Cinematic romance with a playful spirit.
Grainy Soul Photos is the creative partnership of husband-and-wife duo Kiki and Roopesh, whose cinematic approach to weddings and elopements transforms each celebration into something deeply personal and artfully imagined. Working across Europe, they blend digital, film, and motion to create imagery that feels nostalgic, expressive, and full of life. Guided by a love of storytelling, thoughtful direction, and genuine connection, their work invites couples to be fully present while crafting photographs that feel as though they’ve stepped straight out of a favourite film. In this Q&A feature, they share the inspiration behind their distinctive approach, the creative process that shapes every celebration, and what continues to excite them about capturing love stories.
What first made you fall in love with photographing weddings and elopements?
We’re hopeless romantics who grew up watching 90s and early 2000s rom-coms. That love of love stories, combined with our need to create, naturally led us to couples and elopements. We discovered that a session could become an experience of its own. By developing a unique theme, introducing props and giving couples playful direction, we could create images that felt like scenes from their own film.
What do you think gives your work its distinctive point of view?
We approach every couple session and elopement as its own creative world. The idea might grow from a film, an artwork, a location or something personal to the couple. We then shape the setting, styling, props and direction around that idea. Our work brings together vivid colour, nostalgia, movement and cinematic storytelling, creating images that feel personal and expressive rather than following the same formula for everyone.
What kinds of moments do you instinctively wait for rather than create?
We create the setting and give our couples clear direction, but we watch closely for the unscripted moments that happen within it. It might be the laugh after a prompt goes slightly wrong, the look they exchange while doing something playful or the way they instinctively reach for each other. We put them into motion, then wait for the real reactions that appear when they stop thinking about the camera.
How do you make space for your couples to feel completely at ease while still creating beautifully considered images?
Most couples are not used to being photographed and naturally feel unsure about what to do, so we never expect them to figure it out alone. We give them activities, prompts and clear direction that keep them moving and engaged with each other. Having something to do takes the pressure away and turns the session into a fun shared experience. While they are enjoying themselves, we shape the light, composition and story into images.
What’s one wedding tradition you secretly love photographing every time?
In our elopements and intimate creative weddings, we will always love creating romantic bridal portraits. There is something beautiful about slowing everything down and focusing on the movement of the fabric, the changing light and the person within it all. We give plenty of direction while leaving room for personality, creating bridal images that feel like film stills or painted portraits.
What influences beyond photography continue to inspire the way you see and create?
Cinema is one of our greatest influences, especially the warmth, romance and playful energy of 90s and early 2000s rom coms. Painting and visual art influence how we use colour, composition and atmosphere. Travelling across Europe continually introduces us to landscapes that naturally become part of our art. Our ideas often begin with a mood or story before growing into a complete visual concept.
If you could bottle the feeling of your work into three words, what would they be?
Romantic, cinematic and alive.
What’s a small, fleeting moment that couples often overlook but you never do?
We notice the real reactions that appear between prompts: the sudden laughter, a familiar look or the way one person instinctively reaches for the other. Couples often do not realise these interactions are happening because they are busy enjoying the experience. We pay attention to their natural dynamic and use it to shape our direction, turning those brief reactions into some of the most personal images from the session.
What kinds of places, people, or celebrations are calling your name over the next few years?
We want to create more themed couple sessions and intimate elopements across Europe, especially with people who are playful, creative and open to trying something different. Iceland, along with unfamiliar landscapes that offer room for adventure and imagination are calling our name. More than a particular destination, we’re drawn to couples who want to take part in the creative process and have plenty of fun while making something personal together.
What advice would you give to couples looking for a photographer who feels like the right fit, both creatively and personally?
Look beyond individual photographs and consider the experience a photographer offers. If you feel awkward in front of the camera, ask how they guide their couples and whether their approach sounds comfortable and enjoyable to you. The right person should understand your creative taste, communicate clearly and give you enough direction to feel confident. When you trust the process and enjoy spending time together, creating meaningful art becomes much easier.
What does creating with Grainy Soul Photos actually look like?
Every experience begins with the couple. We develop a creative concept around their personalities, interests and the feeling they want, then offer ideas for locations, styling, activities and props to bring it to life. Elopement couples also receive our guide and planning advice. On the day, our two person photographer team gives plenty of direction, keeping the couple active, relaxed and having fun. Digital photography forms the foundation, with film photography, Super 8, camcorder and digital video available as add ons. Our video formats are crafted into cinematic highlight films that capture the energy of the experience.
Discover more by visiting grainysoulphotos.com and @grainysoulphotos. Explore Grainy Soul Photos on the Together Journal Online Directory.
