Photography for couples who want to

feel their memories again and again

Documentary style

weddings & elopements

on film and digital.

Vida Petrou,

Wedding and elopement photography for couples who value connection, emotion, and storytelling — based in NYC, Upstate, and available for destinations worldwide.

Weddings

Your wedding day should feel like you—joyful, real, and beautifully imperfect. From getting ready with your closest people to a packed dance floor under the stars, I’ll document your story as it organically unfolds. Every smile, tear, and hug captured so when you look back, you’ll feel it all over again.

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Elopements

Choosing to elope is about celebrating your love in a way that’s honest, intimate, and completely yours. From saying your vows at city hall to sharing the moment with a few close friends and family members, you’ll get timeless photos of the laughter, the hugs, and the connection that makes your day mirror your love.

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Engagement & Couples Sessions

No two love stories are the same. Each has its own rhythm, quirks, and magic—and your photos should reflect that. Maybe we stop by the bar where you had your first date, grab a slice at your favorite pizza spot, cozy up at home with coffee, or wander your neighborhood at golden hour. Wherever feels like your love is where the magic happens.

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What My Clients are Saying

  • A bride and groom on their wedding day standing outdoors in front of the altar and the bride is holding a bouquet.

    “Vida is exactly who you’d want photographing your wedding, or any event really. She did an amazing job at our wedding and shooting our engagement and proposal, too! She has a wonderful eye and is very creative and most importantly, she has the most relaxed and direct energy that is perfect for a big day. She’s an expert at what she does including the post production and I wouldn’t trust anyone else!”

    Sara & Nate

  • A film photograph of a Bride and groom walking hand in hand in Central Park surrounded by green trees.

    "Vida photographed our wedding in June in NYC, and we couldn’t be happier with the photos! She has such a talent for capturing candid moments that truly tell the story of the day, and she makes you feel completely comfortable in front of the camera. The pictures feel both nostalgic and timelessly classy. We couldn’t have asked for a better photographer to capture such an important day. Highly recommend Vida!"

    Zana & Visar

  • Engagement photos taken in the New York Public Library of a romantic couple dancing on a grand staircase in an elegant building with arched ceilings and a large window in the background.

    "Vida did an unbelievable job of making our engagement shoot vision come to life. She arrived early and scouted the location to ensure we got every possible option. Vida is so easy to work with and the whole experience was seamless. Our photos are both fun and timeless. I cannot recommend her enough!"

    Mia & John

  • Two men dressed in beige suits kiss in front of a waterfall and lush green tropical plants.

    "We couldn’t have imagined our wedding being captured more beautifully than through Vida's lens. She shoots entirely on film, and there’s something so timeless and magical about the way her work captures light, just as our eyes see it, but with a whimsical twist that makes every image feel like a memory you can step back into. Every photo she took feels alive, full of warmth, emotion, and the kind of magic that can’t be staged. She has this rare gift of making you feel completely at ease, and that comfort shows in every candid smile and tender glance. Our photos are more than just pictures, they’re a story, told softly and beautifully. We’ll treasure them forever. If you want your memories captured with heart, artistry, and soul, we can’t recommend Vida enough."

    Mark & Felipe

Something special I like to do…

Film is always included.

Film allows your memories to be preserved in a way that is inherently personal and bespoke to you. The soft texture, natural grain, and gentle warmth give each image an emotional depth that digital alone can’t replicate. By blending both digital and analog formats, your gallery becomes a timeless, artful reflection of your love story — a collection that feels as authentic and unique as you are.

You won’t find many photographers who offer 35mm and medium format film without charging an additional cost, but the truth is, film is my love language, and I can’t imagine shooting your special day without it. 

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The Philosophy

Your story matters, and how it’s told matters just as much.


The best photos happen when you can simply be yourselves. When you’re free to simply be yourselves, that’s when the magic unfolds — in the quiet glances, the spontaneous laughter, and the way your hands find each other without thinking. Through gentle direction and a calm presence, I create space for those real, unscripted moments to shine through.

The result? Photographs that feel genuine, alive, and a true reflection of your love

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Three black-and-white photos of a woman with curly hair, glasses, and a striped shirt, taking different poses with a camera, holding and wearing it in various ways.

Hi, I’m Vida!

When you work with me, you’re not just hiring a photographer — you’re getting a hype woman, a problem solver, and a trusted companion.

From thoughtfully helping you plan your photography timeline to making sure you both feel comfortable and beautiful in front of the camera, my goal is to make the entire experience feel easy, relaxed, and genuinely joyful.

Every emotion — the laughter, the nerves, and the quiet tenderness will be captured with care so that when you look back, you can truly feel the day all over again. Your photographs become a reflection of your connection, a warm reminder of how your love felt in every instant.

