“Lisbon at dawn” is the story of this photoshoot in Lisbon.

Newly engaged and filled with anticipation, Cecilia and Chico ventured across the Atlantic to experience the timeless beauty of Lisbon and create lasting memories together.

Their European escapade was not merely another trip on their extensive travel itinerary, but a celebration of their commitment to each other and the beginning of a new chapter in their lives. And what better way to commemorate this special occasion than with a  photoshoot in the heart of Lisbon?

I was first contacted by Cecilia  when they started planning their trip to Portugal, roughly 5 months prior. After a few exchanged emails regarding the  location possibilities, we decided to stay in downtown Lisbon and do the photoshoot before day break. That would ensure the streets were fairly deserted and, hopefully (if it wasn’t cloudy), the morning light would be our ally. 

We decided to meet at 6.30 am. When I got to our meeting point, it was still night. Before dawn, the city was still and peaceful, with most of its residents fast asleep. The streets were quiet, and the silent, majestic city’s historic buildings and landmarks created a serene and magical atmosphere. There was no traffic at all and only the warm street lamps lit the streets. One could only see the newspaper stands opening up, a few (very few) people walking towards the subway station and the gentle sounds of a city slowly coming to life. 

We started by going to Bairro Alto, a typical Portuguese area in Lisbon, well-known for its bars and night entertainment. We bumped into some people whose night’s fun hadn’t finished yet, but we loved the idea of walking around what it looked like an uninhabited city. 

Cecilia and Chico felt really at ease in front of the camera and were always very sweet with each other and relaxed. Later, they told me they had just recently  done a photoshoot in Porto, which they had visited before Lisbon. 

As the sun rose, Lisbon slowly awoke, and our exploration continued, as we walked up and down the hills, until we found the most wonderful  light on Pink Street, in Cais do Sodré. They wanted sweet memories of their trip, so we made sure to get a bit of all of Lisbon’s typical features, such as the yellow electric cars and tiled houses. 

In the end, it wasn’t just about the photographs; it was about the experience—the laughter, the love, and the joy of being together in a new place.  This was such a beautiful photoshoot. Lisbon really has an incredible light and it shone even brighter on these two love birds. 

THANK YOU!