Romeo, Juliet and the castle someone left open...

April 2024, somewhere in Austria

We finished this visit to Austria with one of the most amazing photoshoots I have ever planned, but this time, it wasn’t just another couple in front of my camera... it was probably the most special couple I could photograph, Ria and Niklas, together with their two rascals Maki and Eddy.
 

The moment we decided I was going to photograph them, the location became a very serious issue... because first of all, they are illegally good looking (the humans too), and second... this is Ria, she is one of my biggest inspirations as a photographer, so if I photograph her, I need to bring my absolute best. And for me, the location is not just a background, it’s a huge part of my style.
 

We decided on one of the famous castles around Vienna and started driving there... on the way, Yael and I were sitting in the back seat talking in Hebrew, because I didn't want them to understand us, and I told her I was actually really stressed. The location is beautiful, but except for the impressive front entrance and gate, I couldn’t find that special angle in my head, something that would really “wrap” them inside the photos. The gate was just a beautiful background, but I didn’t have the frame I was looking for...
 

And then, the worst possible thing happened for such an important photoshoot, clear skies and strong sun. Usually? No problem, I’ll manage... but with Ria?? Scheiße!!!
 

We arrived at the location, and I started walking from the car to the castle as slowly as humanly possible... because maybe those extra 60 seconds would magically make the sun go down. Surprisingly, my very scientific method didn’t work. Bathroom break before we start? Also didn’t really help.
 

And then we arrived at the big castle gate, and I just stood there for a second...

The gate was open!!
 

I knew dogs were usually not allowed inside, and I wasn’t completely sure if photoshoots were allowed there, but... it was open!
 

Now, you need to understand something about Ria and me... Ria is more responsible than the law itself. Every location, every rule, every road she drives on, everything is checked 10 times before she does it...
 

And me? Well... I’m Israeli, we basically invented “Chutzpah”.
 

So I did what every responsible professional photographer would do... I became James Bond. Or more accurately, like a very confused tourist who “accidentally” walked inside to look around.
 

I checked if someone would stop me, checked if there was any sign saying we couldn’t enter, and I didn’t see anything. And as every Israeli knows... if there is no sign saying it’s forbidden, it’s probably allowed.
 

I walked back outside and gave them my very professional conclusion: “Listen, there is no sign, nobody told me to leave, let’s just go inside a little bit, take one or two photos quickly and leave.”
 

Of course, in my head “one or two photos” was already closer to five or ten.

And that’s exactly what we did... fast, quiet, and very professional of course.
 

We photographed in a few amazing spots, and Ria and Niklas immediately turned into professional models, including a few moves from Ria that I’m still trying to recreate with other clients today... usually without success.

We finished the photos, walked outside like nothing happened, and of course acted completely normal... after all, there was no sign saying we weren’t allowed to enter...
 

At least not one that I saw.

And luckily... not one that Ria saw either.
 

If you ever have to choose between a very responsible Austrian photographer and an Israeli photographer who says “trust me, it will be fine”... choose the Austrian.
 

Seriously!

Much safer.

But...
 

You might miss a pretty cool castle photoshoot.