Ten days through France and Austria, with a wedding at Schönbrunn Palace

Sunny and Yun came from Japan with a love of Europe and an idea that would take us far beyond a single wedding location. They wanted to explore Paris, Mont-Saint-Michel, Salzburg and Vienna, creating a photographic story along the way before exchanging their vows at Schönbrunn Palace.

I joined them on this ten-day journey, with eight days of photography woven into the route. It took considerable preparation, plenty of travelling and a willingness to adapt. It also gave us time to get to know each other and create a collection of images shaped by the experience we shared.

Paris: Familiar Landmarks, a Personal Story

In Paris, we worked with the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomphe, the Louvre and Sacré-Cœur as backdrops. Each location offered a different setting, from monumental architecture to the everyday movement of the streets around us.

For me, the interest lay in bringing Sunny and Yun into these places in a way that felt personal. The buildings established where we were; their presence and the moments between them gave the photographs their character.

Some plans changed along the way. At Sacré-Cœur, we adapted the session to the exterior, working around the entrance, the columns and the grounds in front of the basilica. The surroundings gave us plenty to explore, with the building remaining part of the story.

Mont-Saint-Michel in the Rain

One of the most memorable mornings began before sunrise at Mont-Saint-Michel. We set out on foot with our equipment in the rain, hoping to reach our chosen setting in time for the first light.

The sunrise we had imagined stayed hidden behind rain clouds.

Instead, we photographed Sunny and Yun beneath an umbrella, exploring the historic streets in the drizzle. The rain became part of the photographs, giving the setting and the time we spent there a distinctive atmosphere.

That morning remains a clear memory for me: the early start, the walk, the weather and the experience of making something together as the conditions changed. The images carry all of that with them.

Salzburg and the Alps

From France, the journey continued into Austria. Salzburg, its fortress and the Alps introduced another visual rhythm, with historic architecture and mountain scenery opening up new possibilities for the photographs.

Working together over several days allowed the collection to develop gradually. Each setting added something of its own, while Sunny and Yun remained the connection between them. The result was a story of their time in Europe, with room for the different places and experiences along the route.

Exchanging Vows at Schönbrunn Palace

In Vienna, the journey led us to Schönbrunn Palace, where Sunny and Yun exchanged their vows. After days spent travelling and photographing together, their wedding gave personal meaning to the route that had brought us there.

The photographs from Paris, Mont-Saint-Michel and Salzburg became part of this wider story: two people exploring places they loved as they began a new chapter together.

Some journeys last a few days. Others continue for a lifetime. It was a privilege to accompany Sunny and Yun through this part of theirs and create photographs they could return to and share with future generations.

Sunny and Yun, thank you for the adventure and for trusting me with these memories. I hope our paths cross again in Tokyo.

Planning a Wedding or Creative Session in Europe?

Tell me about the places you have in mind and what you would like to remember. Whether you’re looking for photography, film or both, I’d love to hear your plans.