PHOTOGRAPHER | Coucoustudio Love

Based between Lausanne and Sion, Coucoustudio Love's approach is about blending cinematic artistry with genuine moments. She captures weddings the way she would want her own to be photographed— spontaneous, intimate, and full of emotion. Coucoustudio Love wants to create images that reflect the true magic of your love story, in a way that feels personal and unforgettable.

Tell us about your business!  

Hi, I’m Annabelle — though most people call me Wani. I’m the photographer behind Coucoustudio Love, a wedding photography studio based in Switzerland, travelling across Europe for weddings and other projects. I’ve always been drawn to photographing love stories — especially the ones close to me. I’m deeply in love with love — cliché, maybe, but true. 

I launched Coucoustudio in 2023. At first, I hadn’t planned to specialize in weddings, as I had already been working as a photographer for nine years, focusing mainly on portrait work. But after taking on a few weddings almost by chance, something shifted — I discovered a genuine passion for it. What really changed everything was allowing myself to approach weddings the same way I approach my personal projects: with freedom. To break the codes a little. To create images  that feel artistic, thoughtful, maybe even a little poetic — with a touch of playfulness. Since 2024, I’ve started shooting weddings in analog — something I used to reserve only for  personal projects — and now I work almost entirely in film, with a digital backup, but the  majority of my images are shot on analog. It’s truly the way I prefer to work: a slower,  more thoughtful approach to capturing moments. 

That’s when I chose to focus my energy on developing a distinctive visual language for wedding photography — something personal, documentary, with no staged or replayed moments. Where blur, movement, and imperfection are not mistakes, but part of the story.

What would you like couples to know about you?  

I studied photography for seven years in Switzerland, at the photography school (CEPV) in Vevey, by the shores of Lake Léman, I also had the opportunity to live in New York for a few months during an internship, which taught me a lot about stepping out of my comfort zone and connecting with people from all walks of life. 

After that, I spent three years in Australia, on the South Coast of New South Wales, working  as a barista and photographer. It was there that I truly had the chance to deconstruct many of my preconceived notions about photography and embrace a more authentic, intuitive approach. This experience also helped me understand the importance of human connection  — something that has now become central to my work. 

When I’m not photographing weddings, you’ll usually find me traveling between Switzerland and Ardèche, in the south of France, where my husband and I got married in  2025. My husband’s family has their house there — that’s where his mum is from — and it  has become a second home for us. I love balancing life in the Swiss Alps, hiking in the  mountains, with driving south with our little dog Bibip, swimming in the river, and soaking  up the sun. 

I also have a slightly cliché but very real passion for food (and cooking!) — when I travel,  I’m less interested in sightseeing and more focused on discovering the best places to eat, taste, and explore local flavors.

Where are you based?  

I’m based in Switzerland, splitting my time between the Swiss Alps, Lausanne by Lake Léman, and Ardèche in the south of France. But I’m always on the move, traveling across  Europe to capture weddings and love stories wherever they happen.

Do you travel for weddings?  

Absolutely! This year, I’ll be photographing weddings all across Switzerland, as well as all over France — from Paris to the south — Italy (including Sicily), Greece, and Spain. And in early 2027, I’ll even be traveling to Mexico. I’m always thrilled to follow couples wherever they want to celebrate their love!

How would you describe your style?  

My style is deeply influenced by my passion for the human form, colors, shapes, and the stories that  emerge from real, unposed moments. I often explore bodies in sculptural ways in my personal work,  drawing inspiration from photographers like Larry Sultan, Ryan Kenny, Paul Rousteau, Sarah Pannell, Nan Goldin, Lisa Sorgini, and Lucile Boiron. I’m also captivated by bold, colorful, and staged imagery, influenced by the works of Prue Stent, Lorenzo Vitturi, and Jimmy Marble, as well as cinematic storytelling by directors like the Dardenne Brothers, Quentin Dupieux, and Wim Wenders. 

One of my biggest influences is the Swiss documentary series Passe-moi les jumelles, which captures the beauty of everyday life. It reminds me that everyone, no matter how ordinary their life may seem, has a unique story to tell. This resonates deeply with my own approach to photography, where I aim to capture authentic, human moments that reflect the true essence of a person, a couple, or a place. 

A central aspect of my style is my love for natural light. I’m fascinated by how light shapes mood and  enhances the atmosphere of an image, breathing life into every moment. For weddings, I aim to create a body of work that reflects not just the couple but also the environment—its light, its space,  its feeling. I blend documentary and staged photography to craft a cinematic collection of  memories. My goal is to document your love story with spontaneity and romance, while allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the present moment without feeling interrupted.

What is your most memorable career moment?  

Honestly, what really sticks with me in my work isn’t just the big “wow” moments —  though those are always amazing. It’s the little things — the tiny conversations I have with your guests, the glances I share with your parents, the speeches full of love and emotion. I  know some of these encounters might be the first and only time I meet these people, and sometimes it’s just a small chat that ends up staying with me, making me think about life or  helping me understand who you are — and love you even more. 

Those moments hit me right in the heart, and honestly, that’s why I do this work (after the photos, of course). It’s for all those beautiful connections I get to have at weddings  — with you, but also with all the people you love. They’re fleeting, once-in-a-lifetime  moments, and they remind me — especially when the world feels so crazy — that love  always wins. That’s what really stays with me.

What inspires you?  

I draw inspiration from so many things around me—good food, great wine, nature, art,  architecture, sculpture, movies and the mountains and water that surround me. Encounters with people and places also fuel my creativity. Living in Australia allowed me to explore a different side of my photographic practice. In Switzerland, I often felt constrained by traditional expectations, as though I couldn’t break out of a predefined box. But when I saw what was being done in wedding photography in Australia, it was like a door opened. Everything felt possible—there was no need to follow tradition, and beauty could be found  in deconstruction.

How would you describe your working style?  

I’d say my working style is warm, relaxed, and flexible. I like to think of myself as a friendly, supportive presence on your wedding day — someone who’s there to guide you through this crazy adventure, hand you a glass of champagne, a tissue if needed, or help adjust your dress or pick a pair of earrings if you ask. 

A lot of couples tell me at our first meeting, “We’re really not comfortable in front of the camera.” Perfect — I’m not a fashion photographer, and you don’t need to be. I photograph your wedding as it happens, naturally and authentically. Of course, if you want a few more  thoughtful, posed portraits with a clear idea behind them, we can absolutely do that too —  whatever feels right for you.

I try to blend into the day as smoothly as possible: present but low-key, capturing moments as they happen so you can enjoy time with your loved ones without feeling the camera on  you. And when the vibe calls for it, I love joining the celebration too — laughing, sharing a  drink, maybe dancing a little between shots. It’s all about connecting with you and your  guests in a real, relaxed way.

Do you shoot digitally, on film, or both?  

I shoot both film and digital, but these days I work mostly on film. I love the slower, more thoughtful way it lets me capture moments, and it really fits my approach to storytelling. Of course, I always adapt to what you need, and digital is there as a backup, but film has  become my main medium.

Do you have custom packages according to individual needs? 

I offer six standard packages, all of which include the costs of shooting on film. They range  from a civil-only package to a full-day coverage, and can be spread over one or two days —  for example, a welcome dinner and the wedding itself. Of course, if none of the packages fit your needs, I’m always happy to create a custom option just for you.

What is a favourite product or service that you offer and why? 

One of my favorite things about my work is shooting weddings entirely on film — it’s just  how I love to tell your story. I can also bring along a second photographer for the day (for an additional fee), which means we can capture more angles and little moments as they happen. I always take care of the editing myself so that all your images feel cohesive and  tell one beautiful, consistent story.

Where would you love to travel for work?  

I’d love to shoot more weddings in the mountains — the Swiss Alps of course, but also the Pyrenees, the Scandinavian mountains, the Andes, the Atlas, or even the Japanese Alps. Anywhere with breathtaking peaks! I’m especially excited by off-season or out-of-the ordinary locations that feel magical and unique. Those kinds of places make each wedding  even more unforgettable, and I’d be thrilled to capture love there.

Who is your dream client?  

You. Every couple who trusts me to tell their story becomes my dream client.

What is your advice to couples getting married?  

I’d say: Let go, enjoy every moment, and trust the people you've chosen to make your day  unforgettable. Trust your gut—when it feels right, it feels right. Choosing your photographer is so  much more than just about the photos; it’s about feeling comfortable and at ease with them. The  photographer is there with you all day, so make sure you connect with someone who brings good  energy to your celebration!

Coucoustudio Love

Website: coucoustudio-love.com 

Instagram: @coucoustudio.love