Choosing Your Engagement Photographer
If you're here, it's likely you're searching for an engagement photographer in Lisbon and or Sintra, Portugal!
If by any chance you’re considering a proposal photoshoot, it’s something I love to capture so check THIS PAGE for more information.
Now, first and foremost, congratulations on your engagement! This is such an exciting time in your lives, and I'm thrilled to be part of your journey. Secondly, you're in the right place!
I understand that you may be at different stages of your search. Perhaps you're just starting to explore your options for engagement photography in Lisbon, or maybe you've been searching for a while but haven't found the perfect fit yet. Either way, I'm here to provide you with the essential details you need to make an informed decision.
I'll keep this post relatively brief and focus on giving you the key information you need. While I hope you'll choose me as your engagement photographer, it's important to find someone who truly resonates with you and your vision for your special day.
The best way to determine if we're a good match is by checking out the photos on this page! However, there's more to it than just the final product. Engagement photography is a collaborative process where we work together to create something beautiful. Personality fit is key!
Fortunately, I'm accustomed to working with clients from diverse backgrounds, ensuring a fabulous and enjoyable experience for everyone involved.
Now, let's dive into everything you need to know about engagement photography with yours trully, so you can decide if I'm the right fit for capturing your engagement and hopefully your wedding too!
For a longer version about this topic you can also see my ENGAGEMENT SESSIONS PAGE
HOW SHOULD YOU CHOOSE YOUR ENGAGEMENT PHOTOGRAPHER?
Photography Style
This kind of photography encompass various styles, each offering a unique approach to capturing these special moments. Here are some common photography styles you might encounter:
Traditional - This style focuses on timeless and posed shots, often including formal portraits of the couple and their families. The emphasis is on capturing key moments and individuals in a traditional, structured manner.
Documentary - This aims to capture candid moments and emotions as they naturally unfold, without much intervention from the photographer. The focus is on storytelling, capturing the genuine essence of the day without staged poses.
Editorial or Fine Art - This style often incorporates elements of high-fashion photography, with an emphasis on posing and styling and often involving creative compositions, artistic framing, and attention to detail. It emphasizes the photographer's artistic vision.
My photography style is authentic and natural so it falls under the Documentary umbrella even tho it’s not 100% documental, as I use prompts and engage with the couple. I aim to capture genuine moments that reflect the unique connection between you and your partner. Our goal is to make you feel comfortable and have a fantastic time during the photo shoot.
The Posing
Unless you have chosen a photographer that is 100% documental and has a photojournalistic approach, your photographer will always help you with the posing.
Unlike traditional posing, where couples are often asked to hold specific poses, prompted photography encourages more natural and spontaneous moments between the couple.
Here's how I usually help my couples with prompts:
Conversation Prompts: These are designed to spark meaningful interactions. These prompts could be simple questions about your relationship, such as how you first met, your favorite memories together, or your future aspirations. Great for couples who are fuelled led with Words of Affirmation.
Interactive Games: Couples may be asked to engage in interactive games or activities during the photoshoot. This could include playful activities like whispering secrets to each other, sharing a favorite dance move, or playing a quick round of "Simon Says." These activities help my couples relax and enjoy the moment, resulting in more authentic expressions and lots and lots of laughs.
Movement and Direction: Instead of static poses, prompted couple photography often involves movement and direction. So I will encourage you to walk, dance, or explore your surroundings together while I capture those candid moments. This dynamic approach adds energy and spontaneity to the photoshoot.
Emotional Prompts: You know I am an hopeless romantic, right? So I may use emotional prompts to evoke specific feelings or reactions from my couples. This could involve asking you to share a meaningful memory, express gratitude for each other, or reflect on your hopes for your wedding day. These words spark genuine moments of intimacy.
Environment and Setting: I will advantage of the surrounding environment to enhance the storytelling. Will ask you to interact with your surroundings, such as sitting on a park bench, strolling along a scenic trail, or exploring urban landscapes or just soaking your feet in the ocean. This approach adds depth and context to the images.
Not all of these examples work with every couple so I try to adjust to what fits best to each couple I am working with. At the end of the day, I just want you to have fun.
Editing Style
Photography editing styles play a significant role in shaping the mood, atmosphere, and overall aesthetic of couple photography. Here are the three common editing styles used in couple photography:
True-to-Life - This style aims to maintain the colors, tones, and lighting as true to the original scene as possible. The goal is to create images that look realistic and authentic, without heavy editing or manipulation.
( Dark and ) Moody - Moody editing styles emphasize deep shadows, rich colors, and high contrast to create a sense of drama and intensity in the photos. This style is often characterized by dark, atmospheric tones and cinematic effects, which add depth and emotion to the images.
(Light and) Airy - This style prioritize light, airy tones, and soft pastel colors to create a light and uplifting atmosphere in the photos. This style often involves boosting exposure, softening highlights, and enhancing soft, dreamy textures. Bright and airy editing is popular for capturing romantic DIsney-like whimsical moments.
I would say my editing style is a warm, moody, true-to-life. I focus on enhancing the natural beauty of the photos, with a cinematic touch, while maintaining a level of authenticity. My goal is to deliver images that feel timeless and evoke emotions for years to come.
Duration of Shoots
Engagement sessions typically last around 1 to 2 hours, allowing your photographer to capture a variety of shots while ensuring you feel comfortable throughout the process.
I believe this timeframe strikes the perfect balance between capturing beautiful moments and avoiding fatigue. Unless you want to drive around Lisbon and Sintra, which would take around up to 5 hours.
Preferred Timing
Try to schedule engagement sessions based on the best lighting conditions, usually during the sunrise or during the golden hour before sunset. This ensures that your photographer capture stunning photos with soft, flattering light that enhances the beauty of Lisbon's landscapes. When you shoot at sunrise there are not many tourists around so it’s perfect if you’re shy or want to avoid the Lisbon chaos.
How It Works
Once you've reached out, we'll discuss your preferences, possible locations, and any special requests you may have. We'll work together to create a customized plan for your engagement session, ensuring that every detail is tailored to your vision.
Great Places to Shoot
Lisbon offers a plethora of picturesque locations for engagement sessions. From historic landmarks to charming cobblestone streets, the possibilities are endless. Some popular locations include the iconic Alfama district, the stunning Miradouro das Portas do Sol and the picturesque Belém Tower.
I'll leave you to explore more of my work and get in touch regarding your engagement session in Lisbon.
I'm excited to potentially work with you and capture the magic of this special time in your lives against the backdrop of Lisbon's beautiful scenery!
Get in touch now for your engagement session using the form below!
Photos from Lisbon and Sintra engagement sessions
Our time together here may be ending for now, but our conversation doesn't have to stop. Feel free to drop me an email via the contact page, and let's continue to create magic together!
For those of you eager to dive deeper into preparing for your engagement session, I've got you covered. Check out my guide on how to get ready for the big day.
And hey, I've even put together a helpful resource on what to wear for your engagement shoot. Consider it my way of spoiling you a bit!
If you appreciated the fun emoji vibes in this post, I'd be thrilled to be the one behind the lens capturing your Lisbon or Sintra engagement session!
Did I miss any significant information? Feel free to share your thoughts!
Don’t forget to save this graphic to your wedding inspiration Pinterest board so you can revisit it later.