Rivalry Turned Romance: The Story of Anna and Thanos’ Photography Journey

Few stories are as poetic and full-circle as that of Anna and Thanos. What began as a rivalry between two artists in the same industry gradually evolved into a deep personal and professional bond — one that now fuels their life’s work.

Their paths first crossed as competitors, each carving a name for themselves in the wedding photography industry. But somewhere between clicks of the shutter, something unexpected happened: admiration bloomed into friendship, and friendship into love. Today, they’re not only life partners but also creative co-founders of RATTA STUDIO, a brand built on years of passion and shared vision.

Alongside the studio, they introduced RATTA STUDIO Education, an online platform designed specifically for wedding photographers. The educational arm is a reflection of their generous spirit. A space where they share insights into building a photography business, mastering one’s style, and navigating the creative journey with authenticity. 

And now, they've teamed up with Aftershoot to share their signature editing style with photographers everywhere. The Editorial Style is now available on Aftershoot, and we couldn’t be more excited. Bring their signature editorial aesthetic to life with this AI Style.

But, how did it all begin? Let’s rewind to the start.

The Moment Photography Chose Them

For both Anna and Thanos, photography was less of a decision and more of a calling.

Anna’s creative journey began in the world of television and film, studying directing and falling in love with visual storytelling. “I’ve always been inspired by art in all its forms,” she says. After moving to Europe in 2007, her hobby of photography quickly turned into a career, transitioning from video to fashion photography in a matter of months.

Thanos, on the other hand, grew up surrounded by the sights and smells of photography. His father ran a photo store, and early memories of watching film develop in the darkroom left a lasting imprint. “There wasn’t a single ‘aha’ moment,” he explains. “Just a growing pull that became impossible to ignore.”

A Leap into Weddings

Their respective entries into wedding photography were serendipitous. Anna received an unexpected inquiry from a friend of a friend to photograph a wedding in Santorini. Though unfamiliar with the genre, she leaned into her fashion background and delivered something beautifully distinct. That first job led to features on international blogs and the rest, as they say, is history.

Thanos took a more intentional route after graduating from the European School of Photography. Drawn to the emotional depth of weddings, he launched his own brand to blend beauty, storytelling, and spontaneity. “I felt an immediate connection to it,” he shares.

Defining Their Signature Style

Over the years, their styles have matured, and now, as RATTA STUDIO, they’ve landed on what they describe as editorial reportage. It's an artful blend of candid storytelling and artistic direction. “We’re romantics, but also love the energy of a dance floor,” they say. “We are deeply drawn to capturing the raw, unscripted moments — the genuine emotions, the quiet glances, the laughter that erupts without warning. But we also pay close attention to the composition, the lighting, the elegance of every frame — elements borrowed from our background in fashion and visual arts.”

Their images feel like magazine editorials that just happen to be real life — timeless, emotional, and elevated.

Their aesthetic isn’t just about what happens behind the camera, but also what happens after. Early on, they built custom Lightroom presets to help speed up editing while maintaining visual consistency. “At the time, it was all about refining our own workflow, finding a way to edit faster while maintaining a strong sense of visual consistency throughout our wedding galleries and across all of our work. As perfectionists (especially when it comes to color), we found ourselves spending countless hours tweaking and adjusting every tiny detail. So, crafting our own presets felt like a natural and necessary evolution,” they say.

What started as a personal tool soon became a global resource, used by thousands of photographers around the world. “We’re both extremely particular (some might say obsessively picky!) when it comes to color and tone, and we spent a huge amount of time testing the presets. We ran them on thousands of images shot on different cameras, under different lighting conditions, just to make sure they weren’t only tailored to our own workflow, but genuinely useful to photographers with all kinds of shooting styles,” they added.

Advice for Finding Your Style

If you’re a photographer struggling to define your style, Anna and Thanos have one major piece of advice: slow down and be intentional. “Remember that developing a unique photography style takes time, it’s a work in progress, and honestly, for us, it never really stops. Every year, before the wedding season begins, we set goals and have in-depth conversations about the elements we’d like to add, refine, or even completely rethink. It’s an ongoing evolution,” they said.

They recommend writing down your vision for both the technical and artistic aspects of your work. “The more detailed you are, the better. This will help you become more aware of what you’re aiming to create and, more importantly, how to stay consistent. Consistency is key to becoming recognizable,” they added. 

One of the biggest challenges that photographers face is experimenting with too many different styles. Although experimentation is a natural part of the process, they advise steering clear of the "creative tornado"(constantly chasing new styles without ever mastering or refining a specific one.) 

Most importantly, don’t get lost chasing trends. “Go a mile deep, not a mile wide.”

Planning the Magic of their Weddings

For Anna and Thanos, a successful shoot is 70% preparation. From aligning with planners and couples to creating mood boards and refining the timeline, every detail is mapped out in advance. Why? So when the chaos of a wedding day unfolds, they can remain calm, present, and open to spontaneous beauty. “That’s why we always make all creative decisions in advance, so that once the day arrives, we can move with purpose and still remain open to spontaneous magic. Preparation gives us the freedom to be fully creative,” they explain.

The Power of AI in Photography

One of the biggest recent changes in their workflow? AI. Specifically, Aftershoot.

“At first we were skeptical,” they admit. But after training their profile with their catalogs, they were stunned by the results. “There was a lot of happy dancing in the living room that day,” they laugh.

Now, Aftershoot is an essential part of their editing process, saving time without sacrificing quality. “Life quickly became divided into two eras: “before Aftershoot” and “after Aftershoot” (haha — no joke!). We honestly don’t want to remember what life was like before it.” 

Now they’ve partnered with Aftershoot to make their signature style available to all. Anna Roussos and Thanos Asfis Style is finally here! Their editing style is defined by flawless skin tones, vibrant yet true-to-life colors, and an editorial finish that feels both modern and timeless. It delivers bright, crisp, and clean images with beautifully balanced complexions. Ideal for wedding photographers who want consistency and sophistication in every lighting condition.

Inspiration is Everywhere

While fashion, architecture, and interior design fuel their visual inspiration, it’s their clients who truly keep them going. “No two weddings are alike. Every couple brings a different energy, and that emotional connection is what keeps us creatively fulfilled.”

The Highs and Lows of Wedding Photography

The best part? The people. “It’s an honor to be invited into such intimate, once-in-a-lifetime moments.”

And the hardest part? The pace. “It’s fast, it’s unpredictable, and it demands a lot of emotional and physical energy.” But with the right preparation and mindset, even the chaos becomes part of the magic.

A Story of Inspiration

RATTA STUDIO is more than a photography brand; it’s a love story in itself. Anna and Thanos’ story of evolution, of daring to merge identities, and of building something greater than the sum of its parts is truly an inspiration. Anna and Thanos aren’t just documenting love; they’re living it. 

The result? Images that don’t just look beautiful, they feel like the day felt. This editing style brings love to life in every frame, capturing not just how it looked, but the emotion, warmth, and connection that make it unforgettable. Now, who wouldn’t want their clients to experience this magic?