At Quinta do Vale, Tojal: the portrait session of the bride and groom

Hand in hand, the bride and groom look at each other smiling as they walk through the garden at Quinta do Vale in Santo Antão do Tojal, spotted by their wedding photographer in Lisbon.

IMPULSION by THE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER IN LISBON

Hand in hand, the bride and groom look at each other smiling as they walk through the garden at Quinta do Vale in Santo Antão do Tojal, spotted by their wedding photographer in Lisbon.

Photos of the bride and groom, in the garden of Quinta do Vale in Stº. Antão do Tojal in Loures, on a photo walk

The Drive That Led Me to Become a Wedding Photographer

The bride and groom face each other and embrace in conversation, seen by the wedding photographer in Lisbon, among a tree in the garden of Quinta do Vale in Santo Antão do Tojal.

Being a wedding photographer is more than capturing images. It’s about telling stories, preserving moments, and witnessing the emotions of one of the most important days in a couple’s life. From the beginning, when I felt drawn to this art, I realised I needed more than just desire. I needed an internal drive – a strong reason to change the course of my career. And I found it in the most unexpected place: portraiture.

The Discovery That Changed Everything

Between two large vases of flowers from the garden, the groom embraces the bride while they have fun and laugh a lot.

For years, I worked as a professional photographer in other fields. I photographed objects, products, and occasionally models for fashion catalogues. But whenever the opportunity to shoot a portrait came up, I felt something different. There was a connection, an intensity in the gaze, a personal narrative that fascinated me.

It was through observing other wedding photographers’ shop windows, albums that I noticed how present portraiture always was. The groom, the bride, the couple together – there was something familiar, similar to what I did for magazines, but with much more emotional weight.

The First Drive: Portraiture

The bride leans over the groom's lap as they sit in a large armchair in the garden of Quinta do Vale in Santo Antão do Tojal.

This realisation pushed me to begin my journey as a wedding photographer. I left the comfort of the studio and its controlled lighting behind and stepped into natural settings, authentic emotions, and unique moments. I started joining couples on their wedding day during what I fondly call “our walk” – a magical hour where we create portraits that tell a story.

What Fascinates Me About Portraiture:

  • Capturing the couple’s essence naturally and spontaneously.
  • A direct connection to my fashion background, but with real emotion.
  • Every image is a vivid memory of that unique day.

The Second Drive: Everything Else

With a bouquet in hand, the bride embraces the groom by the neck and stands face to face smiling at each other.

Over time, I realised that portraiture alone was no longer enough to move me. What drives me today is the whole experience, the full process of wedding photography. From the moment I arrive where the bride or groom is getting ready, to the final second before I pack up and head home.

Every detail matters: exchanged glances, hugs from wedding guests, spontaneous gestures, nervous smiles, little surprises. In the sum of all these parts, wedding photography finds its soul.

What Drives Me Today:

  • The complete narrative of the wedding day.
  • The invisible details that make all the difference.
  • Creating a full visual memory of the wedding ceremony.

An Ongoing Adventure

My path as a wedding photographer has been a constant adventure. Each ceremony brings new stories, new people, and new ways of seeing beauty. It’s no longer just about portraits – it’s about living the moment alongside the couple and their wedding guests. It’s about capturing real moments that will be revisited for years, maybe generations.

My mission is clear: to create wedding photographs that speak for themselves, that move, that reveal the truth of each event artistically and sensitively.


Conclusion:

What began with the simple joy of taking portraits has turned into a deep passion for storytelling through wedding photography. Today, each wedding is a universe to explore, each couple a source of inspiration. The drive I found remains strong, now multiplied by the richness and diversity of each new wedding.


Let’s Talk About Your Big Day

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer who values portraiture but also embraces the magic of your entire wedding day, I’m ready to be part of your story. Your wedding ceremony deserves to be told with sensitivity, detail, and authenticity. Contact me and let’s create unforgettable memories together.


  • You can see a full wedding story:

  • The portraits are from the session with the bride and groom at Quinta do Vale in Stº Antão of Tojal, Loures.

By Fernando Colaço

I am Fernando Colaço a wedding photographer based in Portugal. My approach to wedding photography is open and not intruder, leaving the event just to happen. We may call it photojournalism. But, it is better to let the photos talk. I am at your service.

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