Mar 12 2026 | By: Heather Johnson
Location: St. Augustine, Florida
Casa Monica Resort and Spa
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Some locations naturally feel cinematic, and the Casa Monica Hotel in St. Augustine, Florida has that unmistakable old-world atmosphere. With its historic architecture, iron details, and textured stone walls, it feels like the perfect setting for 1920’s Hollywood–inspired black and white bridal portraits. Vintage details with a old film feeling of nostalgia, When photographed in black and white, the focus shifts to light, shadow, and expression, giving the images a timeless quality that feels more like classic film than modern photography. The Bridal dress from Be That Queen have a classic Hollywood feel.
We decided to keep the images in black and white because it fits this style perfectly. Without color, you start to notice the light, the shadows, the movement of the veil, and all the detail in the lace gowns.
he vintage car added to that old-Hollywood look, and the bright Florida sun gave us the kind of contrast that makes black and white photography feel strong and timeless.
For this editorial bridal session, the inspiration came from early Hollywood glamour. The fitted lace gowns, long veils, and vintage car created a look that feels elegant, dramatic, and slightly nostalgic. The strong midday sun created deep shadows and bright highlights, which works beautifully for black and white photography. The contrast brings out every detail — the embroidery in the dress, the shine of the chrome on the car, and the movement of the veil in the wind. The result feels refined, bold, and reminiscent of portraits from the golden age of cinema.
The streets around downtown St. Augustine add another layer of character. The historic buildings, narrow roads, and worn textures work beautifully for bridal portraits that feel more like fashion editorials than traditional wedding photos. This is the kind of setting where simple posing and strong light can create images that look like they belong in a magazine. All you really need is beautiful light, a great dress, and a little bit of attitude, and the photos start to feel more like editorial portraits than traditional wedding pictures.
This kind of setting works beautifully for brides who want something different — portraits that feel editorial, refined, and inspired by another era.
always love creating bridal portraits like this because they feel different. They’re still elegant and romantic, but they also have a little edge to them — more fashion, film grain, more mood, and a little bit of that vintage Hollywood drama.
I often love photographing bridal sessions in black and white when the goal is a more artistic, fashion-forward look. It brings attention to form, mood, and emotion, and pairs perfectly with historic locations like Casa Monica where the character of the place becomes part of the photograph
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