There are love stories that feel written in the stars, whispered through time, steeped in quiet luxury and enduring elegance. This is one of them.

She is the owner of a gelateria, a sweet soul whose presence is as light as the first snowfall, yet whose warmth lingers like a summer sunset. He is an old soul embracing the weight of a promise, the depth of a vow. Their love, steeped in the grandeur of another time, echoes the allure of The Great Gatsby—a world where love is both whispered and declared, where devotion is sealed not in extravagance, but in meaning.

This is not just a European pre-wedding shoot—it is a quiet symphony, a cinematic reverie captured in black and white. A love letter to eras past, brought to life through the lens of a fine art film photography.

Sometimes, a client presents a vision that challenges you in the best way. My usual style is bright and luminous, yet he envisioned something entirely different—black-and-white grandeur, rich with depth and stillness. And while this may seem opposite to my norm, what unites it with my style is the soul of it—the poetry, the quiet elegance, the effortlessness. This, too, is about heart and presence, about capturing a moment suspended in time.

The pre wedding journey begins at Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, a masterpiece of French grandeur. The stillness of its gilded halls and opulent gardens mirror the timeless nature of their love. She moves through the corridors like a vision—ethereal, poised, as though she belongs to another century. He watches her, a quiet protector, a man who understands that the greatest luxury is not what you own, but what you cherish.

Then, to Villa Carlotta, nestled on the shores of Lake Como. This Lake Como pre-wedding session unfolds like a dream, with romance lingering in the air, carried by the rippling water and the scent of old roses. A classic Riva boat cuts through the stillness of the famous lake, its reflection as crisp as the promise he places in her hands—a letter, its ink pressed into parchment, a whisper of devotion. “I promise to protect you,” it begins. It is not just words. It is a vow.

Their journey unfolds in the hushed tones of black and white. The absence of color allows the true essence of their love to emerge—no distractions, no embellishments, just raw emotion and timeless, old elegance. Each frame whispers—a call to feel, to remember, to dream.

The story reaches its crescendo at Pont Alexandre III in Paris, where the city lights shimmer like distant constellations. This Paris pre-wedding session finds its perfect ending against the gilded sculptures and the whisper of the Seine. Here, they stand together—she, wrapped in a delicate fur, luminous beneath the glow of the streetlamps. He, ever composed, a silhouette of devotion and quiet strength. A final moment, an embrace, a kiss that lingers long after the shutter of the old Contax film camera clicks.

This is The Promise. Not just a destination pre-wedding shoot, but a testament to a love that transcends time. A love that speaks not in grand gestures, but in the quiet certainty of forever, captured through the artistry of fine art photography.

Merci pour la grande adventure Seiyu and Cristhy! Wishing you both a stunning new chapter and forever after xx

Story and art direction Amelia Soegijono Venue Villa Carlotta Chateau de Vaux le Vicomte. Wedding planner, design and styling Nomad International Makeup and hair Alessia Bee and Lululuzj Stationeries House of Papier Assistant Alena and Andy Nasta Gowns Top Bridal Paris