A German Love Story in Puglia: Anja & Fabio’s Couple Photo Session in Lecce
One of the best parts of being a couple photographer in Puglia is meeting people from all over the world who arrive here as travelers and leave with unforgettable memories. Anja and Fabio, a beautiful German couple, came to Puglia for their trip and quickly fell in love with this land. At some point, they felt they wanted to stop time and asked me to capture their story with a relaxed couple photo session.
I’m Mirko Accogli, a photographer based in Puglia, and I love creating photo experiences that truly match the couple in front of me. I always listen first. Anja and Fabio told me they wanted something very Italian, full of culture and tradition, something their families could immediately recognize just by looking at the photos.
That’s why I suggested Lecce.
Lecce is a magical place, famous for its unique Barocco Leccese, warm stone, and small streets full of history. We walked slowly through the vico (the little streets), talked, laughed, and enjoyed the city together. From those hidden corners to Piazza Sant’Oronzo and the beautiful Duomo of Lecce, everything happened naturally, without stress, without posing too much.
At one point, I invited them to live a real local moment: an espresso coffee and a pasticciotto leccese, our most traditional sweet—a shortcrust pastry filled with delicious custard cream—at Martinucci, a historic and iconic bar born in the south of Italy and now loved all over the country. These small experiences are what make a couple photo session in Italy feel authentic and unforgettable.
The photo shoot felt more like a walk with friends than a session. They were relaxed, smiling, enjoying every moment and that’s exactly when the real emotions come out.
For their story, I chose to show all the images in black and white, to give a timeless, romantic feeling, the same feeling Anja and Fabio shared with me that day in Lecce, in authentic Italian style.
This is how I work with couples visiting Puglia: I guide you to beautiful and hidden places, suggest real local experiences, and capture your connection in a natural way.
If you’re traveling to Italy and dreaming of a couple photo session in Puglia or Lecce, I’d love to be part of your journey.
A Little Behind the Scenes
There’s always a story behind the photos.
That day in Lecce, I was walking behind Anja and Fabio with my backpack on my shoulders, their big backpack in front of me, their umbrella in one hand and my camera in the other. Honestly, it was almost impossible to move properly. I was laughing, sweating, and trying to catch every single emotions.
At some point, I realized I didn’t even take a photo of myself behind the scenes… simply because I had no hands left 😄.
It felt like summer, but it was actually October.
And this is exactly why I always recommend visiting Puglia in October. The weather is still warm, the sky is incredibly blue, the light is soft and beautiful, and the region is much less crowded and more affordable. You can really enjoy the places, walk slowly, and live the experience without rush.
10\10\2025 Otranto, Puglia
Even in those funny, slightly chaotic moments, the magic happens. We laughed a lot, and somehow, despite the backpacks, the umbrella, and the sweat, we created images full of emotion and intimacy. That’s the part I love most about my job.
If you’re traveling to Puglia, Lecce is just the beginning. There are so many beautiful and intimate places perfect for a couple photo session: Otranto, Porto Cesareo, Punta Prosciutto, Torre Lapillo, Gallipoli, Santa Maria di Leuca, Castro, and Santa Cesarea Terme, just to name a few. Each place has its own soul, light, and rhythm and I love helping couples choose the one that feels right for them.
This is how I work: present, involved, sometimes a bit sweaty, always focused on your story.
Things to Do in Puglia for Couples
Puglia is not only about beautiful places, here are some of my favorite activities I love to suggest to the couples I photograph.
You can enjoy a romantic boat excursion along the coast with Perla d’Otranto, discovering hidden caves and crystal-clear water. If you’re curious about local traditions, lungh or dinner in an old masseria like Le Stanzie is a must authentic cuisine, history, and a truly intimate atmosphere, please you must go once a life!!
For couples who love the sea and a bit of fun, Aquaspeed water games are a playful way to experience the coast together. And if food is part of your love story (as it often is in Italy), you can taste something special at Casa Borgia, a typical restaurant led by a truffle expert, enjoy an authentic puccia salentina at La Puccia, or live a real neapolitan pizza excellence experience at 400 Gradi.
If you’re looking for pure relaxation, I also recommend a massage or spa experience at Basiliani Resort, perfect for slowing down and enjoying time together. And if you’re traveling in summer, especially on July 5th, 6th, or 7th, don’t miss Scorrano, home to one of the most incredible light festivals in the world, with the biggest and most spectacular light installations you’ll ever see.
These are the moments that turn a trip into memories and they’re also perfect to include naturally during a couple photo session in Puglia.
Why Puglia Is Perfect for Couples
Puglia is perfect for couples because it’s a quiet and peaceful place, full of history, culture, and deep traditions. It’s a land where you can slow down, breathe, and truly enjoy time together. Life here moves gently, leaving space for romantic moments, long walks, and simple experiences that feel real.
In Puglia, you can relax and live the slow life. You’ll find high-quality food, kind and welcoming people, private guided tours, and authentic experiences everything you might be looking for during a couple’s trip. Whatever your idea of romance is, in Puglia you can find it.
At the same time, Puglia also knows how to be fun. If you love music, energy, and dancing by the sea, there are beautiful beach clubs like Zen Beach or Tayga Beach, where you can enjoy the sunset, good vibes, and unforgettable summer nights together.
This balance between calm and joy, tradition and fun, is what makes Puglia such a special place for couples and why so many fall in love with it.
