Insights · Next day photo shoot
A wedding day moves fast. There are guests, a schedule, the church, the party. A next day shoot is the day that belongs only to the two of you: no clock, no crowd, the dress and the suit back on, in a place you love.
Greece has some of the most beautiful backdrops in the world for it: white islands, medieval towns, stone villages, lakes and gorges. Here are the destinations we love most, what makes each one special, and what to think about before you choose.
Contents (7)
What is a next day (or after day) photo shoot
It's a couple shoot that takes place after the wedding, usually the next day or within the following weeks. You put your wedding outfits back on and we go somewhere that would never fit into the wedding day itself: an island, a castle, a mountain.
The difference shows in the photos. On the wedding day you're emotional, tired and thinking about everyone else. The day after, you're married, relaxed, and the time is all yours. Nobody is waiting for you. You can let the dress touch the sea, climb a rock, wander down a little street until the sun goes down.
Many couples tell us that the next day photos are the ones that end up on their wall.
Peloponnese and mainland Greece
Monemvasia
A medieval town on a rock in the sea, with a single entrance. Cobbled lanes, arches, stone doorways with bougainvillea, and high in the Upper Town, Agia Sofia above the cliff. Sunset on the walls is one of the most beautiful moments we have ever photographed. See more on our page for Monemvasia.
Mani
Stone tower houses, the little harbour of Limeni, Vathia with its towers on the hill, and sunset at Cape Tainaro, the southern tip of mainland Greece. Mani has something wild and honest about it, perfect for couples who want something different from the white islands. See Mani on our site.
Costa Navarino and Pylos
Olive groves, the horseshoe bay of Voidokilia, the castle of Pylos and sunset over the Ionian Sea. Ideal if your wedding took place in Messinia or if you are staying in the area for a few days afterwards. See the page for Costa Navarino.
Nafplio
The Old Town lanes with their balconies and bougainvillea, Palamidi from above, Bourtzi in the middle of the sea and the Arvanitia promenade at sunset. Nafplio is one of the most romantic towns in Greece, and it is close to Athens. See Nafplio on our site.
Nafpaktos
The Venetian harbour with its two lanterns, the castle on the hill and sunset over the Gulf of Corinth. Nafpaktos is very close to Patras, and we have photographed many couples there. Read our guide to a wedding in Nafpaktos or visit our page for Nafpaktos.
Athens
The Acropolis from Filopappou Hill, the lanes of Plaka and Anafiotika, and sunset at Sounio. A next day in Athens brings history and city life together, and suits couples flying out from there for their honeymoon. See Athens on our site.
Pelion
Cobbled paths, Makrinitsa above Volos, plane trees and stone squares, and on the other side of the mountain the beaches of the Aegean. In Pelion you can have mountains and sea in the same shoot. See the page for Pelion.
Methoni
The Venetian castle stretches down to the sea, and at its tip stands the Bourtzi, a tower on the waves. Stone, arches and sunset over the Ionian. See the page for Methoni.
Gytheio
The port of Laconia, Marathonisi islet with its lighthouse and the Tzanetakis Tower, and a little further on the Dimitrios shipwreck at sunset. See the page for Gytheio.
Cape Tainaro
The southernmost point of mainland Greece. A seaside path leads to the stone lighthouse, for wild, simple images. See the page for Cape Tainaro.
Achaia Clauss
The historic winery above Patras, with stone courtyards, doors made from barrels and views over the Gulf of Patras. It also suits a winter next day. See the page for Achaia Clauss.
Mesolongi
The lagoon with its wooden piers and stilt houses, less than an hour from Patras. Minimal images and one of the most beautiful sunsets in western Greece. See the page for Mesolongi.
Trizonia
The only inhabited island in the Gulf of Corinth, with no cars. A small harbour, sailing boats and calm waters, a few minutes away by boat. See the page for Trizonia.
Mountains and lakes
Zagori and Metsovo
Stone bridges, Papigo, the Vikos Gorge, and snow in winter. If you want photos that look nothing like the usual, Zagori is one of our first suggestions. It also works well for a winter wedding. See the page for Zagori and Metsovo.
Lake Doxa
The little chapel on the lake, the fir trees around it, and colours that change with every season: green in spring, gold in autumn, white in winter. It's a quiet spot close to Achaia, ideal for couples who love nature. See the page for Lake Doxa.
Kalavryta
For those who dream of a wedding dress in the snow. In winter the firs around Kalavryta turn white and the landscape is transformed. See the page for Kalavryta.
Meteora
Giant rocks with monasteries on their peaks. One of the most impressive settings in Greece, ideal for afternoon light and sunset. See the page for Meteora.
Islands
Santorini
The caldera at first light, the white lanes of Imerovigli and sunset over the sea. Santorini is one of the most famous next day destinations, which is why it gets crowded. We often suggest sunrise, when the alleys are empty and the light is soft. See the page for Santorini.
Milos
The moon-like white rocks of Sarakiniko, the colourful syrmata boathouses of Klima and sunset from Plaka Castle. Milos is one of our favourite islands for a next day shoot, because every corner of it is different. See the page for Milos.
Paros
The little harbour of Naoussa, Ekatontapyliani church, the village of Lefkes and the granite rocks of Kolymbithres. Paros has all the beauty of the Cyclades without the intensity of Santorini. See the page for Paros.
Sifnos
Kastro above the sea, the chapel of the Seven Martyrs on the rocks, Chrysopigi and the white villages. Sifnos is quiet, and every one of its chapels is a ready-made backdrop. See the page for Sifnos.
Rhodes
The Street of the Knights, the walls of the Medieval Town, Lindos with its acropolis above the sea and sunset over the Aegean. Rhodes has history in every stone. See the page for Rhodes.
Corfu
The kantounia lanes of the Old Town, the Liston, Pontikonisi and the blue waters of Paleokastritsa. Corfu feels Venetian and green, different from the islands of the Aegean. See the page for Corfu.
Spetses
Dapia, the Old Harbour with its caiques, the mansions and the horse-drawn carriages. Spetses has the elegance of another era, and it is close to Athens. See the page for Spetses.
Ithaca
Pine-covered bays, little chapels by the waves and the green of the Ionian. Ithaca is quiet, ideal for couples who want something more private. See the page for Ithaca.
How to choose the location
- Start with yourselves. A place that means something to you (where you met, or where you got engaged) will always give you more honest photos than the most famous destination.
- Think about the journey. If you are going to an island for your honeymoon, the next day shoot can happen there. If not, somewhere near the wedding is less tiring.
- Choose the time. The best photos happen early in the morning or just before sunset. See the sunset times for every month.
- Think about the season. In July and August the islands are crowded and the sun is harsh. Mountains and lakes are at their loveliest in autumn and winter.
- Ask about permits. At archaeological sites and some monuments, professional photography requires a permit. We check this before we go.
A next day shoot isn't a second wedding shoot. It's the moment you stop, look at each other and take in, just the two of you, what you've just done.
What to wear and what to bring
Your wedding outfits, of course. The dress will get a little dirty, and that is part of the beauty. Bring comfortable shoes for getting around, a light jacket if we are heading to the mountains, water, and whatever you need for a quick touch-up of hair and make-up. You can also change into a second, more casual outfit for a few more photographs.
If you'd like to see how we approach couple shoots before the wedding, read our guide to pre-wedding photo shoots. And for a wedding in the southern Peloponnese, see our guide to Monemvasia and Mani.
For all our destinations, see Explore Greece.
Frequently asked questions about next day photo shoots
When does the next day shoot take place?
Usually the day after the wedding or within the following weeks. We set the date together, depending on the destination and your plans.
How long does it take?
It depends on the destination and how many spots you would like to visit. We decide together when we plan the day.
Do we need to wear our wedding outfits?
Most couples do, because they give the best photos. You are welcome to bring a second outfit too.
Do you travel to the islands for next day shoots?
Yes. We photograph next day sessions all over Greece, from the Peloponnese to the Cyclades, the Dodecanese and the Ionian Islands.
What is the best next day location near Patras?
Nafpaktos with its harbour and castle, Lake Doxa, and for a slightly longer trip, Monemvasia and Nafplio.
Dreaming of a next day shoot in one of these places?
Tell us when your wedding is and where you'd like to go. We'll plan a day that's just for the two of you.
Photographs: Dimitris Stergiou and the studio team