Theatre of Real Life

About Theatre of Real Life

Natalya and Denis are editorial wedding photographer and videographer, who capture the modern romance of your day.

We are a Germany based couple that named our business “Theatre of Real Life”, and we work mixing the documentary approach with art, fashion, and a cinematic feel to our craft. With Natalya’s degree in art and design, and her trained creative eye, she always adds an artistic flare to every image she captures. Denis has experience in documentary film making, and in playing music with a band, which help him create an atmospheric, music driven documentary film that’s uniquely yours.

Film

Behind The Brand

What draws you to wedding photography?

We are fascinated by family connections – we will tell your big day’s story through it’s reflection in your parent’s loving eyes, through joy of the children, the many hugs and kisses of your loved ones, and the tears and meaningful gazes from your guests during the ceremony. We will be “a fly on the wall” – unobtrusive and almost invisible, as we are here to capture every pure authentic moment that is unfolding in front of us. But of course we don’t just shoot candids – even in reportage for us is very important the moment when the clients look their best – flattering light, camera angle, artistic composition – each element is very important for us. Because of it our slogan is “Theatre of Real Life. Reality, But Better”. And that’s what drives us in photography – to capture this decisive moment, which the couple is looking for.

How would you describe your photography style?

Artistic, documentary with fashion touch, editorial, minimalist, classic and at the same time modern. Our main focus is on black and white photography – we love light and shadows, chiaroscuro, geometry, bold framing, dynamic fashion driven compositions.

What inspires you creatively?

We are inspired by movie aesthetics, our pictures look often not like photos, but like film stills. We are inspired by classic b&w Vogue fashion photographers like Horst Horst, Richard Avedon and more contemporary Peter Lindbergh, by reportage and documentary photography by Henry Cartier-Bresson, but we also love to include into our galleries a few images speaking modern photography language (direct flash, unsharp pictures of movement and blurry ones transferring feelings and emotions).

What is it that makes an image magical?

Natalya studied art, design and art history at university. Once she wrote an art historian text about art of portrait in early Netherlandish painting. The in-depth analysis of works of Jan van Eyck, Rogier van der Weyden and other painters of the period gave her inspiration and deeper understanding of a great portrait – it is never a depiction of the outer appearance, it is a depiction of the inner world. That’s what Natalya in her work calls “existential portrait” – and it’s a reflection of great and deep connection between a photographer and a model built on trust. The portrait it is not only about the model, it is also about the photographer. Something that is happening in between them. This way something magical can be pictured – something what is not even seen for our eye, but is visible for the camera.

What advice would you give couples when selecting their wedding photographer?

Book a non-binding discovery call, talk to him/her, find out if you are at the same page. It is a good connection what is important for candid in-depth portraits – let the photographer into your world. Don’t think it is just an anonymous vendor who is recommended by a planner – meet the person, build a connection, became friends – at least for this day. And the magic will happen.

Your dream location to shoot a wedding?

Of course, we have our preferences, but actually, the exact location is not so important. It should have great inside and outside area, contrast light and shadows, not too much decor, more minimalist, with distinct areas of light and darkness, so we could tell your documentary story of the big day in a way that painters of Barock would do. We think that high contrasts, highlighting the most important elements and hiding everything else in the shadows is a great way to tell stories about strong emotions – and that’s what the wedding day is about.

Editor’s Notes

Why we love them…

Natalya and Denis are making their mark in Europe as the duo behind Theatre of Life. As their name suggests, this photographer and videographer team can bottle your wedding memories into a romantic movie and a stunning collection of photographs. As though spilling from a magazine, their work is both personal, romantic, and editorial.

For the couple…

Looking to immortalize your wedding day in cinematic style? Natalya and Denis bring a blend of intimacy and editorial to every project, ensuring that your special moments are captured with artistry. Theatre of Life creates wedding memories that you will treasure forever.