Get to Know Me Better

A wedding scene with a bride and groom kissing, surrounded by smiling family and friends.
People gathered outside a small church for an outdoor event during sunset.
A couple dancing and holding hands outside a building during an evening event, surrounded by guests and warm lighting.
A woman in a wedding dress with a veil and sunglasses, smiling outdoors during the day, with trees and umbrellas in the background.
A bride and groom are dancing at their wedding reception, surrounded by guests clapping and watching.
People celebrating at a wedding reception, with a woman in a white wedding dress raising her arms and smiling, surrounded by guests dancing under string lights at night.
Nighttime outdoor gathering under string lights hanging from trees, with people socializing and sitting at tables on a grassy area.
A wedding ceremony with the bride, groom, and guests celebrating indoors. The bride is hugging a guest, and the groom is smiling with hands clasped. Guests are clapping and watching the moment.
A young boy holding hands with a man in a light gray suit and a woman in a wedding dress during an outdoor wedding ceremony, with guests seated at tables in the background and trees in the distance.
A man and woman are kissing, both wearing sunglasses and formal attire; the man is in a tuxedo with a bow tie, and the woman has wavy blonde hair and is wearing a sleeveless dress.
A group of people inside a church, including a young girl in a white dress with a flower crown, a woman in a black dress helping her, and other adults in formal attire, with the church's ornate wooden furnishings and warm lighting in the background.
A bride and groom smiling and holding hands on a rooftop with a city skyline background.
A woman in a wedding dress and a man in a suit smiling outdoors in front of the Empire State Building in New York City on a cloudy day.
A man in a black suit and a woman in a white dress holding hands inside a marble architectural space with curved walls and columns.
A couple standing closely face to face, surrounded by flowers, with a stone wall and window behind them.
A couple's hands with wedding rings touched together, with a pond and tall grass in the background.
A newlywed bride and groom holding hands and waving as they exit a church. The bride is holding a bouquet of white flowers, and both are smiling.
A person dressed as a bride walking on a city sidewalk during the daytime, wearing a white wedding gown and veil, with tall buildings, cars, and pedestrians visible in the background.
Crowd gathering at a wedding outside a small white chapel with a dome, surrounded by greenery, captured through a leafy arch at dusk.
Two men standing close together, gazing into each other's eyes in front of a building with a sign that reads "Office of the Clerk," in New York City.
Close-up of a newly married couple's hands holding a bouquet of colorful flowers, with visible wedding rings on their fingers.
A bride and groom sharing a kiss on a balcony with city skyscrapers in the background.
People wedding celebration overlooking a bay with trees and distant hills, some of them are talking and others are taking pictures near tables decorated with flowers.

Capturing stunning photos of you two is not all I do. I also:

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Help plan your photography timeline, ensuring that we get all the shots you want without compromising on you two being present on the day.

Natural guidance — no awkward posing, just relaxed and organic direction when needed.

Travel near and far to capture love stories, with travel included in your rate, so there’s no hidden costs.

Deliver your full gallery within 4-6 weeks. Most photography contracts state an 8+ week turnaround time. With this shorter timeframe, you get to see your photos sooner and relive the day while it’s fresh without waiting for months.

Provide a thoughtful and inclusive experience, welcoming of all backgrounds, identities, and love stories. 

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Some favorites of Amy and Parker on 35mm and medium format film 💌 After eloping in Brooklyn, Amy and Parker wanted to celebrate the day in the most meaningful way they could imagine, with their adorable pets Nolan and Margot right by their side. We
HIGHLY recommend taking photos with your cat and dog to commemorate your elopement 🥰 After eloping in Brooklyn, Amy and Parker wanted to document their day with their insanely cute pets, Nolan and Margot, in Carl Schurz Park on the Upper East Side
More of Nell and Laz because there are just too many adorable shots, I can’t keep them all to myself Fall was peaking and Central Park was putting on the prettiest display that afternoon. Getting to photograph these two in the park's beauty m
A little autumnal rom-com vibe for your feeds this evening 🍂 Nell and Laz brought the sweetest energy to Central Park. Fall was showing off in every direction, trees glowing, leaves literally falling all around us, and the park felt like a scene y
From the moment Mark and Felipe arrived at the Sunken Gardens, the day simply radiated joy. Every detail was intentional and full of heart, from the homemade traditional wedding cake that both families collaborated on, to the heartfelt toasts that di
A solo photo post from Mark and Felipe’s wedding because it's one of my favorites of the day 🥰 . Their intimate wedding was the kind that takes your breath away when you enter the space. The magic of Sunken Gardens in Tampa hits you immediatel
Mark and Felipe wandered through the lush Sunken Gardens before their wedding and gave me the privilege of tagging along to document it. We took our time exploring, laughing, getting lost in the jungle maze, and capturing portraits that felt like the
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