IT GOES AWAY FAST by THE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER IN FARO
Photographs of the bride as she is being styled for her wedding day at Club Nau in Ferragudo, Portimão in the Algarve
• Pode ler este artigo em Português.
When being a wedding photographer started to make sense
Being a wedding photographer means constantly embracing the unexpected. Anyone in the profession knows: no two stories are alike, no two days are the same, no two couples are identical. And that was precisely what I had been missing — unpredictability. As much as I loved photography, something always felt incomplete. I lacked the genuine challenge, the thrill of not knowing what’s coming next.
For years, I worked in more controlled environments, with pre-planned shoots, detailed lists, and specific client requests. Sometimes it was easier, yes, but there was a sense of creative emptiness, as if the essence of photography was there but… confined. It was good, but it wasn’t enough.
The discovery at my first wedding
The first time I photographed a wedding day, I finally understood what truly excited me. The not knowing. The lack of control. Being surprised at every moment by expressions, gestures, movements, and events that simply happen.
What captivated me:
- The spontaneity of the wedding guests.
- The sparkle in the bride and groom’s eyes.
- The constant challenge of predicting the next shot.
- Creative freedom in a deeply emotional setting.
Wedding photography became the perfect setting for instinct, sensitivity, and full attention. What once was fear turned into motivation. What scared me became fuel.
The role of anticipation and adrenaline on the wedding day
Heading into a wedding with no idea what will happen may seem scary to some. But for a passionate wedding photographer, it’s that very uncertainty that makes everything so thrilling.
What once seemed like fear became:
- A trigger for creativity.
- A heightened state of performance.
- A commitment to authenticity.
The anticipation I felt before entering the wedding space — that fear of not knowing what to do — would disappear as soon as the first moment happened. When the first image appeared, everything started to flow.
The moment when everything makes sense
The wedding day is a magical sequence of events. Each entrance into a room, each glance between the couple, each gesture from a guest could be a memorable photograph. All it takes is to be present. And that requires more than technique. It takes visual awareness and full commitment.
As soon as the camera covers the face, the wedding photographer becomes invisible. The body synchronises with the environment, the eyes seek stories, and the fingers react instinctively.
The photographer’s flow:
- Enter a space filled with emotion and energy.
- Fear is replaced by total focus.
- The wedding’s rhythm takes over the pace of the work.
And there, in the organised chaos of a wedding, dozens or hundreds of unexpected, real and unrepeatable images appear. None of them were on a script. They came to life because someone, at that moment, was truly living.
When everything falls into place
From that first wedding onwards, I realised that being a wedding photographer was what I had been missing. It wasn’t about technique. It wasn’t about gear. It was about the unexpected. The freedom to capture what unfolds, without changing anything. And the responsibility is to do it without interfering with the day’s flow.
Key points of this realisation:
- Genuine emotion always outweighs any posed scene.
- The wedding photographer must be present, yet discreet.
- The best photo is often the one no one saw being taken.
Conclusion:
Wedding photography filled the gap I felt in my professional journey. It brought me constant challenge and the excitement of the unexpected. Photographing a wedding means accepting that not everything can be planned — and that’s a gift. Because the best visual stories are born in spontaneity. And today, I can say without a doubt: this is where I belong.
Let’s talk about your wedding.
Your wedding day will be full of unique and unplanned moments. If you’re looking for a wedding photographer who knows how to embrace the day with attentiveness, sensitivity, and discretion, let’s talk. I’d love to show you how I turn real moments into authentic and unforgettable photographs.
- You can see a full wedding story: