TOP 5: Hidden Gem Towns in South Italy for Your Wedding Photos (Beyond the Obvious)
TOP 5: Hidden Gem Towns in South Italy for Your Wedding Photos (Beyond the Obvious)
Ciao!
While the Amalfi Coast, Positano, and the trulli of Alberobello are famous for a reason, there’s a whole other layer of magic in South Italy waiting to be discovered. As a photographer, I have a soft spot for the places that aren’t on every postcard—the towns where life moves slower, the streets are quieter, and the beauty feels like a secret shared just with you.
If you’re a couple looking for unique backdrops without the tourist crowds, let me introduce you to five of my favourite hidden gems. These are places where you can wander freely, where locals will smile and congratulate you, and where your photos will have an authentic, undiscovered charm.
1. Ostuni (The "White City"), Puglia – But Not the Main Piazza
Why it’s a Gem: Everyone knows Ostuni’s famous white skyline. The hidden gem is getting lost in its upper-level labyrinth. While tourists cluster in the main piazza, the real magic is in the silent, steep staircases (scalinate), the tiny arches connecting blindingly white houses, and the sudden, breathtaking glimpses of the olive sea from a hidden terrace.
Perfect For: Ethereal, bright, and architectural photos. The reflected light in these alleys is a photographer’s dream. You’ll feel like you have the entire white city to yourselves.
My Photo Tip: Go in the late afternoon. The sun casts long, beautiful shadows that define the unique shapes of the staircase, creating dramatic black-and-white style shots even in colour.
2. Scicli, Sicily (Baroque Beauty)
Why it’s a Gem: While Noto and Ragusa get the Baroque glory, Scicli (pronounced Shee-klee) is their quieter, equally stunning cousin. Its valley setting gives it a unique, almost theatrical atmosphere. The Palazzo Beneventano is a masterpiece of carved balconies and grotesques, and the wide, elegant streets feel like an open-air museum… without the crowds.
Perfect For: Couples who love architecture and a touch of grandeur. It offers a more “urban elegant” feel compared to rustic settings.
My Photo Tip: The soft, golden stone of the buildings glows warmly at sunset. Using the long, straight streets for leading lines creates incredibly powerful and classic compositions.
3. Vietri sul Mare, Amalfi Coast (The Ceramic Haven)
Why it’s a Gem: It’s the first town on the Amalfi Coast, often rushed past by people heading to Positano. But Vietri is the heart of the coast’s ceramic tradition. Its streets are adorned with vibrant, hand-painted tiles and ceramic signs. The Chiesa di San Giovanni Battista has a magnificent ceramic dome. It’s colourful, artistic, and deeply authentic.
Perfect For: Playful, colourful, and detail-filled photos. It adds a unique, handcrafted Italian flair to your album that’s different from the classic cliffside shots.
My Photo Tip: We’ll hunt for the best ceramic backdrops—a brilliant blue doorway, a staircase lined with patterned tiles. These make for fantastic detail shots and fun, interactive portraits.
4. Locorotondo, Puglia (The "Round Place")
Why it’s a Gem: In the heart of the Valle d’Itria, it’s often overshadowed by Alberobello. But Locorotondo is arguably more picturesque for wandering. Its historic centre is a circular maze of immaculate white streets (cummerse) with pointed roofs, adorned with geraniums. It’s quieter, more lived-in, and offers panoramic views over the valley dotted with trulli.
Perfect For: Rustic romance with a pristine, manicured feel. It’s the essence of Puglian countryside charm.
My Photo Tip: The viewpoints at the edge of town are perfect for golden hour portraits with the rolling Puglian landscape as your backdrop. The contrast of your elegant attire against the simple, white architecture is stunning.
5. Maratea, Basilicata (The "Amalfi of the Tyrrhenian")
Why it’s a Gem: Dubbed the “Amalfi of the South,” Maratea offers the same dramatic cliffs and sparkling sea but with a fraction of the visitors. It’s wilder, greener, and crowned by the giant statue of Christ the Redeemer (like Rio’s). It has secluded coves, a charming old town, and an air of undiscovered majesty.
Perfect For: Adventurous couples who want dramatic coastal photos without the logistical hassles of the more famous coast. It feels exclusive and wild.
