I photograph at the intersection of documentary and fine art. Film photography has taught me patience, precision and respect for the decisive moment. Over time, I learned the power of subtraction, my work has become quieter and more intentional. I shoot fewer frames, but each is deliberate, carrying atmosphere and intimacy. I seek balance between emotional truth and visual elegance…
Andrea Cittadini, Wedding Photographer, Italy
Award-winning wedding photographer Andrea Cittadini is the founder of the Andrea Cittadini Photography studio located in Umbria, Italy. He operates throughout Italy and across Europe, catering to couples who seek authenticity and aesthetic refinement in their wedding imagery. Rather than relying on constructed images, Andrea focuses on capturing genuine moments that are shaped with intentionality and visual sensitivity. His practice seamlessly blends digital and analog photography, ensuring that each image serves as a visual legacy that is poised to endure over time…
C&B: “Andrea, what first inspired you to pursue a career in wedding photography?”
AC: “Twenty years ago, I was drawn to photography to observe life and understand how emotion reveals itself in unguarded moments. Weddings fascinate me because they contain meaning, beauty, joy, tension and intimacy. What drew me in was witnessing something genuine and unrepeatable. Weddings are rare occasions where people are fully present and emotionally open. Being entrusted to document that carries great responsibility and purpose…”
The most important preparation for wedding photographs is emotional. Slow down in the days before and stay connected to why you’re doing this. A generous timeline allows moments to unfold without urgency. Trust the process rather than chase perfection. What makes a photograph resonate is how you feel inside it. Choose a photographer whose work speaks to you, then let go…”
Andrea Cittadini, Wedding Photographer, Italy
C&B: “In your opinion, Andrea, what are the essential elements that contribute to a successful wedding photograph?”
AC: “First, presence. I must be fully attuned to what’s unfolding. The images that matter emerge from attention, timing and sensitivity to how people connect. Second, light. It shapes atmosphere, depth and intimacy. Reading and gently guiding light is fundamental. Third, intention. What I frame, where I position myself, what I choose to see matters. Finally, honesty. A successful photograph feels true to the moment and the people living it…”
I build rapport long before picking up a camera. By taking only 25 weddings yearly, I listen deeply to understand each couple. On the day, I show up with calmness and discretion. Every couple is different. Some thrive with gentle guidance, others prefer freedom. I read them from the beginning and adjust accordingly. The camera disappears and couples feel truly seen…”
Andrea Cittadini, Wedding Photographer, Italy
C&B: “Could you share with our readers one of your most memorable experiences you’ve had while photographing a wedding?”
AC: “A bride became overwhelmed just before her Amalfi Coast ceremony. I simply sat with her in calm silence, listening without rushing, holding space for her vulnerability. She needed room to breathe, to find her balance again in that fragile moment. My stillness seemed to anchor her, to help. When she finally stepped outside, there was quiet strength in her, a profound clarity I hadn’t imposed but witnessed emerge from within. That moment taught me something essential: being a photographer means understanding that it’s truly about presence, empathy and trust, not merely taking beautiful images. We become emotional anchors throughout the day, sometimes before we ever raise a camera. We’re keepers of their most tender moments…”
Every couple has a different rhythm and way of being together. I recognise and translate the narrative that already exists between them. I observe how they move, communicate and occupy space. Some are expressive, others introspective. I pay close attention to context: environment, light, pace and people. My goal is revealing something truthful, not imposing a specific look…”
Andrea Cittadini, Wedding Photographer, Italy
C&B: “You sound very detail orientated – can you describe how important that aspect is when it comes to wedding photography?”
AC: “Details reveal intention, atmosphere and intimacy. The way light falls, tension in a hand, interactions between materials and movement. Details create connections linking moments into one cohesive narrative…”
My work extends beyond capture. I research materials and processes giving physical form and longevity to images. I work with analog photography and handcrafted printing, choosing materials for aesthetic integrity, durability and emotional presence. These are objects to live with, not simply to view on screen. My photography continues through making the final object where vision, craft and time come together…
Andrea Cittadini, Wedding Photographer, Italy
C&B: “How do you select locations for your shooting wedding portraits?”
AC: “I select spaces so that light is always enveloping and meaningful, collaborating with couples. Tuscany and Umbria offer quiet, timeless landscapes with soft hills, stone villages and open horizons. Golden hour light creates warm, enveloping glow adding depth and emotion…”
My favourite wedding venues include Grand Hôtel du Cap Ferrat on the French Riviera, Belmond Hotel Villa San Michele in Florence, Villa Mangiacane in Tuscany, Borgo di Corsignano and Torre di Pila in Umbria. Each of these shares beauty, history and exceptional care. They also offer space, light and rhythm with deeply professional teams understanding discretion and excellence…”
Andrea Cittadini, Wedding Photographer, Italy
C&B: “Finally, Andrea, what do you believe sets your work apart from other wedding photographers?”
AC: “What truly sets my work apart is the delicate balance between emotional sensitivity and technical intention. I don’t simply work with a controlled approach to light, composition and timing – I craft it with intention and care. Every single frame is deliberately built with purpose, never left to chance. Technique never overshadows emotion; rather, it exists solely to serve it. I read people deeply, sense the precise moment when something meaningful is about to unfold, and step in with grace without disturbing that sacred instant. This continuous dialogue between control and sensitivity, between structure and instinct, is what gives my work its distinctive identity and soul…”
CONTACT: http://www.andreacittadini.com
