Ready to start planning your dream photoshoot in Italy?
In October, I photographed an editorial-style engagement photoshoot in Italy that felt intimate, timeless, and deeply rooted in real life. Set in Veneto, in Ponzano near Treviso, this session with Giovanni and Jillian unfolded naturally inside his historical family home — a place filled with memories, light, and generations of love.
This engagement shoot marks the beginning of a journey that will continue in June 2026, when I’ll photograph their wedding at the elegant Villa Selvatico in Padova, one of the most iconic Italian villa wedding venues in northern Italy.
What Is an Editorial Style Engagement Photoshoot?
An editorial style engagement photoshoot is inspired by fashion editorials and storytelling imagery rather than traditional posing. The focus is on atmosphere, movement, and emotion — capturing how a couple naturally interacts within a beautiful setting.
Instead of stiff poses or forced smiles, editorial engagement photos feel effortless, cinematic, and timeless. Locations play a key role, which is why Italy — with its historic villas, countryside homes, and soft natural light — is the perfect backdrop for this style.
An editorial engagement photoshoot in Italy allows couples to experience the day as it unfolds, creating images that feel refined yet deeply personal, as if they belong in the pages of a magazine while still telling a real love story.
A Love Story That Started in the US and Led Back to Italy
Giovanni and Jillian met in the United States, where Giovanni had moved to study and build his career. His passion for finance took him from California State University to Yale University, and later to Hult International Business School, where he specialized in finance and international business.
What began as an academic journey quickly became a life abroad — first in Boston, then in Nashville, where the couple now lives.
They met at the office, and Giovanni fell for Jillian almost instantly. She’s beautiful, confident and grounded, and he pursued her with intention and patience. Once they were together, everything felt effortless — as if they had always been meant to find each other.
Editorial Engagement Photoshoot in Veneto, Near Treviso
Italy was the only possible place for Giovanni’s proposal. During a Christmas trip with his family in Ponzano, Treviso, he asked Jillian to marry him — surrounded by the places that shaped his childhood and family traditions.
That same location became the setting for their editorial engagement photoshoot in Veneto.
We met for an afternoon in the sun, moving slowly between the garden, the kitchen, and the piano room. The intention was to capture a lifestyle engagement session in Italy — something real, emotional, and elegant, without forced poses.
Their family dogs joined us too (they have two), adding movement and authenticity to the images. The result is a session that feels editorial yet deeply personal: quiet moments, soft light, genuine connection.
This is what I love most about editorial engagement photoshoots in Italy — they tell a story, not just how things looked, but how they felt.
From a Family Home to Villa Selvatico, Padova
Giovanni and Jillian initially dreamed of getting married at his family’s historical home, where generations before them had celebrated their weddings. But with a larger guest list and many guests traveling from the US, they chose Villa Selvatico in Padova as the perfect venue.
Nestled in the Euganean Hills near Padova, Villa Selvatico is one of the most fascinating historic wedding venues in Veneto. Dating back to the 1600s, the villa is a masterpiece of Venetian architecture, originally built as a noble residence and later enriched with elegant frescoes, Italian gardens, and panoramic terraces overlooking the countryside.
What makes Villa Selvatico truly special for couples getting married in Italy is its balance between history and versatility: grand indoor spaces for refined receptions, expansive outdoor areas perfect for symbolic ceremonies or aperitivi, and a timeless atmosphere that feels both regal and welcoming. For destination couples traveling from the US, Villa Selvatico offers everything in one place — beauty, accessibility, and an unmistakable sense of Italian elegance — making it an ideal setting for a destination wedding in Veneto that feels unforgettable for both the couple and their guests.
Their wedding in June 2026 will bring together everything that defines them: family, travel, intention, and a love that crossed an ocean.
Why Choose an Editorial Engagement Photoshoot in Italy
An editorial engagement photoshoot in Italy is perfect for couples who want more than traditional engagement photos. It’s about atmosphere, movement, and storytelling — inspired by real life and beautiful locations.
Veneto, Treviso, and Padova offer incredible settings for this kind of session: historical villas, countryside homes, soft light, and timeless architecture.
Giovanni and Jillian’s engagement shoot felt like a preview of their wedding day — natural, elegant, and deeply emotional. I can’t wait to continue telling their story at Villa Selvatico next summer.
Planning an Editorial Engagement Photoshoot in Italy?
If you’re dreaming of an editorial engagement photoshoot in Italy, especially in Veneto, I’d love to help you create something timeless and meaningful — wherever your story begins.
