is the best?

When it comes to photoshoots outside, I recommend 2 hours before the sunset. There is time to get to know each other, chat and get comfortable in a totally new situation for you. The best light is always at the sunrise or the sunset. Sometimes I have to work when there is no sun – then I set an hour of the photoshoot individually, depending on the place and time of the year. Even those taken in the middle of the night can be beautiful!

how much time do we have for the shoot?

Usually a photoshoot with me lasts about two hours. Of course a big factor this depends on is if we take photos in a single location or multiple. If you’re dreaming about a shoot somewhere in the mountains where you have to walk first – not a problem! The two hours of my service is only for the photoshoot, so when it comes to the journey to the location of the shoot, that’s a whole different story. I never stand with a watch in my hands.

From mine experience I know that choosing more than two locations can be too tiring. I recommend you to choose one or two places so that everyone is happy with their work. You need to be relaxed, happy, smiling without any pressure of changing the location. If you really want to take photos in a few different locations – of course I can do that. Considering the conditions – I set the price individually, that also includes photoshoots abroad.

what we should take for the shoot?

Take some snacks and something to drink. A pair of comfy shoes is recommended. You could probably also use some make-up accessories in case it needs fixing. For outdoor shoots, all kinds of bug, mosquito and tick repellents are a must (I always take some!).

If you’re planning to change your outfits during the shoot – then, of course, you also have to remember to bring them. A large bag can definitely be useful for all of those things. Sometimes, you may even want to take another person to help you carry all those things like a friend/sister/brother if that person is okay with some manual labour and understands the rule of not commenting on everything around or interfering with the photographer's work. :)

Wet wipes and regular tissues can be useful - for example, if/when your shoes get dirty. If you require  some accessories then be sure to pack them. I always say that you and your emotions are the most important thing during the shoot. If you want to take something more, please remember that sometimes - less is more. I will surely take some photos and use some of them but they won’t be necessary for every photo. In case of unsure weather, you will need a jacket or a jumper. Most importantly,  remember to bring a good mood and everything should go smoothly :)

When it comes to clothes, take some that don’t wrinkle easily. If you choose a place where you have to take a long walk to get there you don’t want to carry a lot of stuff. Try to choose two outfits max. Also try to choose something without patterns, as they tend to look better in photos. Your outfits need to look good together so remember to choose one color palette as your partner or the same pattern. Clothes must look good together. If you need any help - please tell me about it. Try to avoid the brother and sister effect. You also have to consider sitting or getting wet somewhere. Don’t take clothes that you are afraid to rip or that are too important for you to get dirty. 

What if the weather isn’t good?

In my opinion you can do a photoshoot any time of the year and in all conditions . You can find thousands of photos on the internet where the couple strikes their poses in strong wind, heavy rain or even snow. Those photos are also beautiful and can be very moving. 

If you’re not sure about those kinds of photos – there are ways to do it differently. You can always look for a barn, alcove or glasshouse. Maybe even an abandoned factory? I saw some amazing pictures of my friends taken under a bridge. 

You can also take photos in a cool cafe, bakery or a restaurant. It can also be a hotel, flat/apartment rented for one day or your own house! Or perhaps you consider a castle or manor house? Used book seller’s or a library? A cinema or theatre? There are so many options! Take your time, be creative and consider all places you use in everyday life.

what if we don’t have any ideas for the shoot?

Most couples I’ve worked with don’t have any special ideas for their photoshoots. They don’t know where they want it or what they’d like the theme to be. A question I always ask is if you want to connect it to your interests, passions, work or a wedding theme? Maybe you have an important place like where you got engaged or where you had your first date?

Would you like a photoshoot inside or outside the city? Maybe in a rented flat or your own home? Do you think about any particular season?

And so, I’m able to build the vision of the photoshoot. When we establish how the scene should look, I start to search for suitable locations, then we will discuss your outfit options and we can really start getting to work! Sometimes, I share my personal photo dreams which some couples love, then working together we expand on those ideas to build something personal to them.

themes for the shoot

Look to everything for inspiration. As mentioned before, it can be related to your hobby, your work or your wedding. Do you love to travel and that will be the theme of your wedding? You can use details such as maps, globes or guides to places where you were or where you want to go together. Check out how we used that idea with Paulina and Filip during their photoshoot. 

Are you planning a bohemian or rustic wedding? An engagement photoshoot surrounded by nature in a park is a great idea. Add a flowery coronet, a flowy dress, a shirt and suspenders for the groom, choose an hour close to sunset and there you go, a beautiful story in the mentioned theme.

You can also choose a place like an antique building, a museum, a barn, a forest, a mill or other place that will take you to a magical, fairytale realm.

I prefer to take pictures of couples in nature. Mostly because of the open space and beautiful light. If you too are fans of natural landscapes – you have endless possibilities. Check out how it can look in a normal park that you cross on your way to work or home.

How about a blooming orchard?

If you were to ask me which kind of places are always good for photoshoots, my answer will be  – forests. Some, we I have worked multiple times a year, and you know what? Every time I go there I always find a new spot that amazes me. You can’t even tell from the photos that this is the same forest. 

Are you thinking what you can do to make your photoshoot stand out? You want to make it somewhat different? Check out the pictures above. Choosing strong colors for Paulina and rock’n’roll accessories was just what we needed to make it look special.

If forests and parks don’t interest you, perhaps you can choose a meadow or your own garden if you’d like to feel as comfortable as possible. Maybe you would rather have a shoot somewhere that you can have a picnic and just spend some time together?

If you have a dog, you can always include them as well!  It doesn’t matter what animal it is. I assume, if you know me, how special photos with your beloved animals are to me. I love to see them become part of your story! :)

A lavender field can also be a cool idea for your photoshoot.

