What Wes Anderson Taught Me About Colour; And Why It Matters for Your Photography Session
I was at university studying film aesthetics when I first properly got into Wes Anderson. I was also at that point where I was finally starting to feel confident in my editing; finding my style, figuring out what I actually wanted my photos to look like. I didn't know it at the time but I had been trying to do exactly what he does, without having the language for it. I started trying to replicate his colour grading, adjusted the palette depending on the shoot, and never really stopped.
The Rule Behind It
Wes Anderson works with something called the 60-30-10 rule. Sixty percent of a scene is one dominant colour that sets the overall mood. Thirty percent is a supporting colour that adds depth without competing. Ten percent is a bold accent, placed exactly where he wants your eye to go.
It sounds simple. The results are anything but.
In The Grand Budapest Hotel it's sixty percent cotton candy pink, thirty percent deep red, ten percent sky blue. In Moonrise Kingdom, warm yellows and earthy greens carry the frame, with precise little hits of red doing the emotional heavy lifting. His scenes are packed with detail but because the colour is so disciplined, you never feel overwhelmed. Your eye always knows where to go. The films feel like living paintings. That's not a coincidence, it's the rule working exactly as it should.
This is also where film form comes in. Film form is the idea that the patterns within a film, including colour, create meaning in the audience's mind. Hence, the important distinction is that it's not just about what the characters feel, it's about how you feel watching it. The colour is working on you before you've registered it consciously. Anderson understands this completely, which is why his films feel so emotionally loaded even when the dialogue is deadpan and the pacing is slow. The form is doing the work.
Moonrise Kingdom is my favourite of his films aesthetically. I think you can see why.
Moonrise kingdom:
My photos:
What This Has to Do With My Photography
Most of my photos have a similar colour feel to them: warm, slightly retro, a bit dreamlike. That didn't happen by accident.
I shoot real places, real people; nothing staged beyond what's already in front of me. But I am always reading the palette; the light, the shadows, the textures around us, and thinking about what they're doing emotionally before I've even lifted the camera.
Colours carry meaning in a way that most people feel but rarely think about consciously. Alongside communications, I also studies psychology in university and the two ended up feeding each other in ways I didn't expect; in fact, it's where film aesthetics and human psychology meet. It's a well researched field and the patterns are consistent across decades of studies. Warm tones: yellows, golds, soft ambers - trigger higher arousal emotions: excitement, energy, nostalgia, closeness. Cool tones: washed out blues, faded pastels - do the opposite, creating calm, stillness, and quiet. Muted, desaturated tones tend to feel timeless; nothing about them fights the subject or dates the image, which is part of why that slightly faded retro quality produces photos that still feel right in ten years.
And then there's red. Even a small touch of it commands the frame. It's the ten percent. But it's the thing your eye finds first, every time, without being told to.
The 60-30-10 rule applies to my shoots in exactly the same way it applies to his films. Malta makes this easier than most places: honey-coloured limestone walls as a natural sixty percent, a faded blue door as the thirty, and whatever you're wearing as that ten percent accent. The architecture makes it simpler.
This Is Exactly Why I Ask to See Your Outfit First
Colour is not just decoration - it is mood. It is the difference between a photo that feels joyful and one that feels flat, between one that feels timeless and one that just feels like a nice day out.
The single biggest variable I cannot control on the day of your shoot is what you're wearing.
A bright neon top in front of a pastel blue wall doesn't just clash, it fights the whole frame. It pulls focus away from your face, your expression, the moment. Someone in dusty rose or soft cream against a warm golden Maltese wall? The colours are working with me before I've even pressed the shutter.
This is why I always ask to see outfits before a session. Not to dress you in something that isn't you, but to make sure what you're wearing is part of the palette, not against it. And because I've spent years studying colour theory, aesthetics, and psychology, I can also tell you what actually works for you specifically, not just for the location. Colour undertones matter more than most people realise. Everyone has either a warm, cool, or neutral undertone to their skin, and the colours you wear either complement that or work against it. Wearing a colour that clashes with your undertone can make you look washed out or tired in photos in a way that has nothing to do with the light or the editing. On the other hand, the right colour will make your skin glow, your eyes stand out, and your whole presence in the frame stronger. Certain colours will make eye colour pop in a way that no amount of editing can replicate after the fact. This is something I look at with every client before every shoot, and it makes a real difference to the final images.
Think of it the way Anderson thinks about every element in his frame. Everything is a choice. Yours included.
If you're not sure where to start, I'll always help. Sometimes the right colour is the one already hanging in your wardrobe that you keep walking past.
"When you're writing a story, it often feels less like you're doing architecture and more like you're doing excavation. Like it's something that already exists and we're just unearthing it, and you know it's right because it just is." - Wes Anderson
Colour by Shoot Type: A Practical Guide
These aren't rules, they're starting points. Every person is different and I always adapt. But this gives you a sense of how I think about colour depending on the session.
Maternity shoots Soft and clean. Whites, creams, blush tones, soft nudes. Flowing fabrics in neutral tones against natural light almost always work. Avoid strong patterns or heavy colour that competes with the subject.
Portrait shoots in Valletta or Birgu These locations can handle contrast and bold colour. Deep reds, burnt oranges, jewel tones, greens, blues… all sit beautifully against warm limestone. Soft pastels can get lost against the texture of the walls here, so this is the place to be bolder.
Couples photography in nature: cliffs, countryside, coastal Softer palettes work best. Dusty pinks, sage greens, muted earth tones. And when in doubt, white is always a safe option. The landscape is already doing a lot of the visual work and the outfits should complement rather than fight it. For golden hour shoots specifically, warm tones almost always win.
Birthday and celebration shoots This is where you can be more expressive. A vibrant red in Valletta stops the frame completely. In a more natural or garden setting, something like a bold pastel, strong lilac, coral; adds a celebratory energy without feeling out of place.
Wedding and pre-wedding photography in Malta Warm and earthy tones are consistently the most flattering for golden hour sessions. For something more editorial in Mdina, Valletta or Birgu, there's room for more contrast. The most striking pre-wedding portraits I've shot have had one person in white or cream and the other in a complementary warm tone; dusty rose, sage, rather than both in matching neutrals.
Colour is Everything
What Wes Anderson gave me wasn't a technique. It was a way of seeing. The understanding that colour communicates before language does; that a palette can carry grief or joy or wonder without a single word.
When you book a portrait session, a couples shoot, or a pre-wedding session in Malta with me, we're not just finding nice locations and good light. We're building a palette together. And that palette is what will make your photos feel like yours; specific, emotional, and genuinely worth keeping on a wall.
This is the first instalment of Inspired By; a series where I break down the things that shape how I see the world and how I shoot it. Follow along on Instagram.
📩 info@photographoebe.com | 🌐 www.photographoebe.com
Based in Malta. Shooting everything worth remembering.
Spring in Malta: The Ultimate Guide for Couples & Girls Trips
If you've been thinking about visiting Malta, spring is your answer. Mid-March through to mid-June is when the island is at its most beautiful and honestly, its most liveable. The countryside is green, the wildflowers are out, the beaches haven't yet filled up, and the weather sits at that perfect point where you can be outside all day without overheating.
As someone who has lived here my whole life and spent years photographing it, spring is without question my favourite season on the island. The light is softer, the locations are quieter, and everything just looks better. Whether you're coming with your partner, your friends, or honestly just looking for a reason to finally book the trip; this guide is for you.
Why Spring is the Best Time to Visit Malta
Most people visit Malta in summer. And summer has its appeal: warm sea, high energy, beach clubs in full swing. But summer also means crowds, intense heat, and a version of Malta that starts to look like every other Mediterranean destination.
Spring is a different island entirely.
The countryside comes alive in a way that genuinely surprises first-time visitors. Rolling green hills, wildflowers lining every country road, and a quietness that lets you actually experience the place. The most popular spots; Mdina, Valletta, the coastal cliffs, are all there, but without the queues and the noise. You get the best of Malta without the chaos.
The weather from mid-March to mid-June sits at that sweet spot: warm enough to enjoy everything the island has to offer, cool enough that you're not melting by 10am. For photoshoots specifically, this matters more than people realise. Nobody wants to be photographed dripping in 38 degree summer heat.
Spring Events Worth Planning Around
Easter in Malta Easter in Malta is unlike anywhere else in Europe. The island takes it seriously; candlelit processions through ancient streets, villages lit up at night, a genuine sense of occasion that you feel the moment you arrive. It's visually extraordinary and worth experiencing even if you're not religious. If your trip overlaps with Easter, build around it.
Malta International Fireworks Festival Every late April, the Grand Harbour in Valletta becomes the backdrop for one of the most spectacular fireworks displays you'll find anywhere. There's also a night on Gozo, in Nadur. Book your spot early, the harbour fills up fast and for good reason.
Festa Frawli, aka The Strawberry Festival Held in Mġarr every spring, Festa Frawli is one of Malta's most charming local events. Strawberry food stalls, live music, a completely relaxed village atmosphere. It's the kind of thing locals love and most tourists never hear about, which makes it worth knowing about. It also photographs beautifully if you want to document your trip.
Earth Garden Festival One of Malta's best outdoor music festivals, held in spring. If your girls trip overlaps with Earth Garden, make it a centrepiece of the trip. Good music, great outfits, the kind of energy that makes for genuinely fun photos.
Open Air Markets Spring is market season. Marsaxlokk on a Sunday morning is the classic, fresh fish, colourful boats bobbing in the harbour, local produce and the kind of easy, unhurried Sunday morning that's hard to find in most cities. Keep an eye out for smaller artisan markets that pop up across Valletta and various village squares throughout spring too. And if thrifting is your thing, keep an eye out for Popp Day Out, one of Malta's best outdoor thrift markets, a great morning out and genuinely good for an outfit or two before a shoot.
A Few Fun Facts About Malta Before You Go
Malta is a small island, only 316 square kilometres, but it punches well above its size historically. Here are a few things worth knowing:
Malta is home to some of the oldest free-standing structures on Earth; older than Stonehenge and the Pyramids of Egypt. The megalithic temples of Ħaġar Qim, Mnajdra and Ġgantija date back to between 3600 and 2500 BC and are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
The Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni is an underground Neolithic burial site carved entirely into limestone, one of the most extraordinary prehistoric sites in the world. Tickets sell out weeks in advance so book early.
The island has been ruled by the Phoenicians, Romans, Arabs, Normans, Knights of St John, French and British, all of which left their mark on the architecture, culture and food.
Maltese is the only Semitic language written in the Latin alphabet and the only Semitic language that is an official EU language.
The Couples Guide to Malta in Spring
Spring is the best time of year for a couples photoshoot in Malta. The locations are quieter, the countryside is at its most beautiful, and the evenings are warm enough to shoot well past golden hour. Whether you're after something intimate and candid or something a little more editorial, Malta in spring gives you options that are hard to find anywhere else in the Mediterranean.
Riviera Bay My favourite location on the island, full stop. In spring the cliffs are surrounded by wildflowers and the beach hasn't yet filled up. There's a short trail to walk down together before you reach the bay; and the walk itself is part of the experience. A couples shoot here at golden hour is one of the most beautiful things I've had the privilege of photographing.
Fomm ir-Rih One of Malta's most remote and dramatic bays. Rugged, raw, and genuinely hard to get to; which means you'll almost certainly have it to yourselves. For couples who want something that feels completely off the beaten track, this is it. The kind of location that produces portraits you'd actually frame.
Migra l-Ferħa A hidden coastal gem that most visitors never find. Dramatic cliffs, crystal water and a quietness that's hard to come by. Worth the effort to get there, and worth documenting when you do.
Dingli Cliffs Some of the most dramatic views on the island; the highest point in Malta, looking out over the open sea. Breathtaking at any time of day and completely open, which makes for incredible wide shots. If you're looking for dramatic couples portraits with a view that genuinely stops people, this is it.
Buskett Gardens The most un-Malta part of Malta. Lush, overgrown and a little otherworldly; the Alice in Wonderland of the island. A completely different mood from the coast and a couples shoot location most people never think to book.
Palazzo Parisio Gardens Secret garden energy at its absolute peak in spring when the flowers are in full bloom. Romantic, intimate and unlike anything else on the island. You can also pair the session with brunch there, which makes for a beautiful morning; and a whole set of images that document the day properly rather than just the shoot.
