Weddings
Why a loveshoot at Zaanse Schans is more than just pretty pictures
In August, I spent an evening with Lily & Shaahin at Zaanse Schans. They’re a couple who, like me, moved to the Netherlands to build a new life together. Before their wedding day, they wanted to do a loveshoot — something relaxed and personal to celebrate their story so far.
They had arranged a private boat ride with Dutch Boat Tours, and we floated through the peaceful canals as the sun started to set. The light was soft, the surroundings quiet, and everything felt really natural. Nothing was staged. They just enjoyed the ride, laughed together, held hands — and I simply documented it as it happened.
This is exactly the kind of loveshoot I enjoy most. No pressure, no poses — just the two of them, on the water, at their own pace. A loveshoot with a story, and images that feel like them.
Why do a loveshoot before the wedding?
A loveshoot isn’t just about getting a few nice photos before the big day. It’s a chance to take a step back from wedding planning, spend time together, and let someone capture who you really are — without pressure or expectations.
I often hear from couples that they feel a bit awkward in front of the camera. Doing a session like this beforehand helps you get used to being photographed in a relaxed setting. You also get to know me and how I work — which means that on the wedding day, everything feels easier and more natural.
It’s not about posing or ticking off a list of shots. It’s about having a moment together. A moment that becomes part of your story.
Real connection over posing
When I photograph couples, I’m not thinking about perfect poses or directing every move. That’s just not my thing. I’d rather give you the space to be yourselves — to move how you naturally move, to laugh when something’s funny, to just enjoy being together.
During a loveshoot, I look for the in-between moments — the way you laugh together, how you hold hands, or the quiet looks you share when no one else is watching. There’s no need for big performances or perfect poses. The best photos come when you're just doing your thing and almost forget the camera is there.
That’s what I loved about photographing Lily & Shaahin. They didn’t come with a script or expectations. They just enjoyed the evening — and I followed along, capturing things as they unfolded. To me, that’s what a loveshoot without posing is all about: keeping it real, relaxed, and honest.
A summer evening at Zaanse Schans
Lily & Shaahin had picked Zaanse Schans for their loveshoot — and I couldn’t have thought of a better place for them. They had booked a private boat ride with Dutch Boat Tours, and we started the session just drifting through the water, surrounded by old windmills and quiet views.
It turned out to be one of those evenings where the light just kept getting better. As the sun got lower, everything felt calm and warm. We didn’t have to think much about where to go or what to do — we just let the moment guide us.
They were fully in the moment. Laughing, talking, enjoying the calm. I barely had to say anything — I just photographed what was already there. It turned into a romantic loveshoot at sunset, and being out on the water added a sense of peace that suited them perfectly.
More than just photos
When I photograph a loveshoot like this, I’m not there to give constant instructions. I’m there to notice the small things — the way you are together when you’re just being yourselves. That’s where the real story is.
These kinds of photos hold more than just how you looked — they carry the feeling of the day. The way you laughed, how you held each other, the quiet moments in between. That’s what makes it a loveshoot with a story — something real you’ll always have.
If you're thinking about having photos like this — before the wedding or simply to mark this chapter of your life — I’d love to help you tell that story in your own way.
