Amali Studios - Together Journal

I want to make their wedding dreams come to life through imagery.

Unique Approach: What do you believe sets your destination wedding photography apart from others in the industry? How do you capture the essence of each unique location?

So many talented photographers out there but I think I bring out the genuine joy & emotions out of the couple. I believe my strength lies in making my couples feel like they can be their authentic selves in front of the camera. Every love story is so uniquely different & beautiful, and I really try to familiarise myself with the couple through a wedding questionnaire that gets to know exactly what their wedding photography dreams consist of. I hope that makes sense.

Wei-Ting Shyu of Amali Studios

For each unique location, I like to explore beforehand and try to capture what makes that location unique – a mixture of wide, different perspectives, use of drones and close-ups. I use a sunset app to see where the optimum light is, what time, etc.

Style and Vision: Can you describe your photographic style? How do you adapt your style to fit the diverse cultures and landscapes you encounter at destination weddings?

My photography style I describe as ‘Modern, Authentic & Effortlessly Romantic’ with a touch of editorial and lately, my photos feel really soulful (if I do say so myself). I want my couples to feel like they are in their own version of ‘The Notebook’ or their fave romantic film.

Being from New Zealand, with Taiwanese roots and having moved to London – I’m well aware of diversity & the importance of celebrating diversity. I have photographed cultural weddings with different traditions, such as a Chinese fusion wedding where they had a tea ceremony & Chinese door games. I try to familiarize myself with the couple and do my research so I can better understand their cultures. As for couples getting married in a different country, I find I naturally just adapt to the surroundings due to how much travel I have done!

Memorable Experiences: Could you share a memorable experience from one of the destination weddings you’ve shot? What made it special or challenging?

Some of my fave memorable experiences: Isabel & Liam dancing in the rain in Sicily. A moment that felt like we were in a romantic film (THE NOTEBOOK!!!!)

Nazaria & Jordan’s wedding (featured only on TJ) felt like a true celebration/party, and the Italian food there was the BEST wedding food I have ever had – I was so so impressed with their appetiser buffet, including mozzarella being made fresh, panzerotti etc. before their courses were served.

Connection with Clients: How do you establish a connection with your clients before the wedding, especially when working from afar? How does this relationship influence your work?

Regardless of whether they book me or not, I encourage the couple to have a video consultation with no obligation to book. I think it’s important to see if they connect with me & vice versa to have that chemistry. I genuinely work with the most beautiful, kind, genuine couples, and I believe that connection is created through our rapport before – the initial consultation, the extensive wedding questionnaire I send, the open lines of communication & the follow-up call after the questionnaire, to iron out the timeline and manage expectations. I pride myself on giving my clients not just photos but a true ‘Wedding Experience’, which includes my complimentary wedding guide & help towards their timeline to ensure a smooth & effortless day. They don’t need to worry about where I will be as I already know and am able to anticipate every moment.

I had a couple tell me recently I made all their wedding dreams come true & I just thought, wow, that’s what I want to do – I want to make their wedding dreams come to life through imagery. I want them to relive their day the way they dreamed of.

Travel Plans: What exciting travel plans do you have for shooting weddings over the coming year? Are there any destinations you’re particularly excited about?

I just captured one of my favourite weddings to date on 20 Aug 2024 at Borgo del Carato, Sicily. It was a minimalistic wedding where the venue and the couples’ love for each other shone through. It was just such a beautiful & intimate gathering. I have Vienna (Rondell Cafe am Cobenzl), South of France (Circe at Beaulieu-Sur-Mer), Another French wedding at Chateau Hermitage de Combas near Montpellier, Lefkada, Santorini, Tuscany (Villa La Torrossa), NYC & Marbella (Boho Club) coming up.

Next year takes me to some gorgeous places including Finca Commassema in Mallorca, San Torre Marco in Lake Garda, France, LA, Italy, Boracay Islands in the Phillipines! 

Inspiration and Challenges: What inspires you most about shooting destination weddings, and what challenges do you face? How do you overcome those challenges to ensure your work remains consistent?

What inspires me most? I love how a destination wedding feels. I believe travel inspires romance. Romance inspires me. Therefore, destination weddings are perfect for me. It’s where I feel the most alive as a photographer. 

Challenges I face? There are so many, like travel, flights delayed/cancelling, weather, and the reliability of other vendors. You have to have a contingency plan. Preparation is everything, which includes having a look around the venue in case I need to pivot or provide solutions (in the case of rain, etc.) and checking out the venue’s Instagram and previous weddings there.

Business Goals: What are your future plans for your photography business? Are there any new services or projects you’re excited to launch in the coming year?

I already shoot 35mm film which I love so much. Film photos just hit differently. I’ve been playing with film cameras since I was 7 or 8 really. Recently, I’ve been playing around with Super 8 as a video medium – watch this space! The five year plan is, I see myself growing my team in the future, to really provide the wedding experience I keep talking about & to take my brand to the next level.

Inspiration Sources: What inspires your work, particularly when shooting destination weddings? Are there any specific artists, locations, or experiences that influence your creative process?

I take inspiration from romantic films, other photographers, the location itself and also directly from the couple – I say to my couples, as long as you’re madly in love, I’ll do the rest. It makes it so easy for me to do my job when I can feel the love. It inspires me to capture their love like they are the main characters of their romantic film.