A Luzzu Ride The luzzu is the traditional Maltese fishing boat; colourful, low, and completely iconic. You can book a private ride and I can photograph you on the water with the harbour or coastline behind you. It's a uniquely Maltese couples shoot experience and one that produces images unlike anything you'd get anywhere else.
Gozo Malta's sister island is a destination in its own right; quieter, greener, with a slower pace of life that feels a world away from the mainland. The Azure Window may be gone, but Gozo still has the Citadella, the salt pans at Xwejni, and some of the most stunning coastline in the Mediterranean. An overnight stay in spring combined with a couples photoshoot is one of my top recommendations for any couple visiting.
For the Adventurous Couples Malta has some excellent hiking routes; the coastal path from Dingli to Fomm ir-Rih is one of the most beautiful and least-walked on the island, and makes for a genuinely unique shoot location. The island is also one of the top scuba diving destinations in the Mediterranean, with clear water, wrecks and sea caves to explore. If adventure is your thing, I'll photograph it, before, during or after.
Malta Girls Trip: What to Do, Where to Go, What to Photograph
Malta is one of the best destinations in Europe for a girls trip, and spring is the sweet spot. Here's how I'd spend it:
Book a Boat Tour A boat trip around the island or to the Blue Lagoon in Comino is non-negotiable. In spring, before the summer rush, you'll actually be able to enjoy it. Imagine spending the day on the water, pulling up to the most beautiful hidden beaches, watching the sun go down on the way back, wearing an outfit you actually planned and coming home with photos that look like a magazine shoot rather than a tourist snap. Some of the party boats come with a huge slide and a bar on board. A private boat rental takes it to another level entirely. It's the kind of day you'll want documented properly.
A Girls Trip Photoshoot - But the Fun Kind Forget stiff group shots in front of a landmark. A girls trip photoshoot with me looks like this: getting ready together in a hotel room or villa, candid moments at a beach bar, showing off outfits at sunset on a clifftop, silly photos that actually capture the energy of the trip, and portraits that make everyone look and feel genuinely good. If you're staying near the coast, the combination of a beach bar, the sea and the late afternoon light is hard to beat. The goal is always to document the whole trip, not just the posed part.
Marsaxlokk Sunday Market One of the best mornings you can have in Malta. Colourful fishing village, fresh local food, boats in the harbour. Go early, have a coffee, walk around. The whole thing makes for a brilliant photoshoot backdrop too.
Popp Day Out and Thrift Markets Malta has a growing thrift and vintage market scene; Popp Day Out is one of the best, a fun outdoor event where you can find a great outfit for a fraction of the price. Perfect pre-shoot shopping, honestly.
Zion in Marsascala A reggae bar right by the sea and one of the most genuinely Maltese spots you'll find anywhere. Relaxed, unpretentious, and the kind of place locals actually go. Worth seeking out if you want something that feels real rather than tourist-facing.
Wine Tasting at a Maltese Vineyard Malta has a growing wine scene and several vineyards offer tastings in beautiful, lush surroundings. Pair it with a photoshoot; vineyard sessions in spring, when everything is green and the flowers are out, are some of my favourites to shoot. Bring an outfit worth photographing in.
A Festa and Fireworks If your trip overlaps with a village festa, go. Each village celebrates its patron saint with fireworks, street food, brass bands and the whole community out in their best. Find a good spot for the fireworks, ideally a rooftop or a high point and you have one of the most memorable evenings Malta has to offer. And yes, bring the camera.
Earth Garden Festival One of Malta's best outdoor music festivals. Good music, great energy, the kind of atmosphere that makes for genuinely brilliant candid shots. A girls trip highlight if your dates line up.
Sirena, Sliema Malta's drag bar and genuinely one of the best nights out on the island regardless of who you are. The kind of place that makes for a great evening and even better memories.
Nightlife - What's Worth Knowing Paceville is Malta's main nightlife strip; chaotic, loud, and brilliant if that's your vibe. Big G's is the place to go if it is. For something with more atmosphere, Strada Stretta in Valletta is a narrow historic street lined with bars that has one of the most unique nightlife vibes in Malta; old building, great energy, worth at least one night. For students on a budget looking to meet young locals, there are regular university nights worth searching for on Instagram when you're planning your trip.
The Maltese Way to End Any Night Out Pastizzi. Malta's iconic flaky pastry; ricotta or mushy peas, hot from a 24 hour pastizzeria at 3am. Cheap, perfect and completely Maltese.
Historical Sites Worth Your Time
Malta's history is extraordinary and concentrated into a very small space. Here are the ones worth putting on your list:
Valletta: Europe's smallest capital city and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Baroque architecture, hidden gardens, rooftop views of the Grand Harbour. Could spend days here.
Birgu (Vittoriosa): One of the Three Cities, older than Valletta, and far less visited. Maritime history, narrow streets and a genuinely atmospheric waterfront.
Mdina: Malta's ancient walled city. Silent, elegant and cinematic. Go in the evening once the day visitors have left.
Rabat Catacombs and the Roman Villa: Just outside Mdina, and worth pairing with a visit to the city. The catacombs are fascinating and the Roman Villa gives you a real sense of Malta's layered history. Grab a pastizzi from Serkin bakery nearby, one of the best on the island.
Ħaġar Qim and Mnajdra: Two megalithic temple complexes on Malta's southern coast, dating back to 3600 BC. Older than Stonehenge. The coastal setting alone makes the visit worth it.
The Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni: An underground Neolithic burial site in Paola. One of the most extraordinary prehistoric sites in the world. Book well in advance, tickets are strictly limited.
Ġgantija Temples, Gozo: The oldest of Malta's megalithic temples, on the island of Gozo. Over 5,500 years old and still standing.
Għar Dalam Cave: One of Malta's most fascinating natural and archaeological sites, this cave in Birzebbuga contains bones of animals that roamed Malta over 7,000 years ago including dwarf elephants and hippos. A genuinely surprising visit.
Għar Qawqla and the Caves of Gozo: Gozo has several sea caves and inland caves worth exploring, particularly accessible by boat. The colours of the water inside are extraordinary.
Popeye Village: Originally built as a film set for the 1980 Popeye movie, it's now a family-friendly attraction on the northwest coast. Colourful, quirky and great for photos. Worth a half day if you're in the area.
The Red Tower (St Agatha's Tower): A 17th century watchtower on the northwest coast of Malta with incredible views across to Gozo. A great stop on a road trip around the island.
Food Worth Trying While You're Here
Rabbit: Malta's national dish. Traditionally slow-cooked and served with pasta or as a stew. If you only try one proper Maltese meal, make it this one. Head to Mdina or Rabat for the most traditional versions.
Pastizzi: flaky pastry filled with ricotta or mushy peas. Get them from Serkin in Rabat or any local pastizzeria.
Ftira: a Maltese bread ring, typically filled with tuna, capers, olives and tomatoes. The best lunch on the island.
Ġbejna: small Maltese sheep's cheese. Try it fresh or peppered.
Kinnie: Malta's own soft drink, made from bitter oranges and aromatic herbs. An acquired taste but a Maltese institution.
Fresh fish: Malta is an island, and the fish is extraordinary. Marsaxlokk on a Sunday for the market, then lunch at one of the waterfront restaurants.
Good sushi: Malta has a surprisingly strong sushi scene given the quality of local fish. Worth seeking out if that's your thing.
Book a Shoot While You're Here
If you're visiting Malta this spring; whether as a couple, a group of friends, or solo, I'd love to document it with you. I know the island inside out and I'll make sure you leave with images that actually capture why you came.
📩 info@photographoebe.com 🌐 www.photographoebe.com
Based in Malta. Shooting everything worth remembering.
Before You Say I Do: Why a Pre-Wedding Shoot in Malta is Worth Every Minute
The cake will be eaten. The flowers will die. The ceremony will end. The invitations won't matter. Even your partner may leave. But the photos; the photos will remain.
Of everything that comes with a wedding, your photographs are the only thing guaranteed to last. So they're worth getting right.
That's where a pre-wedding shoot comes in. And honestly? It might be one of the best decisions you make in the whole wedding planning process.