My Photo Tip: The road up to the statue offers incredible, ever-changing vistas. We can stop at various pull-offs for a series of portraits that show off the breathtaking, varied coastline.
How to Incorporate a Hidden Gem Into Your Day:
You don’t have to get married there to enjoy them!
"Day After" Session: Spend a morning after your wedding exploring one of these towns in your wedding attire. It’s relaxed, fun, and gives you a completely different set of photos.
Pre-Wedding Adventure: If you’re having a welcome dinner, consider doing a portrait session in a nearby gem town earlier that day.
Simply Ask Your Photographer: A local photographer will have their own secret spots. Tell them you want something off the beaten path, and they’ll be thrilled to share their favourites.
Choosing a hidden gem is about more than a photo op; it’s about an experience. It’s the joy of discovery, the warmth of a place that feels real, and the privilege of having its unique beauty all to yourselves, even if just for an hour. And that feeling? It shines through in every single image.
Happy exploring,
Why Puglia is a Dream for Wedding Photos: Trulli, Olive Groves & Seaside Sunsets
Why Puglia is a Dream for Wedding Photos: Trulli, Olive Groves & Seaside Sunsets
Hello again,
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve fallen under the spell of Puglia. Maybe you’ve seen a picture of a conical trullo house against a twilight sky, or imagined yourself walking hand-in-hand through a silver-green sea of ancient olive trees. Let me tell you, as someone who has chased the light through this region: your instincts are right. Puglia isn’t just a beautiful place to get married; it is a living, breathing canvas for some of the most unforgettable wedding photos you could ever dream of.
Having photographed weddings from the Valle d’Itria to the Salento coast, I’ve pinpointed exactly what makes this corner of Italy so magically photogenic. It’s more than just scenery; it’s a feeling. Let me walk you through why Puglia is an absolute dream for your wedding photography.
1. The Fairytale Architecture: Trulli & Masserie
Puglia’s architecture tells a story, and your photos will be part of it.
The Enchanting Trulli: These UNESCO-listed, limestone dwellings with their mystical conical roofs are pure magic. The way they cluster together, their unique symbols, and the soft, textured stone create a whimsical, timeless backdrop. Photographing a couple amongst the trulli of Alberobello or Locorotondo feels like stepping into a storybook. The play of light and shadow on their rounded forms, especially during golden hour, is simply breathtaking.
The Stately Masserie: These fortified farmhouses, often transformed into luxurious wedding venues, offer a different kind of grandeur. Think sun-bleached stone walls, arched colonnades, sprawling courtyards with fountains, and vibrant bougainvillaea. They provide a sense of rustic elegance and a variety of backdrops—from intimate nooks to grand, open spaces—all within one property.
2. The Ever-Present Poetry: Ancient Olive Groves
For me, the soul of Puglia resides in its olive groves. The gnarled, majestic trunks of thousand-year-old trees, their silvery leaves shimmering in the breeze, create an atmosphere of profound peace and timelessness. A portrait session here is never just a photo shoot; it’s a moment of connection. The lines of the trees guide the eye, the dappled light creates natural softboxes, and the sheer scale of these groves adds a touch of epic romance to your images. It’s nature’s most beautiful cathedral.
3. A Coastline of Contrasts: From Dramatic Cliffs to Caribbean Seas
Puglia’s coastline is wonderfully diverse, offering a photoshoot setting for every mood.
The Dramatic Adriatic: Up north near Polignano a Mare or Monopoli, you’ll find white towns perched atop stark, dramatic cliffs plunging into a deep blue sea. The contrast is powerful and creates striking, high-fashion style imagery.
The Caribbean-like Ionian Sea: Head to the Salento peninsula, near places like Porto Cesareo or Punta Prosciutto, and you’ll find long stretches of soft, white sand and shallow, turquoise water so clear it looks photoshopped. Here, the vibe is playful, relaxed, and summery—perfect for barefoot portraits as the waves kiss your feet.
