LET’S GO FOR A RIDE? by the PORTUGAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
The photo session with the bride and groom on the afternoon of the wedding party at Quinta da Ramila in Ortiga
• Pode ler este artigo em Português.
The wedding photographer, the photo session with the couple, and the constant novelty
Wedding photographer is a title I carry with pride and responsibility. I’ve written countless articles about the photo session with the couple, that special moment on the wedding day when we step away from the celebration to capture something more intimate, more personal, more theirs. Yet, no matter how often I do it or how many couples I accompany, that moment never feels the same. It never feels repetitive.
The perfect moment for wedding photos
There’s a magical time on the wedding day that I consider ideal. It’s the transition between daylight and twilight. A soft, warm light that embraces the couple with unique tenderness. As a wedding photographer, this is when I like to take the couple for a short walk. A walk that, more than planned, should be felt. The best wedding photographs happen naturally, as if the camera were simply reflecting that fleeting moment.
Couple sessions: natural, authentic, and always new
Even after photographing many couples, I never let one session repeat another. Spontaneity is the secret. Every groom and every bride brings their own energy, their way of being, their looks and their silences. That’s the material I seek — and it’s never the same. Wedding photography thrives on that: the constant novelty each couple offers.
Why every session is different:
- The couple’s personality shapes the session.
- Light changes daily, even at the same hour.
- Familiar locations take on new life with each story.
- The mood of the day influences every shot and composition.
The anticipation of perfect light and returning to the party
I won’t hide that I get impatient when the scheduled time gets delayed. Perfect light doesn’t wait, and as a wedding photographer, I always fear losing it. Still, that anxiety quickly turns into joy once I start shooting and the first images appear — images that I know will carry the delicacy and strength of that unrepeatable moment.
After the session, we return to the celebration, to the wedding guests, to the warmth and energy of a group that vibrates with the couple. And there, my work continues. There’s still so much to capture: the hugs, the laughter, the tears, the toasts, the small gestures that define what a wedding truly is.
What happens after the session:
- Reuniting with guests is always emotional.
- Spontaneous shots become richer with the party’s energy.
- Every moment counts — everything matters.
- As a wedding photographer, I become almost invisible but always alert.
The essence of wedding photography
My passion for photographing weddings started because of these late-afternoon sessions. It’s one of the most enjoyable moments of the day for me. And while I’ve grown to love other aspects of the wedding day — like the preparations, the unexpected encounters, or the emotion of the wedding ceremony — I still eagerly await that previously agreed hour. The one where time slows and the couple trusts me with their private moment.
Why this session matters:
- It’s a moment of pause, just for the couple.
- It allows us to create images that will last forever.
- It strengthens their bond, away from the event’s buzz.
- It’s where the photographer’s creativity meets the couple’s authenticity.
Conclusion:
What might seem routine never is. Every photo session with the couple is a discovery, a new story told through the lens. Being a wedding photographer means witnessing — and capturing — small, great moments of love, light, and emotion. And that, fortunately, never gets old. It only renews.
Let’s talk about your day
It would be a great pleasure to walk with you during that magical hour of your wedding. Let’s meet, talk about your plans, and understand what you envision for your day. Together, we can create something truly special — and unique, as every wedding should be.
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- This couple’s session was photographed in the gardens of Quinta da Ramila near Fátima, Portugal, in the late afternoon.