HEY, WHO ARE YOU? by THE PORTUGAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
The unknown photographer for the bride and groom’s son at the wedding party at the Vila Galé Collection Palácio dos Arcos in Oeiras
• Pode ler este artigo em Português.
The Enigma That Was the Wedding Photographer for a Child
From the very first hours of the wedding day, among the bride and groom, the wedding guests, the ceremony, and the emotional details, there is always someone who surprises us. This time, it was David. For him, the wedding photographer, who was capturing every smile and gesture, making memories, was a real mystery. A walking enigma with two big “black things” in front of his face.
David was a constant presence during my day as a wedding photographer. Always watching, always curious, always with that look of someone wanting to ask something. To him, I was someone who was everywhere but didn’t quite fit into the story he could understand.
Who Is This Guy With a Camera in Front of His Face?
Throughout the wedding day, David gifted me small moments of tenderness and surprise. There were smiles, spontaneous gestures, direct looks into the lens, and, of course, unspoken questions you could see in his eyes. Who is this guy who won’t leave the bride and groom alone, who keeps photographing and keeps pointing that black thing at me?
In a child’s mind, especially on a day as stimulating as a wedding, everything is new and curious. But I, the wedding photographer, was especially intrigued. He danced, and I photographed. He ran, I photographed. He laughed, and I photographed. And he kept wondering: “But why? For what?”
The Photo Offered to the Wedding Photographer
By the end of the party, after a day full of emotions, music, and dance, David decided to give me something: a photo. A photo he offered me, pointing his finger, with that questioning look and a kind of silent challenge: “Tell me, who are you?”
That photograph symbolises everything that day was. It was the culmination of hours of non-verbal interaction, of exchanged smiles, and the constant presence of the camera. It was the final point of a parallel story to the wedding, but one that deserves to be, too.
The Enigma as Seen by David
Probably the questions David would ask:
- Who are you?
- What are you doing here with those big things in front of your face?
- Are you playing or working?
- Can I do something for you?
- Why are you following me all day?
And the answers he might find later:
- I’m your parents’ wedding photographer.
- I’m here to save your memories, even if you don’t yet understand what that means.
- One day, you’ll look at these photos and realise you were part of something special.
- You’ll remember how much fun you had, how you danced, and how everyone loved you.
- You’ll see that these aren’t just wedding photos – they’re pieces of a greater story.
The Invisible but Essential Role of the Wedding Photographer
As a wedding photographer, we are rarely protagonists. We move between guests, discreetly, looking for angles, light, emotion, and stories. But sometimes, we also become characters in a side narrative, like with David. And these stories, even silent, enrich our work.
Some truths about this role:
- A wedding photographer doesn’t just capture images – we preserve emotions.
- Wedding photography isn’t just for the bride and groom but also for those who don’t yet know its value, like children.
- Being noticed by a child like David means we truly became part of the wedding day.
Highlights of This Experience
What made this moment so special?
- David wasn’t afraid of the camera – he was curious. He interacted and made me a part of his day.
- The final gesture of offering me a photo says it all: empathy, reciprocity, and genuine connection.
- The captured image shows more than a smile or gesture – it shows a question, a doubt, a real enigma.
What I learned from this story:
- Every child lives the wedding day in their unique way.
- Small moments, like this one with David, are what make my work unforgettable.
- Being a good wedding photographer is also about knowing how to observe, even when we’re not the ones taking the photo.
Conclusion: The Silent Impact of Wedding Photography
At the end of the day, David may not have understood who I was. But I’m sure that one day, when he sees the photos from his parents’ wedding, he will understand. He’ll realise the guy with the “black things in front of his face” was there to make sure he never forgets that day. That every photo holds a memory, a feeling, a moment lived with intensity. And that, after all, the wedding photographer wasn’t such a mystery – just someone who wanted to tell a story through images.
Let’s Talk About Your Wedding Day
If you’d like someone to capture every gesture, smile, and even the little mysteries of your wedding day, talk to me. As a wedding photographer, I’m here to ensure that every memory is preserved with authenticity and emotion. Book a meeting and let me show you what I can do for your day.
- You can see a full wedding story:
- In Vila Galé Collection Palácio dos Arcos Paço de Arcos, Oeiras, Portugal