Remembering to Play: A Surreal Wedding Styled Shoot

Art is, and always has been, at the core of my wedding photography. And as an artist, sometimes a vision worms its way into my head and I simply can’t shake it. That’s exactly what happened for this surreal wedding styled shoot. I wanted to explore the concept of “too much,” to celebrate an absurd, surreal, and magical world. And I was lucky enough to partner with some amazing creatives who took the vision and ran with it and made it better than I ever imagined.

The inspiration for this project started with the actor, writer, and director Julio Torres (of Los Espookys, Problemista, and “Wells for Boys”). Torres sees the world in a uniquely beautiful and surreal way. I wanted to translate that point of view into a wedding editorial layered with unconventional materials—starting with 2D bridal outfits designed to imitate kinetic paper dolls.

Two women in cardboard wedding outfits standing on a rooftop with the NYC skyline in the background

Organic-shaped mirrors on the ground, reflecting two women in 2D costumes

A woman in a pink cardboard gown shaped like half a lemon and another woman with a cardboard fish tie holding an asparagus cane

Two women jump on a round hotel bed that is surrounded by cardboard clouds

Surreal wedding portraits of two women behind a sheer curtain while red gloved hands hold a cardboard picture frame

The Look

We put our first model, Coco, into a flat, cardboard dress with a half-lemon skirt. Our second model, Liva, wore a 2D dandy-inspired jacket with a fish tie and an asparagus cane. Koren Harpaz, a 2D prop fabricator, built these large-scale wearables for us. Meanwhile, wardrobe stylist Cassadee Hirsch gave these flat silhouettes avant-garde depth. She added 80s-inspired pink puff sleeves for Coco and structured Liva’s look with suit pants and a top hat. This playful intersection of paper and fabric was anchored by sustainable jewelry from Bario Neal, whose architectural rings felt unexpected and intentional.

The beauty team worked wonders in enhancing the vision without overwhelming it. Jane Meng approached the makeup with a focus on natural, seamless beauty, adding subtle details like colorful gemstone freckles on Coco and a heart over Liva’s eyebrow. Similarly, Anthony De Los Santos of DOLO Hair opted for a restrained look that let the sculptural details breathe. Coco’s voluminous waves matched the curves of her cardboard gown while Liva’s structured pixie allowed the focus to stay on their top hat.

Even the nails by Katy Lueck a.k.a. frisky mariska were treated as an abstract extension of the creative vision. We asked ourselves, “Would Julio Torres wear these nails?” and did not rest until the answer was a resounding yes! While Liva’s nails featured over-the-top jewel clusters, Coco’s were longer and monochrome with pearls arranged in coral-like formations. The goal was to elevate the manicure into an editorial sphere, reaching into the sparkly jewels of a childhood craft box to create something that felt “familiar and nostalgic, yet alien.”

A surreal wedding portrait of a two brides gazing at one another while holding a cardboard picture frame

A woman in a top hat with a 2D fish tie has a blue heart over her eyebrow

A surreal wedding portrait of two women in 2D costumes standing against a gray wall

Flowers in front of the face of a woman wearing a top hat

The Setting

We started the shoot on a rooftop in Chelsea with stunning NYC views. The understated backdrop kept the focus on the bold, unorthodox outfits, inviting a sense of play and whimsy in an otherwise bare environment. We eventually transitioned into the retro-futuristic Liberty Suite at The Standard, High Line. Coco switched from the lemon gown to a cocktail dress layered over a button down, while Liva wore an olive suit with a necktie and cravat.

This second half of the shoot was all about environment. We partnered with set designer and prop stylist Rachel Manello to create something atmospheric and peculiar in the best way. She framed the suite’s iconic circular bed with surreal cardboard clouds hung by monofilament to create the “perfect amount of weird.” In a commitment to sustainability, all cardboard elements, including the plates and cups on the table, were upcycled from shipping boxes.

This unorthodox setting was amplified by Esteph Olvera of REARRANGED Floral, whose avant-garde experience blurred the line between reality and illusion. She paired sculptural florals with translucent gelatin forms to bridge the connection between art and object. The tablescape was filled with details that didn’t make sense but still worked together, drawing the eye to each individual detail. The most eye-catching element, however, was the epic castle cake from cake artist Pearlbitez. The cake was an orange blossom olive oil base with pink pearly towers and edible gemstones, perfectly completing our silly, campy, and over-the-top surreal wedding shoot.

Cardboard clouds hanging by string above a round bed in a hotel suite

A woman in an olive pantsuit holds a gold cardboard picture frame around her leg

A woman with 3D nails reaches for a plate of oysters

A table-scape with oysters, a cake shaped like a sandcastle, a paper flower pot, and real red and orange flowers

Two brides cut a sandcastle-shaped wedding cake with edible gemstones

Creative Wedding Photography for Unorthodox Couples

I think we often forget that the goal of art is to play. This surreal wedding photoshoot reminded me of the value of playfulness and experimentation, even—and perhaps especially—in wedding photography. I work best with couples who want to break the mold and create a wedding day tailored to their personal style and story.

If that’s you, and you’re looking for an NYC wedding and elopement photographer who will listen to your vision and capture your love in a genuine way, I would love to work with you. Reach out to tell me about your wedding! I can’t wait to hear about it and see how I can capture your story.