It's Not Just About the Photos
Most couples come to me thinking a pre-wedding shoot is purely about getting extra content. And yes, you walk away with a beautiful set of images that are entirely your own, separate from your wedding album, with no timeline pressure and no seating plan drama in the background.
But what I've seen time and time again is that the real value of a pre-wedding session goes much deeper than that.
It's an afternoon, or a golden hour, that belongs entirely to the two of you. No guests to greet, no vendors to coordinate, no phone to check. Just you, your partner, and a camera. For couples deep in the stress of wedding planning, that kind of stillness can feel genuinely healing. Especially when you're standing somewhere beautiful in Malta, watching the sun go down, with nowhere else to be.
I've had couples tell me afterwards that their pre-wedding shoot was the moment they finally felt excited about getting married, rather than just organising a wedding. That means something.
You'll Actually Relax on Your Wedding Day
Here's something no one tells you enough: being photographed is a skill. And like any skill, it gets easier with practice.
Most people feel stiff and self-conscious in front of a camera at first, that's completely normal. During every session, I work with prompts and tailor the shoot to each couple's personalities and preferences, so nothing ever feels forced or choreographed. My job is to make it fun, genuinely fun, not "smile and hold still" fun. By the end of a pre-wedding session something shifts. You've laughed at an awkward prompt, you've forgotten I was there for a few minutes, you've found the way you naturally move together. You know what to expect from me and how I work.
So when your wedding day arrives, you're not figuring all of that out for the first time in a dress and a suit with 80 people watching. You're already comfortable.
“Even though we both never had our photos taken before, we felt comfortable as the shoot went by and never rushed! The outcome of the photoshoot was truly out of this world, surpassed our expectations and more! Trust Phoebe with your ideas with closed eyes.” - Julie & Thomas
My Style: Natural, Not Staged
Most couples tell me they're not "good" at being photographed. I'd argue they just haven't been photographed the right way.
I don't want you to perform for the camera, I want you to forget it's there. There's a version of every couple that only exists when no one's watching, and that's exactly what I'm trying to catch. My job is to create the conditions for that to happen: a location you connect with, a relaxed pace, prompts that feel like suggestions rather than instructions. The rest takes care of itself.
Pre-wedding shoots are where this works best. No timeline pulling us forward, no schedule to keep, just two people somewhere beautiful, and me trying to stay out of the way long enough to catch something real.
“She perfectly captured the golden hour vibes we were going for, with a mix of candid and cinematic shots that felt completely natural. We felt so comfortable during the shoot and never like we were staging poses. The photos turned out even better than we imagined - we couldn’t be happier! Highly recommend Phoebe to anyone looking for romantic, dreamy and timeless photos.” - Rolyn & James
Riviera Bay: My Favourite Location for a Reason
Malta has no shortage of stunning backdrops for a pre-wedding shoot. But if I had to choose one location that never fails to deliver, it's Riviera Bay at golden hour tucked within the Għajn Tuffieħa area on Malta's northwest coast, and in my opinion one of the most beautiful spots on the island.
The cliffs, the sea, golden hour. It delivers every single time and it never looks the same twice.
For couples who love nature and being outdoors, there's also a short trail we can walk along together and the views along the way are completely worth it. It adds a natural, unhurried quality to the session that you just can't get in a more structured setting.
Other locations I regularly shoot and love across Malta:
Mdina: the most untouched architecture on the island. Timeless, mysterious and elegant in a way that doesn't need golden hour to work, it just does, at any time of day
Buskett Gardens: the closest thing Malta has to an enchanted forest; adds a touch of whimsy and mystery to the photos, kind of like Alice in Wonderland. It's a completely different mood, one that most people never think to book, and one that doesn’t really look like Malta
Wied iż-Żurrieq: a quiet place that locals know and tourists miss entirely. Elegant in a straightforward way; no gimmicks, just sea, rock and sky. The drive through Għar Lapsi to get there is half the experience
Palazzo Parisio Gardens: Palazzo Parisio has secret garden written all over it. Lush, contained and intimate, with a romanticism that works equally well for soft and dreamy couples as it does for something more editorial. Spring is when it really comes alive though, when the flowers fill every corner and the whole garden earns its reputation
Manoel Island: A place that means something to a lot of Maltese people, it was nearly taken from the public not long ago, and that history gives it a character you can feel when you're there. Weathered and full of texture, with views of Valletta across the water that are genuinely hard to beat. There's a short walk involved but it's worth it
Any beach or garden: if you have a place that means something to you as a couple, that's always my first choice
For Couples Coming to Malta to Get Married
If you're planning a destination wedding in Malta, a pre-wedding shoot is even more valuable. It gives you the chance to experience the island through a lens before the big day, to find the spots that feel like you, to get comfortable with a photographer you've likely only spoken to online, and to come away with images that capture Malta the way you fell in love with it, not just as a wedding backdrop.