4. The Light & The "White City" Magic
Puglian towns like Ostuni, the “White City,” are a photographer’s technical dream. The whitewashed buildings act as giant natural reflectors, filling the narrow, winding streets with a soft, glowing, radiant light that flatters every skin tone. This light minimizes harsh shadows and creates a bright, airy, and joyful aesthetic that feels inherently Italian. Wandering these labyrinthine alleys for portraits feels like a discovery, with a new, sun-drenched corner or a vibrant blue doorway waiting around every bend.
5. Authentic Atmosphere & Timeless Details
Beyond the big sights, it’s the authentic details that give Puglian wedding photos their heart:
Textures: The rough stone of a dry wall, the smooth pebbles of a courtyard, the weathered wood of an ancient door.
Local Flair: A classic Ape Piaggio three-wheeled van, baskets of fresh almonds, the deep green of vineyards.
The Slower Pace: Life here moves with the sun. This dolce far niente attitude allows for more genuine, relaxed moments to unfold and be captured—the real laughter, the quiet glances, the joy of simply being there together.
Planning Your Puglia Wedding Photos: My Top Tip
Embrace the journey. Some of the best images come from the in-between moments. The drive from your masseria to the coast through those endless olive groves can be just as photogenic as the destination itself. Consider a “going out for gelato” photo walk in a whitewashed town, or schedule time just before sunset to be at a specific coastal cliff. Trust a photographer who knows how to navigate the region’s light and hidden spots.
Puglia doesn’t just provide a backdrop; it infuses your wedding day with a unique light, texture, and soul. It invites you to be part of its timeless landscape, resulting in photos that are not only stunning but deeply, authentically you—filled with the warmth, romance, and rustic magic that defines this incredible region.
If Puglia has captured your heart for your wedding day, I would be honoured to help you tell your story within its beautiful landscapes.
Warmly,
Destination Wedding in Italy: Your Photography Timeline & Planning Checklist
Destination Wedding in Italy: Your Photography Timeline & Planning Checklist
Planning a destination wedding in Italy is an adventure filled with dreams of olive groves, historic villas, and sun-drenched piazzas. But when you’re coordinating from afar, the practical details—especially for your photography—can feel a little daunting.
As a photographer who works with destination couples every season, I’ve seen what makes the process smooth and what can cause last-minute stress. Think of me as your on-the-ground guide. Here is my essential photography-focused timeline and checklist to ensure your Italian wedding photos are as flawless and stress-free as your vision.
Phase 1: The Early Bird (9-12+ Months Before)
✓ Secure Your Date & Venue(s): This is step one. Your venue dictates the light, backdrop, and logistical flow of your entire photo day.
✓ Research & Book Your Photographer: This is crucial. The best photographers for international weddings book far in advance. Look for someone with specific experience in Italy and your region. Have a video consultation to ensure you connect.
✓ Discuss the "Vision": Share your Pinterest boards, your venue photos, and your must-have shot list with your photographer. Talk about style (bright/airy, dark/moody, documentary).
Phase 2: The Planning Heart (6-9 Months Before)
✓ Finalise Your Timeline With Your Photographer: Don’t create this in a vacuum! We need to build the day around light. We’ll pinpoint the ideal time for portraits (golden hour) and ensure there’s enough buffer for travel, hair/makeup, and those beautiful, unplanned moments.
Sample Framework: Getting Ready (2h) → First Look/Portraits (1.5h) → Ceremony (1h) → Family Formals (30min) → Cocktail Hour / Golden Hour Portraits (1h) → Reception.
✓ Schedule an Engagement or "Day After" Session: This is a fantastic idea for destination couples. It gets you comfortable in front of the camera and your photographer’s lens, and it gives you gorgeous photos in your Italian setting without the wedding-day time crunch. We can explore a nearby town or a beautiful part of your venue.
✓ Scout Locations (Virtually): Use Google Maps Street View and Instagram geotags with your photographer to identify potential portrait spots near your venue—a quiet lane, a specific viewpoint, a historic square.
Phase 3: The Fine Details (2-3 Months Before)
✓ Create a "Must-Have" Shot List (But Keep it Simple): A list of essential family groupings (e.g., “Bride with parents & siblings”) is helpful. Avoid a long list of Pinterest-inspired, overly-posed shots; trust your photographer to capture the story.
✓ Gather Vendor & Detail Contacts: Provide your photographer with a list of key vendors (planner, venue coordinator, hair/makeup) so we can coordinate seamlessly on the day.
