FASTNESS by THE PORTUGAL WEDDING PHOTOGRAPHER
Some photos of a couple with their children playing on the beach on a summer’s afternoon after their wedding day
• Pode ler este artigo em Português.
A phone call that changed the day
As a wedding photographer, each phone call can open doors to unique and unexpected moments. That’s exactly what happened one late afternoon when Rui called. I met Rui and Ana at Vanessa and Bruno’s wedding, which I photographed. It was one of those lucky cases where one wedding leads to another, then to a christening, and eventually another wedding. This is the beauty of wedding photography: building authentic connections that last over time.
That day, I was deep into editing wedding photographs. The atmosphere was calm, my focus total, trying to uncover the hidden secrets in each image – glances between the bride and groom, the emotion of wedding guests, the unplanned gesture during the wedding ceremony. But editing also brings frustration: angles we regret, or missed details we only notice when it’s too late to capture them again.
An invitation to improvise
The phone rang. It was Rui. He said enthusiastically, “We’re here at Praia das Avencas! Would you like to pop over and finally do that post-wedding session we never managed to schedule?” I must admit I don’t deal well with last-minute surprises. Switching from a deep state of focus to sudden action usually throws me off balance. But at that moment, I felt the pull of the sea, the late afternoon light, and the opportunity to capture something real.
It felt like being yanked from a dream just when it was getting interesting. Still a bit dazed, I gathered my gear – cameras, the right lenses for natural light – and headed to a beach I know so well.
The reunion at Praia das Avencas
Praia das Avencas, in Parede, is one of those places that seems made to be photographed. The sun was already low, gently bowing out. When I arrived, Rui, Ana, and the kids were ready and full of positive energy. That long-delayed session was finally happening – spontaneously, and for that reason, perfectly.
What matters in wedding photography
- Editing wedding photographs isn’t just about adjusting light and colours. It’s about attention, reflection, critique, and discovery. It’s about honouring what the bride and groom experienced.
- Wedding photography is about eternalising gestures, details, and emotions often missed in the moment. The groom’s glance, the bride’s soft smile, the tenderness of a hug between wedding guests – all of it deserves to be remembered.
The power of post-wedding sessions
- Post-wedding sessions are a great opportunity to revisit what your wedding day might not allow. More intimacy, more time, more creative freedom.
- Moments like the one with Rui and Ana show that we don’t need elaborate plans to create something special. Just willingness, light, and presence.
- The beauty of improvisation is that it frees us from perfection and offers us authenticity. That’s everything a good wedding photo needs.
The value of continuity
Being a wedding photographer offers a rare privilege: seeing families grow, being called back, and sharing important milestones. One wedding leads to another, then a christening, then maybe a birthday. These relationships create emotional bonds visible in the images. They are photos made with closeness, with history.
Key takeaways
- Wedding photography demands more than technique – it requires sensitivity, listening, and adaptation.
- Post-wedding sessions are a fantastic way to complement your wedding story.
- Wedding photographers are used to the unexpected, and often, that’s where the best photos come from.
Conclusion
Photographing Rui, Ana, and their kids that unexpected late afternoon at Praia das Avencas was more than just a shoot. It was a reconnection with spontaneity, lightness, and the reason I became a wedding photographer: to capture real, lived moments. Whether at a big wedding, an informal session, or a last-minute phone call, there’s always a story to tell – and someone trusting me to tell it through images.
Let’s talk?
If you’re looking for a wedding photographer who values authenticity and knows how to capture true moments, even outside the original plan, I’m here for that. Whether it’s your wedding day, an engagement session, or a post-wedding shoot, get in touch and let’s create something timeless together.
- You can see a full wedding story: