ESMEE Bridal is a well-known European wedding dress brand with Ukrainian roots. This ESMEE Bridal collection was photographed on the coast of Santa Cruz, Portugal. I loved the variety the beach offered: different textures and views for the dresses, with room for more expressive fashion images too. I’m now based in Miami, Florida, and this shoot remains part of my international portfolio.
The brief for the bridal collection
The brief was to photograph 26 looks with two models and create video as well as photographs. The client wanted elegance with a contemporary fashion feeling. Each dress needed attention of its own: the silhouette, fabric, train, and small details all had to be visible. We planned the essential views of the collection alongside images that would convey its mood.
Choosing the models for this project
For this collection, the brand wanted tall models with classic beauty and charisma. The brand owner and I reviewed models from different agencies in Portugal and chose two beautiful women to be the faces of the new collection.
Why the client chose Santa Cruz
The client chose Santa Cruz from a selection of Portuguese beaches. The textures, views, and variety of backgrounds made it possible to give each dress its own setting while keeping the collection visually connected.
Planning 26 looks across the shooting day
Twenty-six dresses may sound manageable until you think about everything that happens between photographs. On this project, putting on a dress, adjusting the train, and checking hair and makeup could take 20-30 minutes. We then needed to position the model and make the essential full-length, half-length, and detail photographs. Once those were complete, we could explore movement, accessories, and more creative images that expressed the character of the brand.
The day began at 6 a.m. with makeup, hair, and clothing preparation, and finished after sunset at about 8 p.m. There was a lot happening between those first preparations and the final photograph!
Selecting photographs and creating video
For this shoot, I sent the client the best preselected photographs from each look. The designer could check the small details of the dresses and choose the images for retouching, usually 5-10 photographs per look, depending on the agreement. The video work included 27 videos for the dresses and a collection announcement.
What to prepare for a new bridal brand shoot
For a new bridal collection in Miami, I’d start with the looks and the dress details you need to show. Changing space, help with trains and delicate fabrics, and time for the models to rest all matter. For an outdoor shoot, I’d also plan access and a weather alternative with you.
I hope you enjoyed this look behind the shoot. If you’re planning a bridal collection or another fashion project, explore my brand photography and share the collection and the direction you have in mind. I’d be happy to discuss it with you in Miami. Let’s create your beautiful fashion story together! 💛
Author: Julia Yatel
