Justine & Drew, Lisbon
A Lisbon beach elopement photographed on film
Justine and Drew flew from the US to elope in Lisbon last Summer. A beautiful reminder that a wedding can really be just about the people getting married, an opportunity to make their dreams a reality.
They set the pace and energy for the day and we spent most of the time strolling around Lisbon - stopping here and there to enjoy the views, taking tiny side streets on a whim with no specific destination in mind, having coffee at traditional Portuguese cafes. We met in the city early in the morning - before the tourists woke up, and then again at the beach right before sunset so they could say their vows by the sea. It was quietly perfect and as low-pressure as they said they wanted, a day just for them.
All images were shot on 35mm and medium format film, as usual, and developed and scanned by Carmencita Film Lab. I love working in Lisbon because I get the change to drop my rolls at the lab in person the next day - a very special ritual that makes me feel even more connected to the images.
FAQ
For Lisbon Elopements
Where are you based?
I am based between Portugal and The Netherlands and photograph weddings primarily in Portugal, France and The Netherlands. Even though I spend most of the wedding season (from April to October) on the road, I have recently made the conscious choice to focus mostly on locations I can get to by train for sustainability reasons. A single wedding season would easily see me boarding 40+ flights otherwise.
How many images will we receive?
The total number of images will vary based on factors like number of guests and duration of the ceremony, but I deliver an average of 500 images for a full day wedding. I also focus on quality instead of quantity, so I make sure each image I deliver is unique and can stand on its own.
Do we receive black and white photos as well?
Yes, of course! By default, I shoot 30-35% of the wedding using BW film, but this is thoroughly discussed with couples during our pre-wedding talks so that the final proportion meets your expectations and personal preferences - I can either increase the BW photos or remove them altogether if it suits the couple.
Should we worry about rain for our Lisbon elopement?
While rain is always a possibility, if you're planning an elopement in Lisbon between April and September you have already done everything you can to minimise your risks of a rainy elopement, Lisbon is generally a very sunny city, but late spring and summer are particularly so. With that being said, it's always best to organise a Plan B and since elopements are done with just the couple and the photographer, we can be flexible on the dates :)
How will we receive our images? What does the film process look like?
Once the wedding is done, I'll take all film rolls to my trusted lab in Lisbon for developing and scanning. The final photos will be delivered to you as high-res jpg scans of the original negatives uploaded to an online gallery for viewing, downloading and sharing. In 2026 I will also be offering darkroom prints of your images as an add-on - as artisanal as it can possibly get.
What is your photographic style?
My photographic approach can be called documentary or photojournalistic, but I use the term loosely. What that means is that I try to work with as much creative freedom as I can, but the ground on which I stand is life itself. I don't believe there's such a thing as the "real" photographic representation of a moment - once a moment comes and goes, it opens itself to infinite possible interpretations or narratives, and many of these can be called true. So I think it matters to know that I'll bring my very own pair of eyes to any wedding day, along with a lot of empathy, energy, and a deep and ever-growing understanding of my craft, as well as a genuine willingness to dive into the story that is to unfold in front. With that said, I don't pose my couples and I don't try to manufacture moments or emotions that are not already there.
Why do you shoot only film, and not a mix of film and digital?
The short answer to this question is that a digital camera would not do anything that a film camera can't do in a better way. I know a lot of photographers choose to shoot film only in certain lighting situations, but I have extensive experience working exclusively with film not only in weddings but also on commercial assignments, and my honest opinion is that it can be used in any situation if you have the necessary knowledge. Film is versatile, consistent, and beautiful under almost any condition. Given all that, a digital camera would just be an unnecessary distraction.
To know more about this click here!
Can we hire you for our multi-day elopment in Lisbon?
Absolutely! As long as my schedule is free for the period and it won't interfere with any elopement scheduled just before or right after yours. I love multi-day elopements and I absolutely love to have more time with the couples so you get more relaxed with my presence!
What cameras do you use as a film elopement photographer?
I work with many different cameras at the same time - mainly because they offer different qualities to the final negative, but also because I like my workflow to be as fail-proof as possible and having different cameras capture the same moments can guarantee that. On a regular wedding day, you can expect to see me carrying at least a medium format Mamiya, a Contax G1 and a Konica Hexar at the same time.
Can we meet in-person before our elopement?
Yes, of course! This is not always possible as most of my couples are planning an elopement away from the country they currently live in and because I spend most of the wedding season on the road, but if we happen to be in Lisbon (or any other city) at the same time at any point during the planning process, I'll do everything I can to have a coffee with you! Even if in-person meetings are not possible, we do several video calls throughout the planning process so we can hopefully feel like old friends when the day comes, and you're welcome to message me on WhatsApp at any point after booking. In other words, we'll be in touch a lot :)
We are looking for a film elopement photographer in Lisbon and love your work. How can we book you?
If you like my work and my approach to photography and think it matches what you dream your wedding photos to be, please get in touch through my contact form.