A WALK BETWEEN RUINS by the PORTUGAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
The groom and the bride at the pre-wedding session in a military ruin in Parede, Cascais
• Pode ler este artigo em Português.
The Wedding Photographer and Pre-Wedding Session Locations
The wedding photographer plays a key role long before the day of the ceremony. The pre-wedding session, increasingly valued by couples, has become an essential part of the wedding’s visual storytelling. It’s a chance to capture relaxed, authentic images and to build trust between the photographer and the couple.
Curiously, many wedding photographers end up choosing far-off or popular locations, forgetting about the perfect spots right on their doorstep. It’s like that saying: “the shoemaker’s son always goes barefoot.”
The importance of the pre-wedding session
These sessions are fundamental not only to capture wedding photographs with a more personal style but also to ensure that, on the wedding day, the couple feels comfortable with the photographer’s presence. The laid-back atmosphere helps both the groom and the bride relax, get used to the photographer’s approach, and ultimately create images that blend seamlessly into the final wedding album.
Choosing the right location for the session
Choosing the right spot should reflect the couple’s personality, their visual preferences, and even the weather forecast.
As a wedding photographer, it’s crucial to have a shortlist of locations: some because of their natural beauty, others because they provide shelter from wind or rain. There are even those more neutral spots that work with any outfit or concept.
Points to consider when choosing the location:
- The look and feel of the place, and whether it matches the couple’s style
- Accessibility and distance
- Expected weather conditions
- Privacy and quietness
- Integration potential with the wedding album editing
Building a connection with the couple
One of the hidden values of these sessions is the emotional and human connection they enable. The photographer learns the couple’s dynamic, best angles, and most genuine expressions. In return, the couple starts seeing the photographer as part of their wedding day, not just a vendor.
Benefits of a pre-wedding session:
- Helps the couple get used to the camera
- Builds empathy between the couple and the photographer
- Ensures more natural wedding photographs
- Gives creative freedom to the photographer
- Offers visual content for invites, videos, or social media
The forgotten spots… right nearby
Despite having beautiful locations close to home, I often forget to suggest them to my couples. It’s funny how we always search for something new or far away, forgetting the small treasures around us. Yet, those familiar spots give me a freedom of movement and creativity that’s hard to replicate elsewhere.
Great types of places for pre-wedding sessions:
- Public gardens with great natural light
- Wind-sheltered beaches
- Historical urban areas with texture
- Countryside paths and natural vegetation
- Private spaces with personal meaning to the couple
The photographer as a storyteller
Being a wedding photographer also means being a storyteller. Every photo, every sequence, contributes to a narrative built with care and emotion. Including pre-wedding images in the main wedding album creates a more personal and cohesive visual result. I see each session as the visual prologue of the big day.
What to look for in a photographer:
- Someone who understands your story as a couple
- Artistic and technical vision to turn moments into memories
- Knowledge of meaningful or scenic locations
- Empathy and calmness throughout the process
Conclusion
Pre-wedding sessions aren’t just a trend—they’re a powerful tool to build trust, connection, and visual harmony between the photographer and the couple. As a wedding photographer, I truly believe in their value and their impact on the wedding day experience. And maybe it’s time to rediscover those places nearby—sometimes, the best backdrops are right around the corner.
Let’s talk about your pre-wedding session
Planning your wedding? Let’s create stunning memories now. I’ll help you choose the perfect spot, connect authentically, and ensure everything flows beautifully on your wedding day. Let’s start telling your story – together, from the very first click.
- You can see a full wedding story: