Studio Thao — NYC Wedding Photographer
About Studio Thao
Studio Thao is the work of Thao Colucci, a New York City wedding photographer shooting digital and film across Brooklyn, Manhattan, and the East Coast. Her images live in the space between documentary and editorial—candid without being accidental, composed without being constructed. She's drawn to the peripheral: the moment before, the moment after, the thing happening just outside the frame of the "official" memory. Couples who've worked with her describe the results as what memories actually feel like, not what they're supposed to look like.
Her work has been featured in Vogue, The Wed, Together Journal, Wedvibes, and Anti-Bride.
What is it like to work with Studio Thao on your wedding day?
Calm, observant, and genuinely present. Leading up to the day, the focus is on clear communication so nothing feels uncertain. On the day itself, the approach is responsive rather than directive—paying attention to light, mood, and the in-between moments that tend to pass unnoticed. Most couples are surprised afterward by how many quiet things got caught.
What style of wedding photography does Studio Thao specialize in?
Documentary with an editorial sensibility. The work is interested in atmosphere, tension, and the feelings of a day rather than its itinerary. Neither heavily posed nor purely photojournalistic—it lives in the space between: guided where it helps, honest always. The images tend to hold something open rather than resolve neatly, which is closer to how days actually feel when you're inside them.
Who is Studio Thao's work best suited for?
Thao works best with discerning couples who value personal style, presence over performance, and are open to a natural, relaxed experience. Her happiest clients trust her to guide when it's helpful, have a willingness to be playful and surrender to the chaos of the day, and care about photographs that feel honest and lasting rather than overly polished.
What types of weddings does Studio Thao photograph?
Thao photographs intimate elopements, city hall ceremonies, backyard weddings, and full celebrations with equal care. She works frequently in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and across the New York area, and travels regularly for weddings along the East Coast and beyond. No wedding is too small—some of her most meaningful work has come from the quietest days.
Why do couples choose a film and digital photographer for their wedding?
Shooting with both film and digital gives each gallery something neither medium alone can offer. Digital captures the immediacy and breadth of a wedding day. Film—35mm and medium format—adds warmth, grain, and a depth of tone that feels timeless rather than trend-dependent. Together they create a body of work that holds up not just on a screen today but as something you'll print, frame, and pass down.
Where can I see Studio Thao's wedding work and publications?
Thao's full portfolio lives at studiothao.com. Recent work is shared on Instagram at @studiothao. Published features can be found through Vogue, The Wed, Together Journal, Wed Vibes, and Anti-Bride—more details on those can be found below.
recent publications
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“We can't say enough good things about working with Thao for our wedding and engagement shoot. From the first email response we received from her to the big day, we felt that she deeply understood our vision while being collaborative and providing helpful direction when needed. For our engagement shoot, she was game to literally run around NYC with us, encouraging us to squeeze in our final location which ended up being where we got 'the shot'. During our wedding - she so effortlessly captured every big moment we had discussed, with extra attention to all the beautiful behind the scenes exchanges that really captured the essence of the day. Her mix of film and digital enables her to capture different perspectives and energies but all with her signature style. We are in love with our photos and can't recommend her enough!”
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“We cannot recommend Thao enough! She was the only photographer we met with and it was immediately clear that she understood our vision. We knew that Thao would not only capture how our wedding day looked but also exactly how it felt. From start to end, she made the process so easy. Thao captured every moment seamlessly and her presence was calm, comforting, and fun. Our guests adored her and raved about her even before seeing the photos. The final gallery made us so emotional. Every photo perfectly reflects our day and we will treasure these memories forever thanks to Thao. We are deeply appreciative of her talent, dedication, and kindness.“
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“My husband and I truly can't recommend Thao highly enough! We feel incredibly fortunate to have connected with her when she was available—it honestly feels unreal to have had someone so talented and accomplished capture our elopement. I still find myself in disbelief about the whole experience. From our very first consult, where we talked about our vision and plans, to the lead-up before the big day, the elopement itself, and receiving the final photos—every step went above and beyond our expectations.
Thao is the perfect mix of professionalism and passion. She has such a keen eye and made us feel completely at ease, allowing us to be ourselves while capturing our true connection as a couple. She genuinely cared about us and our experience, and on the day of the elopement, it felt like we had a close friend or family member by our side.
She was thoughtful and meticulous in selecting and editing our photos, and the final gallery is nothing short of perfection. I’m beyond thrilled—not just with the beautiful photos but also with the bond we built with her. We will absolutely be reaching out to her for future life milestones. If you’re searching for a down-to-earth, insanely talented photographer who’s all about telling your unique story and making the experience joyful—Thao is the one. We adore her!” -
“Thao photographed an intimate wedding ceremony that we had so that my grandmother could be present. It was held in my parents’ backyard and from the first time I talked to Thao her inspired ideas made me build a new level of excitement for the event. She brought a level of creativity and point of view I hadn’t considered and with this I knew she was the best choice! When it came to the day of- she was the perfect integration into a small group, thoroughly capturing authentic found moments in the chaos of getting everyone ready. Engaging with everyone to be sure it was known what she was there for and making even the little kids the most comfortable. We had a bit of a delay and in a time crunch to do couple portraits at the end but Thao so kindly gave us a bit more time to get portraits just right. Which really showed how good of a person she is!
When I got the images back, I was absolutely blown away- like REALLY. We had a long list of family portraits and I had a fear of them being very posed, and WOW I actually couldn’t believe the emotive and feeling in each image. The amount of genuine joy and love in all the photos was so impressive. She captured funny moments of the kids that will forever be some of my favorite photos. Thao’s images were candid but thoughtfully timed, framed with an artful quality to them. I can’t say enough good things about Thao and her fabulously curated style and technique. I would hire her again in a heartbeat!!”
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“Thao 🤍 It’s been hard to even find the words! These photos are everything we could’ve ever wanted and more. They truly show the joy and love we felt on our day so perfectly. I normally don't like looking at myself in photos and can be self critical and I feel like you captured my best moments and I actually feel so beautiful in every. single. picture. Our pictures are so timeless and natural, and will be with us for the rest of our lives!!! I cannot thank you enough for making this work for us and being such a beautiful and happy soul throughout the whole process!! I feel SO lucky to have found your page last year, thank you for being a part of our special day. Lots of love!”