PHOTOGRAPHY & FILM | Lilia Sciarretti Photo And Film
- Jun 10
- 5 min read
Updated: Jun 12
Lilia Sciarretti's ability to connect with her couples through photography and videography is why she pursues her work. It has always been about the human connection. Learning about what inspires her couples, in turn, inspires her. She captures your moments to evoke feelings and help you remember. Discovering your story allows her to find her own. Lilia Sciarretti is based in Charleston, South Carolina, but also spends time in Italy and travels globally to photograph weddings.
Tell us about your business!
Hi, I’m Lilia, but my friends call me Lil. And since you’re here, we just became one step closer to becoming friends, so you can call me Lil, too.
I’m based in Charleston, South Carolina, but also spend time in Italy, where I live and document weddings. I specialize in digital photography and videography, 35mm film, and Super 8 film. So you could say I document human connection on just about every medium.
While weddings are at the heart of what I do, I also photograph and film engagements, brands, and the occasional family or maternity session. No matter the subject, my approach remains the same: creating imagery that feels honest, nostalgic, and deeply connected to my subject and their story.
What would you like couples to know about you?
I’m a feeler. An empath, if you will. I feel as though I truly immerse myself in my couple’s lives, so completely, that at the end of our weekend together, it always feels as if I am leaving a piece of a newly discovered story behind. Every celebration becomes more than an event to document; it becomes a chapter I’ve had the privilege to step into, connect with, and carry along with me long after it ends.
Do you travel for weddings?
Yes, I travel for about 50% of my weddings – in the US and beyond.
How would you describe your style?
I want my viewer to feel transported back in time, with subtle, modern elements woven throughout. As if they’ve stepped into an old Italian film, wandering sunlit piazzas with no destination, guided by curiosity and the distant sound of a Sinatra song. The Mediterranean sun warms their skin, as they drift through timeless streets, where nostalgia and the present exist in quiet harmony. Romance, effortlessness, and cinematography are key pillars in my work, as I attempt to capture the beauty of getting lost in a moment that feels both remembered and alive.
What inspires you?
I’m forever inspired by Old Hollywood films, think Roman Holiday and It’s a Wonderful Life. The moon is my guiding force – I love how small it makes me feel. European architecture inspires me in a way I can’t explain. And generational tradition fuels me – especially Italian ones, as that’s where my roots lie. I truly believe my work is an extension of my innermost soul.
How would you describe your working style?
My approach is rooted in documentary storytelling. I see myself as a witness rather than an orchestrator – someone there to observe, preserve, and tell your story as it naturally unfolds. That said, my approach differs slightly depending on whether I’m shooting a photo or video.
When filming, I become more of a fly on the wall. I give very little direction, allowing moments to happen organically while focusing on the in-between interactions that so often go unnoticed. A glance across the room, a nervous laugh, a hand squeeze beneath the table – these are the moments that bring a film to life. Video, to me, is deeply rooted in storytelling, and I never want someone to watch their wedding film and feel as though it was manufactured or inauthentic.
When photographing, I still embrace that same documentary mindset, but with a touch more guidance woven in. Think subtle adjustments rather than stiff posing – a shift of the hands, tucking a strand of hair behind your ear, a gentle prompt to bring you back into the moment. Photography is a bit more refined in that sense, allowing me to create beautiful compositions while remaining true to what is actually happening. The goal is never perfection; it's authenticity, captured thoughtfully.
What is a favourite product or service that you offer and why?
My favorite service is my Super 8 films. I like to say that it found me. Nearly seven years ago, my parents gifted me my first Super 8 camera, and I’ve been in love with the medium ever since.
There’s simply no true replication of it. Super 8 exists entirely as itself. Imperfect, nostalgic. The grain, the movement, the softness, the way it captures light. It all comes together to create something that feels less like footage and more like replaying a memory.
For me, nothing evokes emotion quite like Super 8. It has a way of preserving a moment not just as it looked, but as it felt. Timeless, romantic, and deeply human, it carries a kind of magic that modern technology simply can’t recreate.
Where would you love to travel to for work?
There’s something about experiencing a place for the first time that fuels my creativity like no other. Some of those places include: Thailand, Egypt, Sardinia, Brazil, Morocco, Scotland, Spain. The list goes on and on actually.
Who is your dream client?
My dream client is someone who is down to earth, calm, cool, and collected, while also knowing how to have a good time. They appreciate the finer things in life. Think quiet luxury. They are inspired by the arts, the movies, and the world around them. They love to travel and are big foodies.
But most importantly, they are themselves. They value experiences over fleeting trends. They plan their day or session according to their core values and beliefs. They aren’t interested in creating a day for anyone else’s approval. And to me, nothing is more inspiring than that.
How do you select music for your films?
This is actually my favorite part of the post-production process! Music is so important when it comes to evoking a certain mood/feeling. If the song doesn’t hit, the emotions have a hard time coming through.
I like to first meditate on it. How did their day/session feel? What emotions do I want to convey? Then, I like to have my couple put together a collaborative Spotify or Apple Music playlist, so I can see if there is any overlap.
More often than not, I like to incorporate songs from the day, whether it’s their first dance song, their entrance song, or a song I remember playing in the background during a particularly meaningful moment.
Lilia Sciarretti Photo And Film
Website: liliasciarrettiphotoandfilm.com
Instagram: @liliasciarrettiphotoandfilm