✓ Plan for Your Details: If you want beautiful flat-lay photos of your dress, rings, shoes, and invitations, set these items aside in one box/bag. Having them all together saves precious time on the morning of.
Phase 4: The Final Countdown (1 Week Before)
✓ Final Timeline Review: Share the official, vendor-approved timeline with your photographer. Confirm addresses, contact numbers, and any last-minute location ideas.
✓ Weather Check & Backup Plan: Discuss the weather forecast with your photographer and planner. What is the indoor backup plan for portraits? A beautiful hotel lobby, a historic room in your villa? Knowing this eliminates day-of stress.
✓ Confirm "First Look" or "No Look": Make a final decision so everyone is on the same page.
✓ Delegate a "Photo Helper": Appoint a family member or bridal party member who knows both families well to help gather people for group photos. This is a huge time-saver!
Phase 5: The Wedding Week & Day
✓ The Welcome Dinner: Consider having your photographer stop by for 30-60 minutes to capture casual, joyful candids of you with your guests. These are often some of the most relaxed and happy photos.
✓ The Morning Of: Relax, breathe, and enjoy. Trust the plan and the team you’ve hired. Your only job is to be present and feel the emotions.
✓ Golden Hour Alarm: When your photographer taps you on the shoulder and says, “It’s time for our portrait session,” go with them! This is the most important 30 minutes of the day for your couple photos.
✓ The Reception: Let loose! Some of the best photos happen when you’re fully immersed in the party—dancing, laughing, and celebrating.
Bonus: Post-Wedding To-Do
✓ Sneak Peeks: Agree on when you can expect a few preview images (often within 48-72 hours).
✓ Delivery Timeline: Know when your full gallery will be delivered (typically 6-10 weeks).
✓ Album Design: If you’ve ordered an album, the design process usually starts once you have your gallery.
Planning a destination wedding is a labour of love. By ticking off these photography-specific items, you ensure that one of the most important aspects of preserving your day—the images—is handled with expertise and care. This lets you focus on what truly matters: arriving in Italy, saying “I do,” and beginning your adventure surrounded by love and breathtaking beauty.
I’m here to help make it all happen,
TOP 10: The Most Breathtaking Wedding Venues in South Italy (And How to Photograph Them)
TOP 10: The Most Breathtaking Wedding Venues in South Italy (And How to Photograph Them)
Hello dreamers!
Scouting for your wedding venue in South Italy is like flipping through the pages of the world’s most beautiful magazine. Every turn reveals another “wow” moment. But with so many incredible options, how do you choose? And once you do, how do you ensure your photos do justice to such a spectacular place?
Having had the privilege of photographing at countless venues across the mezzogiorno, I’ve compiled my personal top 10 list of breathtaking spots. But this isn’t just a list—it’s a photographer’s peek behind the curtain, with tips on how we can capture the unique magic of each one for your story.
1. A Seaside Cliff Palace in Positano, Amalfi Coast
The Vibe: Pure, unadulterated glamour and drama. Waking up to that view feels like you’re in a film.
Photo Magic: The infinity pools merging with the sea, terraces dripping with bougainvillea, and the iconic townscape as your backdrop. The evening light here, as the town starts to twinkle, is legendary.
My Photographer’s Tip: Schedule a “sunset portrait” slot without fail. We’ll use the warm, sideways light to create silhouettes against the sea and capture the famous “blue hour” when the sky and water turn a deep, magical cobalt.
2. A Historic Masseria in the Puglian Countryside
The Vibe: Rustic elegance and timeless tranquility. It’s all about stone walls, ancient olive groves, and the scent of herbs in the air.
Photo Magic: The contrast of textured, sun-bleached stone against soft, flowing dresses. The long, dramatic archways framing your walk. The intimate, candlelit receptions in the vaulted courtyards.
My Photographer’s Tip: Embrace the property’s details! We’ll focus on the texture of the stone, the pattern of the shadows on the ground, and the quiet moments in the olive grove just steps from the party.
3. A Baroque Palace in Lecce, Puglia
The Vibe: Opulent, artistic, and deeply historic. The “Florence of the South” offers a grandeur that’s hard to match.
