Julien Jovanovski Gives the Image Structure Without Giving the Wedding a Script

Julien Jovanovski, founder of Number 31 Photography, describes the work as a blend of documentary and editorial storytelling, in a style that carries a name: Moody Chic. The aim is striking images without taking the couple away from their own wedding. 

The rest of the offer is specific: a preview gallery the next day, the full gallery within two weeks, and the etiquette expected at high-end luxury weddings, delivered as part of a team with planners and other vendors. Julien is based in Nice, covers the French Riviera, Provence, and Monaco, travels to Italy and beyond, and came to wedding photography from a background in video production and short films.

Striking Images Without Stealing the Day

Julien flags one point as important to mention. 

"My approach is a subtle blend of documentary and editorial storytelling. My goal is to create striking 'money shots' while authentically telling the true story of the day, without spending two hours searching for the single perfect pose and taking the couple away from fully enjoying their wedding."

In practice, the split looks like this.

My approach bridges two worlds: capturing genuine, spontaneous moments as they unfold, while bringing a sophisticated, editorial touch to key scenes and portraits,

Julien explains. 

Light, in particular, pulls him in. "I am deeply drawn to light and how it shapes the mood of a moment, using it to capture genuine stories as they naturally unfold."

The Preview Comes Tomorrow

Speed is where he is most direct. "I am also highly responsive, with a maximum turn-around time of two weeks for full gallery delivery. Being naturally a bit impatient myself, my empathy drives me to edit quickly so couples can stay riding the emotional wave of their special day," Julien says. 

The first images arrive almost at once. 

"Delivering a preview gallery the very next day helps set the tone, but delivering the full gallery rapidly is one of my greatest strengths. I achieve this through meticulous work on-location, which streamlines my post-processing workflow."

On the wedding day, he describes two more strengths. "I am also highly professional and fully versed in the etiquette and standards of high-end luxury weddings, working seamlessly as a team player alongside wedding planners and other vendors." The other is people. 

"I also thrive on interacting with different cultures. Thanks to my fluency in English, I take an active role in connecting with couples and their guests, fully immersing myself in their day, a quality that is frequently highlighted in the glowing reviews left by my clients."

All of it points to one aim.

My main goal, above all, is to ensure the couple enjoys an unforgettable day to the fullest.

From Short Films to Moody Chic

He traces the route in a few lines. "Originally from Strasbourg, France, with a background in business and marketing, I traveled extensively and lived in the United States for several months before settling on the French Riviera. Driven by a lifelong passion for visual storytelling, I began my career in video production." Wedding photography is now the main focus, and short films are the part of that background Julien links most closely to the cinematic style of the work.

The cinematic influence carried over into the photography. 

"My work remains deeply influenced by cinema. Over the years and through the people I've met, I have crafted a distinctive signature: a Moody Chic style, defined by a sensitive play on light and a continuous pursuit of meaningful, emotion-filled images with a touch of editorial."

Greece Opened the Door

The wedding industry entered his life in 2018, far from the Riviera. "I've been working in the wedding industry since 2018. My journey began with a stunning destination wedding in Greece, an experience that immediately opened doors, established my credibility, and gave me firsthand insight into the expectations of international couples," Julien recalls.

Nice is the home base. "Based in Nice, South of France, I primarily cover weddings across the French Riviera, Provence and Monaco. I also regularly travel throughout France and internationally, particularly to Italy," Julien says. The venues on the list include Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Palais Bulles, Bastide du Roy, and Monaco's luxury hotels, Hôtel de Paris, Fairmont, and Monte-Carlo Beach, which he counts among "some of the region's most iconic and prestigious locations."

Beyond France, the answer is just as open. "Driven by a love for travel, distance is never an obstacle, it's an inspiration. I am available worldwide and have already documented weddings in destinations like Greece, Italy, and Iceland." 

On volume, he is just as clear. "Taking on 10 to 15 weddings a year feels like the sweet spot. Choosing quality over quantity allows me to give my full focus to each couple's story, approaching every wedding with fresh inspiration and ensuring a deeply personal, high-end experience."

Monaco by Boat, Greece by Light

Choosing a single venue is not something he will do. "It is difficult, if not impossible, to pick just one wedding venue when each tells such a unique story. I am fortunate to work in a stunning region filled with incredible locations, but one of my weddings in Greece holds a special place," Julien says. The reasons are specific. 

"The unique light of the region, the landscape, and the beauty of the architecture were deeply inspiring. The couple was breathtaking, and every detail was elegantly curated, from the bride's gown and the groom's suit to the authentic decor. It remains a wonderful memory."

The wedding that has stayed longest in memory is a different one, in Monaco. "The wedding that will forever stay in my mind is a wedding in Monaco, featuring an incredible couple in a breathtaking location," Julien recalls. "Every step felt straight out of a movie, from the intricate detail of the bride's gown to their arrival by boat at the reception venue. The love from their families and friends was palpable, and I received so much warmth from them as well."

"This wedding also challenged me creatively and technically, pushing my standard even higher and allowing me to step up my approach to luxury weddings."

Life Is Once, Forever

What drives all of this comes down to what outlasts the wedding day. "What I love most about photography is creating lasting memories passed down through generations. Being a witness to such meaningful events feels like writing a small piece of history for each couple. Since every story, venue, and encounter is unique, my approach is constantly reinvented," Julien reflects. The payoff is in the couple's reaction. 

Seeing my clients' reactions when they discover their photographs, and realizing the emotional legacy created, is the most rewarding part of my work. Far beyond documenting a few days of celebration, my goal is to preserve once-in-a-lifetime moments forever.

The same things keep the work fresh after so many weddings. "What keeps me inspired after so many years and weddings documented is my deep passion for this craft, the purpose behind my work, and the legacy I leave behind," Julien notes. A few specifics follow. 

"I also love discovering new venues, building trust with the people I work with, and quite simply continuing to create timeless visual legacies with my couples."

The motto behind it is short:

Life is once, forever.