VISITING THE ARCHIVE by THE WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER IN LISBON

Some of the photos from the pre-wedding session in Chiado, Lisbon
• Pode ler este artigo em Português.
Photographing a Couple’s Session or Pre-Wedding Shoot Without Directing the Couple: Capturing the Naturalness of the Moment

The art of photographing a couple at such an important moment in their life, like a couple’s session or pre-wedding shoot, is one of the most delicate tasks for a wedding photographer. It is a unique opportunity to capture the emotions and connection between the couple, far from the poses imposed by clichés.
When photographing a session of this nature, I choose an approach where, instead of directing the couple, I follow them fluidly, capturing their natural essence. This approach results in authentic wedding photographs, full of feeling and spontaneity.
The idea is clear: capture the couple without impositions, without the pressure of a traditional and artificial photograph. Instead of directing every movement or smile, I observe and follow their dynamic. The result is images that convey a genuine sense of connection, as if the photographer’s eye is guided by the couple’s energy.
Wedding Photography: The Evolution of the Photographer’s Eye and Technique

At the beginning of my career as a wedding photographer, I remember doing a pre-wedding shoot with Vanessa and Bruno in Lisbon. It was a learning moment, but also a big challenge. By accepting this challenge, I was taking the first steps in my career while also preparing for their big wedding day. For me, it was an opportunity to explore new ways of doing things and find myself as a professional photographer.
Vanessa and Bruno asked me to photograph them without any explicit direction, only telling me the location of the session. I accepted with a mix of nervousness and enthusiasm. The idea was to be like a jazz musician, where the basic structure was given, but the notes and improvisation happened in the moment.
With that, a new way of seeing wedding photography was born for me: freer, more fluid, and much more emotional. They allowed me to evolve, and the photographs that resulted from this experience showed me that naturalness was the key to creating truly memorable images.
- The experience with Vanessa and Bruno was crucial for my growth as a wedding photographer.
- Photographing freely and without pressure helps create spontaneous, emotional images.
- The most authentic wedding photographs come from unposed moments.
- A natural approach allows you to capture the essence of the couple’s connection.
The Harmony in Photograph Composition: The Photographer’s Eye as the Capture Instrument

Photographing without direction involves a series of decisions that happen in real time. Harmonizing the composition, deciding the point of view, and determining the framing of an image are tasks that often have to be made quickly, without time for deep reflection. This process is like a musical piece where each note comes together to create a melody.
In my case, it involves observing the couple’s reactions, the small details of their movements, and expressions. Every smile, every exchanged look between the couple is a reflection of their story, and so it needs to be captured quickly and intuitively.
I am not the type of photographer who spends hours observing the scenery, like a landscape photographer searching for the perfect moment. For me, the scenery is the people, and the magic lies in their reactions and genuine expressions. This is what makes wedding photography a unique experience. The creative process of photographing is driven by the unpredictability of the couple’s reactions and the small gestures that can only be captured at the right moment.
- Image composition in wedding photography is a dynamic process.
- The naturalness of the couple’s expressions is what makes the photographs more powerful.
- Photographing without direction helps capture authentic and emotional moments.
- Each image has its own story, which should be told quickly and intuitively.
The Challenge of Capturing Natural Moments: How the Photographer’s Eye Becomes Essential

Unlike other types of photography, where patience and stillness are essential, wedding photography requires a more agile and reactive approach. The couple’s reactions are fast, and therefore, the photographer needs to be constantly alert to capture those fleeting moments. When working with couples in couples’ sessions or pre-wedding shoots, the gestures and expressions are often unpredictable, but that’s what makes the images come to life.
During the session with Vanessa and Bruno, I was challenged to follow the couple without imposing any direction. I didn’t know how things were going to unfold, but I knew that the key was being an attentive observer and capturing every nuance of emotion that appeared.
The small moments, such as an exchanged glance, a shy smile, or a spontaneous laugh, are the ones that are most deeply etched in the heart and memory. Without knowing, they helped solidify my way of working. Photographing without imposition was a lesson that made me a better photographer, more prepared for their big wedding day.
- Naturalness is essential to creating authentic and emotional images.
- Every gesture and every expression of the couple can tell a unique story in wedding photography.
- The ability to capture spontaneous moments is what sets a wedding photographer apart.
- Following the couple without directing them results in more sincere and lively images.

If you’re looking for a wedding photographer who can capture the genuine and natural essence of your special day, without forcing poses or directions, I’m here to help. Every wedding is unique, and your photographs should reflect the true emotion of the moment.
Get in touch with me to learn more about how I can make your big day an unforgettable memory, full of authentic and spontaneous moments. Let’s create together the photographs that will tell the story of your love in a unique and emotional way.
- You can see a full wedding story:






















