If you're working with a wedding planner or luxury travel coordinator, I'd love to be the photographer they recommend. I work seamlessly alongside planners and understand the specific needs of destination couples, from flexible scheduling around travel to location scouting that saves time and stress.
A Few Practical Things Worth Knowing
When to book: Ideally a few weeks before your wedding, so the images have time to settle into your story and so you have time to get comfortable with me before the day.
What to wear: Something you feel genuinely good in. It doesn't need to match perfectly, but think about texture, colour and movement. I'm happy to advise.
How long: Usually two to three hours, enough time to move through a location, catch the light changing, and not feel rushed.
Where: Anywhere in Malta. I'll always suggest locations based on your personalities and the kind of images you're drawn to.
Let's Find Your Spot
If you're getting married in Malta, or just considering it, I'd love to talk about what a pre-wedding shoot could look like for you.
📩 info@photographoebe.com | 🌐 www.photographoebe.com
Based in Malta. Shooting everywhere.
Chasing a Dream: a photoshoot of Amelie in Venice
My best friend was living in Venice, so naturally I booked a flight and took my camera with me.
Amelie had been living there that summer, working at the Maltese Pavilion at the Venice Biennale, one of the most prestigious contemporary art events in the world. So when I arrived, I wasn't being shown Venice by a tourist. I was being shown it by someone who had made it, temporarily, her home. That changes everything about how you experience a place and how you photograph it.
Who is Amelie?
"Venice was life-changing for me. It was so much culture on one small island. I learnt so much more about art in general, and about myself. Three words to describe Venice: history, mystery and wonder." - Amelie
Amelie Dimech is a Maltese artist and graphic designer based in Malta. With a degree in digital arts, her creative path has taken her from the island we both grew up on all the way to the canals of Venice. You can explore her work on amelieportfolli.com.
The Shoot
We didn't plan locations. We just walked for hours and let the city lead us. One of the most striking places we ended up was Palazzo Cavalli-Franchetti, a 15th-century Gothic palazzo on the Grand Canal.
"The art and history there is beautiful, and it means so much to me that I could be a part of that art." - Amelie
Shooting in Venice as a photographer based in Malta was a different experience entirely. The architecture offers endless opportunities; every alleyway is a natural frame, every bridge a leading line. Best of all, without a modern building or digital screen in sight, the colours stay consistent and the whole city just feels cinematic.
Along the way, locals stopped to compliment Amelie. Those small, unplanned moments are the ones you can't manufacture and often the ones that make a session.
On Being an Artist in Venice
"Living in Venice encouraged me to try as much as I want. There is no one route to take as an artist. Seeing so many artists with their own unique journey inspired me to do what I want with my own." - Amelie
That quote says everything, honestly. It's also part of why I love destination photography: a place that means something to someone produces images that mean something. The emotion is already there, I just have to capture it.
Thinking About Booking a Photoshoot in Venice?
A few things I'd tell anyone planning a shoot there: shoot early before the crowds arrive, don't over-plan your locations, and wear something comfortable. Venice rewards spontaneity. Some of our best frames came from simply turning a corner.
Work With Me
I'm Phoebe, a lifestyle photographer based in Malta, available for destination shoots across Europe. If you're a travel planner or luxury concierge looking for a photographer to recommend to your clients, I'd love to hear from you.
📩 info@photographoebe.com | 🌐 www.photographoebe.com
Based in Malta. Shooting everywhere.
