Simon & Dima

There is a photograph of Simon and Dima that makes me smile every time. They are standing by the doorway at Schloss Freudenstein, holding hands; one leans in to kiss the other, and a laugh follows. I like to begin here, because this picture already tells me something about the two of them.

In the castle courtyard, the ceremony held moments of emotion and moments when the smiles returned. Their loved ones were close by; Simon and Dima looked for each other and held hands. Lukas Hanifle captured those gestures and everything happening around them.

Then the Orangerie filled with voices. Beneath the chandeliers came a speech, toasts and a cake to cut together; the celebration found its own rhythm. When I look through these photographs, I always return to that laugh by the doorway. More than any detail, it is the memory I carry with me.

Photography · Lukas Hanifle