If you dream about a photoshoot surrounded by flowers, then I suggest you consider the places with your favourite species. Needless to say, spring and summer are the best time for these types of photos. Visit your local park or a botanical garden and check out the possibilities. There are lots of them! Imagine – a photoshoot in a poppy field or sunflowers, lilacs, magnolias or even in rapeseed field ! Sounds awesome, right?

In the case that you choose to shoot in nature, you can also choose from specific environments such as peatlands, moorland or like my couple here – marshland. However,  it’s better to check out those places before the photoshoot. You don’t have to literally walk in there,  it only needs to serve as a background and the effect will still be perfect. I have to admit that it worked for us! We didn’t find such greens anywhere else. And after getting to the marsh all the mosquitos left us alone. Unfortunately it wasn’t the case in the forest.

ideas for photshoots in autumn

You probably think that only spring and summer are good for a cool engagement photoshoot. Of course we all like warmth but does lack of it really mean that shoot can’t have its own warmth? Imagine shooting near the flames of a bonfire or near some water with autumn foliage in full color. Doesn’t it sound romantic?

My future married couple, Monika and Szymon, love camping, sleeping in tents, travelling and parties near the bonfire and water features. I shared with them one of my dream ideas and right away they loved it - like it was just made for them. Until the day of the photoshoot it was quite sunny, but on the day of the shoot it was raining pretty much all the time. It turned out that this provided some awesome effects on the water surface and they absolutely weren’t bothered by it :)

Another autumn idea was…shoot with alpacas :D The weather also wasn’t nice on that day but we didn’t give up! Colorful autumn leaves brought beauty and warmth to the whole seen. Check it out, autumn photoshoots don’t have to be depressing!

Ola and Michał showed me that a photoshoot in rain can be beautiful. Posing in rain made me think about all the scenes from romantic movies that often make me cry.

engagement photoshoot in the city

Engagement photoshoots in towns or cities can take place at any time of the year or day. A huge benefit to shooting in the city is the endless possibilities. It could be in a narrow, hidden street or next to a building whose architecture you appreciate. Perhaps it can take place in a restaurant or a café. It may come as a surprise, but the owners of these places are generally open to the idea as long as you give them some notice.

Just imagine a city during the evening and the two of you in love, kissing in the city lights. Sounds like a fairytale, right? Yup! Some time ago I did a shoot for Martyna and Michał which we enjoyed very much, with great results!

Sometimes you don’t need a lot to get the depth in the photos. One day during a walk in Warsaw I saw a building made of red bricks. It looked like a school from the XX century. The one where students wear uniforms, everyone is polite and gallant. I decided to use it for our photoshoot with Ewelina and Dawid.

Another idea can be a photoshoot in a pastry shop. Just look at the one of Iza and Tomek! The candy floss machine  made a cool pin-up background :D It’s colorful, sweet and fun – just how I like!

When talking about pin-up type photoshoots – I can’t not say anything about my shoot with Magda and Łukasz. The session truly combined work and play along with some delicious snacks. I don’t know about you, but when I look at those photos I can’t help but think about Pulp Fiction. I’m crazy about Tarantino movies. :D

Apart from cafes and restaurants you can also check if your town has any vantage points. Check out that place at the sunset. The city panorama always looks good.

If you’re not scared of heights, investigate some rooftops. Here are some photos from photographer Ula Sowińska! This is me and my fiancé - Marcin.

If you like to have fun, how about a photoshoot in an amusement park? Iza and Tomek had so much fun there! We all felt like big kids! There were bumper cars, a carousel, table hockey and all the other games you’d expect to find. That was a photoshoot full of laughter and positive energy. This one, I must admit, was like something from Grease.

ideas for winter photoshoots

Shooting in winter also provides many unique opportunities, especially in the city. For example, you can go ice skating, go for a walk in the old town and take advantage of the Christmas lights and decorations, or if you feel a bit chilly then you can head into a cafe and warm up with a cup of hot chocolate. You can also take some photos in a library or antique shop. Use the Christmas spirit to bring something special to your photos!

Is the ground covered in snow?  Feeling like little kids again? Put on your jackets, hats and gloves. It’s time for sledges and a snowball war :D  A park nearby can transform into Narnia and you can let yourself go wild for a moment while we capture your return to childhood together.

at your place

If cold weather, snowballs and sledges aren’t for you, you can always take photos inside. Is your flat too small? Check Airbnb or booking.com and choose something more suitable. Maybe it can even be in a different city that you always wanted to visit. It doesn’t matter if it’s your flat or a rented studio – that photoshoot can be just as magical as those done in spring or summer.

engagement photoshoot abroad

Did you always dream about a photoshoot at the seaside or in the mountains? An engagement photoshoot doesn’t have to have anything in common with your interests or your wedding. It also needn’t be a place close to home. Sometimes, it’s better to go somewhere far, far away and take photos in a new or memorable location. As an example you can check out a photoshoot that I made for Alicja and Piotrek in Provence.

to sum up - is it worth to do the engagement photoshoot?

From my point of view, it’s a total YES! It’s a great souvenir for years. As you can see, my and my fiancé also try to make one for ourselves every year. An engagement photoshoot is a celebration of your love. Thanks to this you can remember your beginnings, bring back the feeling of young love or just record your feelings forever. 

Apart from that you can use it at your wedding as gifts for your family and friends. I hope that my photoshoots have inspired you and helped you to realise that engagement photoshoots can be done in any weather conditions and in many different places. ☺

For all of those that made it till the end! Thank you! If you can still find some strength to share your feelings – I will be super grateful!