Dominic & Magdalena

Chasing Golden Hours and Real Connections: My Nyang Nyang Beach Photo Session with Magdalena & Dominic
Hey everyone! It’s me, and today I want to share a story about a truly special photo session I had recently with a wonderful couple, Magdalena and Dominic. This wasn’t just another shoot; it was an adventure, a connection, and a beautiful reminder of why I love what I do.

You know how sometimes things don’t go exactly as planned, but they end up being even better? That’s exactly what happened with this session. Initially, we planned to shoot at Thomas Beach, but for various reasons, we decided to switch gears and head to Nyang Nyang Beach. And boy, am I glad we did!

Nyang Nyang is a hidden gem. It has that perfect sunset vibe, and it’s not overly crowded, which is always a plus for intimate shoots. Now, I have to be honest, the path down to the beach is extreme. We’re talking a seriously steep hill! But thankfully, we managed to get a ride with the local ojek guys there, which saved our legs (and my gear!). It’s always an adventure getting to these stunning spots, and that’s part of the fun, right?

When I first met Magdalena and Dominic, I instantly felt a good connection. They were so easy to talk to. Turns out, Dominic is a professional videographer, so we had plenty to chat about — we just clicked! Right from the start, Dominic was clear about what he liked and didn’t like, which actually made my job so much easier. It gave me a clear direction to dig deeper into their story.

What struck me most was how comfortable they were with each other, and with me. They genuinely seemed to enjoy every moment of the session, and there was absolutely no awkwardness. Can you believe they’ve been together for a long time but had never done a proper photo shoot together? So, hiring me to capture their moments in Bali, to hang these memories in their home, felt incredibly special.

Building chemistry with clients is something I really value. For them, it was just like chatting, sharing experiences, and finding common ground. It turned out, Magdalena and Dominic are a lot like my husband and me! Magdalena loves adventure, and Dominic prefers to document their journeys. It was uncanny how similar our dynamics were, and that made the session feel even more personal.

Out of all the beautiful shots we got, there’s one moment that truly stands out for me: when Magdalena ran towards Dominic, and they just embraced. It was so raw and filled with warmth; I could genuinely feel the emotion in that moment. It’s those unplanned, spontaneous moments that often make the best photos, don’t you think? Most of the photos from this session were candid, and that’s why they feel so real — I was simply capturing their true emotions and expressions that day.

My direction for them was pretty simple: just walk, hold hands, soak in the atmosphere of the hill and the beach, and do whatever felt natural. I told them, “Don’t think of this as a formal, stiff photo session. This is your chance to express what you’ve perhaps kept unsaid, to show the feelings you have for each other.” And they did just that, beautifully.

Of course, not everything was smooth sailing. The main challenge we faced was the low tide and cloudy weather. The exposed corals weren’t exactly what they envisioned, as they had hoped for a beach with waves and a gorgeous sunset. But we didn’t let that stop us! We just moved to deeper water, and they absolutely loved it. It reinforced what I always believe: the scenery is just a beautiful enhancer; the real story is always about them.

Finishing the session, I felt a mix of emotions: happy, satisfied, and a good kind of tired. Seeing the results, all that effort truly paid off. My biggest hope for these photos is that they bring so much joy to Magdalena and Dominic. And that someday, when they look back at these images, they’ll remember all the wonderful experiences they had in Bali. Most importantly, I hope these photos strengthen their connection, making them feel even more intertwined and truly happy together.

This shoot definitely represents my style as a photographer: I love capturing candid moments and focusing on the natural emotions and expressions of my clients. It’s about telling their story, authentically.

Until the next adventure!