Hello! My name is Adam and I am a wedding photographer who has been shooting in Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains for years.
The mountains have something magical about them – and these are not just words. Every season looks different here, the light changes from minute to minute, and the emotions of the couples I photograph here are always sincere, strong and true. And that’s why this place attracts lovers from all over Poland – and beyond.

But before you schedule a session in the mountains or choose a photographer for your wedding in Zakopane, there are a few things you should know. This article is the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) that I hear as a photographer. I will answer you from the heart, honestly and specifically – the way I talk to couples in meetings.

Why exactly a wedding in Zakopane?

Zakopane is not just “nice views”. It’s atmosphere, emotions, light and… challenges.

• Here, the weather can change in 10 minutes.
• In July, you may run into crowds of tourists – but I know places where you won’t meet anyone.
• It may be -15 degrees in January, but with a camera and a little bit of craziness it is possible to take fairy-tale-like frames.

For me, Zakopane and the surrounding area is where photography makes sense. I don’t need artificial poses, strange settings – just a couple of people in love, peaks in the background and a little trust. That’s when the magic happens.

My approach to wedding photography

I am not a photographer who prompts on the wedding day: “stand here, look there, do it again”.
I am the one who says: “be together, be close – I will do the rest :)”.
I love reportage photography – the kind that catches moments, not creates them. The laughter of the witness, the tears of the mother, the sight of the groom during the vows – these are the things you want to remember. And I will show them to you.

What do you find in this article?

• Answers to the questions I hear at almost every interview with the bride and groom
• Specific tips: what to bring to the session, how to prepare, when to shoot
• True stories from sessions and weddings in the Tatra Mountains
• A guide to the most beautiful places
• Tips to help you avoid mistakes and stress

I’m not going to be dim-witted, I’m not going to push a marketing pitch. If you are looking for a photographer with experience in Zakopane and want to know what to prepare for – you are in the right place.

1. how much in advance do you need to book a photographer in Zakopane?

Ideally a minimum of 9-12 months before the wedding. During the summer season (June-September) my calendar fills up very quickly, especially for weekends. Of course, if you’re writing less in advance – it’s always worth asking, as there are vacant dates or layoffs. For outdoor sessions, a few weeks in advance is usually enough.

2. can we order only an outdoor session in Zakopane?

Yes – and it happens very often! Couples who were married elsewhere in Poland (or abroad) come to the mountains to do their honeymoon session here. And very well – the Tatras are absolutely fabulous.

You don’t have to be a “model” – just be yourself. I will help you feel at ease, take care of the light, weather and safety. Plein air in the mountains is an adventure, but it’s also a lot of fun – and it stays for a lifetime in the album and memories.

3. what places do you recommend for a wedding session in Zakopane and the Tatra Mountains?

This is one of the most frequently asked questions and… one of my favorites!
Here are my tried-and-true spots (for different fitness levels!):

• Rusinowa Polana – my number 1 spot. Getting there is not difficult, and the view… knocks you out.
• Chocholowska Valley-peaceful, green, romantic. You can take pictures by the stream, rocks, in the forest.
• Furmanova – ideal at sunset. Easy access and wide view of the entire skyline.
• Wiktorówki – a climatic chapel and a forest like a fairy tale.
• Lapszanka – less well-known places, but with the beautiful line of the Tatra Mountains in the background.
• Kasprowy Wierch – impressive, but requires time and…. patience (especially in season with crowds).

It all depends on how much time you have, what time we shoot and what the weather will be like. I advise, plan and often organize alternatives – so that you have maximum satisfaction.

4. what if the weather breaks on the day of the session?

It happens. The Tatra Mountains are unpredictable – they can surprise you with sudden fog, rain, or a wind that switches your hairstyle in a second 😉
But! I always have a plan B.

I happened to postpone the session by a day, change the location to a more sheltered one or…. take advantage of the weather. Fog can create fairy-tale scenery, and light rain gives the photos a cinematic feel. The key is your attitude and confidence – then it is possible to conjure up frames regardless of the weather.

5. can you recommend any wedding hall in Podhale?

Yes – take a peek at the post I created and update it all the time:

6. how many photos will we get and in what form?

Depending on the package, I usually give away 300 to 800 photos from the entire wedding reportage. If there is an engagement session or an outdoor session on another day – the number increases. All photos are carefully selected, processed and prepared for printing.

You get them in the form:

• Online gallery (password-protected, with the ability to share with family),
• On a flash drive in an aesthetic box (the flash drive is at your request)
• A photo album (if you choose a package with an album),
• and in addition – I can send selected frames as a teaser just a few days after the wedding 💌

7. can we influence the selection of photos for the album?

Of course! After you hand over the photos, you can independently indicate the frames that you like the most, which should go into the album. If you prefer, I can prepare the first layout of the album myself – then you approve or make corrections. I make sure that the photo-album is coherent, elegant and tells the story of the day in a seamless way.

I make albums on high quality photo paper, with thick pages and personalized cover. It’s a keepsake for years – seriously, many couples say it’s one of the things that really stays with them the longest.

8 – What does the wedding day look like from your perspective?

I start with the preparations – often as early as the bride’s hair or makeup. I enter quietly, say hello, take the first few frames of details – dress, shoes, rings, invitations. Then I document the dressing, the emotions of the mother, the laughter of the witness, the tension in the groom.

The ceremony is the moment where I act like a shadow – I always know where to position myself to capture your looks, the moment of the vows, the rings, the blessing of the parents. I consider it one of the most important parts of the day and I do my best not to miss anything.

During the wedding I catch the moments – the first dance, the cake, the party, the dancing. If there are speeches, touching moments – I am there. I try to document the events so that years later I can recreate them step by step. It’s not just “pretty pictures” – it’s your story.

9. Is it possible to do a short session on the wedding day?

Definitely! And I highly recommend it. Such a 20-30 minute “hot” session (preferably around sunset) is a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of the wedding and be together for a while.

You don’t have to have an idea – I know where to place you, how to guide you. Most often we go literally “around the corner” of the room – into the field, into the forest, by the river. Such a micro session often gives unique frames, because the emotions are fresh and authentic.

10: Do you also do engagement sessions?

Yes – and I really recommend it.
First: we get to know each other better. You’ll see how I work, what the session looks like, how you feel in front of the lens.
Second: you can use the photos from such a session for invitations, guest book, slides at the wedding.
Third: it’s a fun adventure, often combined with a trip to the mountains, coffee and laughter. We don’t pretend anything – you are simply together, and I catch the frames.

11. how to prepare for a session in the mountains?

First of all – comfort and a good attitude. This is not a fashion show or a wall. It’s about your closeness, your emotions, your looseness. My advice?

✅ Comfortable shoes – preferably trekking or sports shoes. Put on heels only for the moment of shooting, and then into the backpack.
✅ Layered clothing – the mountains can be capricious, so it’s a good idea to have something warm and lightweight.
✅ Water and a snack – seriously, even a short walk can give you a bite, especially in a wedding dress.
✅ Tissues, bobby pins, powder, mattifying blotting papers – quick fixes can come in handy.
✅ A powerbank and a phone with a location – in case of emergencies.
✅ A good attitude – it’s essential. Don’t stress, don’t tense up – I will help, hint, guide.

12 – How is the cooperation with you?

At ease, but with a plan 💡
We start with a contact: message, phone, Zoom or meet for coffee (if we are nearby). We talk about your plans, needs, questions. If we get along – we sign a contract and you pay a deposit. The date is booked.

Before the wedding I send you a short survey: times, places, highlights of the day, people to be photographed, any surprises.
On the day of the wedding I am on site earlier, I act sensitively and respectfully – and always stay until the end of the agreed time.

After the wedding you get:

• Online gallery (password protected),
• flash drive (if you so desire)
• Photo-album (if it was included in the package),
• Access to assistance, photo selection, consultation – until the very end.

I am with you not only as a photographer, but also often as a support, an advisor, a calm head when stress strikes 😉

13 What to wear for a wedding session in the mountains?

You can find answers to this and other questions about a wedding session in the mountains in a separate article: https://adammolka.pl/sesja-slubna-w-tatrach/

14. what if one of us doesn’t like pictures?

This is completely normal! Really – many people tell me: “I don’t like to be photographed”, “I never come out well in pictures” or “He always has a strange face”.

But… 99% of the time I hear afterwards: “But it came out great! It’s really YOU!”.
I don’t set you up artificially. I give you the space to be yourselves. We talk, we laugh, we walk in front of each other. I don’t tell you to pretend to be a cover model – just to be yourself. And it works.

15. is it possible to organize a session at sunrise or sunset?

Definitely! And honestly? These are the most beautiful moments in the mountains and beyond.
East – this is peace, quiet, no one is there. The light is soft, romantic, atmospheric.
West – golden hour, warm light, spectacular sky colors.

It requires getting out/walking early and good logistics (sometimes even leaving a day early) – but the results are well worth it.
Some of my favorite photos were taken just when you had to get up at 3:30 in the morning and set off with a headlamp in your backpack 🌄

Why choose a photographer well?

Because photos are the only thing that stays with you for a lifetime.
Flowers will wither, the dress will go into the closet, the cake will be eaten. But the photos – the good, real ones – will come back to you for years to come.

They are the ones that will remind you:

• How you smiled looking at each other at the altar,
• As Grandpa laughed at the table,
• As the wind blew the dress against the backdrop of the Tatra Mountains,
• How you held hands on the way to church,
• How you danced, as if the world outside the room did not exist.

A well-done wedding reportage is not a set of “pretty pictures.”
This is a story – your story. And I am the one to tell it.

Is it worth choosing me?

I won’t answer directly. Because not every Couple has to be “mine”.
But if you feel that:

• You want a photographer who does not set you up, but sees you,
• You like mountains, nature and the climate of the Tatra Mountains,
• You want photos with soul, not just “under Instagram”,
• You value honesty, humor and cooperation without pressure….

…then maybe, in fact, you got it right. I’m not perfect. Sometimes my headlamp falls off. Sometimes my clothes are up to my knees in mud. But I know when to be silent, when to make a joke, and when to catch THIS frame.

Thank you for making it to the end

If you are reading this – thank you.
Thank you for giving me the space to introduce myself, tell a little about my work and what I really love to do.

I hope this article:

• dispelled your doubts,
• answered questions,
• inspired a session in the mountains,
• helped you understand what it is like to work with a wedding photographer in Zakopane.

If you feel like writing – welcome. I will be happy to get to know you, talk to you, give you suggestions. And if we get along – maybe we will create something beautiful together 📷

See you in the mountains!

– Adam