Stephi & Alex

The place

The Wachau Valley

Terraced vineyards above the Danube, apricot orchards, wine villages and baroque abbeys — the valley between Melk and Krems, an hour or so from Vienna.

August works here with a little planning.

The light

How the light falls there

The valley is narrow and its slopes steep, so the river falls into shadow early in the evening while the upper terraces and the ruins keep the last sun — the portraits happen up the slope. The great vineyards on the north bank face south, into the sun. In autumn, mornings often begin with mist on the Danube; at midsummer the sun sets just after nine.