Salzburg Couple Photoshoot

When Monica & Ryan reached out from the U.S., their message already felt special. They had just eloped a few days earlier with another photographer, but still dreamed of having a couple photoshoot with me afterwards. Monica said she wanted to collect my images “as art”. I don’t think she’ll ever know how deeply that compliment touched me.

Before their shoot, we met on Zoom. They trusted my vision completely, so I researched a selection of possible locations for them. I sent a list with photos, route details, pros and cons, and my personal recommendation for light and mood. Together, we decided on Bluntautal, a green valley with a crystal-clear lake surrounded by mountains: the beautiful Bluntausee.

From there, I prepared a small timetable: where to park, how long the walk would take, when the light would be softest. I had just arrived in Salzburg by train, traveling from an Elopement in Garmisch-Partenkirchen – continuing my own promise to travel as sustainably as possible.

The clouds settling into the valley

When we arrived at Bluntautal, a layer of clouds drifted into the valley. For a second I worried, but the moment we started walking, I knew the weather was perfect. Quiet. Intimate. Soft. As always, the first few minutes of a shoot are about arriving, not just physically, but emotionally. Letting go of the camera. Sinking into each other. Monica & Ryan did that effortlessly. Their connection was warm and easy, the kind where you don’t have to direct much because they naturally gravitate toward one another.

Horses at the lake

And then, the moment none of us could ever plan. Out of nowhere, a group of small horses suddenly appeared, wandering slowly around Bluntausee, searching for food, completely at peace. They walked right past us, the lake behind them, the valley quiet around us. Of course, we took photos with them. How could we not? It felt unreal, a once-in-a-lifetime image, a gift from nature. Moments like this can’t be scripted.

Conversations that stay with you

Between shooting and walking, we talked a lot: about America, about differences in culture, about life perspectives, travel, home, and everything in between. I love these conversations. They broaden something inside of me. Thank you!