Stunning Pre-Wedding session at Hagar Qim

After months of postponing several weddings and pre-wedding shoots (including this one due to bad weather), I am so excited to finally share a few of my favorites from the first pre-wedding session of the year!

When I asked Annalise & Terence if they had a location in mind for their pre-wedding, they immediately mentioned Hagar Qim and Imnajdra, overlooking Filfla. Although I live close by, for some reason I have never been. I am so glad they suggested this location, and we had a great sunset to top it all off!

Pre-Wedding Session at Mdina & Dingli Cliffs | Sheriseann & Warren

It was great to be shooting again, and I was really excited to photograph Sheriseann and Warren’s pre-wedding session. They chose Mdina to start of the session, and we then headed off to Dingli cliffs to capture some portraits during sunset.

Can’t wait for your wedding in December!

Rachael & Mark's Wedding

I met Rachael and Mark last January, and I go to hear all about their wedding plans. Like many other couples that were affected this year due to the pandemic, Rachael and Mark had to modify their plans for the day. Of course, this did not stop them from having a truly special and intimate wedding day, that they share with their closest family and friends. We even managed to live-stream the wedding ceremony to Rachael’s family in the UK who couldn’t make it to the wedding due to the current restrictions.

Below are some of my favourites during the day…

Photography: Matthew Calleja Photography

Florist: Flower Arts

Wedding Dress: Alamango Bridal Wear

Groom’s Suit: The Groom

Deborah & Joseph's Wedding

COVID-19 hit the wedding industry hard. Most 2020 weddings were postponed to 2021 and many couples had to wait an extra year to experience what would have been the best day of their life! Thankfully, things seem to be getting better, so Deborah and Joseph decided to have a small intimate ceremony and a photoshoot at their favourite locations, Kuncizzjoni and Torri L-Ahmar.

Pre-Wedding at Ghar Lapsi

Just like many other couples, Katherine and Bernard had to postpone their wedding to next year due to the current COVID-19 pandemic. In order to commemorate their original wedding day, we decided to head out to Ghar Lapsi for a ‘pre-wedding’ photoshoot. Although the weather was not co-operating, we still managed to get some great shots of the couple! Really enjoyed this photoshoot, after a couple of inactive weeks, and can’t wait for the wedding season to be in full swing again!

Hope you love the photos as much as I do, and stay safe!

Bridal Styled Shoot

WOW is all I can say! Such an incredible wedding styled shoot to be a part of. Really enjoyed working with such talented people.

All vendors that were part of this shoot can be found at the bottom of this post.

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Special thanks to all of the below!

Photography - Matthew Calleja Photography

Organisation and Setup - Golden Edge Event Services

Bridal Bouquet - Romano Cassar Florists

Clothes - Natasha's His and Hers

Makeup by Bernice Kerr - Kerr Cosmetics

Hair by Mike Carabott - Style lounge "Hair salon"

Jewellery - Tesor Jewellery & Gifts

Female model - Donna Micallef

Male model Romario Barbara - 4EverFit

Makeup stool by Biocare Academy

Justine & Julian's Pre-Wedding at Ghajn Tuffieha

Just loved every minute during Justine and Julian’s pre-wedding at Ghajn Tuffieha. We had great golden hour light, an epic sunset and to top it all off, Justine and Julian were naturals in front of the camera. I just can’t wait to photograph their wedding in a few weeks!

Here are some of my favourites from the shoot..

Why you should get your wedding album printed

It’s no secret. Wedding photography is a considerable investment as part of your wedding budget. But are you getting the full value out of your wedding photography? In this day and age, everything has gone digital, and as we all know, technology moves very fast.

I believe that you should enjoy your wedding photos, rather than having them buried on some old hard drive somewhere. Your wedding photos are one of the very few things you will get to keep from your wedding (apart from your partner of course!).

Unfortunately, not all couples decide to have their wedding album designed and printed. Copying the photos from one pen drive to another is convenient, but the truth is that most couples either lose their JPEGs or never look at them again.

With all this in mind, I am sharing some reasons why I believe it is 100% worthwhile to invest in a wedding album.

