ME, ME by THE PORTUGAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
A dove flies in the center of a group photo taken right after the wedding ceremony in Nazaré
• Pode ler este artigo em Português.
The Wedding Photographer and the Photos That Just Happen
Wedding photographers know some images simply can’t be planned. Wedding photography thrives on both scheduled and unpredictable moments. These spontaneous situations often result in the most memorable images from the wedding day.
As a wedding photographer, it’s our role to capture in photographs the sequence of moments from the wedding ceremony, the couple’s joy, and the guests’ emotions. However, some instances escape any plan, appearing almost magically, and we must recognise their value and capture them with sensitivity and precision.
The Beauty of the Unexpected in Wedding Photography
There are things no wedding photographer can control. Sometimes a random detail ruins the ideal setup, but other times, the opposite happens: an unexpected element enters the scene and elevates the moment, making it even more special and authentic.
Such was the case with a pigeon that, during a wedding in Nazaré, interrupted — or rather enhanced — a group photo with its spontaneous appearance. The bird, moments before pecking calmly between the cobblestones of the viewpoint, took flight at the exact moment the wedding guests lined up for the photo. It couldn’t have chosen a better time to join in.
When Surprise Becomes Part of the Story
This kind of surprise isn’t an obstacle for a wedding photographer — it’s a gift. It’s subtle and unexpected interference turned an ordinary image into a memorable one, full of motion, symbolism, and even humour. These spontaneous moments add colour, life, and authenticity to wedding photo reports.
Benefits of Unexpected Moments:
- Add narrative value to wedding photos
- Make every wedding album truly unique
- Strengthen the emotional bond between the couple and the images
- Show the wedding photographer’s talent in adapting and capturing the moment
The Importance of the Unexpected for the Wedding Photographer
I genuinely like it when the unexpected happens, even in controlled situations. These small deviations from the norm remind me that my job is not just to capture pretty images, but to tell real stories. And every good story has something unforeseen.
As a wedding photographer, I value:
- The naturalness of unposed moments
- The constant challenge of staying alert and ready
- The break from traditional formal poses
- The genuine emotion that only appears in spontaneous moments
When an unexpected detail alters a planned photo, the image gains another dimension. It’s like reality collaborating with art, offering more than what was asked for.
Balancing the Planned and the Spontaneous
Of course, on your wedding day, I will also guide some portraits with the couple and guests, but in a balanced way, respecting the natural flow of the event. I don’t want the couple to spend the whole day posing for the camera. The true value of wedding photography lies in authentic emotions, real interactions, and gestures that can’t be faked.
Yes, I organise groups, give directions, and position people, but the heart of my work lies in the moments that “just happen”.
Memories That Tell Real Stories
Before even becoming a wedding photographer, I used to look at wedding photos and feel that something was missing. They were too stiff, too posed, without soul. When I photographed my first wedding — almost by chance — I realised I didn’t want to follow that path. I wanted to capture real stories, full of laughter, tears, and pigeons flying across viewpoints, if necessary.
Today, I still search for those moments in every wedding I shoot. I’m not there just to record how things happened — I’m there to capture how everything was felt.
The Value of Unplanned Emotion
The magic of wedding photography lies in its ability to freeze emotions, not just poses. The wedding photographer is someone who observes, anticipates, and reacts. And above all, is thankful when the universe offers an unexpected detail that elevates the image to another level.
Be it a stolen hug between the couple, a spontaneous laugh from the wedding guests, or an animal that decides to join the ceremony, everything can become a photo that stands out among thousands.
Conclusion
Wedding photography is not only about technique and planning — it’s about sensitivity, attention, and reacting to the unexpected. The wedding photographer must be prepared for what is planned and available to capture what is not. It’s those photos that just happen that often become the most memorable, the ones that make the couple smile, laugh, or get emotional whenever they flip through their wedding album.
Come and see my work.
If you value a real, sensitive, and spontaneous approach to wedding photography, come and see my work. In my albums, you’ll find real moments, authentic emotions, and unexpected stories that make each wedding ceremony unique. Book a chat with me and discover how I can tell the story of your day with truth and beauty.
- You can see a full wedding story: