Deniz and Khoa took their engagement session far beyond the expected and transformed it into a romantic adventure in Istanbul, Turkey. Along with their phenomenal photographers Davina and Daniel, they spent a week together experiencing local food, breathtaking architecture and even a shared Turkish bath. The result? Absolutely stunning photos and a couple now completely bonded with their photographers!

Junebug: What specifically drew you to Davina+Daniel and their imagery?

Deniz and Khoa: Khoa did a lot of research (mostly online) for wedding photographers and Davina+Daniel really stood out for us. We love their natural take on engagements and weddings and how they are able to capture the story for each couple. We also loved that they take the time to get to know the couples they shoot for and their blog was a great testament to this. They really show their commitment and passion within the few paragraphs that they post for each couple.

Junebug: Where did you choose to have your engagement photos taken, and why?

Deniz: Khoa and I chose to have our engagement photos taken in Istanbul, Turkey. I am of Turkish origin and Turkey was the first trip that we ever took together. Khoa fell in love with Istanbul and its eclectic mix of modern and ancient architecture and culture and so it was a pretty natural choice for us to have our engagement photos documented there. It was also a great way to get to know Davina and Daniel! Just a few months later they shot our wedding in Turks and Caicos!

From the Photographers, Davina+Daniel:

Deniz and Khoa’s engagement session in Istanbul was one of many firsts for us. For starters, it was Daniel and my first time in the beautiful country of Turkey. It is also furthest we’ve ever travelled for an engagement session, and the first time we’ve ever travelled with a couple before their wedding. As it turns out, Deniz and Khoa were very compatible travel parters for us. Having grown up in Istanbul, Deniz proved to be an excellent tour guide; taking us to all the sights and suggesting what and where we should eat. (For the foodies, highlights were: Turkish breakfast – especially the fried cheese; Lahmacun – a Turkish pizza of sorts; mastic ice cream; salt-crusted fish flambe; and my personal favorite, Cigkofte – the most delicious raw meat I’ve ever had.)

We spent a total of three days in Istanbul with Deniz and Khoa, and when we weren’t eating, we were visiting the sights – Aya Sophia, Dolmabahçe palace, Kapali Çarsi (the Grand Bazaar) – and of course taking photos. On our last day, they treated us to a very unique and traditional experience: the Turkish bath, or Hamam. If traveling with these two hadn’t yet bonded us, then for Khoa and Daniel, and Deniz and me, being scrubbed down in a hot room while half naked was sure to do the trick!

I have to say, I think taking a trip together is probably the best way we’ve ever gotten to know a couple. We are so grateful to have had the opportunity to get to know a place that is so meaningful to both Deniz and Khoa, and to have done their engagement photos there.

Thank you Khoa and Deniz, and Davina+Daniel, for sharing this magical time in Istanbul!

If you're looking for a photographer to shoot your own engagement session be sure to visit our World's Best Wedding Photographers Hotlist!