It’s an incredible shared experience with each other, and with family and friends

I’d like to think that when friends and family come over, you will be excited to sit down and share the experience together. Not only this, but having your album within reach on the coffee table, or a shelf in the living room, it will be much easier to pick it up and relive the memories of your wedding day.

There’s nothing quite like seeing your photos in print

I’m pretty sure friends of yours have shown you their holiday or wedding photos on their phone, where you just simply scroll and scroll until the end in a few seconds, without truly appreciating what you were looking at. On the contrary, we become more connected to tangible things once we have been able to touch or hold them in our own hands. Seeing your photos is nice of course, but there is no comparison in the emotional response we feel when flipping through pages of an album.

Your wedding is a unique story

An album is designed to tell your wedding story the way it was intended, something that digital files cannot replicate. Printing your album will allow you to relive the wedding day, from the early hours of the day getting ready at your parent’s house, to the cutting of the cake at the end of the reception.

Printing is safer than storing JPEGs

Remember Hi5 and MySpace? Social platforms change and sometimes, become extinct. Even if you were to upload all your wedding photos to Facebook, how often would you spend time with your family to look at them?

Just a few years ago, everything and anything was stored on CD drives. Pretty sure that you haven’t used a CD in years. I certainly haven’t. Who knows what storage devices we will have in a few years? Truth be told, receiving your photos digitally online is very fast and convenient, that is why it has become the norm nowadays among wedding photographers. However, not all photographers keep their galleries open forever, which is another reason to have your photos printed. It is also very easy to misplace a pen drive or an external drive.

To top it all off, JPEGs quality deteriorate over time, especially when making duplicates of the same image, or changing their location.

Wonderful as gifts

What better way to thank members of your family (i.e parents!) for helping out at your wedding, than with an album. Mini duplicate albums which are smaller copies of your main album are available and I think they are the perfect gift!

Albums Are meant to be enjoyed by future generations

When you receive your wedding album, you are the ones that will get to enjoy it first. But wedding albums are also designed to be enjoyed by all of your family, both present and future. If you have seen photos or an old album of your grandparents, then you know how special they are. Imagine your children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren being able to sift through your wedding album many years down the line. It’s a powerful thing that connects people.

This is why the albums I provide will stand the test of time, and they will last decades, not years.

Professionally designed and laid-out, and printed in high quality

There are many options out there, with different price points. As you might understand, a wedding album is an investment, but definitely worthwhile!

It’s a time-consuming process to design a professional album from start to finish, but very rewarding. It is something I take very seriously, and make sure that you are 100% satisfied before the design leaves for print.

I truly believe that there is no better way to relive your wedding day than with a wedding album.

For more information about the wedding albums that I offer, you can have a look here, or if you would like to ask any further questions, simply reach out, I would be more than happy to help.

Monika & Greg - Mdina Honeymoon Photo Shoot

Monika and Greg got married in mid-November and wanted to celebrate their honeymoon in Malta. They got in touch a couple of months ago to organise a photo session, and I was honoured that they chose me to document their time here.

We decided to explore Mdina for that old-city look, and then head off to Dingli cliffs at sunset to show off some of the best landscapes Malta has to offer. Monika and Greg were both so easy going and we had such a great time exploring the city.

Here are some of my favourites from the photo-shoot…

Our time at Mdina was over, so we headed to Dingli cliffs just in time for sunset!

Laura & Daniel's Wedding

I met Laura and Daniel back in May 2018, and we instantly hit it off. I was so honoured to be a part of their special day, and simply had a wonderful time at their wedding.

Photography: Matthew Calleja Photography, Wedding Venue: Palazzo Nobile, Caterer: Mannarinu, Band: Mark Spiteri Lucas, Wedding Cars/Coach: Peppin, Groom’s Suit: Natasha His and Hers, Florist: Romano Cassar

Big congrats to the newlyweds!

Our Self-Shot Pre-Wedding Photoshoot

It was time for Jennifer (my Fiancee) and myself to be in front of the camera this time, not the other way around. For some reason, I decided to shoot our own pre-wedding. I researched a bit online and found that there were a few other photographers that did shoot their own pre-wedding. Being the first time I attempted something like this, I was unsure if the photos would actually turn out how I envisioned them.

