PHOTOGRAPHER | Maélys Izzo

Maélys Izzo is a South of France–based wedding photographer, raised in Provence and deeply inspired by the Mediterranean way of life — olive trees, family-style dinners, stone houses, and sun-drenched landscapes. She specialises in a film-inspired approach that blends digital and analog photography, embracing imperfection, movement, and nostalgia to create soulful, cinematic imagery. Maélys Izzo's work is rooted in authenticity and connection: she builds friendly, informal relationships with her couples so they feel comfortable and at ease, allowing her to capture real emotions and documentary-style memories without staging.

Tell us about your business!

I am a French destination wedding photographer specialising in film and digital imagery, based in the South of France but traveling across the Mediterranean — from Tuscany to the Amalfi Coast, from Provence to the Balearic Islands. My work blends the nostalgia of film with the vibrancy of candid, documentary-style photography. I love the imperfect as much as the beautiful — it’s often in the blurred laughter, the spontaneous hugs, or the wind lifting a veil that the truth of the moment lives. My goal is to tell stories that feel cinematic, authentic, and infused with the golden light of the Mediterranean.

What would you like couples to know about you?

That I am not just documenting a wedding day — I am creating a visual legacy. My approach is friendly, warm, and informal: I love to connect with my couples so that being photographed feels natural and easy. I believe that true photography is built on trust and comfort — when couples feel at ease, their real personalities shine through. My couples often describe my work as emotional, cinematic, and true to life. If you love Jacquemus, quiet luxury, family-style tables overflowing with flowers and wine, or the effortless chic of an Italian garden party, we’ll probably be a perfect match.

Where are you based?

I am based in Aix-en-Provence, in the heart of the South of France, where I also grew up. The region has shaped my entire aesthetic: stone bastides, long family-style meals under the pines, local markets filled with colors and textures, and the Mediterranean sea as after-school playground.

Do you travel for weddings?

I frequently travel across South Europe: Tuscany, Amalfi Coast, Corsica, Sardinia, Mallorca, Ibiza, Rome, Portugal, Greece... My clientele is mostly international — couples from Australia and the US who dream of celebrating love in Provence or Italy.

How would you describe your style?

Cinematic, colourful, authentic, with a nostalgic edge. I embrace imperfection as part of the story — film grain, motion blur, and the little details that make moments feel alive. Both my film and digital photographs are created with the same approach: textured, movement-driven, and full of vibrant colours. Together, they weave a layered narrative that feels timeless, authentic, and true to the atmosphere of the day.

What is your most memorable career moment?

It’s not exactly a career moment, but a very personal one: just five days ago, my partner and I got married in my parents’ family home, the house where I grew up. We had a picnic-style celebration in the garden where my sister and I spent our entire childhood, the same garden where every birthday was celebrated. We hung laundry lines as decoration — a nod to village life — added string lights, decorated breads, and embraced the generosity and abundance of the South of France.

For me, it was the wedding of my dreams, and the perfect reminder of why I believe so deeply in documentary-style photography. Every photo carries meaning because every corner holds a memory: my father seeing me for the first time on the doorstep of our home, my husband standing against the façade of my childhood house… These images are more than beautiful, they are heirlooms.

This is also why I have such a soft spot for at-home weddings. They are deeply personal, full of layers of memory, heritage, and intimacy that no venue can recreate. Documenting those stories is the greatest honor.

What inspires you?

Even though I was born in Vietnam (and moved to France when I was just 3 months old), I consider myself a true Mediterranean soul. I’m endlessly inspired by the South of France, my home. I love the golden light on summer evenings, the olive groves and lemon trees, the stone houses with cypress-lined paths, the lavender and sunflower fields, the colorful markets overflowing with tomatoes, peaches and fresh flowers, the beach clubs with striped umbrellas, the cliffside villages, the faded pastel walls in Aix-en Provence, the scent of rosemary in the gardens, the Jacquemus aesthetic, and the long family-style dinners under string lights where everyone lingers at the table for hours. To me these are not part of a trendy aesthetic but memories of a true Provence lifestyle that I had the chance to experience my whole life.

How would you describe your working style?

People are truly at the heart of my work. I feel so lucky to live my dream job, and I never want to lose the excitement that comes with each new story I get to tell. I love building genuine connections with my couples — often we spend months chatting on Instagram, exchanging inspiration, and planning details of the wedding weekend together. Especially for destination weddings in the South of France or Italy, I’m always happy to share my favourite local vendors and insider tips.

