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Nguyen Ngoc Anh (stage name Nguyen Anh Lukas) has been a student in France for six years. Currently, he is known as a Vietnamese photographer "operating" in the capital city of Paris. Many of his clients are Vietnamese couples who want romantic wedding photos taken in France and Europe.
Recently, couples have increasingly favored the trend of having their wedding photos taken abroad, combined with a vacation.
To save time and money, they often combine wedding photoshoots with pre-planned trips so they can relax and unwind while also getting stunning, unique photos that create unforgettable memories.
Paris has always been a famous city symbolizing love and romance, so couples often choose it as the place to capture their most beautiful moments.
Wedding photography is not just about capturing beautiful moments, but also a way to tell a love story and express the couple's personality through the language of photography.
Initially, Nguyen Ngoc Anh mainly photographed landscapes, but as more and more people sought his services for wedding photography, he invested more and made it his main job. He started shooting four years ago, around 2018, and continues to do so now, in 2022.
"Unlike in Vietnam, couples have a simpler option if they don't want to go to too much trouble: taking photos in a studio. Indoor studios are practically non-existent in Paris; if they do exist, they're usually for portraits. Wedding photos are almost always taken outdoors," shared Nguyen Anh Lukas.
Therefore, when creating a wedding photoshoot, weather is always the top priority, followed by the shooting time, and lighting greatly affects the scenery. Finally, the preparation of clothing and makeup by the crew and the couple is crucial. Some accessories for decoration or changing the frame are also indispensable for a wedding photoshoot.
In Paris, indoor studios are virtually non-existent; if they do exist, they're usually for portraits, while wedding photos are almost always taken outdoors.
Furthermore, a photographer's understanding of timing and angles creates a unique impression and style for each photoshoot. The posing style and the way they communicate with each couple to understand their requirements and create a sense of intimacy also allows the team to work together more effectively with each shot.
According to Nguyen Anh Lukas, some wedding photography locations that couples should try in Paris that combine travel and sightseeing include: the Eiffel Tower, the bridges along the Seine River: Bir Hakeim - Alexandre III Bridge, the Louvre Museum, Palais Royale, or the Tuileries Garden and Luxembourg Gardens.
Although the location is the same—the Eiffel Tower—there are many different angles to photograph it from.
Photographer Lukas also shared some tips for couples planning a wedding photoshoot combined with a vacation.
“Before you start, research which photographer’s style and color palette you prefer. Even in the same location, there are many different angles. For example, some photographers prefer bokeh, while others don’t. Some only use telephoto lenses for portraits, while others tend to shoot wide-angle shots,” says Nguyen Anh Lukas.
Paris has always been a famous city symbolizing love and romance.
This is a typical example of different photography styles among photographers. Vietnamese people often prefer capturing the entire scene with minimal background blur so they can easily check in and see where they are. Western tourists, on the other hand, prioritize portraiture because they value the subject's beauty; the background is merely a backdrop, and they appreciate depth in the image. Therefore, carefully research whose style you prefer and choose accordingly.
In Paris, couples should prepare their own outfits because renting them is expensive and it can be quite difficult to find clothes that fit their body shape.
Besides clothing, couples should prepare their own outfits and avoid renting in Paris, as clothes are often expensive and may not suit everyone's figure. Don't assume that just because you're in the West, the clothes will look good. It's true that clothes might look good when they're expensive, but not so much with affordable options. Also, bring comfortable shoes because you'll be doing a lot of walking. Avoid carrying heavy bags as you'll be constantly moving between different locations and angles for photos.
"Finally, remember to stick to the appointment time. Once the perfect moment passes, you'll end up with less satisfying photos. If there are many tourists, it will affect the shooting angle and the clarity of the photo; if necessary, you'll have to remove people," added Nguyen Anh Lukas.