Now you might be thinking how I managed to take the photos, and be in them simultaneously. This is were a tripod and a timer within the camera comes handy :)

At the end, we were both really happy with the results, and the photos actually turned out better then I ever expected them to. Sharing some of our favourites below…

The final two images are definitely two of my all time favourites…and not just because we are in them :)

Maria Angela & James - Mdina and Sliema Pre-Wedding

Sharing a few shots from Maria and James’ pre-wedding. March is one of the best months of the year to have a pre-wedding shoot. The weather is perfect, and most locations are not yet crowded.

Since Maria and James are getting married at the Olive Gardens, overlooking Mdina, it was only natural to have their pre-wedding at Mdina. We also finished the shoot off with some sunset shots at Sliema (how to pick your pre-wedding location).

If you are still undecided whether you should have a pre-wedding shoot, here are 6 reasons why you should definitely have one.

Tips for choosing your perfect Pre Wedding Photo-shoot location in Malta

You are now engaged, picked a great photographer (wink wink) and decided to have the pre-wedding session as part of your wedding experience. Congrats!! Now the next step is deciding on a location for you engagement photoshoot.

As a wedding photographer, a very popular question that I get asked very frequently is “Where should we have our pre-wedding session?" I have some general tips and guidelines to help you along the way. Otherwise, if you are still on the fence whether you should have a pre-wedding photo shoot in the first place, read this post in my client resources page.

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Choose a location that suits you

Probably, the first thing that comes to mind when you are brainstorming a photo shoot location is to pick a pretty place at sunset. To be honest, you can’t really go wrong with this tactic. Malta is full of beautiful locations, and the great weather always helps. However, if you want a little extra personality in your photos, I always encourage my clients to pick a location that has some kind of significance to their relationship. Love going to the beach? Head over to Ghajn Tuffieha Bay for a beach photo shoot in Spring or Autumn. Love staying inside? Consider an in-home lifestyle session showing the two of you cooking a meal together. Basically, make it your own! The possibilities are endless.

When opting for 2 locations, pick carefully

Engagement shoots that I offer consist of one or two locations of your choice, and last for two hours. A suggestion that helps a lot in gaining the most out of your pre-wedding shoot, is to pick locations that are in close proximity to each other. This way, we don't waste precious time driving to and from locations.

try to avoid busy locations

It's important to be mindful of locations that are busy during the weekends, or at certain seasons of the month. As you would expect, the beaches in summer in Malta are always busy, whatever the day of the week. As the wedding season in Malta is busiest during the summer, if you would like your pre-wedding to be at the beach, it would be a good idea to plan your session during spring instead to avoid the crowds. Sometimes, however, in public places, you can expect to run into some people. I can assure that this is completely normal, and my job as a photographer is to time the photos at the right moment.

If this doesn't sound like your thing, we can discuss other locations. A small quiet park or garden, or even an in-home session are great alternatives. Either way, I'm sure that we can find a great location that you will be happy with.

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List your interests and hobbies

When picking a location for your shoot, it generally makes it much easier if you sit down with your significant other, and list down what you love doing. This gets the creative juices flowing, and will most surely come up with ideas and suitable locations. Doing something you both love doing will result in more genuine and natural photos, that you will surely love.

Finally, a list of tried and tested locations in malta

• Mdina

• Buskett

• Sliema (opposite Valletta)

• Chinese Gardens

• Victoria Lines

• Gnejna Bay

• Ghajn Tuffieha / Golden Bay

• Fomm ir-Rih

• Ghar Lapsi

• Valletta

….and many more not listed or have yet to explore!

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With all this in mind and a little bit of planning, rest assured, you will have an incredible pre-wedding photo shoot. For more wedding photography related resources, head over to the client resources page or click below.

6 REASONS WHY YOU SHOULD DEFINITELY BOOK YOUR PRE-WEDDING SESSION

Today I am excited to be sharing the first in a series of ‘everything you need to know about wedding photography’ posts. There is a lot to discuss in this topic, pre-wedding photo shoot ideas, getting ready tips, what to wear and much more.

Congrats! If you are reading this, you are probably newly engaged and planning your wedding. One of the first things in the process is booking a photographer. If you are still on the fence about having your pre-wedding photos taken, here are 6 reasons why I think you should definitely get them taken.