My approach is very informal and friendly: I want my couples to feel like I’m part of their circle rather than just another vendor. It’s not unusual for guests to ask how long I’ve known the couple — which I take as the best compliment, because it means I’ve blended in seamlessly and everyone feels at ease.

This closeness is what allows me to capture authentic, lively images — the laughter, the movement, the imperfect but beautiful moments. Nothing staged, nothing forced: just real memories, documented with a cinematic and nostalgic touch.

Do you shoot digitally, on film or both?

Both. I shoot 35mm and medium format film alongside digital. Film photography is at the heart of my work and is always included in my collections, with the option for couples to add more. I believe film brings a nostalgic, almost tactile quality to the wedding story — something that resonates deeply with couples seeking a timeless visual legacy.

Do you have custom packages according to individual needs?

Yes. While my brochure outlines my signature offerings, I also create bespoke packages for multi-day weddings, intimate celebrations, or editorial couple sessions. Many of my couples plan multi-day events — from a welcome dinner under the olive trees to a chic beachside brunch — and I craft packages to ensure their story is fully told.

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

Film, without hesitation. Each year I shoot more and more rolls because couples are falling in love with the timeless, nostalgic quality it brings. Film has this ability to feel raw and imperfect, yet deeply elegant — it’s what gives so much soul to a wedding gallery. I love how the texture, grain, and colour palette of film instantly evoke emotion and create images that feel like treasured heirlooms.

Another aspect of my work that I truly value is the connection I build with my couples. I’m a bit more than just your wedding photographer — I’m someone you can reach out to anytime before the wedding, whether it’s to discuss the planning, find trusted local vendors in Provence or Tuscany, or simply share your excitement (or even your stress!). I’m genuinely passionate about the wedding world and I love being a supportive presence throughout the process.

For me, this mix of artistry and connection is what makes the experience unique: timeless imagery combined with the feeling of being fully accompanied by someone who truly cares.

Where would you love to travel to for work?

I dream of documenting more weddings across the Mediterranean islands — Ibiza, Mallorca, Sicily, Sardinia, Capri, Ischia, Menorca, and even smaller hidden gems like Formentera, Stromboli, or Pantelleria. There is something truly magical about island weddings: the relaxed pace, the natural beauty, the way celebrations center around family, food, and friendship. I feel deeply connected to these places — I am actually getting married myself in Sicily in 2026 — which makes the Mediterranean aesthetic even more meaningful in my work.

Who is your dream client?

My dream clients are couples planning an intimate destination wedding somewhere in Southern Europe. They often travel from Australia, New Zealand, the UK, or the US to celebrate with fewer than 50 guests in a venue that isn’t traditionally a “wedding venue”: a hidden beach, a charming little Airbnb, a family vacation home, or even a museum.

They are deeply drawn to photography, but they don’t enjoy stiff posing — they prefer the natural, candid, and imperfectly beautiful. They adore flowers, long al fresco dinners, and thoughtful design, but above all, they want to have fun, dance, and celebrate freely with their closest people.

What is your advice to couples getting married?

My best advice to couples is simple: plan a wedding that feels like you. A wedding where every detail brings you joy as a couple — not something that’s designed to please anyone else. And don’t feel guilty if you want to follow certain trends — it’s totally fine if your wedding is not 100% timeless. What will always remain timeless are the memories you’ll create, the emotions you’ll feel, and the way you’ll experience the day with your loved ones. The décor, the outfits, the flowers — they’ll reflect your story, your tastes, and the exact moment of your life you’re in. That’s what makes your celebration so unique.

Right now, there’s a strong trend towards “editorial” wedding photography — and while I love artistry, I believe your images should come from authenticity, not posing. My couples don’t love to act like models, and they don’t need to. The artistry comes from your team — it’s my role as your photographer to translate your happiness, your movement, your story into cinematic images. You just need to live fully, laugh, cry, and celebrate. The beauty will follow naturally.

And of course, my number one advice: let’s get inspired by The Anti-Bride! Honestly, everything here is a good idea — and if you love the aesthetics of The Anti-Bride, chances are we’ll make a wonderful team.

Maélys Izzo

Website: maelysizzo-photographe.com

Instagram: @maelysizzo