THE PROMISED WALK by THE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER IN PORTUGAL
Photos of the bride and groom walking around Lisbon after the wedding ceremony
• Pode ler este artigo em Português.
The Wedding Photographer: After the Ceremony, the Promised Session in Lisbon
The wedding photographer, as we know today, doesn’t just work during the wedding ceremony. More and more couples choose to extend their photographic experience beyond the altar, taking advantage of the wedding day to explore iconic locations and capture memories full of light and emotion. That’s exactly what happened with Paulina and Kuba, a couple from Poland who chose Lisbon for their wedding — and for their photographs.
Lisbon: a city that loves being photographed
In a previous article, I wrote about the wedding ceremony of this lovely couple, and I hinted at the next part: the photographic walk through Lisbon. A city that seems to offer itself to photographers, perhaps even more than some of its residents.
We met at the iconic Praça do Comércio, one of the most emblematic starting points for any wedding photography session. The square, with a direct view over the Tagus River and easy access to old Lisbon, offers a unique atmosphere. It was a sunny afternoon, the kind that reflects golden light on building façades and creates a luminous and inviting scene for a wedding photographer.
The light Lisbon offers to newlyweds
Some say Lisbon’s light is magical. And for wedding photographers, that magic lies in its variety: not always perfect, but always challenging and full of character. My favourite? That soft, diffused light that appears in the interior streets, among the buildings and alleys that help shape faces, fabrics, and gestures with subtle and deep tones.
That’s why we left the large avenues and squares and entered the less trodden arteries of the city. There, the light is more controlled, more cinematic, full of mid-tones and atmosphere. And that richness translates into wedding photographs that speak of the city as much as they do of the couple.
Why choose to photograph after the ceremony?
Choosing to photograph after the wedding ceremony is often a way to relieve stress from the big day, making the moment lighter, more spontaneous, and more authentic.
Advantages of a post-ceremony session
- The bride and groom are relaxed, resulting in more natural expressions and genuine smiles.
- The city takes on a different energy in the late afternoon, ideal for romantic and intimate images.
- The wedding photographer has creative freedom to explore compositions without time pressure.
Lisbon’s photographic paths
When trying to show someone a city like Lisbon, the hardest part is choosing what to leave out. The city is made of streets, viewpoints, courtyards, and architectural secrets. Thus, every photo session becomes a shared discovery.
With Paulina and Kuba, I designed a route like drawing an emotional map: from Praça do Comércio, we went up to Graça, passing through alleys, stairways, and corners full of colour and texture.
Ideal locations for wedding photography in Lisbon
- Praça do Comércio – A classic with open light and striking architecture.
- Rua da Madalena – Perfect for soft tones and vertical compositions.
- Miradouro da Graça – Wide views over Lisbon, ideal to close the session.
- Hidden patios – Intimate, original settings for personal portraits.
The atmosphere in wedding photographs
In any city — not just Lisbon — my mission as a wedding photographer is to wrap every image with the place’s atmosphere. It’s not just about capturing people, but about capturing stories. And that only happens with time, dedication, and sensitivity.
What truly makes a photo memorable?
- The interaction between the couple and the surroundings.
- The right light, at the right moment, touching the bride’s dress, the groom’s face, their shared glances.
- The silence of an alley, the laughter in a courtyard, the embrace at a viewpoint.
Conclusion
Photographing after the wedding ceremony through Lisbon’s streets is more than a technical session. It’s an emotional experience, both for the couple and the photographer. It’s a way to eternalise the city in the couple’s memory and, at the same time, allow the city to witness a new story.
Paulina and Kuba came from Poland to celebrate love and chose Lisbon as their stage. And Lisbon responded with light, texture, warmth, and charm. Wedding photography, in this context, becomes more than documentation — it becomes a shared journey.
Let’s talk about your session.
If you’re getting married in Lisbon or another city full of history and soul, and want to ensure your wedding photographs truly reflect your wedding day, get in touch. Together, we’ll plan a session tailored to your style and memories.
- You can see a full wedding story: