Self portrait by a wedding photo-grapher
A Journey through rural Transylvania // full of folklore and fresh perspective
“it was surreal to be both behind and in front of the camera”
Some places are so inspiring that creating art feels less like a choice and more like a calling. That’s why I always travel with a veil.
We drove two hours up a dirt road in the middle of the Transylvanian mountains. There was no signal, just mist, forest, and a whole lot of faith in my husband’s navigational skills. Our little car rattled up the path as the cold wind fogged the windows. It rained, then it snowed, then it hailed, we joked that the weather was just as confused as we were! At last, with a bit of luck, we reached our home for the weekend: a glass cabin perched above the Transylvanian countryside.
My head was already buzzing with the folklore and history of this country (especially the spooky stuff that I loveee). We had booked the trip right after watching Nosferatu on Christmas Day, so naturally I felt like we’d stumbled into the cast of our own gothic film.
I mainly couldn’t stop imagining a wedding in this forest. Picture this: a Victorian-inspired bridal gown, its hem muddied from running through the misty woods. Ultra-romantic. Cinematic. Dracula with just a sprinkle of Twilight vibes. I couldn’t shake it! I said F it, I had to capture this amazing scenery one way or another. With no choice, I threw together whatever white pieces were stuffed into my suitcase and I put the veil on.
Although I wanted to frolic around the forest below, it had just snowed all night and was freezing! Not to mention a large wolf looking dog (locals call him Pogos according to our Airbnb host) was wagging his tail as he peered in the window, inviting us to play. We decided that the window inside would have to do. Regardless of having limited lighting equipment with me, I think we did well for the vintage, filmy inspired, gothic fairy tale vibe that I was aiming for.
It was surreal to be both behind and in front of the camera, but ended up being so much fun. Especially having my husband/human tripod/ hype man there with me as a part of a creative process that I usually do alone. I’m so in love with the shots we got, the opportunity to get out of my comfort zone and see my work from a different angle.
I’m so grateful for the reminder that inspiration is everywhere if you’re open to it. One day I’ll return to Transylvania with more resources and finally bring my vampire editorial wedding vision to life. But for now, I feel fulfilled, inspired, and beyond grateful that I packed the veil.
For couples dreaming of a destination wedding in Europe, a Transylvanian elopement, or even a gothic-inspired wedding editorial, let this be proof that the right location can transform your love story into something cinematic and unforgettable. Whether it’s the eerie mountains of Romania, the cliffs of Scotland, or a hidden waterfall in Laos — I’d be honored to document it all.
A few shots from the quick solo session and from my time traveling across the gorgeous country of Romania!
