We sit down with Susannah Nicolaou to explore her emotive style and how her unconventional path has become a unique advantage in wedding photography.
With a background spanning medicine and the arts and a deep appreciation for human connection, Susannah’s path to wedding photography has been anything but conventional. As the lead photographer at Aletheia Wedding Photography, she captures the intimacy, joy, and unspoken moments that make a wedding day unforgettable.
Her journey began with photographing the togetherness of food, which evolved into storytelling centred on friendship and the bonds of female companionship. Before turning to photography, she specialised in plastic and reconstructive surgery and trained in ballet and musical theatre in New York, where she immersed herself in Broadway and the city’s vibrant arts scene. These experiences shape her unique perspective, blending emotion, communication, and creativity in her work.
Now based in Cyprus with her Cypriot husband, Susannah sees echoes of her Northern Irish upbringing in the region’s emphasis on friendship, family, and hospitality. Perfectly positioned to photograph weddings across Europe, she has a special love for capturing celebrations in Cyprus and Greece, where rich landscapes and traditions enhance her storytelling.
With connection, creativity, and artistry at the heart of her work, Susannah approaches each wedding as a personal and meaningful story waiting to be told. Today, we explore her journey, inspirations, and the philosophy behind her breathtaking imagery.
Aletheia Wedding Photography is known for its modern boutique approach. What sets your style and service apart from other wedding photographers in Europe?
My style reflects my primary value that the gathering together and reuniting of people from different parts of a couple’s life in one place at the same time is of great worth. I prioritise capturing the love with friends and family, not only the love between the wedding couple. I want you to have images that are both of emotional depth and artistic appeal. Much of my style is achieved in a documentary way; however, to serve my clients better, we spend focused time before the wedding discussing the people who are attending and the role they have played in their lives. Understanding these relationships helps me understand the couple better and to ensure that especially important people are not missed.
You capture weddings in Cyprus and Greece, primarily. What are the biggest advantages of booking a European-based photographer for a European wedding?
I truly think the most important factor in booking a photographer is that you feel your values and personalities align. That you will be able to collaborate together and enjoy having them around you all day. Look at how they bring you into the day through an image and the type of moments they capture. Looking beyond the location and fashion of the day which may be very different from your own wedding, but seeing how they frame moments to convey a feeling. Then, you will choose someone who will see and capture the elements that are important to you in a way that artistically appeals.
How would you describe your signature aesthetic, and what do you hope couples feel when they look back at their wedding images?
I describe my images as having a tangibility and physicality about them. Layered, to pull you intimately into the depth of the day and drawing your attention to the hidden moments. What I love most is not the defined moments but the blurred edges, to show the emotion in the inbetween.
Aletheia is a Greek word which means unconcealedness. I chose this name because I hope when couples look at their wedding images they see revealed the soul of their love and the connection with their people.
Your work spans a variety of stunning locations. Do you have a favourite location or destination to shoot in, and what makes it so special for weddings?
I do think Cyprus is an incredible place for weddings with gorgeous scenery and beautiful light. Particularly if you are planning on having a few events as part of the celebration, Cyprus offers such variety within a short distance, so you can incorporate and enjoy more than one ambience. Beach, mountains, vineyards, rustic villages, hotels and the sea. You could have a pre-wedding beach bar party, a wedding day in the courtyard of a vineyard with mountain views and cobbled stones, and a boat party the day after, for example.
Every couple and wedding is unique. How do you ensure that each gallery you deliver reflects the couple’s personality and the essence of their day?
I aim to capture the day as it unfolds, working in an observational manner. I am attuned to the energy of the day and the people present. I not only observe, but anticipate moments of connection. This takes intention, staying present and being curious. And so what is captured will be unique to the people on that day.
I speak in depth with my couples prior to the wedding. I want to understand what elements and moments of the day are most important. We explore their perspective on how they want to feel, looking back on their images afterwards. We talk about the groups of people attending and the role they have played in their lives. This gives an excellent foundation to build on during the wedding day.
What inspires you creatively? Are there any artists, designers, landscapes, or personal experiences that shape your approach to creativity and wedding photography?
I started my photography journey in street photography and food photography, and I am inspired by lots of work in these fields. I love the power of observation and the use of space to convey a story. With food photography, I love, in particular, imagery of food being enjoyed outdoors in nature.
Previously, I worked as a doctor in reconstructive surgery and also lived in New York, attending dance school. This breadth of experience in creativity and relating to people influences how I see, craft, and capture a wedding day story. It has helped me develop observational skills and appreciate body language.
Visually I adore imagery from the 40’s and 50’s. Dior and the golden age of couture, the way women posed, the sense of movement, the fashion. All of it!
Destination weddings come with their own set of challenges. What’s your approach to navigating different cultures, venues, and lighting conditions while still delivering a seamless experience?
I think this is two-fold. Partly doing preparation, and partly trusting my ability to see opportunities in the moment.
There is so much access now to be able to research prior to the wedding, to get a sense of the location and venue. Being organised and doing some preparation before is an excellent base. Conversations with the couple about why they have chosen a particular venue and what aspects of it most excite them; exploring all the elements and traditions they are including within the celebration and gaining an understanding of the cultural elements that are important for them helps to further have a solid foundation for the day.
I also trust my ability to work with the unexpected and unknown. This is a wedding day and not a photoshoot. And my priority is to allow the couple to live this day and capture the experience for them.
Are there any standout weddings or particularly memorable moments from your career that have left a lasting impression on you?
Creating a collaboration with Allegory Events and The Agora Hotel to style and storytelling a 3-day wedding event was very special. All 3 of us value authenticity and the gathering of people for building connection and community. We did not want it to be a posed model shoot. So we brought together five couples, most meeting the others for the first time – and created the ambience and opportunity for a real group experience of celebration. One of my favourite moments was the last evening with slow dancing in the bar. It was very special.
Do you have any exciting projects or future plans for Aletheia Wedding Photography that you’re looking forward to and would like to share with us?
Printing physical photographs to display as artwork in the home is really important to me! I’ve been working on some products to release later this year that I’m really excited about.
I’m also releasing a podcast called “Weddings in Cyprus,” in which I speak with couples who have been married in Cyprus or a supplier who works in Cyprus.
Finally, what do you love most about being a wedding photographer, and what continues to drive your passion for documenting love stories?
I love that the images from a wedding are both art and memories that will be treasured forever. The value will increase over the years to come and reflect the relationships and loved people. It is such a momentous occasion and a privilege to be invited into the intimacy of the day and trusted to capture it.
A deeper understanding of people’s relationships and of different values and traditions drives my passion for wedding photography. I adore multicultural celebrations and seeing many generations together.
For more information, visit aletheia-weddingphotography.com, @theblur_betweenyou, and @theblurbetweenyou.
Explore Aletheia Wedding Photography on the Together Journal Online Directory.
Aletheia Wedding Photography
