A well-chosen location doesn’t just elevate the wedding experience but it becomes an important part of the story…”
Giuliana Covella, Wedding Photographer, Italy
Giuliana Covella is a highly respected Italian wedding photographer with 20 years of experience; she has a deep love for Italian elegance and design, and that’s exactly what she strives to capture through her editorial, documentary and refined style of photography. Giuliana is based in Puglia, and frequently works across Italy, especially in Tuscany and Lake Como. She also collaborates with international couples for destination weddings in exclusive locations throughout Europe. Here we discuss Giuliana‘s refined approach to her projects plus her favourite venues around her home country…
C&B: “Giuliana, what first inspired you to specialise in luxury wedding photography, and how does this focus influence your approach to each event?”
GC: “I come from an artistic family, and have always been drawn to elegance, art and the refined aesthetic that defines of Italian design. My deepest inspiration comes from classical Italian art and its timeless sense of absolute beauty. Luxury weddings allow me to focus on detail, light, and form to connect with couples who love and share my visual sensibility and pursuit of a soft yet intentional style. Each event becomes a unique project, balancing spontaneity with a thoughtful search for beauty…”
C&B: “Could you share your artistic philosophy when capturing weddings, particularly within the luxurious settings of Italy?”
GC: “To me, wedding photography is a balance between quiet observation and intentional direction. I approach each event with deep respect for its authentic atmosphere, always seeking the right light, thoughtful composition, and the kind of emotion that gives meaning to the story, always in an elegant and discreet way. My goal is to create images that feel timeless, both in their aesthetic and in the way they are remembered. Within luxurious settings, rather than showcasing the opulence, I’m more interested in capturing the quiet sophistication that reveals itself through spaces, people, and details…”
Photography is the only part of your wedding that will stay with you forever. Every element, your connection, the atmosphere, the setting, carries meaning…”
Giuliana Covella, Wedding Photographer, Italy
C&B: “You mentioned your focus on details – which elements do you believe are essential for creating timeless wedding photographs that evoke emotion and beauty?”
GC: “Experience, serenity, trust, and an empathetic presence. But above all, trust in the photographer and in their vision. Especially in those moments when couples feel nervous or overwhelmed, and I’m there to gently guide them so they can look and feel their best anyway. This quiet connection, combined with calm energy, allows real beauty and emotion to emerge and to shoot timeless images…”
C&B: “How do you curate a distinct visual narrative for each couple while ensuring that your signature style remains evident in your work?”
GC: “Each couple has a unique story, but my way of telling it always stems from a personal perspective: elegant and refined. I stay true to my own sensitivity, to the way I observe light, moods, and details. The relationship I build with each couple is based on genuine mutual trust. And that trust allows me to truly enter their story and portray it with authenticity. This is how every wedding remains distinctive, while still carrying my visual signature…”
Entering Villa del Balbianello on Lake Como feels like stepping onto a film set, which is not by chance, as it was chosen as a location for several scenes in ‘Star Wars’. The atmosphere exudes timeless elegance, with majestic gardens and lake views from every corner of the villa…”
Giuliana Covella, Wedding Photographer, Italy
C&B: “Italy is world famous for its exquisite venues and dramatic locations; which are your top five, and why?”
GC: “Villa Cimbrone in Ravello, Amalfi Coast: I love its dramatic cliffs under the Mediterranean light and its unique historical charm. It’s a true masterpiece suspended above the sea. Villa Catignano in Tuscany: A Tuscan gem surrounded by vineyards and olive trees. The Giardino all’Italiana is incredibly cinematic, just like the 18th-century frescoes adorning the rooms. A beautiful private chapel is also part of the estate. It’s the epitome of timeless Italian beauty. Villa Erba on Lake Como: It’s the perfect place for a luxurious celebration with a fairytale feel. The building is rich in history and perfectly embodies Italian Neo-Renaissance art. Villa del Balbianello (above) on Lake Como: It feels like stepping onto a film set, not by chance, as it was chosen as a location for several Star Wars scenes. The atmosphere exudes timeless elegance, with majestic gardens and lake views from every corner of the villa. Verona Castle in Tuscany: Set in the heart of Val d’Orcia, it combines historic charm, breathtaking views, and natural hot springs, a rare luxury. Its golden light and quiet elegance make it perfect for a refined and unforgettable celebration…”
C&B: “Each of the venues in your Top 5 is truly amazing; in your experience as a photographer, how important is the venue selection in shaping the overall aesthetic of the wedding?”
GC: “The venue is everything. It shapes the light, the atmosphere, the palette and even the rhythm of the day. More than that, it reflects the couple’s aesthetic sensibility. A well-chosen location doesn’t just elevate the experience but it becomes an important part of the story…”
Mood-boards serve as a visual guide for the day and help ensure consistency, intention and a narrative, that truly reflects the couple’s aesthetic…”
Giuliana Covella, Wedding Photographer, Italy
C&B: “Could you describe a memorable experience or connection you’ve formed with a couple during a luxury wedding shoot?”
GC: “Once, a bride mistook my natural discretion and my desire not to intrude for a lack of direction. That taught me something important: in luxury weddings, leadership is everything. Knowing how to guide a situation with calm authority, without ever being pushy, is often the key to gaining trust and creating beautiful, effortless images…”
C&B: “Yes, it’s a very fine line between being discreet and not being assertive enough – it probably depends on the personality of the couple! When it comes to the others involved, such as the planner themselves, how do you ensure a seamless collaboration so as to achieve the desired photographic outcomes for your clients?”
GC: “Collaboration with wedding planners and vendors is essential, not just for managing timelines and light, but for creating a seamless experience for the couple. I always listen carefully to the vision being shared and offer my perspective when it comes to photography-related choices. Such as locations, lighting or timing. We often create shared mood-boards together; they serve as a visual guide for the day and help ensure consistency, intention and a narrative, that truly reflects the couple’s aesthetic…”
Luxury weddings allow me to focus on detail, light, and form to connect with couples who love and share my visual sensibility and pursuit of a soft yet intentional style…”
Giuliana Covella, Wedding Photographer, Italy
C&B: “That’s a brilliant idea – having a collective vision and a story board… almost like directing a movie. What advice would you give to couples who are currently selecting a wedding photographer, especially in the realm of luxury weddings?”
GC: “Photography is the only part of your wedding that will stay with you forever. Every element, your connection, the atmosphere, the setting, carries meaning. A good photographer will honour it all, with depth and intention. That’s why, when choosing your photographer, you must trust their vision. Because the best images come when you let the artist lead…”
CONTACT: http://www.GiulianaCovella.com
