Modern Fairy Tale in Rome

When things are meant to be, they will be. 

This is exactly what happened a year ago on July 3rd in Rome, Italy.

Anastacia and Sasha are a gorgeous Russian couple currently residing in London. Last year they were travelling around Italy for a week with a two day stopping in Rome for Anastacia’s birthday. 

So… a month earlier, I receive a Facebook message from Anastacia enquiring about a couple photo session in Rome. Why in Italy, you would ask? Because many people know I usually go back to Europe once a year and get booked for several photo sessions while I’m there. This timing was perfect this time: I was actually going to be in Rome for 2 days right for Anastacia’s Birthday. What an unthinkable coincidence!

Our idea was to create a romantic and glamorous portrait love story in one of the most picturesque locations in the world. I was incredibly thrilled about it as I absolutely adore these dream photo sessions. It’s like being in a movie. 

I organised very talented local hair stylist and make up artist (credits at the end of the post), we chose the style and just went with the flow, which is my favourite way to shoot. 

For those who have been to Rome in July would know - it’s always crowded and really hard to get the ‘perfect’ shot that is also close to iconic locations like Trevi Fountain, Colosseum etc. To overcome this challenge and get the best light, I made Sasha and Anastasia wake up at 4.30am with Hair Stylist and MUA arriving to their hotel at 5am. Fortunately, the Hotel’s position was in walking distance from most of the sites and we only had about 2 hours to create magic before the tourists started to flood in.

This is the result of the first part of our shoot… Scroll down to see what we did in the afternoon.

Since Sasha and Anastacia booked the best hotel in Rome, they really wanted to use it for the second part of our photo session. When I saw some pictures on Google, I couldn’t believe I would be shooting there. Any photographer would tell you it’s an absolute dream location and I was stoked I could be apart of that dream. 

Anastacia brought a stunning custom made dress especially for the occasion. While shooting, I could imagine myself being in a James Bond movie. I still get goose bumps when I think about it.

Today is Anastacia’s 30th Birthday and I can only wish the best to this girl and her partner Sasha. Despite spending only several hours together in Rome, we connected really well and it didn’t feel like work at all for me. They were so easy to photograph due to being authentically fun, loving and a little bit insane. What a perfect combination! 

I am immensely grateful to both of them for placing their trust in me to create beautiful timeless photographs and making me part of their love story. 

Credits

My beautiful clients: Anastacia and Sasha (Insta @a_a_london)

Make-up artist: Serena Scalbi (Insta @serenascalbi, Facebook ”Serena Scalbi Make-Up”)

Hair stylist: Silvia Cimino

Photographer: Ksenia Belova (Insta @ksenia_belova_photography, Facebook Ksenia Belova Photography)

Day Location: Piazza di Spagna, Fontana di Trevi, Collosseo, Fori Imperiali - Rome, Italy

Night location: Grand Hotel Plaza - Rome, Italy