PHOTOGRAPHER | Alia Païenda

Alia Païenda takes a personal approach to wedding photography, seamlessly integrating herself into the day. She connects with the couple and their guests, ensuring that photography is an enjoyable experience for all, while remaining unobtrusive and allowing the day to unfold naturally. Alia Païenda is based in Paris and travels throughout Europe to capture weddings.

Tell us about your business!

Hi! I am Alia, French editorial photographer of Afghan and Mauritian origins, I have been working in Fashion and High Jewellery for 10 years and I have been in charge of the jewellery collections for Céline, then Burberry.

I have always enjoyed capturing moments of grace and beauty for 10 years and I started working full time in weddings and intimate events 3 years ago.

What I love the most is to connect with the couples and highlight their beauty through my vision. 

I think beauty can be seen in an incredible piece of art, music, flower arrangements, but also in a strong connection through your loved ones’ gaze, close friends, and family. Love goes beyond frontiers; it is the essence of our souls.

Capturing what is unseen is a precious treasure to me.

What would you like couples to know about you?

I would like them to know that my aim is to provide a unique emotional experience, to see me as a witness of their beauty, and as a support throughout the day. I have an intimate and personal approach to documenting their wedding, blending in, whatever the culture, origin, destination, connecting with the couple and their guests so photography can also be a fun experience for everyone, while being discreet, and letting the day unfold naturally, documenting every single spontaneous scene and movement.

I am in love with contemporary flower arrangements and fashion forward weddings!

And this special experience cannot go without making you feel comfortable (my shyest brides or grooms started having fun with the photoshoot!) capturing the aesthetic details, the natural movements, the light beaming through a window highlighting the bride’s veil or silhouette, just like a painting, and composing with the light to document what’s subtle, elegant and stylish.

Where are you based?

I am Paris-based and take pictures of destination weddings and elopements in Scotland, England, Italy, Portugal and Spain. I travel in Europe and beyond depending on the project! I have also recently taken pictures in Mauritius.

How would you describe your style?

I would say artsy, genuine, elegant, cinematographic, editorial, poetic and timeless – I try to create my style without following a particular trend so when you look at your photos 10 years or 20 years later, it will still feel real and close to the essence of your wedding vibe.

What is your most memorable career moment?

I would like to give two examples: 

One night I decided to surprise the Bride and Groom (Marie & Simon) who were so kind-hearted, by going beyond my timing schedule. I nearly got crushed by the caterer truck as I wanted to take pictures of the star constellations in the midst of the mountains in complete darkness. I could hear the music on the dance floor from far away contrasting with the echoing silence of the mountains. A true moment of grace I will never forget Marie & Simon were so touched by the final picture!

I think it was the day I went to take pictures in an incredible Château in Scotland with the Chanel High Jewellery team, the décor, the atmosphere, the paintings, the flower arrangements… everything was so inspiring I could only be so grateful about capturing these details.

What inspires you?

I am very inspired by incredible photographers such as Henri Cartier Bresson, Lee Miller, and filmmakers with unique styles such as Terrence Malick (the Hidden Life), or Agnès Varda, to convey a cinematographic and contemplative vibe to the image.

I am also inspired by poems, I have played the violin since I was 8, and I also sculpt some jewellery during my free time.

Do you shoot digitally, on film or both?

I shoot both digital and film! My film pictures are the artsy and vintage part I add as a surprise at the end of the gallery, it is like a treat in parallel to my digital pictures I always capture with a slight vintage touch.

Do you have custom packages according to individual needs?

Yes, absolutely! This is actually how I love working, in a bespoke way depending on my clients’ needs, interest, personalities, and what resonates the most with them ! That's why I also share mood boards during the preparation process before the photoshoot. From the pricing package to a custom fine art print or album, everything is possible!

Who is your dream client?

My dream clients are kind-hearted, generous, refined and stylish human beings, who have a subtle eye for beauty, details, flowers, and art, and who are aware of the importance of photography in their wedding event.

What is your advice to couples getting married?

My advice is to choose carefully each supplier you will be working with. As for the photographer, not only should you choose them for the style and budget, but also for their personality. Don’t forget that the official photographer you’ll be choosing will be following you from dusk till dawn! They will be your shadow, and it is absolutely important to feel comfortable and to vibe with the person you’ll choose, to trust the process, and let go! The result of that match will be reflected in your final photo gallery. This is what I say to all of the couples I come across, and when it is a match, oh boy, it is so much fun and the result is incredible! There are no words to describe it!

Alia Païenda Photography

Website: www.aliapaienda.com

Instagram: @aliapaienda