Why I Keep Coming Back to Vienna: A travel Photographer's Guide
The first time I went to Vienna, I was still very much a beginner. I was taking a short photography course, building my first ever portfolio, and genuinely unsure whether any of this was going anywhere. I had no idea that photography would one day be my full-time job. I wasn't even confident it was something I was particularly good at yet.
A group of friends had planned the trip months in advance. I wasn't part of it, not originally. A few weeks before, I butted in. I was feeling stuck and I needed to go somewhere, and Vienna happened to be where they were going.
I brought a borrowed camera, one I'd only had for a short while, lent to me by a family member. I took it because I needed photos for my portfolio, which was part of my course exam. That was the extent of the plan.
The photos I came home with are still some of my favourites. I'm still proud of them to this day.
I've been back three more times since; always in that late winter to early spring window, always with a different friend, and every single time the city does the same thing to me. It opens something up creatively that I didn't know needed opening. Vienna was there at the beginning of my photography career and it keeps showing up as a reference point for the kind of work I want to make. The way the city feels is the way I want my images to feel.
That feeling: dreamy, slightly surreal, grand in a way that doesn't feel showy, is the closest thing I have to a visual language for my own photography. I didn't fully realise that until I'd been back a few times, but Vienna was always the blueprint.
This is part love letter, part travel guide, part honest reflection from a destination photographer who keeps getting drawn back to the same city. If you're a photographer, a couple, or just someone wondering whether Vienna is worth the trip, I hope this helps.
What Vienna Actually Looks Like
Vienna has a quality that is very difficult to manufacture and very easy to feel. The architecture is immense and intricate without being cold. The streets are wide but not impersonal. The colour palette is muted in the most beautiful way; cream, stone, grey, iron, with sudden moments of deep green from the parks and gardens that cut through everything like a breath.
In February and March, before the spring tourists arrive, the city has this particular quality of light I've never found anywhere else. It's flat in a cinematic way, the kind of light that makes everything look like a film still. By April and May, there's blossom and warmth creeping in and the whole city softens. Both versions are worth visiting. Both are worth photographing.
But the atmosphere is what gets you first. Vienna feels like somewhere that has been beautiful for a very long time and knows it, but isn't trying to convince you of it. There's a confidence and a melancholy running through the city simultaneously, like the last scene of a film you didn't want to end.
The Spots Worth Knowing:
Burggarten
The Mozart statue is the obvious landmark and yes, it's worth your time, but Burggarten's real treasure is the Schmetterlinghaus, the butterfly house sitting inside a gorgeous art nouveau greenhouse at the edge of the garden. Walking in from the cool outside air into something warm and lush and alive, with butterflies landing on leaves inches from your face, it genuinely stops you. For macro and insect photography it's one of the best natural environments I've found in any city. The light inside is soft and diffused through the glass roof, which means you're not fighting harsh shadows, and the subjects are everywhere. I've come out of there with frames I'm genuinely proud of every single time. Even if you're not shooting macro, it's worth going in just to experience it.
Heldenplatz and Michaelerplatz
These two squares sit close to each other and together make up one of the most architecturally rich parts of the city. Heldenplatz is vast; framed by the Hofburg Palace with equestrian statues that are enormous and striking up close. It's the kind of place where you end up doing a lot of architectural wide shots and then realise the statues deserve their own session entirely; the detail in them is extraordinary and they photograph beautifully as still life subjects. Michaelerplatz sits just around the corner and is more intimate in scale, with the circular layout and the ornate Michaelertor gate giving you strong lines and real character. It's also right next to the Spanish Riding School, and if you're lucky with timing you'll find the Lipizzaner horses outside, I always stop to photograph them. There's something about a white horse against that baroque architecture that feels almost too perfect to be real. Both squares are best early in the morning before the tour groups arrive.
Belvedere Gardens
The formal gardens between the Upper and Lower Belvedere palaces are one of my favourite portrait and couples locations in Vienna. The symmetry and scale of the space give you something grand to work with, and the flower beds in spring add colour and softness that contrast beautifully with the palace architecture. It's one of those locations that works across multiple styles of photography without you having to travel anywhere.
Schönbrunn Palace
Schönbrunn is one of those places that's hard to shoot badly. The scale doesn't fully register until you get lost walking around. I love it for a mix of everything: wide architecture shots, portraits against the palace, the gardens and the zoo, which is one of the oldest in the world and honestly one of my favourite things about the whole visit. Animal photography at Schönbrunn Zoo is something I look forward to every trip. The enclosures are well-designed and there's real variety; I've come away with animal portraits I'm genuinely happy with.
Palais Ferstel
A 19th century palace with a covered shopping arcade and the famous Café Central inside, it sounds like a tourist trap and it is not. The interior is genuinely one of the most beautiful spaces I've been in, anywhere. Vaulted ceilings, warm ambient light, architectural detail that rewards looking closely at every single corner. For portrait photography it's exceptional, the light is flattering, the backdrop is extraordinary, and there's enough going on in the background to add depth without distracting. I've used it for portraits and would love to bring a couple here. It has the kind of atmosphere that makes people relax and look beautiful without trying.
Volksgarten
Volksgarten is one of those spots I always come back to and it doesn't get nearly enough attention as a photography location. The rose garden is the centrepiece, when it's in bloom it's genuinely one of the most beautiful things in the city, all soft pinks and creams against the classical architecture that borders the park. For portrait and couples photography it's exceptional. The roses give you incredible foreground interest and natural colour, the paths and pergolas create structure and framing, and the whole atmosphere is romantic without being ‘too much’. It's quieter than Belvedere and more intimate in scale, which means your subjects relax more easily. If I'm shooting a couple in Vienna, Volksgarten is always on the list.
Prater
I'll be honest, every time I've gone to the Prater I've left my camera behind, because the rides and the atmosphere make carrying it impractical. And every time I've regretted it a little. The Riesenrad, the giant Ferris wheel, is iconic in the best way, beautiful against the sky and full of that slightly nostalgic, faded-fairground quality that I find incredibly compelling to photograph. The Hauptallee, the long tree-lined avenue that runs through the park, is one of the most picturesque walks in the city. I've already decided: next trip, camera comes to the Prater. And I really want to shoot a couples session there, the atmosphere is unlike anything else in Vienna and I think the images would be extraordinary.
Vienna for Couples and Wedding Photographers: Why It Belongs on Your List
Vienna is one of the best cities in Europe for destination couples and wedding photography, and it is still underused.
Paris gets all the attention. Rome gets all the attention. Vienna quietly sits there being arguably more architecturally varied, more manageable in scale, and significantly less photographed-to-death and most photographers haven't caught on yet.
Think about what Vienna offers as a backdrop: imperial palaces, formal gardens, cobblestone quarters, baroque interiors, wide dramatic squares, soft park light, candlelit café interiors, an iconic Ferris wheel. For couples, that range within a single city is extraordinary. You can shoot something grand and epic at Heldenplatz in the morning, something intimate and warm inside Palais Ferstel by afternoon, and something nostalgic and slightly magical at the Prater as the light fades.
For elopements specifically, Vienna is a dream, it has the grandeur of a royal wedding and the atmosphere of a love story at the same time.
I'm based in Malta, but I shoot internationally, and Vienna is a city I will always say yes to.
Four Trips, Three Cameras, More Friends Than I Can Count
Every trip to Vienna has been with different people; sometimes a friend, sometimes a whole group. Which means I've experienced the same city through multiple sets of eyes, at four different moments in my own life, and it's never felt the same twice.
I've also gone through three different cameras across these trips, which tells its own story. The first time I was shooting on a borrowed camera I barely knew how to use. By the fourth trip I was a full-time photographer with my own kit and a much clearer sense of what I was looking for. Vienna has been a constant across all of it the backdrop against which I can actually measure how much has changed.
Vienna waits for you (and I mean that both as a Billy Joel reference and as a genuine observation about the city). It doesn't rush you, it's patient and layered and full of things you keep noticing on the second and third and fourth visit that you somehow missed before. Most places reveal themselves quickly and that's fine; but Vienna keeps something back.
That's probably why it keeps showing up in my work as a reference point. Not because I've shot the most there, but because of how it makes me feel when I'm in it.
Let's Shoot in Vienna
I'm Phoebe, a destination and travel photographer based in Malta. I shoot couples, weddings, portraits, and events across Europe and beyond, and I travel to my clients wherever they are.
If you're planning a trip to Vienna and want to mark it with something real, whether that's an engagement session in the Belvedere Gardens, a couples shoot at the Prater at golden hour, or an elopement somewhere impossibly beautiful, I would love to be there with you.
Vienna is one of those places that deserves to be photographed well. Let me do that for you.
📩 info@photographoebe.com | 🌐 www.photographoebe.com
Based in Malta. Shooting everywhere.
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.
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.
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. 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.