Photo Magic: The intricate, swirling details of the Baroque facades. Grand staircases for elegant entrance shots. Courtyards that feel like open-air ballrooms.
My Photographer’s Tip: Bring a touch of classic elegance to your attire; it complements the architecture. We’ll use the soft light reflected off the pale limestone to create beautifully even, flattering portraits in the heart of the city.
4. A Converted Trullo Complex in Valle d’Itria
The Vibe: Whimsical, romantic, and uniquely Puglian. It’s a fairytale setting that feels both cozy and extraordinary.
Photo Magic: The iconic conical roofs against the sky. The charming, winding pathways between the structures. The intimate alcoves and fireplaces inside.
My Photographer’s Tip: Plan for portraits at dusk. As the sky turns pastel, we can add delicate fairy lights inside the trulli—the glow from the windows creates an utterly magical, storybook effect.
5. A Vineyard Estate on the Slopes of Mount Etna, Sicily
The Vibe: Powerful, rustic, and soulful. The juxtaposition of lush vines against the stark, powerful volcano is unforgettable.
Photo Magic: The long, orderly lines of the vineyards leading to the mountain. The rich, dark volcanic soil. Sunset portraits with the smoky peak of Etna in the background.
My Photographer’s Tip: Don’t fear a moody sky! The ever-changing weather on Etna can give us dramatic clouds and incredible, painterly light that makes for deeply emotional and powerful images.
6. A Cliffside Monastery in Ravello, Amalfi Coast
The Vibe: Spiritual, serene, and elevated—literally and figuratively. The gardens feel suspended between sea and sky.
Photo Magic: The timeless cloisters with their arched colonnades. The panoramic vistas from the terrace. The serene, filtered light in the ancient gardens.
My Photographer’s Tip: Use the architecture for creative framing. We can shoot through arches, use long hallways for dramatic perspective, and let the geometric patterns of the monastery guide the composition.
7. A Coastal Tower in Salento, Puglia
The Vibe: Bohemian, barefoot, and laid-back. These historic watchtowers offer private, direct access to pristine beaches.
Photo Magic: Walking from your ceremony straight onto the sand. Toes-in-the-water portraits. The rugged stone of the tower against the soft blues of the sea and sky.
My Photographer’s Tip: Go for a “day after” or pre-wedding session on the beach at sunrise. You’ll have the place to yourselves, and the morning light on the water is a clean, serene perfection.
8. A Noble Villa in the Hills of Taormina, Sicily
The Vibe: Romantic, garden-filled, and classic. Think “The Godfather” era grandeur with panoramic Ionian Sea views.
Photo Magic: Lush, flowering gardens as your aisle. Views of the Greek Theatre and the coast. Grand interiors with Sicilian ceramics and antique tiles.
My Photographer’s Tip: The gardens are your best friend for soft, flattering light even at midday. We’ll use the canopy of trees for shade and focus on the vibrant colours of the flowers against your white dress.
9. A Cave Restaurant in Polignano a Mare, Puglia
The Vibe: Unforgettable, dramatic, and one-of-a-kind. Dining in a natural grotto with the sound of the waves is an experience.
Photo Magic: The otherworldly ambiance of the cave itself. The play of artificial and natural light on the rock faces. The contrast of elegant tables against a primal backdrop.
My Photographer’s Tip: This is a low-light specialist situation. I work with off-camera flash and ambient light to capture the unique atmosphere without losing the romance or using harsh, direct light. The key is to enhance the magic, not overpower it.
10. A Farmhouse amid the Sila National Park, Calabria
The Vibe: Wild, authentic, and utterly secluded. For couples who want mountain air, deep forests, and a true escape.
Photo Magic: Epic landscapes with dense pine forests and clear lakes. Cozy, intimate moments by a stone fireplace. The raw, untouched beauty of “Italy’s other side.”
My Photographer’s Tip: Embrace the adventure! We might hike to a viewpoint for portraits. The light filtering through the tall trees here is majestic and creates beautiful, dappled effects.
Choosing your venue is about finding the place that feels like your story. And once you do, a photographer who understands how to work with that venue’s specific light, architecture, and atmosphere will be your greatest ally in turning that feeling into forever images.
All the best in your search!