1. Getting to know your photographer

Think of your pre-wedding photo shoot as a test run. During your session, the photographer will take note of your personalities, preferences, and how you interact with each other. This will help them capture moments during the day that are unique to just the two of you. Remember that your photographer is not just someone who will be clicking the camera during the wedding. Your wedding photographer will be a person that will be with you throughout the WHOLE day, capturing special details and most of all, recording one of the most important days of your life. My clients quickly become friends, and this makes it a whole lot easier (and much more fun!) to capture amazing images throughout the day. Having someone you both feel comfortable with is a huge advantage.

2. practice makes perfect

Let’s be honest, unless you are a model, you are probably not used to having professional photos of you taken. Where should I look? What should I do with my hands? If you are one of those people that gets anxious in front of the camera, a pre-wedding photo shoot is a great way to calm those nerves. You will get a taste of how your wedding photos will look like, and this will help you feel much more relaxed on your wedding day.

3. get a taste of your wedding photos

Wedding photography is a major investment. You will have seen galleries of your photographer’s work, but only after the wedding will you get a chance to see the finished product. A pre-wedding session is an amazing way to get a ‘sneak peek’ and will give you a clearer sense of what to expect from your photographer. After you see the beautiful portraits the photographer has created for you during the pre-wedding, you can relax and rest assured that you will love your wedding photos as well.

4. Hair and Make-up trial

This one is solely for the brides. Combining the hair and make-up trial is a great way to put to test your wedding look. This will also give you the chance to see if you are happy with the look, and discuss any modifications you may want before the wedding.

5. Use the photos for the wedding, and at your home

This is an excellent reason for having pre-wedding photos taken. You can use the photos for your guestbook, thank you cards, at the reception, the list goes on and on. More importantly, a fabulous use for your favourite photo from the session would be to hang it somewhere prominent at your home, so you can see it every day.

6. It's a fun date!

With all that goes on around us in our hectic lives, sometimes it is just hard to find time for just the two of you. During your pre-wedding shoot, you can relax and just focus on each other. In fact, your photos will turn out so much better if you are truly enjoying the time that you are spending together.

Convinced yet? I hope that you are! Pre-wedding sessions are one of my favourite things to photograph, and I would love for every couple to have one.

Intimate Summer Wedding at Palazzo Nobile

I have always wanted to photograph a small intimate wedding. Codie and Steve planned their wedding in the best way possible. Fun, laid back, and with their closest family and friends to celebrate their special day.

It was a Thursday afternoon in August, and as you expect in Malta, the sun was shining all around. Codie and Steve also wanted to have a touch of Maltese tradition in their wedding. The groom and guests travelled from DB Seabank Hotel to Palazzo Nobile with a traditional Maltese yellow bus, and later in the evening, the day was topped off with an incredible fireworks display during the cake cutting. It was the perfect setting for a British couple having their wedding in Malta.

Enough talk, check out their amazing day below….

Big congrats to the newlyweds!

Wedding Venue : Palazzo Nobile Naxxar | Florist : Romano Cassar Florists | Getting Ready Hotel : DB Seabank Resort | Catering : Caffe Cordina | DJ & Sound : DJ Mobile Beats

Maria & Slavs - Post Wedding Honeymoon Shoot

Maria & Slavs approached me as they were planning their honeymoon in Malta, and wanted a photoshoot to document their time here on the island. We agreed on two beautiful locations that capture the essence of Malta, Valletta for the heritage and architecture, and Ghar Lapsi for those epic sea and cliff views at sunset. They are such a fun couple to be around, and incredibly easy to photograph!

From the start of the shoot, I immediately realised that this was going to be an epic shoot. Maria and Slavs were incredibly easy to photograph, and we had so much fun wondering the streets of Valletta.

After exploring the streets of Valletta, we decided to head over to Ghar Lapsi in time for sunset. We were in for a treat!

As a wedding and couples photographer in Malta, I am lucky to be blessed with great weather and sunsets, as you can see in some of my favourite images below. It was my first time shooting in Ghar Lapsi, and will definitely return here as the location is perfect for sunset shoots.

And obviously, we had to end with an epic sunset shot overlooking the Ghar Lapsi cliffside.