Lake Como Engagement Session in Bellagio

There is something special about having the opportunity to slow down and celebrate your wedding in more than one way. Karina and Tommy eloped in Lake Como, one of Italy’s most beautiful destinations. Their wedding day was about celebrating their love and creating an entire experience together. The day after their unforgettable Villa del Balbianello wedding we met again for a portrait session around Bellagio and Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni. This Lake Como Engagement Session in Bellagio was a chance to capture the newlyweds in a different setting, with a more relaxed beginning followed by elegant portraits that felt timeless and romantic. I loved that we could explore different sides of Lake Como while creating photographs that reflected both the beauty of the destination and the excitement of this new chapter in their lives.

Lake Como Portrait Session

Karina and Tommy’s Italian destination wedding in Lake Como was a dream. With its shimmering water, mountain views, and historic buildings it offered the kind of setting they had been dreaming about. They chose Villa del Balbianello for their wedding ceremony, creating a day filled with beautiful scenery, meaningful details, and timeless photographs. Photography was especially important to Karina and Tommy. They wanted images that would allow them to relive their wedding and share the experience with family and friends back home. That’s why I was so excited when they chose a multi-day photography experience.

Rather than trying to capture everything in a single wedding day, we had another opportunity to create photographs in a more relaxed setting. Their portrait session the following day became a celebration of their marriage, their journey together, and this stunning Italian destination that had already become such a meaningful part of their story.

Exploring the Streets of Bellagio

We began our session wandering through Bellagio, one of the most charming towns along Lake Como. For this first part of the session, Karina and Tommy wore more casual outfits that suited the relaxed atmosphere. We explored the narrow streets, historic architecture, and picturesque corners that make Bellagio such a wonderful place to photograph.

One of our stops was Salita Serbelloni, the famous stepped street lined with colorful buildings, small shops, and inviting storefronts. The more relaxed styling was perfect for this part of the day. The photographs felt effortless and natural, capturing Karina and Tommy as they explored Bellagio and enjoyed this time together as newlyweds.

Elegant Villa Serbelloni Photoshoot

For the second half of our session, we made our way to Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni. Karina and Tommy changed into more formal looks for portraits at this iconic Lake Como property. The shift in styling gave the session an entirely different feel. Tommy wore a light gray suit, while Karina chose a beautiful white dress embroidered with delicate little flowers. Her dress had a soft, romantic quality that complemented the natural landscape and the hotel’s elegant facade. She carried a delicate bouquet of wispy yellow and white flowers with fresh greenery. The subtle color palette felt perfectly suited to the surroundings.    

 Timeless Portraits in Lake Como

When I photograph a destination wedding or portrait session, I want the images to reflect both the couple’s connection and the place where their story unfolded. My approach blends candid moments with romantic portraiture and an editorial touch. I want couples to have photographs that feel polished and thoughtfully composed, but I also want them to remember the experience itself, like the way the light fell across the lake, the charming streets they explored, and the moments they shared between portraits.

Lake Como offers so much natural beauty and we took full advantage of it during their Lake Como Engagement Session in Bellagio. These newlywed photos, along with their wedding portraits, will allow them to look back on this important moment in their lives and relive the memories. Weddings are always filled with so much happiness and love, but a destination wedding adds a whole other layer and added experience. I love that they will have these images to look back on and remember not only their wedding day, but their post-marital bliss as they admired the beauty of Lake Como. 

As a Lake Como photographer, I love creating this kind of experience for couples who want their photographs to capture more than a single event. A multi-day session allows us to explore different locations, incorporate different looks, and tell a more complete story.

Planning A Lake Como Photoshoot

One of the things I love most about destination photography is the opportunity to create an experience that feels personal to each couple. A Lake Como photoshoot can be tailored to your vision, whether you’re celebrating an engagement, marking an anniversary, or planning an elopement or portrait session after your wedding.

For couples traveling to Italy for their wedding, scheduling additional portraits on another day can be especially worthwhile. It gives you more flexibility with locations and styling, allows you to enjoy the experience without the demands of your wedding-day timeline, and creates another opportunity to preserve your memories of the destination. Karina and Tommy’s session was a beautiful example of that. We explored Bellagio, photographed at Grand Hotel Villa Serbelloni, and created a collection of images that complemented their wedding gallery while telling a story of their own.

If you’re dreaming of a Bellagio photoshoot or planning a wedding in Lake Como, I would love to help you create a photography experience that feels true to you while capturing every moment from your special day. Reach out to book your wedding day here in Italy, back in my home state of Florida, or somewhere else around the world)!