Renowned Italian wedding photographer Francesca Floris is a visual poet who turns fleeting romantic wedding moments into timeless wedding images. In the interview with Bride Lifestyle, she opens up about the influences on her photography, her inspirations, future aspirations, and what her typical day off looks like.

Francesca Floris

Interesting facts about destination wedding photographer Francesca Floris

Wedding photography style

Fine art wedding photography, memorable wedding photojournalism.

Influences

Theatre and stage photography. The experience of photographing Opera in some of the world’s most beautiful theatres, such as La Scala or the San Carlo in Naples.

Francesca’s roots. Her photography is often a homage to the nostalgia of her childhood spent in the countryside in Sardinia.

Inspirations

Cinema.

Photography.

Artists like Maria Lai.

Her children, who teach her the magic of wonder every day.

The children’s books.

The morning run to the sea.

Dream destinations for shooting a wedding

Northern Europe, in a Scottish castle or the English countryside.

Can you share the story of how you became a wedding photographer?

I started this job while I was living in Ireland after studying photography at Griffith College in Dublin. When I returned to Italy, I passed the selection to enter the stage photography course at the Academy of La Scala Theatre in Milan. Theatre and stage photography have greatly influenced my work.

Can you recall an influential moment in your early career?

Every year, I invest time and money in education by attending various conferences and workshops around Europe. In 2015, I participated in the first edition of Way Up North in Stockholm, and Jonas Peterson’s speech was a great revelation. He spoke about the importance of photography in people’s lives and the value of memories.

What is the most rewarding for you as a wedding photographer?

As a wedding photographer, the greatest satisfaction is the happiness of my clients and the power to put moments of shared joy with their loved ones in their hands. I believe these are priceless gifts.

Italy has a rich cultural and artistic heritage. How has your Italian background influenced your work? Is there a particular place in Italy that holds a special meaning for you?

Undoubtedly, the experience of photographing Opera in some of the world’s most beautiful theatres, such as La Scala or the San Carlo in Naples, has left an indelible mark on my work. Alongside this, my roots play a fundamental role. I was born in the centre of Sardinia, a territory rich in traditions and with a strong sense of community.

My photography is often a homage to the nostalgia of my childhood spent in the countryside, where seasons had a strong flavour, made of colours and scents. When I create a personal project, I often seek inspiration from the days spent as a child in my grandfather’s vineyard, adventuring with my older brother. The mere thought moves me.

How do you stay inspired as a photographer?

I seek inspiration outside of wedding photography. My passions are the greatest source of inspiration, such as cinema and my favourite artists like Maria Lai. Additionally, I am a mother; my children teach me the magic of wonder every day. Their enthusiasm for details that may seem small but, through their eyes, become significant. The joy of discovery and the beauty of reading childhood books together are true masterpieces. In recent years, I have realized how much childhood influences us as adults and also as creators.

What do you enjoy most about capturing weddings? Can you share a favourite moment you’ve had while working with a couple?

What I love about weddings is telling the personalities of the couples, their intimate wedding memories, the connections with the people around them, and the atmospheres of the places that host them. With almost all the couples who have chosen me as their photographer, I have felt a strong affinity. In particular, I hold close to my heart the words of a bride who, after seeing the photos, said: “The power of these photos lies in the fact that you captured even my vulnerability.”

How do you want your couples to feel when they look at their wedding photos?

I want them to feel themselves and also beautiful.

Are there any routines you have before a big wedding shoot to prepare for your bespoke wedding photo experiences and personalized wedding photography?

Many! In the two weeks leading up to the wedding, I ask the couple questions to understand who and what is most important to them. I request as many details as possible to grasp the style of the wedding. With this information, I conduct research and create my personal mood board to establish a visual guide for the images I will capture, even during candid moments. The day before the wedding, I spend the day reviewing my notes, going to bed very early, and rest as much as I can.

What is a typical day off like for you? How do spend your time when you're not behind the camera?

I wake up very early in the morning (5:45 am) and go for a run. My morning run begins at dawn on a bridge that crosses a pond full of flamingos flying above my head. This bridge leads me to the sea. The colours of the sun rising from the sea early in the morning are a great source of inspiration, even when the weather is bad. After that, I take the children to school and dedicate myself to the things I love the most, including photography. I look for new books or new authors, and Instagram and Pinterest are very useful for this.

What aspirations do you have for your future?

I would like to publish a photography book. I have undertaken various personal projects related to the central Sardinia region that I would like to compile into a book to narrate some significant changes of recent years.

Are there any picturesque wedding locations or unique destination weddings you dream of capturing?

I am very fond of the atmosphere of Northern Europe, and it would be wonderful to photograph a wedding in a Scottish castle or the English countryside.

Outside of photography, what are some of your interests that complement your work?

The morning run to the sea is like a kind of meditation, it helps me focus on what I would like to convey through photos. Cinema, photography and some series on Netflix provide many ideas to reflect upon. The children’s books I buy for my kids offer an incredible imaginary world.

Have you been involved in any exciting projects outside of wedding photography?

I’ve been chosen by a company that produces high-quality cheeses to create their images. I had the opportunity to discover a new reality related to cheese production in central Sardinia. It’s a project that has excited me a lot, and I will carry it forward with love.

Wedding photographer: Francesca Floris

Interviewed by Renāte Berga