Couple & Engagement photography Erica & Mitch in Bairro Alto

For this kind of shoot, the old part of the city works perfectly. Most people immediately think of Alfama, but I suggested a different option. We chose Bairro Alto. This area keeps the same Lisbon vibe, while helping to avoid heavy tourist crowds in the frame. I always choose the route and locations for a specific couple rather than following a fixed scenario.

To further reduce the number of people and catch the right light, we decided to start at dawn. Morning Lisbon has a completely different rhythm. The city is not fully awake yet, and this calm atmosphere is clearly felt in the photographs.

We started at the Miradouro de São Pedro de Alcântara. At sunrise, the sun appears from behind São Jorge Castle and softly lights up the pavement and the viewpoint. The light created beautiful natural highlights in the frame and added a sense of calm and depth to the early morning. We spent part of the shoot there and then moved into the narrow streets of the neighborhood.

I love these moments when there is no rush and you can simply explore the city together with the couple. Even though I know this area well and shoot here regularly, every session reveals something new. A different doorway, an unexpected reflection in a window, a shadow falling in a new way. When people feel relaxed, the city starts working for the image on its own.

My experience and skills help people feel comfortable in front of the camera and get natural, lively photos, even if they have no prior photoshoot experience at all. Quite often, people tell me that everyone looks like models in the photos. In reality, this is not the case. These are ordinary people who simply felt at ease during the shoot. I take that as a compliment to my work.

At the same time, I know this can sometimes work against me. Some clients assume that if people look “like models” in the photos, then I only work with models, and that the same result would not be possible for them. In fact, it works the other way around. My goal is not to turn someone into a different person, but to show them as they are, in the right light and in the right mood.

On every couple or family shoot, I always create both shared images and individual portraits for each person. This matters, because everyone wants to have their own strong photograph from Lisbon. This is exactly how I work during couple photo sessions in Lisbon, where the connection between people matters more than poses.

In the end, this shoot became more than just a photosession. It became part of Erica and Mitch’s trip. For me, this is the real value of shooting in Lisbon, when the city is not just a background, but a living part of the frame that stays with you long after.