Golden light, tall grass, a hillside that seemed to stretch on forever. Photographer Lesya Abbakumova shot Anna and Anton here, on both film and digital, without much of a plan at all. No concept, no script — just two people and an open field. It felt less like a shoot and more like eavesdropping on something quiet and unrehearsed.
Where the Wind Set the Pace
The mood took shape gradually, favoring something soft and atmospheric over anything staged. Lesya cites a subtle nod to Wuthering Heights — not literal, but felt in tone: windswept, introspective, a sense of intimacy set against a vast landscape. Natural light and open space did most of the work, letting the pace of the session follow the terrain itself. The wind, the light, and the hills all became part of the story, shaping how the two of them paused and moved together.
Before the Next Chapter
Anna and Anton have a natural, easy way with each other — the kind of closeness that doesn’t need much direction. Lesya had photographed the couple before, on an earlier love story session, and that shared history showed. They moved slowly through the hills, pausing often, leaning into each other, sometimes laughing quietly between frames.
As Lesya put it, “There was a moment when they completely forgot about the camera. They were laughing, holding each other, and everything around them felt very quiet.”
Within a week of the session, Anna and Anton got engaged. This is a detail that gives these images an unexpected weight now, caught right at the edge of the next chapter.
Dressed for the Landscape
Styling followed the same restrained approach as everything else. Anna and Anton wore neutral tones and soft textures that melted naturally into the hillside instead of standing apart from it. Hair and makeup stayed natural, leaving room for wind and a few imperfections to become part of the look.
Behind the Lens with Lesya
Lesya‘s approach favors observation over direction. She guides gently when it’s needed but tries to leave space for authenticity to unfold on its own, drawn to subtle gestures and pauses that often go unnoticed. It shows in these images — unhurried, attentive, and quietly confident, whether caught on film or digital.
"I believe these sessions are an important part of the experience because they allow couples to slow down and reconnect without the structure of a wedding day. It’s a space where they can become comfortable in front of the camera, but more importantly, comfortable simply being themselves together. It also allows us to build trust, so when the wedding day comes, everything feels natural and intuitive."
PHOTOGRAPHER Lesya Abbakumova | COUPLE Anna & Anton
