Italian Wedding Photographer: Today, we interview an Italian photographer based in the UK who specialises in luxury weddings worldwide.
Hello! My name is Andrea Verenini (andreaverenini.com/), an Italian photographer based in the UK who specialises in luxury weddings worldwide. In 2021 I was named one of the best wedding photographers in the world when Rangefinder Magazine awarded me a Rising Star Award. I owe my success to my unique style of photography, which I coined Atmospheric Chiaroscuro. Today, I am happy to see that this darker, more emotional way of shooting is starting to emerge and entering the mainstream of luxury.
1. Can you give us an insight into the style of wedding photography which is popular amongst couples right now and why you believe this is?
I am definitely seeing a shift towards a darker, more emotionally driven style of photography. Traditionally, we have seen how the ‘light and airy’ style of photography – characterised by a lot of light and whitewashed visuals – was seen as the choice for mainstream high-end weddings. Now, I am noticing how darker images are becoming more alluring.
I think this is because shadow, when contrasted with light, is mighty at creating more emotional images. Images that go beyond the visual and into the emotional, and this is emoting I think we are all re-connecting with more since the pandemic. Weddings are not just about ticking boxes anymore with people we take for granted, and they are more about celebrating emotions and feeling with our loved ones.
2. What is ‘atmospheric chiaroscuro’, and why is this style of photography so powerful when it comes to capturing love?
Atmospheric Chiaroscuro is a term I coined to describe my particular style of photography. It is inspired by the dramatic use of light and shadow in Renaissance painting techniques – namely by Caravaggio – and blends it with current cinematic techniques to create unique images which capture within them beauty, emotion, and a pinch of mystery.
Personally, I believe that these three elements: beauty, emotion and a pinch of mystery are the pillars of love and attraction, and this is the reason why I find Atmospheric Chiaroscuro photography is so powerful at capturing love stories.
3. What should couples consider if opting for this style of photography?
As someone who has made their mark through this style, I am a bit bias towards it. But personally, I feel that Atmospheric Chiaroscuro creates visually beautiful images which capture a lot of emotion within them. For me, this is vital, as I believe that the role of wedding photography goes beyond documenting moments. In years to come, your images will become your memories.
Atmospheric Chiaroscuro allows me to create those memories in a beautiful way but also a highly emotive one. In this style, I can capture the moments of emotion and allow my couples to relive them in time. That is the power of a photograph.
4. Are there any boundaries or limitations when trying to achieve this dark, fashion editorial style of photography on a wedding day?
No not really, but personally I find that a visually richer environment with an innate character to them works best for this style of photography. A whitewash wedding in a white box room would not be ideal, whilst a period property or a forest or any other location which has more visual depth will enrich the photographs.
5. Is this style of photography just a ‘thing’ at the moment, or is it likely to go out of fashion?
Yes, I think so. We always see that trends are born around celebrity behaviour these days. However, I don’t interest myself in what is fashionable then, and I definitely would not recommend prospective couples looking for photographers to mimic celebrity decisions. Weddings are very personal, and images will last a long time. So it would be best if you thought beyond what is fashionable today.
Ask yourself: who are you as a couple, and what do you like? What are you drawn by? What keeps your attention when looking at a photograph, and what keeps you returning for more? Things become fashionable as quickly as they go out of fashion, but iconic stays forever. This is evident in art throughout the centuries, and this is the difference between high-end photographers and average ones.
The high-end photographers create their style, which becomes iconic, which is original, and which keeps people coming back for more because it is unique, whilst the mediocre ones move from style to style but never really define who they are.
6. What do you think of the wedding photos captured at Kourtney Kardashian’s wedding to Travis Barker?
I think they show a definitive shift of mainstream trends in photography. Traditionally, light and airy images were always seen as synonymous with high-end. Now, we are starting to recognise that there are other styles of images which are equally high-end and, in many cases, even more so.
7. Is there a particular time of year this style of photography works better?
Not at all. It can be achieved throughout the year, indoors or outdoors, in all weather conditions. Light is an important and vital element to this type of photography, but what is important is the mastery of the photographer to work with all available lighting conditions to achieve their style.
8. What makes the ultimate 5-star wedding photo, in your opinion?
What a great question. It’s so personal, but for me, it goes back to the ingredients of what Atmospheric Chiaroscuro is all about: beauty, emotion and a pinch of mystery and the use of light and shadow to achieve this. A good picture will give you a feeling when you see it. A great picture will offer new emotions every time you look at it. It has depth, and it is something you can explore and dive into in time and keep enjoying.
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